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‘Overburden’ tour hits Virginia today
Another reminder: I’ll be signing copies of my new book “Overburden: Modern Life on the Iron Range” today from 1-3 p.m. at Woodward’s in the Thunderbird Mall in Virginia, Minn. This will be my first event in the Queen City since we started the book tour. I don’t quite know what to expect, but I…
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MinnPost takes solid look at PolyMet status
MinnPost has a fascinating must-read story by Ron Way that explores the PolyMet precious minerals mining project on the East Range. Once again, MinnPost demonstrates its statewide chops. This is more compelling and investigative than anything done by a Range newspaper. In a nutshell, there are many lingering questions that must be answered before this…
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‘Brown Bag’ discussion of Overburden set for Monday in Hibbing
Below is the host press release for my Monday brown bag (no pun intended) lunch discussion at Hibbing Community College. (“Brown bag” is a nice way of saying we have no money to feed you). This is part of the tour for my book “Overburden: Modern Life on the Iron Range” available now at bookstores…
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Brown on the Air: TV SHOWS!
The topic on this Saturday’s “Between You and Me” on 91.7 KAXE is “Favorite TV shows.” What is your favorite TV show and why? What is the significance of these shows and what do they mean about you? Us? The world? I’ll be chiming in about my favorite shows, including “WKRP in Cincinnati.” Do I…
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Clean coal conundrum
Here’s an interesting take on “clean coal” technology. Even if you could capture all the carbon from coal, the cost involved in doing so would make nuclear, natural gas or even renewable sources the more economical choice. Coal should only be used as a transition fuel as we move into a new energy system and…
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Iron Range reacts to sudden mining industry slump
The news of U.S. Steel’s temporary but indefinite shutdown at Keewatin Taconite is sinking in around the Iron Range. The Hibbing Daily Tribune runs a story today that shows some of the reactions from miners and local officials. The summary: We’ve seen this before and we’ll get through it again. The only element of surprise…
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Thank you, Grand Rapids!
Thanks to everyone who came out for the KAXE Book Club meeting and my lecture at the Grand Rapids Public Library last night. The book, “Overburden: Modern Life on the Iron Range” is doing well. So well that you better order soon if you want a (potentially) collectible first edition copy. Act fast! Supplies are…
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Krinkie railed in Range editorial
It bears mentioning any time I find myself in wholehearted agreement with the Mesabi Daily News editorial page. Today, the MDN properly sticks it to Phil Krinkie of the Taxpayer’s League for his bashing of rail service to Duluth specifically and the people of northern Minnesota generally in a recent Duluth News Tribune op/ed. I…
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Keewatin Taconite to be idled; layoffs at HibTac likely
Here comes the roller coaster. From today’s Mesabi Daily News: PITTSBURGH — The Keetac iron ore plant in Keewatin will be idled within the next several weeks. United States Steel officials announced that Keetac’s shutdown is part of the company’s response to the global economic turndown. Two facilities other than Keetac will also be idled…
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Recession seems bad, but could be much worse
This MPR story by Bob Kelliher explains in real numbers how the recession is affecting the Iron Range mining and Duluth shipping economies. Two things seem apparent: It will get worse before it gets better and that it seems the various prospective companies and their investors are not pulling the plug on development for nonferrous…
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Grand Rapids tonight!
Allow me to remind you of tonight’s KAXE Book Club and Grand Rapids Public Library appearances for my “Overburden” book tour. 5:30 p.m.Potluck KAXE Book Club MeetingKAXE StudiosPublic is welcomeDiscussion and Q/A 7 p.m.Reading and Book SigningGrand Rapids Public LibraryFree, open to the public KAXE is located next to the library. I’m going to try…
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Oberstar to champion jobs bill
U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, chair of the House transportation and infrastructure committee, is pushing a massive jobs bill that would move up the construction of approved transportation projects around the country. This is from a Duluth News Tribune story today by John Meyers. I’ve got to think that this works to the favor of Minnesotans…
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Blade problems slow Taconite Ridge turbines
According to a Janna Goerdt story from today’s Duluth News-Tribune, Minnesota Power’s Taconite Ridge wind energy farm on the Iron Range is reporting some engineering problems in its first year. Once repaired, MP officials say the wind turbines will function as planned. The interesting factoid from the story is that these are the biggest inland…
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Iron Range enters food stage of political calendar
In the Iron Range political universe there are two seasons. Thumpin’ season and potluck season. Thumpin’ season is when we engage our region’s unique brand of ad homonym political brutality for the cause of social justice. That ended with the election. We are now in potluck season, a time when wounds are licked and coffers…
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Parliament: Smoke ’em if you got ’em
Canada’s conservative government may tumble because its two left-leaning parties, the Liberals and the New Democrats started crunching some numbers and realized there are more of them then there are conservatives. The election was several weeks ago! The biggest hurdles appear to be internal whining and bitching, which is SO classic liberal. Meantime, any coalition…