-
MN seasonal, tourism industry gets tax extension for bad weather
The strange late spring in Minnesota prompted action by the state legislature and governor before last week’s close of the session. Seasonal and tourism-based businesses will receive a property tax extension for the lost business due to the weather. The state revenue department released the following: Due date for property tax payments extended for resorts…
-
Skeeters!
The mosquitoes hatched last night. They’re late this year, but appear to be healthy. Saw them drive a deer out of the woods this morning. This could be a rough year. Related posts: No related posts.
-
Cook, MN slates week of art displays in the north woods
The Northwoods Friends of the Arts kicks off their Spring Arts Expo this Friday, May 31 in Cook, Minnesota. You can read more about the activities here, including gallery displays, live music and more. To see the poster with more details, go below the jump. Read more… Related posts: No related posts.
-
Iron Range mine tax adds dime-a-ton to school funds
Last week I looked at how the legislative session affected the Iron Range. There was one thing I overlooked. John Myers at the Duluth News Tribune explained the 10 cent per ton taconite production tax increase, which will be dedicated toward school improvements in the Taconite Tax Relief Area (loosely speaking, the Iron Range communities…
-
Nolan details congressional dysfunction in Boston Globe
Rick Nolan, from my MN-8 interview series last year. Northern Minnesota congressman Rep. Rick Nolan (D-MN8) was profiled this weekend in the Boston Globe. As we’ve covered here, Nolan is in the unique position as a guy who was in Congress 30 years ago, left, and then came back. He’s shared specific details about the…
-
Putting fire to a rare feast
This is my Sunday column for the May 26, 2013 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. A version of this piece aired on the May 25 episode of “Between You and Me” on Northern Community Radio. Putting fire to a rare feastBy Aaron J. Brown When I was a small child I saw my Grandpa…
-
Dylan Days reach fever pitch today in Bob’s hometown
Dylan Days continues this morning with the famous Bobby Zimmerman bus tour, an interactive storytelling experience that takes visitors through “Bob’s” Hibbing. The tour departs from downtown Hibbing at 10:30 a.m. and lets out at 2:30 p.m. (refreshments available) at Howard Street Booksellers. Author M.L. Liebler will hold an event there at the end of…
-
PolyMet plans open house, tours in Hoyt Lakes May 29
PolyMet Mining will hold an open house to show people how the company plans to mine nonferrous minerals in northern Minnesota. The event will take place at the Hoyt Lakes Arena from noon to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29. PolyMet Mining Open HouseMay 29, 201312-6 p.m. Hoyt Lakes Arena102 Kennedy Memorial DriveHoyt Lakes, MN…
-
See the ‘Dylan by Duluth’ sculpture concept
Last Sunday I talked about a new Bob Dylan sculpture project in Duluth in my preview of northern Minnesota’s Dylan Fest and Dylan Days (starting today!) Here’s a sneak peak at the sculpture, which was unveiled at a preview yesterday: The “Dylan by Duluth” website launches Monday, with a Kickstarter raising funds for the project…
-
Dylan Days commence in Hibbing, Minnesota
Today Dylan Days starts in earnest in Bob Dylan’s hometown of Hibbing, Minnesota. Duluth poet laureate Sheila Packa will lead a poetry workshop from 1-3 p.m. at the Hibbing Memorial Building dining hall. At 3, M.L. Liebler and the Coyote Monk Band Great Northern Radio Show alumnus and Hibbing’s own Iris Kolodji will provide entertainment…
-
Advanced tech predicts Ojard’s replacement at Duluth port authority
Today it was announced that Adolph Ojard, executive director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, is retiring. Shipping is a big deal in the Twin Ports of Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin, a vital transportation artery for the mining industry of the Iron Range and many agriculture and manufacturing interests. It’s important that we know…
-
Magnetation secures $325 million for Mesabi Range, Indiana expansions
Though it’s an area that prides itself on its public works, the Iron Range tends to do better economically when private equity moves around. That’s why Magnetation’s announcement yesterday of a $325 million investment in their new concentration plant by Coleraine and pellet plant in Indiana is potentially the sleeper story of the year on…
-
Hill Annex Mine State Park faces uncertain future
Hill Annex Mine State Park in Calumet is the only one of only two Minnesota state parks that honor mining history. If you haven’t seen it yet, I’d recommend you check it out this summer. You should anyway, but this might be the last summer the park is open. Buried in the park’s charter is…
-
Session shifts state priorities, creates opportunity for northern MN
The Minnesota state legislature adjourned late last night, passing the last of its necessary budget bills — all of which will be signed by Gov. Mark Dayton (D-MN). This is the first time in more than 20 years that our state’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party has held the House, Senate and governor’s mansion at the same time.…
-
Sometimes ‘zee plane’ really is ‘zee plane’
It’s this picture again. Second time! You’d think it couldn’t happen again but it JUST DID. The Mesabi Daily News has made another Fantasy Island reference, again quoting Tattoo’s famous line, “Zee plane! Zee plane!” Last time it was a March 7 reference to the function of state government in job creation. That was a…