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EPA issues plan for taconite industry to cut haze
The Duluth News Tribune reports on the EPA’s plan to reduce haze from taconite plant emissions on Minnesota’s Iron Range and in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It seems like the mining companies are still sorting out exactly what the regulations will mean, but certainly some environmental upgrades at most taconite plants are in the offing. The…
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Trampled by Turtles go shells to the wall on Conan
If you missed last night’s performance by Duluth-based Trampled by Turtles on “Conan,” here it is: It’s pretty sweet. Boy these guys look like they’re from here, don’t they? Related posts: No related posts.
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Now we know what happened to the toilet garden in Skunk Hollow
Lee “Woody” Jackson, a local septic system entrepreneur, has written a letter in today’s Grand Rapids Herald-Review about the fate of his toilet garden in a part of the northern Minnesota town known as Skunk Hollow. This letter should rightly shame city leadership. I, too, miss the toilet garden. Related posts: No related posts.
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Grand Rapids readies for Hockey Day showdowns
This weekend, Hockey Day comes to Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Saturday, Jan. 19 brings outdoor hockey to Pokegama Lake. Some of the state’s top prep hockey teams will play a triple header that is aired on statewide cable network Fox Sports North. First on deck, Eagan vs. Hibbing. Need I say more?UPDATE: I should say more.…
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The economics of taconite and melting ice
Last Sunday, Robin Washington at the Duluth News Tribune raised an interesting question. With melting polar ice, new shipping lanes are opening in the Arctic Circle. The Russians are capitalizing by running ore boats through the slush, cutting down massive costs. The United States? Our trade routes this far north are questionable, but with steel…
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Leading by Skype? Not at public meetings, says attorney
An interesting question for local governments has been raised in the small northern Minnesota town of Cohasset. Recently, a city councilor participated in a meeting via Skype, from somewhere in California. According to this Lisa Rosemore story in the Grand Rapids Herald-Review, councilor Dennis Blankensop was involved in discussions and voted. The city believes this…
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Trampled by Turtles to perform on Conan Wednesday night
Trampled by Turtles, the progressive bluegrass sensation based in northern Minnesota, will appear on Conan this Wednesday night on TBS. The show airs at 10 p.m. with the musical appearing sometime after 10:45 p.m. TBS rebroadcasts the show during overnight hours as well. Last week, Duluth Mayor Don Ness was a regional viral sensation with…
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Rain, ice, elevated panic abound up north today
St. Louis County is advising no travel on gravel roads along the Iron Range region. Now, I live just over the line in Itasca County but it’s pretty much the same deal here. And considering that I live at the end of a long gravel road surrounded by impenetrable forest, you have a pretty good…
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Iron Range Rep. Tom Anzelc fights cancer
Today my friend State Rep. Tom Anzelc announced he has prostate cancer. He found out after the election. It’s a tough disease, but Tom and his doctors are optimistic and have a treatment plan. His main challenge right now is the fatigue that comes from treatment. With an important session coming up, he’ll be balancing…
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Iris Kolodji and friends to play two shows on the Range
One of the side benefits of hosting the Great Northern Radio Show on Northern Community Radio is meeting some of the best musicians in Minnesota. We highlight original music that tells the story of this place. We also provide an outlet for young, up-and-coming artists. It’d be an honor to know that one of them…
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New Minnesota legislature about to convene (LIVE)
The Uptake is providing live coverage of the pomp and circumstance of the convening of the Minnesota State Legislature today. Here’s the House feed: Watch live streaming video from theuptake at livestream.com You can follow the Senate feed here. Yesterday, responding to Don Ness’s “Gangnam Style” moves, I stoked a Twitter feud in which an…
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Legacy Fund delivers $700,000 to Mesabi Trail
The Mesabi Trail will receive northern Minnesota’s largest grant from the Minnesota Legacy Fund’s Parks and Trails program, in the form of $700,000 for improvements and development. This trail will one day extend from Grand Rapids to Ely along the iron formation of the Mesabi Range. About 115 miles are now complete, with some remaining…
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Duluth mayor Don Ness does Gangnam Style
I suppose I could complain that infectious sounds of Korean pop rocker Psy’s “Gangnam Style” are only now reaching the shores of Lake Superior. This was, after all, the top internet sensation of 2012 and new holder of the all-time YouTube record. So many parodies have surfaced that another surely could not be needed. But…
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Local News: The Musical
Here’s what they do for traffic reporting at WKRC in Cincinnati. This is how I want to see WDIO-Duluth’s “This Week in Mining” from now on. I’m talking to you, Renee Passal. (Clip via Mashable) Related posts: No related posts.
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Nolan appears on "Face the Nation"
U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan (D-MN8) made his first national TV appearance after being sworn in this week. He joins other lawmakers in a discussion of major issues before the Congress on this morning’s edition of “Face the Nation.” I thought he came across well in this appearance, though I’ll leave it for you to decide…