Global instability will hit home
The zany comedy, “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World,” came out in 1963. The band R.E.M. released “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine)” in 1987. A couple years later, Billy Joel gave his famously frantic history lesson, “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” Despite these facts, those… Read More →
Another plot twist in U.S. Steel saga
My latest column for the Minnesota Star Tribune, “Blocked Nippon deal leaves fate of U.S. Steel in question,” is out now. In a widely expected move, President Biden officially blocked Nippon Steel’s proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel Friday morning. Though expected, this move could prove a seminal moment in the timeline of the American steel… 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 →
A very special Bob Dylan Christmas
Today, you can read my latest column for the Minnesota Star Tribune, “In Hibbing, Dylan biopic taps the unknowable.” The Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown” opens Christmas night. Last Friday, Searchlight Pictures authorized a special advance showing of the film at Mann’s Cinema 8 in Bob Dylan’s hometown of Hibbing. In a rare twist,… Read More →
Election Day! Election Night! Election Week?
Please forgive some brief wistfulness over the old days here at MinnesotaBrown.com. On an Election Day like today, I once breathlessly live blogged northern Minnesota election from the closing of polls to the final results. I nurtured a network of courthouse moles across the region and sometimes was the first to call races on the… Read More →
This just in
Global instability will hit home
The zany comedy, “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World,” came out in 1963. The band R.E.M. released “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine)” in 1987. A couple years later, Billy Joel gave his famously frantic history lesson, “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” Despite these facts, those… 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.
