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Taconite roads, coming soon?
A company is experimenting with the shipment of taconite tailings to Chicago as an aggregate for road construction. This according to a story in today’s Mesabi Daily News. Let’s hope it works. Right now that’s the only Iron Range taconite product on the water. Related posts: No related posts.
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Legendary socialist lair to hold 80th anniversay with picnic, lectures
You know what you don’t see much of these days? Cooperative recreational parks in which membership is based on shared maintenance of the grounds. The Mesaba Co-op Park between Cherry and Hibbing is legendary on the Iron Range and beyond. Of course, part of that might have more to do with its reputation as a…
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10 years or 20: How long can the Iron Range go without a return on investment?
Some recent developments indicate that Essar Steel, the Indian company backing an Iron Range taconite-to-steel plant, is either playing a very short game or a very long game in their endeavor. The company is battling with Itasca County over the duration of access to ore stockpiles depending on the timeline of construction. They’d prefer 20…
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Organizing for America to host listening tour stop on Iron Range
“Organizing for America” — the post-election offshoot of the Obama campaign is holding a listening tour stop in Hibbing on Tuesday, June 2. I’m intrigued, mostly because I’m curious what they’re up to. Obama for America proved to be one of the largest and most sophisticated political organizations of our time. What can they do…
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The certainty of bacon
A belated link. Mesabi Misadventures advocates the virtues of the small town cafes on the Iron Range (and most other places). Related posts: No related posts.
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Itasca women’s leadership project looks to mix, organize Wednesday night
A reminder, via press release, for those interested: Rural Women’s Leadership Project hosts an Itasca County event The Rural Women’s Leadership Project (RWLP) invites women in the Grand Rapids area to an evening of discussion and social networking. RWLP is hosting an event on Wednesday, May 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the MacRostie…
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Blue collars fading
The Daily Dish has been featuring a variety of guest bloggers this week as main man Andrew Sullivan is on vacation. One of them is Richard Florida, an economist I often cite, who wrote “The Rise of the Creative Class.” He argues that traditional social class structures are breaking into profession-oriented classes (working class, service…
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FREEDOM! (to buy used)
A scrappy Northern Minnesota dealership stripped of its Chrysler stripes plans to fight on in the used (I’m sorry, pre-owned) market. (MDN) Related posts: No related posts.
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Mining layoffs starting to inflate jobless rate
Some bad news in the short run: Iron Range mining layoffs are just starting to appear in the jobless rate data you’ll be reading about in the coming month. This is from today’s Mesabi Daily News. The state analyst sees cause for optimism. I think, however, that it’s his job to say that. Related posts:…
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Dylan Days Today: Farewell, travelers!
Dylan Days 2009 wraps up today. Thanks to all the people who came to Hibbing to take part in this celebration of music, art, literature and the work of Hibbingite Bob Dylan. Today is Bob Dylan’s 68th birthday. This summer his Hibbing High School class will celebrate its 50th reunion. All that’s left for now,…
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Mesabi Nugget announces delay in start-up
Mesabi Nugget, the iron nugget plant under construction in Hoyt Lakes, has announced that it will delay operational start-up until the fourth quarter of this year instead of August as originally planned. This is from today’s Mesabi Daily News. The delay comes amid a global recession and the continued lagging steel prices, a situation that…
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Dylan Days Today: the Saturday apex
Saturday is the premium day of events for Dylan Days. Stop by and soak up the many different people visiting Hibbing in celebration of hometown son Bob Dylan. Saturday at Dylan Days Dylan Days Bus Tour 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., a fascinating guided tour of the Hibbing that inspired a young Bob Dylan. Tickets…
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Dylan Days Today: Weekend brings songwriter smackdown
Now we’re getting warmed up. Friday is when many visitors start arriving in Hibbing for Dylan Days weekend. The highlight today is our signature Dylan Days Singer/Songwriter Contest tonight at Zimmy’s. Twenty-four musicians from all over the world will sign one Dylan song and one original song to compete for prizes and glory in Bob…
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Excelsior facing long odds at PUC (yes, again)
Excelsior Energy, proponent of the vast and controversial Mesaba Energy Project on the Iron Range, goes before the state PUC for one final plea for special treatment in finding a customer for its expensive electricity it intends to generate in a carbon capture coal plant. Doesn’t look so good for them. An appeal to follow.…
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Dylan Days Today: Welcome to Hibbing!
The opening day of Dylan Days is typically the whole kit and caboodle for me, even more so this year. I am one of the organizers of the Dylan Days Creative Writing Contest, the winners of which participate in this evening’s Literary Showcase. The special highlight is the world premiere of “Blur in the Rear…