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Richard III found under parking lot; Paul Harvey found on Super Bowl
Behold, a feast of links I don’t entirely know what to do with. The bones of Richard III, one of the shortest-lived English monarchs and the last to die on the battlefield, were found in a shallow grave below a parking lot in England. The story and photos will give you something to think about.…
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The iron ore space race
This is my Sunday column for the Feb. 3, 2013 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. Below the jump you can learn more about plans to mine minerals from asteroids. The iron ore space race By Aaron J. Brown Looking down from space through the night sky you see the bright lights of our modern…
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And so wily propsectors shall battle the Fightin’ Poes
I feel compelled to say something about the Super Bowl this Sunday. It is the most American of American holidays — billions spent and made on a sport that only Americans understand or enjoy (and, more recently, Canada … but, you know). The San Francisco 49ers, a team named for gold prospectors from a city…
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Minnesota Power to convert major Range plant from coal to gas
This week, Minnesota Power announced it would convert its coal-fired Laskin Energy Plant near Hoyt Lakes to natural gas generation in coming years. The $15 million conversion will eventually join the closure of one of Laskin’s MP’s Taconite Harbor units, but company officials are hopeful there will be no layoffs. The plan allows Minnesota Power…
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Upon the fall of ‘this magnificant creation’
My friend and Great Northern Radio Show writing collaborator Matt Nelson has penned a marvelous essay about the 10 year anniversary of the Columbia space shuttle disaster. He was 13 then, and experienced the event through adolescent eyes and ideals. Having matured into a remarkable writer and journalist today, he’s put those thoughts into a…
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On encouragement, hurtling space rocks, robots, mining (natch), & geneology
What’s this? It’s a clue about my Sunday column. Here’s another. We don’t just need to mine them thar’ hills. We need to mine them thar’ asteroids, too. What could possibly go wrong? Meantime, for something completely different, catch my essay this Saturday on Between You and Me. The topic is “Encouragement.” All you have…
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Returning to the scene of my first login
Here’s me in the yearbook, editing the school newspaper. Note the references to a “dark room” and “chemicals.” Today I will return to my alma mater, Cherry High School. It occurs to me that it’s been about 12 years since I’ve even set foot in the school for my sister’s graduation. They’ve since torn down…
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Oberstar mentioned for Obama cabinet position
With the resignation of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today, former U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN8), the former House Transportation Chair and Iron Range political veteran, is being mentioned as a potential successor. Oberstar was mentioned four years ago as well, but passed in order to keep his chairmanship. After his 2010 re-election defeat, he finds…
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And Bingo was its name-o, ashes to ashes, Amen
On Wednesday night, the Fortune Bay Resort and Casino near Tower will call its last bingo numbers. Waning bingo popularity has caused the gaming facility to cut bingo from its gambling offerings, something sure to make several people we know roll in their graves … literally. Well, perhaps “literally” is not the right word, but…
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You can never go home again
Offered without commentary: @minnesotabrown will be visiting Cherry tomorrow to talk politics and social media— Kristen Cooper (@cherrytech) January 29, 2013 @cherrytech Before return to alma mater, I demand amnesty on matters pertaining to the beaver cartoon published in the school paper in 1997.— Aaron Brown (@minnesotabrown) January 29, 2013 @minnesotabrown @cherryprincipal Mr. Carey will…
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North Dakota oil boom may soon reach Duluth port
If all goes to plan, oil tankers carrying Canadian and North Dakota crude oil could be shipping out of the Port of Duluth next year. Business North, WDIO and others have the story. Decades ago, oil had previously been shipped out of Duluth. Tankers run in other parts of the Great Lakes. This particular project…
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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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Mining jobs, jobs, jobs in the news, news, news
Mining careers continue to dominate discussions about northern Minnesota’s economic future. And it’s true; a number of jobs are coming down the pike. Those jobs were the subject of a career fair held last week at the Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm. Interviews were held on the spot and I don’t doubt some hires will…
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Thar she syncs: Accepting my e-fate
Here is my Sunday column for the Jan. 27, 2013 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. An audio version of this piece aired yesterday on Northern Community Radio’s “Between You and Me.” I offered some additional thoughts (and cool whale art) on Friday. Thar she syncs: Accepting my e-fateBy Aaron J. BrownBehold, me lads and…
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Trampled by Turtles $5 album downloads at Amazon
Hey howdy hey, northern Minnesota alt bluegrass sensation Trampled by Turtles has $5 album downloads at Amazon until next week. Shop and save! You bet I make money if you click on these links. If all goes to plan I’ll have a bill that folds when this is done. We’ll be in the crowd for…