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Researchers closer to report on rare lung disease among Range workers
It’s been a long time since I’ve read much about the study of mesothelioma occurrences among Iron Range workers. The Pioneer Press ran a story over the weekend. The premise behind the state funding for this U of M study was that an unusual amount of mesothelioma was being found among current and former taconite…
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Ness profile highlights Duluth’s success
Duluth Mayor Don Ness was the subject of an extremely positive profile in the Minneapolis Star and Tribune on Sunday. Duluth’s success in diversifying its economy continues to be a good model for the region. In fact, the Iron Range’s historical and geographical relationship with Duluth means that the fate of these two places are…
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Oberstar endorses Nolan; MN-8 primary contest sharpens
At this hour former U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar is endorsing Rick Nolan in the DFL primary for Minnesota’s Eighth Congressional District. Nolan was endorsed by the DFL last month and faces two primary challengers in former St. Cloud state Sen. Tarryl Clark and former Duluth city council president Jeff Anderson. The Oberstar/Nolan press conference is…
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COLUMN: Iron Range political universe to change in 2012
This is my Sunday column for the June 3, 2012 Hibbing Daily Tribune. Iron Range political universe to change in 2012By Aaron J. Brown When my father turned 30 I said, “Dad, you’re eligible to run for the Senate!” My goodness, I was 7. That’s the kind of kid I was. But dad, a mechanic…
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Will new mining set northern Minnesota free?
On Thursday, a panel of state officials approved leases allowing companies to explore nonferrous mineral mining about 20,000 acres of land in northeastern Minnesota. Most of the land is near Ely and Isabella east and south of the Vermilion Range, far from existing taconite mines on the Mesabi Range. We talked about some of the…
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Zup’s re-opens, a grocery phoenix from the ashes
Zup’s Grocery Store in Babbitt along the eastern Mesabi, the community staple that burned down last year, has reopened (Fox 21). “Where there once was ash and fire now sits fresh fruits and veggies.” You got it. You got it.I can’t get used to this lifestyle. In addition to celebrating the return of Zup’s to…
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Prostitution scandal knocks newspaper group manager out of job
Todd Keute, the publisher of the Grand Rapids Herald-Review and regional manager of the Superior Publishing Company, is out of a job after his involvement in a prostitution scandal. Officials from SPC’s parent company American Consolidated Media made the announcement of Keute’s departure today. SPC operates nearly all of the small dailies and many of…
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COLUMN: New book helps close old cultural gap
This is my Sunday column for the May 27, 2012 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. Anton Treuer appeared as a guest in the April 7 Bemidji edition of the Great Northern Radio Show. New book helps close old cultural gapBy Aaron J. Brown When I was preparing to do my radio show in Bemidji…
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I talk northern Minnesota mining politics on MPR
If you missed it, here is the audio of my interview with Tom Weber on MPR’s The Daily Circuit this morning. We talked about northern Minnesota mining politics and economics. There’s always more to say, but this went OK. Related posts: No related posts.
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Before the Iron Range, there was iron Waynesboro
Hello to all the new readers who heard me on MPR this morning. Ahhh, who am I kidding? Hello, old readers. We’ve been talking about the way that mining affects communities, for better and worse. Here on the Iron Range it’s not hard to see the impact of mining, both in the changed landscape and…
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‘Mining Truth’ expands nonferrous debate to economics
Today, a collection of environmental groups launched a campaign called Mining Truth, an effort to engage conversation about the actual economic benefits of nonferrous mining in northeastern Minnesota. It appears to be the most substantial effort to date to discredit the economic claims of mining supporters and developers in the region. Aaron Klemz has a…
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Dylan Days 2012 begins in Bob’s hometown
Dylan Days 2012 kicks off Thursday in Bob Dylan’s hometown of Hibbing. I’ve been involved with Dylan Days since 2001 but this is the first year I’ve stepped back a bit from some of the press work. I’ll be emceeing the literary event on Friday. Many of the press and social media activities have been…
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Meyer files for DFL primary in House 6B seat
Dave Meyer, an Aurora construction worker active in Laborer’s Union Local 1097, has filed to run in the DFL primary to replace Rep. Tom Rukavina (DFL-Virginia) in one of the Iron Range’s hottest contests of 2012. “I’m going to fight to keep jobs here, to keep them from heading south,” said Meyer. Infrastructure investments top…
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Hill of Three Waters
This is my Sunday column for the May 20, 2012 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. My visit to the Hill of Three Waters took place a year ago. While photography is forbidden at the site, I did snap this photo of the entrance to the hill to show what the forest looks like. Hill…
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No DFL endorsement for Rukavina seat, primary awaits
In the open seat to replace Rep. Tom Rukavina (DFL-Virginia) in the new district 6B, two DFLers battled to a draw today at the DFL endorsing convention in Hibbing. Jason Metsa led Lorrie Janatopoulos after four ballots but lacked the 60 percent needed to win endorsement. Turnout at this convention was suprisingly low; just 42…