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Range boondoggle now poses test of character, leadership
The implications of Peter Passi’s Duluth News Tribune groundbreaking investigation into the squandering of $41 million in public money by Excelsior Energy on the Iron Range continue to unfold. The story now appears to be the biggest fiscal disaster in Iron Range economic development history, but there’s more yet to explore. Karl Bremer at Ripple…
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Coming Oct. 15, the Great Northern Radio Show!
Times are neither good nor bad nor normal here on the Iron Range. We seem to be going through a transition that no one fully understands. And it occurs to me that the rest of the country, even the world, might be doing the same. So I could double down on my concerned missives on…
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COLUMN: School days are here again (Whoopee!)
This is my weekly column for the Sunday, Aug. 28, 2011 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. School days are here again (Whoopee!)By Aaron J. Brown I’m a teacher by trade so I’m always revved up for the school year. A new school year means new students, new opportunities and a fresh new chance to…
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I (heart) Hibbing
A friend of this blog Jennifer Rian is writing a blog called “I (heart) Hibbing,” the ideas of a Range transplant looking back at her hometown. She has some good ideas and good taste in baked goods. You should check out her blog, too. As with all things Iron Range, I have to add for…
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Amendment debate spurs excellent series, "Growing Up Gay in Northern Minnesota"
Tony Sterle at A Little Bit of Liberal has written a fascinating series entitled Growing Up Gay in Northern Minnesota (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3). He’s done a nice job of writing about the issue as an advocate, but with honest journalistic consideration of both sides in the debate. Really, Tony is a great…
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Company may move to Duluth if job fair goes well
This is a curious press release. A company is considering relocating to Duluth in the old Northwest Airlines maintenance facility by the airport. One factor in their decision will be the outcome of a job fair this upcoming Monday and Tuesday at the DECC. Don’t screw this up, unemployed people. If Job Fair Takes Off,…
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Brown on the Air: ASK A STAG is BACK!
The topic for this Saturday morning’s edition of “Between You and Me” on 91.7 KAXE is “advice.” What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten? What’s your philosophy about giving advice? Have you ever written to an advice columnist? My contribution will be a reprisal of one of my favorite “Between You and Me” bits, an…
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Governor orders work on state’s broadband needs
From the governor’s office: Today, Governor Mark Dayton issued Executive Order 11-27, establishing the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband and continuing his commitment to strengthening our state’s infrastructure and fostering a strong business climate. The Task Force will be charged to expand broadband access in Minnesota. Dayton’s stated goal is “border-to-border” high-speed internet and cell…
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Latto’s radio legacy shows local programming matters
Yesterday we learned that Duluth broadcasting legend Lew Latto died unexpected at his home as he prepared to go to work hosting his talk radio program. Latto was a pioneering local broadcaster and the owner of several Duluth and Iron Range stations. Though I never met him, I worked for Latto in my first media…
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We govern in a van down by the river
On the subject of town halls, here are some more. Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN8) is sending his staffed mobile office to the Range on Thursday, Aug. 25 and Friday, Aug. 26. This after his hotly discussed town hall in Duluth today. The congressman’s mobile office will be at the Keewatin City Hall from 2-4:30 p.m.…
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Cravaack to hold town hall meeting today in Duluth
According to reports, Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN8) has scheduled a last minute, long-anticipated town hall meeting in Duluth, the district’s biggest city and historic center. The town hall will be held at 4 p.m. today, Wednesday, Aug. 24, at the Duluth International Airport. This came together quickly and there was some confusion about whether it…
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Editorial asks necessary questions on Excelsior’s Range dealings
The Duluth News Tribune ran an pertinent editorial today after its must-read, two–part series investigating Excelsior Energy’s Mesaba Energy Project on the Iron Range. Worth reading entirely, here is the thrust: Questions abound: Why didn’t elected leaders demand more spending scrutiny? Why has Rep. Anzelc been largely alone in waving a red flag? Why did…
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U.S. Steel, state strike deal on Range pollution, expansion issues
I’ve neglected to mention this deal between the state and U.S. Steel. The largest mining company on the Range would clean up pollution at its properties, most notably MinnTac, in exchange for rights to expand Keewatin Taconite, adding another line and more jobs to the western Iron Range. This is another example of the strengthening…
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One vision for Range economic diversification
Today I follow up on last week’s post about the meaning of temporary prosperity in Iron Range mining. I’ve come up with a working list of things we (that is, the people, by way of our institutions) can do to diversify our economy and bolster our communities. The links go back to previous writing I’ve…
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DNT continues must-read investigation into failed Range project
Peter Passi of the Duluth News Tribune continues his must-read investigation into the troubles facing Minnetonka-based startup Excelsior Energy. Over ten years Excelsior received more than $40 million in public funds for its “clean-coal” Mesaba Energy Project on the Range but has little to show for it. Today, the story is where Excelsior stands today.…