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 that my great aunt recently shared with the family. I knew that my great-grandfather was captain of one of the last underground mines on the Cuyuna Range, and that my grandfather worked for him. I even heard rumors that someone took photos of the mine during its brief period of operation. But on the Fourth of July, I finally saw those photos for the first time.
I follow my family’s experiences above ground, in the pits, and in the mechanical arts to identify a defining ethos for the Iron Range: the driving desire to fix the machine and keep it running for the next generation.
A note on the paywall
Yes, the Star Tribune uses a paywall. You may read a certain number of stories per month for free, but after that you’ll be asked to subscribe. Paywalls often frustrate readers, myself included, especially when we’re used to enjoying articles for free. Different financial models exist to pay for content on the internet: subscriptions, advertising, memberships. Only independent writers like me can afford to give it all away for free. We do this in the hope you’ll buy our books or attend our lectures (or radio shows, in my case). Others share material for free to promote political views. Some free content is great and some is very misleading and exploitive. It’s sometimes hard to tell the difference.
For large organizations like the Star Tribune, subscriptions and advertising are necessary to pay the bills. Subscriptions support payroll for professional writers to cover a very wide range of information, entertainment and features — and for professional editors to improve, fact-check and verify that information. I encourage you to subscribe if you are able. You’ll get a wealth of other content beyond my column.
But I don’t like the Star Tribune
Yes, I know not everyone likes the Star Tribune for various reasons. Too liberal. Too conservative. Some say too corporate or Twin Cities-centric. I’m not here to argue with you, other than to say that I will be guided by the same principals that informed my past writing. Even if you dislike aspects of the Star Tribune, it remains the newspaper of record for Minnesota — the biggest paper read by the most people. And the Minnesota Star Tribune is trying to get better, covering more Greater Minnesota news and connecting with a broader range of readers.
I hold the rights to republish my columns in the future, so you might see them here at MinnesotaBrown or in a book at some point. But your subscriptions now would be appreciated. Even better, tell the Minnesota Star Tribune why you’re subscribing and what you hope to see. Share my column on social media if you are so inclined. It all goes a long way toward me continuing the column.
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