Life exists within a thin candy shell

We live in a world of Dairy Queen Blizzards, smooth fabrics, heated seats and cars that cover a day’s walk in less time than it takes to watch your favorite TV show on something called Netflix. Heck, we can watch that show in the car if we so choose. We live soft and easy compared… Read More →

After years of rejecting hunting traditions, acceptance brings unexpected connection

Minnesota’s firearms deer hunting season has one more weekend to go, but I’ve already achieved my goals for the year. No, I didn’t shoot a deer, but I engaged in two weekends of forest walks, patient vigil, wide-ranging conversation and family rituals. Last Friday, I did a segment on KAXE talking about a recent column… Read More →

For whom the skunk sprays

 We’ve lived in the fetid heart of skunk country our whole lives — without incident, until recently. My wife Christina grew up north of Nashwauk and I was raised in the swamps of the Sax-Zim Bog, each of us well acquainted with skunks. In my case, the family junkyard was overrun with the striped stinkers…. Read More →

Rightward swing will impact Iron Range projects, prospects

For the first time in living memory, Republicans control all the State House seats on the Iron Range. Meantime, a resounding national victory for President-elect Trump in last Tuesday’s election holds immediate and long term implications for our region. The local GOP legislative wins weren’t unexpected. DFLers maintained hope that they might keep District 7B… Read More →

In Minnesota, some hunting traditions will subtly change next year

The rifle season for deer hunting opens Saturday morning, subject of my latest column in the Minnesota Star Tribune. I’ll be at our family’s hunting shack as you read this, hoping that no violent deer force me into an act of self-defense. I might even load the rifle.  Deer hunting is a big fall tradition… 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 →

Political signs breaking our minds … and bank accounts

It’s almost over. Tuesday brings Election Day here in the United States, a moment for each of us to solemnly express our civic opinions through the exercise of democracy. After that, things will calm down. Political disputes will fade into the background and everyone will turn their attention toward the hard work facing our troubled… Read More →

Blue dirt, red dirt, dust to dust

My latest column, “When a blue district turns red, the dirt stays the same” is in the Sunday, Oct. 27 Minnesota Star Tribune. The “Iron Range is shifting to the GOP” story is now a well-worn trope in Minnesota media and political chatter. As a 20-year columnist in the region, I’ve documented every inch of… Read More →

Change defined Rick Nolan’s scrappy political career

 Last week, former U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan died at the age of 80. His death surprised many. Nolan had campaigned for Democrats here on the Mesabi Iron Range just two weeks earlier.  It’s often said that the passing of a venerable politician is “the end of an era.” I’ll spare that language of Nolan because,… Read More →

For sale: childhood memories, adult heartbreak, one sports team, slightly used

Earlier this month, the Pohlad family announced they would explore selling the Minnesota Twins. This unexpected announcement came on the heels of a disappointing season in which a talented but injury-prone team listlessly limped its way out of the playoffs after a promising summer.  Sports franchises are both profitable and a status symbol among the… Read More →