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From pipelines to mines, Trumpism on the march
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order clearing the way for the controversial Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipeline projects. Both projects were stalled under President Obama out of environmental concerns. Citing the jobs the projects would create and promising American-made steel in the construction process, Trump waved his order in front of…
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Analyzing President Trump’s inaugural address
President Trump’s inaugural address eschewed the literary finesse that most presidents strived for, and instead drove home one of the most confrontational, populist speeches ever uttered in this setting. It could have been Huey Long up there. “While they celebrated in our nation’s capital, there was little to celebrate for people across our land. That all…
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A cautionary tale from Duluth’s Russian sister city
U.S./Russia relations continue to make headlines during President-elect Trump’s transition. Setting aside reports of Russian interference in American politics, there is the fact that Russia has sought to reassert itself as a counterbalance to American power on the world stage. The Russian intrigue is guaranteed to continue into Trump’s presidency. Trump announced last week that his first foreign trip will…
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Recalling a lovely day in John Lewis’s district
By now perhaps the hubbub of yet another Donald Trump Twitter battle has waned, soon to be replaced some fresh outrage. But this last one caught my attention. The President-elect singled out civil rights hero and Democratic Congressman John Lewis at the dawn of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday weekend. Lewis, of course, is no fan…
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‘Dig Deep’ with new KAXE/KBXE podcast
Readers here at MinnesotaBrown.com might be interested in one of my new projects. Starting this week, Northern Community Radio will release a new podcast and radio feature called “Dig Deep.” It’s a one hour program featuring Chuck Marohn of Strong Towns fame and yours truly, produced by Heidi Holtan. “Dig Deep” is a monthly conversation…
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Rick Nolan considering run for MN Governor
J. Patrick Coolican of the Star Tribune reports that U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan is considering running for governor in 2018. Nolan, a Democrat, represents the Eighth District of Northeastern Minnesota. Nolan pulled off a remarkable victory in his 2016 re-election bid. He defeated his Republican challenger even though this toss-up district swinging decisively toward Donald Trump in the presidential race. Nolan…
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Rural broadband grants reach far, but little in St. Louis Co.
This morning, the state of Minnesota unveiled its list of projects funded under the Border-to-Border Broadband rural internet expansion program. The grants total more than $34 million and will fund 42 projects throughout the state. Several Northern Minnesota projects made the list. Paul Bunyan Communication will continue its expansion in Itasca County, including new territory in Harris Township…
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Hope for broadband in 2017 MN legislative session?
As I mentioned before, the state of Minnesota’s efforts to expand broadband access in rural areas had one big effect last year. MinnesotaBrown World Headquarters is now hooked to a fiber optic cable capable of delivering gigabyte internet speeds. And I pay less per month for my internet, phone, and television services than I did…
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New Northern Minnesota lawmakers sworn in
Several new state lawmakers from the Northern Minnesota were sworn in at the Capitol in St. Paul today. State Rep. Julie Sandstede (DFL-Hibbing) now represents District 6A, including Hibbing, Chisholm, Floodwood, Nashwauk, Keewatin and Bigfork. “As a lifelong Ranger, I know how important it is for us to never stop fighting for our economic vitality and…
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Feds deny Twin Metals mineral leases near BWCA
Today, the U.S. government informed Twin Metals, a proposed nonferrous mining project near Ely, that the Forest Service would oppose mineral leases in lands near the federally protected Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. As a result, the Department of Land Management indicated it would not renew the leases, which had expired in 2012. The news…
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Stunning turn in Dakota Access Pipeline debate
Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it would deny the current easement request for the Dakota Access Pipeline, instead seeking alternative routes. Protesters supporting the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s opposition to the pipeline — which would have crossed the band’s water source, Lake Oahe — celebrated Sunday’s news as an unexpected triumph. For months, peaceful…
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Mills opts to back off recount in MN-8
Stewart Mills announced today he would not seek a recount in Minnesota’s Eighth Congressional district. Mills lost to Rep. Rick Nolan (D-MN8) by about 2,000 votes in the Nov. 8 general election. Outside the margin for an automatic recount, Mills had nonetheless sought to pay for one himself. Today, Mills said the expense of doing so…
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Mills to pay for recount in MN-8 race
Republican Stewart Mills will pay for a recount in Minnesota’s Eighth Congressional race. U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan (D-MN8) won the election by 2,009 votes, or 0.56 percent, according to the Secretary of State. That lies outside the 0.25 percent range that would trigger an automatic recount, so Mills is invoking his right to pay for his…
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Nolan survives Trump wave in MN-8
Despite a 13-point victory by Donald Trump in Minnesota’s Eighth Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan narrowly held on to his seat against Republican challenger Stewart Mills. Nolan received almost 50.2 percent of the vote to Mills’ 49.6 — about half a point. Just over 2,000 votes separated the candidates in the most expensive Congressional race…
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LIVE BLOG: Election Night 2016
Tonight we watch as election results pour in across the United States and here in Northern Minnesota. I’ll be watching some key local races, with an eye toward trends. More than 20 years of covering local news and 10 years of live-blogging Northern Minnesota elections give me a perspective some might find valuable. Who am I? I’m…