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ChinaPlaneNewsBuildingPlaceCenter
Here are a couple more items to tag onto my list of local news links for the day: Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN8) has announced he’ll try to block the new ownership deal for Duluth-based Cirrus Aviation, saying that Chinese control of the company is a national security risk. Cirrus officials think that’s kind of dumb.…
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Hot battles, high times on the Iron Range
There’s a lot of Iron Range news going on these days. I’ve got more to post, but it’s a busy day. I’ve already written about the Capitol controversy over the GOP raid of an IRRRB economic development fund last week. This drama will continue all the way to the close of the session. MinnPost had…
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COLUMN: The numbers don’t lie
This is my weekly column for the Sunday, March 27, 2011 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. The numbers don’t lieBy Aaron J. Brown The 2010 U.S. Census released its report for the state of Minnesota earlier this month. The findings were not a surprise. Implications abound for those of us who live in northern…
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Chisholm boys, McDonald continue state run
This is a great story. The Chisholm Bluestreaks won their state boys basketball quarterfinal game yesterday, advancing to the semis this afternoon. Their coach, Bob McDonald, has been doing this 50 years and has more wins than any coach in Minnesota history. Demanding suits, ties, buzz cuts and no lip, McDonald guides a team from…
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Iron Range delegation strikes back against raid on local funds
Today members of the Iron Range legislative delegation held a press conference to decry the recent proposal to balance the cuts from one part of the state budget on the backs of an Iron Range jobs fund. Complete audio of the press conference is available at Rep. Tom Anzelc’s legislative site. Give it a listen.…
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Up north, it’s more change than migration
Census speculation continues, and I’m starting to reach a bold new conclusion about our numeric fate in northern Minnesota. Demography reinforces attitudes. Attitudes can change demography. I’ve written a column on the region’s census numbers that will run this Sunday, but I’m already finding some new content for future writings on the topic. For instance,…
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The Highwaymap Came Riding, or Older People Angrily Staring at Charts
A public meeting was held Tuesday in Gilbert to discuss options for the Highway 53 relocation near Virginia and Eveleth. There’s more of that sort of thing to come, so let’s not get crazy yet (even if some of the relocation options are a little crazy). MNDOT has until 2017 to move the highway so…
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Environmental groups withdraw Range mining lawsuit
Environmental groups have withdrawn their $4 million lawsuit against the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board over what they believed was a premature loan to Polymet, an international company proposing copper/nickel mining on the Iron Range. The Duluth News Tribune has the story. In essence, HF1 — the streamlining of the permit process signed into…
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Sparks fly in House committee over anti-Range budget bill
It would appear that the Jobs and Economic Development committee meeting yesterday became a bit heated. Katy Meeks penned a story for the Range dailies (subscription only for full text). GOP leaders introduced their proposal to raid $60 million from an IRRRB economic development fund as part of $87 million in total cuts. I wrote…
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Iron Range labor community to hold solidarity rally Friday
You know it’s serious when they break out the fist art. Iron Range labor unions and political leaders are holding an “Iron Range Solidarity Rally” this Friday at 5:30 p.m. at the Hibbing Memorial Building, depicted in the promotional image at right. The Memorial Building is a big hall, so this is no small feat.…
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Work ahead, but also optimism after Soudan Mine fire
With the Soudan Underground Mine fire finally stopped, officials are now able to show optimism over the mine’s ability to re-open as a state park and advanced physics research facility. A story by Janna Goerdt from today’s Duluth News Tribune is a useful look at the fire, how it was put out and what will…
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Let the ‘acoustic’ good times roll like ‘rag rug,’ or something like that
Here are some upcoming events at the Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm. I haven’t been doing a good job of promoting Acoustic Cafe, but it remains a regular live music event on the “free” night at the Discovery Center, which is, of course, the nonprofit cultural center celebrating the people and history of the Iron…
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No learning curve, Melin tasked with defending $60 million in local Range money
Over the weekend I had a conversation with Rep. Carly Melin (DFL-Hibbing) about the predictable biennial attack on Iron Range funds as a short term budget fix. Today, just a few weeks after taking office, she’s put out a press release on the latest effort to raid the Johnson Trust Fund. (see below) It’s very…
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The steel hauled ’round the world, and what it means for the people of the Iron Range
As potential Iron Range economic development projects go, Essar Steel Minnesota is the biggest and most likely to happen. With most permits in place and actual concrete being poured as we speak, the young but rapidly expanding Indian steel giant Essar is on its way to opening up the ore formation near Nashwauk abandoned when…
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Soudan mine shaft fire out, power restored to pumps
Some good news from the state DNR and others fighting the fire deep in the the Soudan Underground Mine. A crew was sent into the mine today and was able to restore power and confirm that there were no more flames amid the water and fire suppressing foam. Pumps that had been shut down are…