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The chilling effect of IRRRB board structure
Even as multitudes turn their eyes toward economic diversification on the Iron Range this week, today we confront with one of the biggest barriers to breaking unsuccessful economic patterns here: a parochial establishment seemingly unable to handle dissent. The Duluth News Tribune and others reported on Tuesday’s Cook County board meeting. At that meeting, County Commissioner Frank Moe proposed a resolution offering…
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World’s largest coal company goes bankrupt
Today Peabody Energy filed for bankruptcy. Peabody is the largest privately-held coal mining company in the world. It has long been a titan of America’s Appalachian mining region. Reports indicate the company owes creditors more than $10 billion and holds only slightly less than $11 billion in assets. Peabody lost $2 billion just last year alone. It’s…
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Mills poll shows Nolan up 3 points in MN-8
A Republican pollster says the campaign for Congress in Minnesota’s Eighth District is close. Nevertheless, the internal poll still shows Rep. Rick Nolan (D-MN8) three points ahead of challenger Stewart Mills. Democrat Nolan defeated Mills by less than 2 points in 2014, with a third party candidate running to Nolan’s left. Mills is making another attempt…
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Leech Lake elects new chair; LaDuke falls short at White Earth
After announcing the funding for the new Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School near Cass Lake on Election Day, Leech Lake Tribal Chairwoman Carri Jones was nevertheless defeated by challenger Faron Jackson, Sr. KOJB reports that Jackson won with about 53 percent of the vote t0 Jones’ approximately 31 percent. Five other candidates combined for the remaining support. Jones…
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Itasca County reinstates veterans official
After a turbulent month of local politics in Northern Minnesota’s Itasca County, veteran services officer Hugh Quinn has been reinstated by the county board. Last week, the county board fired administrator Trish Harren, who had been a central figure in the reorganization of all county services stemming from a comprehensive planning process. The veterans services…
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Feds finally fund new Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School
Many media outlets reported Tuesday that the Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School near Cass Lake will finally get a new building thanks to $11.9 million in federal funding. Operated by the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwa, the Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School is housed in what was once a bus garage. In recent years it has fallen into serious disrepair. As…
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Hakly plans House 6A write-in campaign
Steven Hakly of Iron has announced the unusual decision to seek the District 6A House of Representatives seat as a write-in candidate. Hakly, 59, is a union equipment operator and former Marine. “I’ve put myself behind the 8 ball right off the bat A write-in candidate! What the hell am I thinking?” wrote Hakly in…
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Trump to campaign in Twin Ports
On Monday, Republican front-runner Donald Trump will hold a campaign rally in Superior ahead of Tuesday’s Wisconsin primary. He will appear at the Richard I. Bong airport at 1:30 p.m. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Ticket information is here. This is the first time Trump has appeared in the Twin Ports of Duluth and Superior.…
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Itasca County fires administrator
Last night in an emergency closed session the Itasca County Board fired its administrator Trish Harren. This was the brief statement released by the county board: The County Board of Commissioners terminated the employment agreement of the County Administrator, Trish Harren, effective, April 15, 2016. April 15th was selected as the date because the County…
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How Iron Range political drama helps no one
In his daily “Morning Take” newsletter on Monday, March 28, Blois Olson offered this editorial about the way Iron Range politics disproportionately dominates state political priorities: Minnesota politics can’t seem to ever avoid drama when it comes to the Iron Range. In 2016, the emotions and angles are more complex than a Tolstoy novel but some…
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Jobless benefits for miners extended
On Thursday the Minnesota House of Representatives passed an unemployment benefits extension for workers affected by the downturn in the Iron Range mining industry. They also passed separately what House GOP leaders wanted attached in one bill: a rebate to businesses who pay into the unemployment fund, which now has a surplus because of the…
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Governor explains controversial mining decision
Two weeks ago Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton announced he would not support mineral exploration near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The controversial decision prompted strong reactions by those for and against new forms of copper nickel mining in Northeastern Minnesota. As expected, Iron Range lawmakers, local officials and mining advocates criticized the governor in…
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Confusion over deal for unemployed miners
On Friday, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed a bill funding extended unemployment benefits for laid off Iron Range miners attached to controversial unemployment tax cuts for businesses. Though House DFLers opposed the pairing of those two issues, ultimately most Range DFLers argued for its passage so that unemployed miners without benefits could receive aid. Rep.…
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State economic picture steady, except up North
Minnesota is a geographically and economically diverse state. It’s often remarkable when I travel from my home here in the North to the Twin Cities how different the very fabric of society and the economy feels. The two worlds seem like they don’t require one another to survive. That’s not really true, of course. The state…
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Deal to extend benefits for miners is done
A longstanding worry of many unemployed miners on the Iron Range and their families is being resolved today. Today, the House Ways and Means committee passed a bill that would offer up to 26 weeks of additional unemployment benefits for Iron Range miners affected by a downturn in the steel industry. It would also include…