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Organizing for America to host listening tour stop on Iron Range
“Organizing for America” — the post-election offshoot of the Obama campaign is holding a listening tour stop in Hibbing on Tuesday, June 2. I’m intrigued, mostly because I’m curious what they’re up to. Obama for America proved to be one of the largest and most sophisticated political organizations of our time. What can they do…
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Itasca women’s leadership project looks to mix, organize Wednesday night
A reminder, via press release, for those interested: Rural Women’s Leadership Project hosts an Itasca County event The Rural Women’s Leadership Project (RWLP) invites women in the Grand Rapids area to an evening of discussion and social networking. RWLP is hosting an event on Wednesday, May 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the MacRostie…
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Excelsior facing long odds at PUC (yes, again)
Excelsior Energy, proponent of the vast and controversial Mesaba Energy Project on the Iron Range, goes before the state PUC for one final plea for special treatment in finding a customer for its expensive electricity it intends to generate in a carbon capture coal plant. Doesn’t look so good for them. An appeal to follow.…
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Upper Mississippi Forest Legacy project survives the storm (we think)
Though the Minnesota legislative session ultimately proved disappointing on many levels, northern Minnesota has one item to cheer. It appears the first installment of money to fund the Upper Mississippi Forest Legacy project — the transfer of vast amounts of Blandin Paper land in Itasca County to public use — is on track. Related posts:…
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What happens when unemployment runs out?
A casual conversation with a friend last week leaves me with lingering questions. We live on the Iron Range, you see. Like the rest of the state, nation and world, the Iron Range of northern Minnesota is experiencing an economic downturn. But things are always a little different on the Range where iron mining is…
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No obvious spoils in federal coal money for Range boondoggle
The U.S. Department of Energy announced support for a series of carbon capture and sequestration projects (what the industry calls “clean coal”) through the economic recovery act. Though some of the the $2.4 billion in funding areas will still grant funds to applicants, this list seems rather grim for Excelsior Energy’s proposed Mesaba Energy Project…
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My way or I’ll cut your highway (and by highway I mean everything)
Here’s the Iron Range take on Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s edict yesterday about the state budget negotiation process. (Story by Jon Collins for Hibbing Daily Tribune, Mesabi Daily News and others). Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFL-Virginia, said cuts to health and human services would be “devastating” for the Iron Range. “People are going to understand the pain…
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We say "re," you say "count"
OK, so I’ll bite: Barkley Throws First Pitch; IP Throws Fundraiser St. Paul, Minn. (May 12, 2009) – Dean Barkley, Independence Party candidate for U.S Senate, will throw out the first pitch at the St. Paul Saints game on May 23rd. The former U.S. Senator will participate in what the St. Paul Saints are calling…
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Dicklich strikes back, demands satisfaction
Last week I mentioned Hibbing Daily Tribune publisher Wanda Moeller’s editorial smackdown on Ron Dicklich’s appointment to the Laurentian Energy Authority. Well, somehow I missed the significant fact that Mesabi Daily News editor and co-publisher Bill Hanna hit Dicklich with a similar argument on the same day. You ever see professional wrestling? You ever see…
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A worthy counterargument on government spending
In the swirling hurly-burly of what passes for today’s political discourse I do enjoy this offering from KAXE’s Republican commentator Charles Marohn. He’s leading people toward a conservative argument without actually making a specific call. I would contrast this kind of argument with the more shrill diatribes against government spending you often see posted to…
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‘All-night rave’ for change
An unusual headline: “Duluth police called to fundraiser for City Council candidate” (Duluth News Tribune). My favorite parts? The fundraiser essentially was an all-night rave held at Thrillz in Canal Park from 10 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday. Shortly after the show started, Nagorski said police were called about 10:45 by the nearby Suites…
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Another leadership opportunity for northern Minnesota women
The Iron Range Go Run conference training women for political leadership was last weekend. Another opportunity for women interested in regional leadership is coming up. The Rural Women’s Leadership Project (RWLP) Invites local women in the Grand Rapids area to an evening of engaging discussion & social networking! Please join us at The MacRostie Art…
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Matt Entenza: The MinnesotaBrown interview
Last week my series of interviews with 2010 candidates for Minnesota Governor continued as I met with former State Rep. and progressive policy advocate Matt Entenza. Previous interviews have included Mark Dayton, Paul Thissen and Tom Bakk. I hope to eventually speak with all or most candidates, depending on scheduling availability. I spoke to Entenza…
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Brown on the Air: Monday 5/4 Range Report
I’ll be on the Monday KAXE Morning Show around 7:20 a.m. talking about a variety of Iron Range topics including the effects of local taconite mine layoffs, how population loss is this area’s biggest problem and a review of my recent gubernatorial interviews. My interview with Matt Entenza will be posted early Monday. You can…
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Entenza interview coming Monday
My interview with Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Matt Entenza and corresponding analysis will be up Monday morning. It’s done but Friday afternoons are generally reserved for layoff announcements so I’ll post it Monday to catch the heavier traffic. Related posts: No related posts.