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Drug bus visits Iron Range today; hauls propaganda, drugs
From Wednesday’s Hibbing Daily Tribune: HIBBING — Area residents who are uninsured or having difficulties financially have a way to connect with programs that provide prescription medicines at low or no cost. The “Help Is Here Express” Bus Tour will stop in Hibbing on Thursday, May 1. From 2 to 3 p.m., the bus will…
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Taking Requests: Range Retail Rumors
I’m working down my list of “Questions and Request” posts. This is Day 2 of the series. If you have a request, please let me know in the comments or by e-mail. Jeff writes: How about commenting on all of the rumors in Hibbing. Every time you turn around there is another rumor about Target,…
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OMG! I’m a Millennial! WTF!
Good news. I’m a Millennial (born after 1978). Apparently that’s a good thing. There’s more of us than there are living baby boomers. We like the Internet. A lot of us have blogs. A recent research paper available at this Case Foundation blog suggests that we Millennials might try to survive without a government in…
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The magic number is 22%
From AP via Yahoo: The White House said Wednesday that President Bush has paid a price for the “Mission Accomplished” banner that was flown in triumph five years ago but later became a symbol of U.S. misjudgments and mistakes in the long and costly war in Iraq. Thursday is the fifth anniversary of Bush’s dramatic…
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Franken handles tax situation with perfect P.R.
Sure, you can dismiss this because my blog has been supportive of Al Franken’s bid for the U.S. Senate. But I also know quite a bit about public relations and the news as part of my past career as a newspaper editor. I don’t think Al Franken could have handled this tax story any better…
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Governor signs miners’ health study funding bill
This was out earlier, but I’ll make belated mention that Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed a bill funding research about the cause of higher-than-average rates of a rare form of cancer in former Iron Ranger miners. As I’ve said, this will provide a whole lot of people a whole lot of answers about the risks of…
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Souls of future candidates at stake in Democratic race
Andrew Sullivan of the Atlantic has a good post today putting perspective on the situation for Barack Obama and his supporters. Watching shows like “Good Morning America” and any of the 24-hour cable news networks reminds me that the national media is increasingly devoid of perspective. Hence why the last 72 hours of news has…
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Wide open spaces (will build to suit)
The Duluth News-Tribune reports today on the practice of public entities building speculative buildings on the Iron Range to attract business. The appeal, according to the stories sources (all governmental), is that these buildings are modern, attractive and can be customized at public expense for any company willing to sign a long term deal that…
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Political blogs at the Minnesota Capitol
The Forum Communications legislative bureau ran a story on the role of blogs in Minnesota politics in their state papers. Marisa Helms interviewed me and used a quote at the end of the story. I was dubbed a “liberal blogger” in the story, though I bet other “liberal blogs” don’t support legalized moonshine and automatic…
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May 8 PUC meeting could reveal fate of Mesaba boondoggle
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will revisit the second phase of the Mesaba Energy Project Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Xcel at its May 8 meeting. Two major questions are to be answered. Will the PUC recognize Excelsior Energy’s proposed coal-gas power plant as a “least cost” innovative project AND will they set a deadline…
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Overheard at Senate District 3’s endorsing convention
Today, the Minnesota Senate District 3 Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party held its endorsing convention for House district’s 3A and 3B. Rep. Loren Solberg (DFL-Grand Rapids) and Rep. Tom Anzelc (DFL-Balsam Township), both incumbents, were endorsed for re-election. The biggest news of the day was the terrible weather that many believed would keep people away from the convention.…
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Sertich’s take on state budget fix
Iron Range State Rep. Tony Sertich (DFL-Chisholm), the Minnesota House Majority Leader, offers his take on the state budget fix over at MNPublius. Related posts: No related posts.
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Controversial one-eared bear dies
Folks may remember the Christmas-time controversy of Solo the one-eared bear and her cubs who hibernated under a cabin near Tower. The DNR initially expressed an intent to kill the bears before a public outcry demanded her rescue. Gov. Tim Pawlenty pardoned the bears and the DNR instead sent them to a bear farm in…
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Update: 4A endorsement race
It’s looking like Irene Folstrom vs. John Pernell for the DFL endorsement in House District 4A. For now, I’ll just try to share as much information as I can. Irene contacted me with information about a candidate meet and greet next week. Meet the Candidate:Irene FolstromFriday, May 25-8 p.m.At her home, 300 Irving Beach DriveBemidji,…
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Updated: Persell to join 4A hunt
When Rep. Frank Moe made his surprise announcement Saturday that he would not seek reelection in Minnesota House District 4A, the Bemidji Pioneer quoted two names as being on the minds of 4A DFL delegates: Irene Folstrom and John Persell. Folstrom officially joined the race for the DFL endorsement on Tuesday; Persell did so Wednesday.…