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The key to our future
This MinnPost article shows how broadband usage by the American population continues to grow even as the economy shrinks. My back-of-the-envelope math, however, shows that the demographics of the Iron Range still put us in risk of falling behind the rest of the country (and certainly the industrialized world) in both usage and understanding of…
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Oh, and one more thing while I’m getting warmed up
If I can add anything else to my earlier post about Excelsior Energy’s changes to the Mesaba Energy Project it is to remind everyone in Minnesota politics that this project DOES NOT represent a universally agreed-upon solution to economic development or energy policy for the Iron Range or anywhere else. Take heed, our new U.S.…
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Major (and baffling) changes coming to Mesaba Energy Project?
Business North‘s Beth Bily is reporting that Excelsior Energy, an eight-year-old start up company, received some rather hushed assistance in the waning hours of this year’s legislative session from gubernatorial candidate Sen. Tom Bakk (DFL-Cook). It now appears the company is exploring the option of building a 100 mW natural gas peaking plant on the…
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No sound, no work
Mesabi Misadventures describes the feelings of an Iron Range mine worker when there is no mining work. She does a great job incorporating the sights, sounds and emotions of the Iron Range behind the well known news headlines of our various mine shutdowns amid the slumping economy. Related posts: No related posts.
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No Boom
What a difference a point of view makes. This story from today’s Hibbing Daily Tribune explores the exact same data as a similar story from last week’s Mesabi Daily News that I wrote about. Iron Range population is holding, with a very slight loss of people. However the headline here, “No Boom,” reminds us that…
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NY Times: Franken & MN’s ‘Odd Politics’
The New York Times has a fun, fascinating look at the “odd politics” of Minnesota after last week’s conclusion of the U.S. Senate Recount Legal Proceeding/Election, Inc. Good Iron Rangers won’t like the characterization of late former Gov. Rudy Perpich, but it is true that Perpich, Ventura, Bachmann, Ellison, Franken, Wellstone, McCarthy, Humphrey, Mondale and…
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Franken enjoying warm reception on Iron Range
Northland NewsCenter covered the first of several Iron Range parade appearances by Sen.-elect Al Franken in Aurora last night. It looks like the DFL-friendly environs of the Iron Range were glad to see him. But you have to see the video because it shows all sides of the contentious political recount battle to be crazy.…
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God Bless America, and the Wienermobile
Happy Fourth of July! Yesterday, my family and I were able to see the most American of American meat-related vehicles, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, in Grand Rapids, Minn. This was significant to more than just the kids. In fact, my kids — like most of the kids I saw that day — were only moderately…
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‘Overburden’ and the Fourth of July on the Iron Range
With so many Iron Range natives returning to the area for the Fourth of July for parades, street dances and festivals, I must point out that my book “Overburden: Modern Life on the Iron Range” won the Northeastern Minnesota Book Award and is available now at book stores all over the state and online at…
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The Wienermobile is coming
NEWS FLASH: The Oscar Meyer Wienermobile will be in Grand Rapids today from 11-1 p.m. at Ogles. I AM SO THERE! Look for pictures later. At the right time I will explain why the Wienermobile played an important role in my youth. Not now. No time! Related posts: No related posts.
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Franken to take part in legendary Range Fourth parades
Sen.-elect Al Franken will be joining Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Jim Oberstar in the Iron Range’s famous Fourth of July parades. Everyone in Range politics got their start at these parades. They have a reputation for controlled chaos. Their reputation for good times is why we’ve got both senators here so soon after last…
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‘Da Range on ‘Da Fourth
One of the most common observations made about the Iron Range by outsiders is that we Rangers put on a hell of a Fourth of July every year. Parades, street dances, fireworks, stuff for the kids, stuff most definitely for the adults. We’ve got it all. A lot of people walk out with a smile,…
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One take on Rukavina’s governor ambitions
My urban progressive friend Grace Kelly penned a post for the Minnesota Progressive Project that is bullish on legendary Iron Range State Rep. Tom Rukavina’s chances if he runs for governor. This post is worth a read, but you should especially check the video of Rukavina’s speech at the recent DFL State Central Committee meeting…
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Tonight only
Amid the stream of bad news that’s come out today, don’t forget that there is a great opportunity to get together with friends and neighbors and enjoy a great show to save HCC Theater tonight. The HCC Theater Support Gala featuring the Blues Brothers and hosts of other performers will take place at 7:30 p.m.…
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Report: Hibbing Taconite may be closed until April 2010
On a scale of 1-10 on the “Oh, hell no” Iron Range bad economic news metric, this would be a 7. Cliffs Natural Resources has announced that Hibbing Taconite may remain in temporary shutdown until April 2010 because of the global economic slump and slow steel sales. This is bad news at a bad time.…