Baby birds fly when they must; so do our children
We built our house the summer after our oldest son was born. Since then, generations of eastern phoebes raised their hatchlings in a nest constructed under our deck by one of their ancestors. You might know these fly-catching birds for their dark heads, fidgety tail pumps and their “fee-bee” call, which is how they got… Read More →
First Strib Voices column begins in an Iron Range underground mine
If you missed the news, I’m joining the newly rebranded Minnesota Star Tribune as a contributing columnist. My first column publishes today at StarTribune.com and Monday, Aug. 19 in the print edition. Today’s column: “Old family photo reveals how much has changed on the Iron Range.” This first piece was inspired by an old photograph… Read More →
The affordability we can’t afford
Americans like to argue, but seem to agree that we don’t have enough money. The median household income in St. Louis County runs just below $58,000 a year, about $30,000 for individuals. Half make less, and these folks certainly know how hard it is to cover rising expenses. Nevertheless, candidates who support publicly funded health… Read More →
De’myth’tifying Minnesota
A couple weeks ago I reviewed a new novel reframing the Paul Bunyan myth that still prevails in Minnesota tourism and culture. Today, I share a new essay for the Minnesota Reformer entitled “Paul Bunyan and the weight of myth.” This piece digs deeper into the Bunyan story and how it shaped the cultural perception… Read More →
Who’s driving the bus?
It’s back to school season! For me, this has always been a special time of year. I loved school as a kid. College, too. I covered education as a reporter and editor. Then I became a college instructor. As a parent, school meant something different: freedom, maybe, but also the growth and development of those… Read More →
This just in
Baby birds fly when they must; so do our children
We built our house the summer after our oldest son was born. Since then, generations of eastern phoebes raised their hatchlings in a nest constructed under our deck by one of their ancestors. You might know these fly-catching birds for their dark heads, fidgety tail pumps and their “fee-bee” call, which is how they got… Read More →
Power in the Wilderness
Aaron J. Brown is currently writing “Power in the Wilderness,” a book about the late Hibbing mayor Victor Power and his tumultuous early 20th Century world. Until the book is done Brown is collaborating with independent filmmaker Karl Jacob on an exciting new podcast of the same name. The program is a special production of KAXE/KBXE Northern Community Radio where it will also air on the radio. To listen or read show notes, check out “Power in the Wilderness.” Meantime, Contact Aaron with any Hibbing-area recollections from 1900 to 1926, especially if they involve Victor Power. Family histories and old letters are great, but even second-hand stories are useful. We are trying to solve a historical mystery and need your help to get it right.
