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Up north, it’s more change than migration
Census speculation continues, and I’m starting to reach a bold new conclusion about our numeric fate in northern Minnesota. Demography reinforces attitudes. Attitudes can change demography. I’ve written a column on the region’s census numbers that will run this Sunday, but I’m already finding some new content for future writings on the topic. For instance,…
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The Highwaymap Came Riding, or Older People Angrily Staring at Charts
A public meeting was held Tuesday in Gilbert to discuss options for the Highway 53 relocation near Virginia and Eveleth. There’s more of that sort of thing to come, so let’s not get crazy yet (even if some of the relocation options are a little crazy). MNDOT has until 2017 to move the highway so…
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Sparks fly in House committee over anti-Range budget bill
It would appear that the Jobs and Economic Development committee meeting yesterday became a bit heated. Katy Meeks penned a story for the Range dailies (subscription only for full text). GOP leaders introduced their proposal to raid $60 million from an IRRRB economic development fund as part of $87 million in total cuts. I wrote…
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Iron Range labor community to hold solidarity rally Friday
You know it’s serious when they break out the fist art. Iron Range labor unions and political leaders are holding an “Iron Range Solidarity Rally” this Friday at 5:30 p.m. at the Hibbing Memorial Building, depicted in the promotional image at right. The Memorial Building is a big hall, so this is no small feat.…
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Cravaack to open Duluth office at last
U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN8) finally announced that he’ll open a field office in Duluth, possibly by early April. This was a wise, if overdue, move. Duluth is the largest city and center of Minnesota’s Eighth Congressional District. Until now he’s operated with a district office in North Branch, near the district’s southern corner and…
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Census shows decline in most Range towns, boom in Itasca County
The Census released its 2010 population data for Minnesota Wednesday. Population and demographic trends that were forming in recent years were confirmed. Last year I wrote a piece about how the demographics of the Iron Range region of northern Minnesota were changing. The changes were not just in population. In actuality, northern Minnesota population isn’t…
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The Ocho holds its own
Moments ago U.S. Census data for Minnesota was released, including specifics related to Congressional and legislative redistricting. Long story short, Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District did not change population much. Analysis indicates it only needs 2,649 more people to be balanced properly with state population. That’s just one small town annexed from the 6th CD, for…
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Brown on the Air: RANGE UPDATE 3/14/11 on 91.7 KAXE
I’ll be on the KAXE Morning Show at 7:20 a.m. Monday talking Iron Range issues, with special attention given to my comments in my recent “On mining and the future in northern Minnesota” post from last week. Listen at 91.7 FM within 70 miles of Grand Rapids or streaming live at www.kaxe.org. You can access…
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COLUMN: To those who would divide us, remember the Sneetches
This is my weekly column for the Sunday, March 13, 2011 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. To those who would divide us, remember the SneetchesBy Aaron J. Brown People could once disagree about politics and still share a meal without posing an existential threat to each other. Generations of resentful Midwesterners have done just…
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Wide open DFL contest in MN-8, true 2012 tossup against Cravaack
In the months before Barack Obama won the presidency many wondered if he would consider then U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN8) for Secretary of Transportation. Oberstar wasn’t interested. After all, he had much more influence over transportation issues as chair of the House transportation and infrastructure committee, just as his fellow Iron Ranger and mentor…
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Governor to tour Iron Range amid state tourney fervor
Gov. Mark Dayton will be touring the Iron Range Friday and headlining the annual meeting of the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools that night. The more amusing detail of his schedule is that he will be visiting Hibbing High School at the moment the Bluejackets will be wrapping up play against the Hermantown Hawks…
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Former Range lawmaker charged with animal cruelty, hoarding
The Iron Range is a place of characters and stories. One of the most interesting characters I’ve met is former State Rep. John Spanish. Unfortunately, his story has taken a sad turn. Related posts: No related posts.
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The Hon. James L. Oberstar to cross the mighty lakes this spring
The Interlake Shipping Company has renamed an 806-foot laker after former U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, a longtime transportation committee chair and ranking Democratic member. Derek Wallbank has the story on MinnPost. The Hon. James L. Oberstar will now transport Mesabi iron ore pellets from near Oberstar’s hometown of Chisholm out of the port of Duluth,…
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MinnesotaBrown to cover MN-8 like haul truck on perspective dump
Over the weekend I decided to develop some kind of policy for how I handle Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District race as Democrats line up to challenge freshman Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN8) in 2012. I’ve been getting calls. The people want to know. So, here goes. This will be an important primary in a true tossup…
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Billionaires using millionaires to attack thousandaires, and divide the nation
I don’t mind a good political debate. The teachers’ unions aren’t right all the time. But the demonizing of public workers generally and teachers specifically in the Wisconsin story is infuriating. Actually, no. The hypocrisy is what’s infuriating. Jon Stewart gets this exactly right. The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p /…