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The Empire Builder: James J. Hill be not forgotten
Amy Goetzman begins her recent story “James J. Hill and the day the railroads roiled Wall Street” in Minnpost this way: James J. Hill was responsible, perhaps more than any other one person, for the rise of Minnesota industry and agriculture, and its lasting international impact. His robust railroad empire drew the state’s arterial maps,…
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Building small town economy with new attitude
I’ll point your attention to a fascinating post by Brian Gumm, who lives in rural Iowa and is the author of an Christian blog called Restorative Theology. In “Small town vitality: No community without economy” Gumm reviews the writings of several thinkers on the topic of restoring small towns — not just economically, but their…
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Jerry Springer in Duluth: a tale of comedy, woe
Jerry Springer is coming to Duluth, Minnesota, on Saturday, Oct. 12 as host of “The Price is Right Live,” a stage version of the long-running TV show once hosted by Bob Barker, now Drew Carey. Springer is best known for his cable TV talk show in which tank-top wearing guests are known to throw chairs…
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Great Northern Radio Show live in Crosby Oct. 19
CROSBY, Minnesota – The Great Northern Radio Show will broadcast its live traveling radio program from the stage of the Mayberry Auditorium at Crosby-Ironton High School in Crosby, Minnesota from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19. The show, a production of Northern Community Radio (kaxe.org), combines music, comedy and storytelling to showcase the unique culture…
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The Finnish sauna, proven cure for the busy mind
The BBC has a fascinating story on the cultural meaning of the Finnish sauna. Many people in northern Minnesota and the Great Lakes states owe their heritage to Finland. For that reason, sauna (and its correct pronunciation, SOW-na) has deep meaning in our part of the world as well. If you’ve ever wondered why saunas…
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Nolan proposes no pay for Congress during shutdown
Northeastern Minnesota U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan (D-MN8) finds himself making headlines amid another big story today with his introduction of the “No Government – No Pay Act” of 2013. Under Nolan’s bill, members of Congress would not be paid during any period of federal government shutdown. From Nolan’s statement: In the event of a shutdown,…
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William Jennings Bryan in Duluth
I played the narrator role of the “Stage Manager” in my high school junior year production of “Our Town.” I remember giving a line about how William Jennings Bryan once spoke in Grover’s Corners, a sign of some strange and isolated collision between this small town and the churn of national events. The Zenith City…
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Shut it down
If their logic weren’t so utterly outrageous and dangerous, I’d almost be impressed with the sheer audacity of House Republican talking points watching last night’s news coverage of the impending U.S. federal government shut down. This site endeavors not to drive into one-sided partisanship, but in this case I’m going to simply suggest that what…
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What Twins, fed gov’t, research bear have in common
The Minnesota Twins have concluded a terrible season. The federal government will shut down at midnight. Something about a dead bear. I’m writing a radio show for Oct. 19. There will be more to say, just not today. Related posts: No related posts.
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Fall: Love it or leaf it
High up an old oak tree on a rolling hill just outside Hibbing, Minnesota, two talking leaves dangle by hardening stems. Fall has arrived. LEAFY: Lefty, you ever get the sense that things are changing? LEFTY: Everythin’ changes, Leafy. No point worryin.’ LEAFY: But, I mean, *really* changing. I don’t know how to tell…
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Northern Minnesota fall colors near peak brilliance
Here in northern Minnesota you can feel fall in the wind. The freeze warnings have come; the mosquitoes are dead or dying. This begins my very favorite time in this watery, forested landscape: northern Minnesota fall colors. The Minnesota DNR predicts this year’s season of fall foliage will be “brilliant,” according to the AP. I…
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Study: Wolves threaten northern Minnesota moose
The northern Minnesota moose population has been in crisis for a few years now. A precipitous drop in the number of moose in the region has led to the cancellation of the moose hunting season and widespread concern that disease, climate change and a crowded habitat are conspiring to drive moose from a state that…
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Talking northern Minnesota mining on MPR
This morning I was a guest on Minnesota Public Radio’s Daily Circuit program, talking northern Minnesota mining politics with co-host Tom Weber. It’s been a busy couple weeks of mining news with debate over the approaching release of PolyMet’s Environmental Impact Statement, Rep. Rick Nolan’s vote in favor of a pro-mining deregulation bill and a…
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50 years later: Kennedy’s visit to Duluth, Ashland
It was 50 years ago today that President Kennedy walked out the doors of the Hotel Duluth in Duluth, Minnesota and flew off to another stop on his national tour. The day before he had landed and spoke in Ashland, Wisconsin at an airport that now bears his name before speaking and politicking in Duluth…
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UPDATE: Former Hibbing mayor dies unexpectedly
Former Mayor Rick Wolff died unexpectedly Tuesday according to the Hibbing Daily Tribune. Cause of death has yet to be announced but Wolff had recently undergone hip surgery. Wolff defeated Mayor Pru Lolich in 2002 and was re-elected in a memorable campaign against Jason “The Mechanic” Roebuck in 2006. (Roebuck was the only Iron Range…