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The deep meaning of random acts of wackiness
Star Tribune columnist Gail Rosenblum pens a story about a Mankato man originally from the Iron Range who developed a master prank that lasted years. A world traveler, Jim Moore, selected a North Dakota couple at random and sent them handwritten postcards from all over the world. The joke was that he pretended that he…
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We’re going to … Twins. We’re going to … sigh
I usually comment on the opening of the baseball season. It’s a time for hope and good feelings. But I was busy with the radio show this weekend and the Twins are awful, just awful. They are going to lose 100 games. Their pitching is bad and they have no offense. Their most expensive players…
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Tall Ships will return to Duluth harbor in 2013
UPDATE: Fresh info on how to see Tall Ships 2013. In 2010, the talk of Duluth and the surrounding region was tall ships. Masted wooden sailing vessels sailed into Duluth for a week of maritime festivities. Was it a big deal? Yes, according to a press release on WDIO.com: Tall Ships Duluth 2010 was the…
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Duluth named the jewel of the Rust Belt
Here’s a fun list of the most scenic cities in the Rust Belt. I know, I know. But Duluth is Number One and it’s a nice list. If I had to move to a city (and I don’t, and so I won’t) I’d probably follow a list like this right down the line. The list…
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Anderson internal poll shows tight, volatile DFL race in MN-8
An internal polling battle is afoot in MN-8. Last week Tarryl Clark released an internal poll showing a tight-three way race for the DFL nomination in Minnesota’s Eighth Congressional District. Her poll also involved some follow-up questioning that she said showed voters would be inclined to support her once they knew more about her. The…
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Clark releases internal poll showing strength (upon prompting)
As reported last week, we now know that the three DFL candidates for Congress in Minnesota’s 8th Congressional district will likely compete in an August primary to face Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN8) next fall. Tarryl Clark’s campaign has sent me a memo touting Clark’s fundraising success (with numbers to be released next week) and highlights…
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Why is the state legislature so awful?
This Minnpost commentary by Steven Dornfield answers the question, “Why has the quality of the state legislature declined?” Where are the statesmen and stateswomen? Why is compromise more difficult than ever? Why are bright, talented people avoiding runs for office, or leaving after a term or two? To summarize, the answer is because it is…
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A dying town fights back with awesomeness
My God in Heaven this is beautiful. A nine-minute YouTube video has cured me of my indifference toward Grand Rapids, Michigan. This film was apparently produced in response to a news story describing Grand Rapids, Mich., as a “dying town.” Not dead yet, as you can see. You know it’s good because all I can…
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Shedding light on a dark chapter of Range policy
MPR has an informative update on the provision to shed more light on development deals under the purvey of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board. A law that effectively hides key financial details about companies that receive agency funds was tucked in a conference bill a couple years ago to protect Excelsior Energy and…
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Dayton signs bill streamlining permits, could aid Range project
Yesterday, Gov. Mark Dayton signed a bill streamlining the state environmental permitting process for several projects in development. The bill included language proposed by State Rep. Tom Anzelc (DFL-Balsam) that makes it easier for Magnetation to build their processing plant in Itasca County. Magnetation still hasn’t committed to a site for its proposed pellet/nugget plant,…
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Reif Center release has height, width AND depth
Happy April Fool’s Day! I’m sure there are a lot of great gags out there, but my favorite so far is this press release from the Reif Center for the Performing Arts in Grand Rapids, Minnesota: Reif Arts Council President David Marty has announced that, effective immediately, ALL performances at the Reif Performing Arts Center…
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Highway 53: Herbie Rides the Range
This is my Sunday column for the April 1, 2012 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. SCENE: Jesse, a dejected-looking boy of 12, looks out over the Mine Overlook south of Virginia, Minnesota, in the heart of northern Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range. He speaks with his mentor Mort, the kindly retired miner who staffs the…
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Anderson touts mining, commits to MN-8 DFL primary
Today former Duluth City Councilor and Ely native Jeff Anderson announced that he, too, would bypass the DFL endorsement process and run directly in the MN-8 primary. This virtually ensures that there will be a three-way DFL primary to challenge U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN8) taking place on Aug. 14. Former State Sen. Tarryl Clark…
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Iron Range Maidens roller derby bout set for Saturday
The Iron Range Maidens roller derby team takes to the flat track this Saturday night from the Hodgins-Berado arena in Colerpain … I mean Coleraine, Minnesota. The Maidens will play the Fargo Furies. The Maiden’s parent organization GRARDA also has a B-team called the Attackonites, who will play a B-team from Duluth’s Harbor City Roller…
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Mining company describes ‘underground city’ in N. Minn. plans
Twin Metals, one of the companies proposing nonferrous mineral mining near Ely, announced this week it is drawing up plans for its mine. This March 27 John Myers Duluth News Tribune story paints quite a picture of Twin Metals’ mining aspirations. The so-called Nokomis project along Minnesota Highway 1 near the Kawishiwi River is now…