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Rukavina to work for Nolan’s office
Old news to some, but former State Rep. Tom Rukavina (DFL-Pike Lake) will be taking a position in the office of U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan (D-MN8). According to this Duluth News Tribune story, the position’s details have yet to be worked out. It’s possible that it could be related to a constituent office on the…
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Looking inside the odd world of North Korea
Yesterday, Andrew Sullivan linked to this post by the daughter of a diplomat who was toured around inside North Korea recently. The post paints the picture of a frigid winter dictatorship with all sorts of eccentric, often frightening details about how people are raised to believe in the totalitarian state. Of particular note seems to…
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The crushing cost of college on today’s students
With yesterday’s budget announcement by Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton we begin the months of haggling over the state’s budget for the next two years. Regardless of your opinion on the budget, one thing I have encountered in my return teaching this semester is the sheer weight of financial burden on my public community college students.…
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Inauguration stage graphic shows Minnesota stoicism
The New York Times has a fascinating graphic showing the stage during President Obama’s inauguration address yesterday. It’s a high resolution photograph taken during a completely random moment of Obama’s speech. Some people are paying close attention. Some are checking their phones. It’s clear the weather is only so-so. Some people are happy. Some are…
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Inauguration Day is (was) here!
UPDATE: President Obama’s Second Inaugural Address from earlier today. Today is Inauguration Day (Observed). At noon today President Obama will take the oath of office for his second term. It’s a formality. Inauguration Day is always Jan. 20, but when that date falls on a Sunday, like it did this year, the pomp and circumstance…
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Brown on the Air: Talking Northern MN politics this afternoon.
I’ll be appearing on the LeftMN Radio Hour on AM950 in the Twin Cities Sunday from 2-3 p.m. You can stream the station online. The program will eventually be archived at LeftMN. The topic will be U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan and his first few weeks on the job representing northern Minnesota in Congress. Related posts:…
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EPA issues plan for taconite industry to cut haze
The Duluth News Tribune reports on the EPA’s plan to reduce haze from taconite plant emissions on Minnesota’s Iron Range and in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It seems like the mining companies are still sorting out exactly what the regulations will mean, but certainly some environmental upgrades at most taconite plants are in the offing. The…
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Leading by Skype? Not at public meetings, says attorney
An interesting question for local governments has been raised in the small northern Minnesota town of Cohasset. Recently, a city councilor participated in a meeting via Skype, from somewhere in California. According to this Lisa Rosemore story in the Grand Rapids Herald-Review, councilor Dennis Blankensop was involved in discussions and voted. The city believes this…
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Iron Range Rep. Tom Anzelc fights cancer
Today my friend State Rep. Tom Anzelc announced he has prostate cancer. He found out after the election. It’s a tough disease, but Tom and his doctors are optimistic and have a treatment plan. His main challenge right now is the fatigue that comes from treatment. With an important session coming up, he’ll be balancing…
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New Minnesota legislature about to convene (LIVE)
The Uptake is providing live coverage of the pomp and circumstance of the convening of the Minnesota State Legislature today. Here’s the House feed: Watch live streaming video from theuptake at livestream.com You can follow the Senate feed here. Yesterday, responding to Don Ness’s “Gangnam Style” moves, I stoked a Twitter feud in which an…
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Duluth mayor Don Ness does Gangnam Style
I suppose I could complain that infectious sounds of Korean pop rocker Psy’s “Gangnam Style” are only now reaching the shores of Lake Superior. This was, after all, the top internet sensation of 2012 and new holder of the all-time YouTube record. So many parodies have surfaced that another surely could not be needed. But…
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Nolan appears on "Face the Nation"
U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan (D-MN8) made his first national TV appearance after being sworn in this week. He joins other lawmakers in a discussion of major issues before the Congress on this morning’s edition of “Face the Nation.” I thought he came across well in this appearance, though I’ll leave it for you to decide…
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Nolan names former opponent Anderson, others to staff
Today, Rep.-elect Rick Nolan (D-MN8) announced several of his key staff appointments. Most notable among them: Jeff Anderson, one-time opponenet in the DFL primary and former Duluth City Council President, will be Nolan’s District Director. Anderson will oversee district offices in Duluth and Brainerd, along with yet-to-be-determined offices on the Iron Range and another city…
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Nolan named to key House transporation committee
Rep.-elect Rick Nolan (D-MN8) announced today that he has been named to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Since WWII, northeastern Minnesota’s members of Congress have all served on some version of this committee. Reps. John Blatnik and Jim Oberstar both chaired the committee at different times and outgoing Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN8), a former…
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Cravaack may just leave; Nolan comeback turns heads
Outgoing U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN8) gave an interview to the Star Tribune, essentially saying that he is likely leaving politics and Minnesota to rejoin his family in New Hampshire. It’s interesting reading for those who followed one of the most closely-watched congressional races in the country. Cravaack did not close the door on a…