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 →
MinnesotaBrown Top Posts of 2024
January 1, 2025 by Leave a Comment
Like a cookie from the jar, another year has disappeared with startling speed. As such, it’s time to compile some of my favorite and most popular writing from 2024. We’re now well past the era when I blogged daily in hot pursuit of the elusive viral clickstorm. Like I mentioned last year, I’m no longer… Read More →
Rural economic diversification is happening: it’s just complicated
December 15, 2024 by 1 Comment
My latest column for the Minnesota Star Tribune, “Reforming broken economies in greater Minnesota,” is out today. Check it out. Covering economic development in a politically-connected rural place like the Mesabi Iron Range is a little like following celebrities in the tabloids. Over time, names rise and fall. Every little twist and turn invites speculation, often… Read More →
After years of rejecting hunting traditions, acceptance brings unexpected connection
November 17, 2024 by Leave a Comment
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 →
In Minnesota, some hunting traditions will subtly change next year
November 7, 2024 by Leave a Comment
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 →
Despite checkered history, reorganized Essar Group ready to launch Mesabi Metallics
October 14, 2024 by Leave a Comment
My new essay appears in the Minnesota Reformer today. (“Good news on the Iron Range: $2 billion Mesabi Metallics is finally happening; for real this time.”) Like much of what I write, it will interest readers on the Mesabi Iron Range. But the impact hits wider. Here we see the corporate maneuvering that shapes our… Read More →
Weighing past and future impact of U.S Steel on the Iron Range
September 24, 2024 by Leave a Comment
Eight years of intensive historical research and 44 years of intensive living on the Iron Range taught me more than I ever planned to know about the steel industry. My latest column, “With merger on the ropes, the fate of U.S. Steel will shape the future of the Iron Range,” is in the Wednesday, Sept…. Read More →
First Strib Voices column begins in an Iron Range underground mine
August 18, 2024 by Leave a Comment
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 →
Brown named contributing columnist for Minnesota Star Tribune
August 15, 2024 by 6 Comments
Today, I bring news for longtime readers of MinnesotaBrown.com. Starting next week, I join the Star Tribune as a contributing columnist. My columns will appear twice a month on the opinion page and StarTribune.com. This is a lifelong career goal I’ve been trying to manifest for at least 10 years. The Star Tribune is the… Read More →
Talkin’ Iron Range blues on the ‘Mississippi Valley Traveler’ podcast
July 17, 2024 by Leave a Comment
A few weeks ago, I wrote a column featuring a new book about traveling along the Mississippi River by Dean Klinkenberg. A few weeks later, I appeared as a guest on Dean’s podcast to talk about the Iron Range. You can now listen to my interview on Dean’s podcast. It’s an hour-long talk, and we… Read More →
