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Revisiting the seven precincts on the Iron Range; Obama holds the line
As I’ve said, the Iron Range held for Obama with only slightly reduced margins. The strange nature of the Senate race put Franken’s totals far behind Obama’s. On the Range, however, I’d attribute almost every Barkley vote as a lost Franken vote. Those were by-and-large disaffected Democrats. Coleman held the GOP index (which isn’t much…
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Iron Range DFL wall holds for Obama
Fears that racism and the culture wars might keep blue collar Iron Range voters from supporting Barack Obama have proven largely unfounded. Though Obama just slightly underperformed Kerry in some of the key precincts I’ve been following, he was within roughly two percentage points of the 2004 DFL share of the Range electorate. In general,…
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The Iron Range votes
These are the seven precincts I’m watching tonight to see how Obama’s and Franken’s numbers are holding in different parts of the Iron Range (My analysis was posted yesterday). I would not be shocked or overly alarmed if there is a small bit of underperformance, especially for Franken who is in a three-way race. A…
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Layoffs averted at Eveleth mine
Cliffs Natural Resources and the Steelworkers have reached a temporary agreement that will avoid layoffs at United Taconite in Eveleth. Workers will see 32 hour work weeks for three months. The fact that this coincides with rifle season for deer hunting and the holidays will make this a very popular compromise, especially since it lets…
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Election Day on the Iron Range
It’s here. By God, the day has finally come. With a coming tsunami of book publicity, a night up at the family deer shack and other shenanigans around the corner, I’ve decided to play it cool tonight and just blog from the deep woods. I’ve got to work bright and early tomorrow anyway. I haven’t…
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Seven Iron Range precincts that could decide the election
Today is election eve and, like most of you, I’m all charged up about what could, would or should happen tomorrow. On the Iron Range, I don’t expect any surprises in the legislative races. I also expect U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar to enjoy another easy re-election. The most interesting story on the Iron Range will…
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The joy of context
This is the kind of headline that lights up the Iron Range: “Yes, Virginia, Menards is coming“(Mesabi Daily News, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008) In case you’re wondering, Menards is a home improvement store. That’s a very important detail. Also, Virginia is a town on the Iron Range. Also another important detail. I’d hate to imagine…
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Thoughts and prayers to Mike
My thoughts and prayers are with Mike Jennings, editor of the Hibbing Daily Tribune and one of the best working newspaper journalists on the Iron Range. He has been hospitalized with a heart condition and faces a difficult recovery. Tribune publisher Wanda Moeller tells the dramatic story in today’s edition. Join me in wishing Mike…
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Northland papers defend against Red Menace; Huzzah!
Unsurprisingly, the election year conservatism of the Mesabi Daily News and Duluth News-Tribune have led to McCain endorsements. Both endorsements used taxes as the primary justification. The DNT editorial board, which — during most of the year — advocates an active government that pays as it goes, has even reversed itself now in calling Obama’s…
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Another take on Coleman and the Range
Another blogger, Eric Zaetsch, reached an interesting conclusion about Norm Coleman’s Iron Range newspaper appeal. Related posts: No related posts.
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Norm’s Range plan, and why it’s half baked
As a former daily newspaper editor, who never once endorsed anyone for political office while editor (I don’t believe that newspaper endorsements are wise editorial policy), I have been watching with interest the ferocious attention paid the newspaper endorsements this 2008 election cycle. In the old days, when the assumption was that newspapers were liberal-leaning,…
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Cliffs announces record profits as steel market fades
After announcing “work adjustments” and the idling of three pellet furnaces yesterday, Cliffs Natural Resources is now announcing record profits. It’d be easy to say this is just another example of corporate greed, but to be fair this is just evidence that we’re coming off of a classic “high” in the global steel market and…
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Confirmed: layoffs to come with Cliffs production cutbacks
Several news organizations are reporting on Cliffs Natural Resources’ decision to slow production at two of its northern Minnesota taconite plants. Today, we have confirmation that this will involve immediate layoffs at United Taconite and Northshore. Though these kinds of layoffs are common and usually temporary at Iron Range mines, this will make the Iron…
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Cliffs to idle three pellet furnaces on the Iron Range
From today’s Hibbing Daily Tribune online. Cliffs idling three ore furnaces in MinnesotaLay-offs loom Tuesday, October 28, 2008HDT Staff ReportCLEVELAND — Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., said in a written statement that it will temporarily idle three iron ore pellet furnaces in Minnesota, cutting 300,000 tons of monthly production capacity as demand for steel softens. The…
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Beer me: We will live forever!
In news that should rock the Iron Range to its core (and probably also the Minnesota blogosphere), researchers are close to developing a healthy beer that could prolong the life of people who drink it. We will live forever! Related posts: No related posts.