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Running mating season, a Range view
I had intended to wait until all three major DFL candidates for governor picked their running mates, but now that Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Mark Dayton have made their selections I already see a fascinating dynamic forming. Matt Entenza is due to add fuel to the fire on Thursday when he announces his running mate.…
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COLUMN: Goin’ viral (a good thing, I think)
This is my column for the Sunday, May 23, 2010 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. Goin’ viral (a good thing, I think)By Aaron J. Brown By now, if you are at all inclined to care, you’ve seen the “Come Home Bob” campaign sponsored by the Iron Range Convention and Tourism Board. The gist is…
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A MAK/Gunyou tidbit for now
I haven’t had time to fully develop my thoughts about today’s Lt. Gov. pick of John Gunyou by Margaret Anderson Kelliher, the DFL endorsed candidate for governor, other than “Kelliher/Gunyou” is a very menacing name for a ticket. That’s a ticket that rolls in its 5.0 with its rag top down so it’s hair can…
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Dylan Days is next week!
The season of Dylan Days is upon us, so excuse my infrequent posting and harried nature. Dylan Days, May 27-30 in Hibbing, is a community celebration of the arts and Minnesota native Bob Dylan who grew up in this Iron Range town. For the last nine years I’ve served as something of a spokesperson/ambassador for…
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Range coal gas plant dealt setback in court
Oh, how I’ve enjoyed not writing about Excelsior Energy’s proposed Iron Range coal gasification plant, dubbed the Mesaba Energy Project, these last several months. Fans of this blog might remember my tireless bellowing about this topic over the past four years … no wait, it’s actually been seven. I could rehash it now, but let’s…
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The delights of the Iron Range
This Lexington column from The Economist exudes many of the sentiments I’ve had about the possibilities for rural Minnesota and the Iron Range, if it steps up its internet infrastructure one way or another. This column is about “the delights of Idaho,” but don’t judge. The truth is that in coming decades more people, not…
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Brown on the Air: ORIGINALITY!
Here’s a first: a show about originality. This Saturday morning’s edition of “Between You and Me” on 91.7 KAXE explores the concept of “what makes something original?” just in time for the Iron Range Original Music Association‘s big show coming up. I’ll be joining the fray with a tired old essay, worn down by the…
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Vertical integration, yo
Spiking iron ore prices have been a boon to U.S. Steel whose stock jumped 5 percent recently. According to this article from The Street, all of this is thanks specifically to U.S. Steel’s Iron Range properties and vertical integration. Just file this thought away, people. A little something to remember at some point. Not sure…
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Kind of a big deal: Steelworkers endorse Dayton
I’ve been staying out of the tit-for-tat political posting as much as possible, trying to focus on the real world. That’s my new thing, see. But there’s no ignoring the implications of today’s United States Steelworkers union endorsement of Mark Dayton in the Minnesota DFL gubernatorial primary over DFL endorsed candidate Margaret Anderson Kelliher. Two…
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Scary flood pit to be drained
Today saw a major breakthrough in the Canisteo Pit story on northern Minnesota’s Iron Range. This old mine pit has seen rising waters since the end of mining activity decades ago, waters that now threaten, and occasionally moisten, the city of Bovey. Today the DNR announced plans to advance its vision of a solution over…
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The Come Home Bob meta-interview
It’s that extra special season where I’m too busy to post but there’s tons going on. There’ll be a few more posts tonight. Most of my stress right now is coming from the upcoming Dylan Days, an arts event like no other based in the heart of Minnesota’s Iron Range May 27-30, 2010. I’m laying…
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One if by blog, two if by freelance print arrangement
I’m exploring a few concepts for future blog posts, stories and columns. One is the persistent foreclosure rate in places like Itasca County on the western Iron Range. The rates are improving elsewhere but not here. I’m also going to be looking at the fiscal health of Range (and nearby) towns as they face more…
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Taking care of business, retirement-style
When I was in college studying print journalism (which is a little like being in the Roman Empire studying the concept of “forever”) I had the chance to write freelance copy for Wayne Nelson at Business North. It is from Wayne that I learned the important lesson that just because a son has the same…
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And the winner is … nerds
Fans of last night’s post on the British election have probably figured out that the result of the voting is unclear and subject to several more days of wrangling. The Times of London has a really cool interactive map of the election results that also features profile information on each constituency explain the area’s economy,…
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Political geeks, turn your eyes to the Atlantic horizon to-night
Today is election day in the United Kingdom, which is at least as much fun for American political nerds to watch as it is for baseball fans to watch the All-Star game. I am both, so I would know. There’s plenty on the internet for you to read on this topic, but not much for…