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IRR showdown over new hire
CLARIFICATION: This post has been updated to reflect the nature of the position being discussed at Iron Range Resources. Officials describe the job as being “community development” rather than business recruitment. Thus I have moved this post up from the morning to allow people to see the new information. The Mesabi Daily News reports on…
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Copper-nickel showdown on the Range
This Mesabi Daily News story clearly demonstrates the coming battle over nonferrous mining on the Iron Range at the legislature. A bill that would severely limit nonferrous mining is now in the hopper. Storm clouds a’ gathering. Related posts: No related posts.
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Thank you, Hibbing!
The “Overburden: Modern Life on the Iron Range” road show entered the familiar environs of the Hibbing Public Library last night as I did a reading and lecture in the downstairs auditorium, feet from the famed “Bob Dylan” room. Nine hearty souls, more if you count the looky-loos by the door, banded together to hear…
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Hibbing Public Library ‘Overburden’ lecture tonight! Also, a special review!
Reminder: Tonight at 6:30 p.m. I’ll be giving a lecture based on my new book “Overburden: Modern Life on the Iron Range” at the Hibbing Public Library. I’ll be offering selections from the book, a perspective on how Northern Minnesota’s Iron Range remains defined by its people, traditions and potential. I’ll also be answering questions,…
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‘Don’t go there’
Yesterday, St. Louis County Attorney Melanie Ford advised the county board not to pursue a policy restricting citizen recordings of board meetings. Commissioner Keith Nelson had suggested the new rule at a previous meeting, essentially saying that recordings can be taken out of context and that people are free to attend the midday meetings. The…
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Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s understated gem: broadband plan for all of America
Most aspects of the federal stimulus bill are designed to kick in immediately, but there’s one provision that may prove to be the most prescient. Stimulus bill directs FCC to create broadband policy (from CED Magazine) The FCC report is to include: An analysis of the most efficient mechanisms for ensuring broadband access A strategy…
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‘Overburden’ tour comes home to Hibbing Public Library Feb. 18
I’ll be doing a reading/lecture and signing for my new book “Overburden: Modern Life on the Iron Range” at the Hibbing Public Library at 6:30 p.m. this Wednesday, Feb. 18. (Click on “Book News” for more information about the book). The presentation is free and open to the public. This is the first time I’ve…
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Tomassoni set to take helm of IRR board
As promised, here is that Mesabi Daily News story about State Sen. David Tomassoni taking over the helm of the Iron Range Resources board. Only one specific reference to “jobs” and no repetition of “jobs, jobs, jobs.” Maybe that cliche’s day has finally come? Tomassoni stressed that the board focus on infrastructure improvements amid the…
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Backroom battle looms over nonferrous mining on the Iron Range
Here is the continuation of Jon Collins series on lobbying from today’s Mesabi Daily News. I expect it will also run in the Hibbing Daily Tribune and Grand Rapids Herald-Review. This story focuses on the backroom battle lines being drawn over the issue of nonferrous mining on the Iron Range. Some of the most emotional…
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Legislative tour coming to the Iron Range
The legislature’s public forum tour will pass through the Iron Range this Friday. Topic #1: the crippling state budget and finding solutions that might be tenable. There’s a stop in Virginia and another in Grand Rapids. UPDATE: The Grand Rapids stop will be March 7. Related posts: No related posts.
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Iron Range Resources Board kicks off new term this week
Some fodder from Sunday’s Mesabi Daily News: The Iron Range Resources Board convenes Wednesday in St. Paul for its first official meeting of the new term this week. On the docket, some financing for mining projects that might have some short term job creation benefits but that mostly involve capital improvements to local mines. Because…
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Anzelc’s Sunday liquor bill to fund children’s services getting attention
Jon Collins has a story in today’s Hibbing Daily Tribune and Mesabi Daily News about a bill by my friend Rep. Tom Anzelc (DFL-Balsam Township)* that would allow Sunday liquor in Minnesota with tax proceeds to be directed toward budget gaps in children’s social services. In tough times, funding for at risk kids must be…
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Environmental groups steps up attacks on new Range mining project
KBJR and Range 11 (Northland’s NewsCenter) is reporting on a group called Water Legacy and its efforts to stop the Polymet nonferrous mining project on the eastern Iron Range. The group cites human health risks from the type of mining proposed by PolyMet. I hear from St. Paul that this matter of nonferrous mining is…
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New wind project would create more Iron Range turbines
The Mesabi Daily News is reporting about a project that would add more wind turbines to the Iron Range landscape in Northern Minnesota. The Mountain Iron Economic Development Authority is behind the concept, which would build a series of turbines between Aurora and Giant’s Ridge and sell the power wholesale to local power companies. The…
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Superior and the Iron Range: together at last
CORRECTION: When I wrote this I meant to say Bukoski’s Ironworld lecture was Saturday, Feb. 21, the week after his radio interview. A great working class writer, Anthony Bukoski, is going to be venturing north from his Superior, Wis., base to appear on the Iron Range next week. Bukoski writes short stories about the people…