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Iron Range delegation strikes back against raid on local funds
Today members of the Iron Range legislative delegation held a press conference to decry the recent proposal to balance the cuts from one part of the state budget on the backs of an Iron Range jobs fund. Complete audio of the press conference is available at Rep. Tom Anzelc’s legislative site. Give it a listen.…
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Up north, it’s more change than migration
Census speculation continues, and I’m starting to reach a bold new conclusion about our numeric fate in northern Minnesota. Demography reinforces attitudes. Attitudes can change demography. I’ve written a column on the region’s census numbers that will run this Sunday, but I’m already finding some new content for future writings on the topic. For instance,…
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The Highwaymap Came Riding, or Older People Angrily Staring at Charts
A public meeting was held Tuesday in Gilbert to discuss options for the Highway 53 relocation near Virginia and Eveleth. There’s more of that sort of thing to come, so let’s not get crazy yet (even if some of the relocation options are a little crazy). MNDOT has until 2017 to move the highway so…
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Environmental groups withdraw Range mining lawsuit
Environmental groups have withdrawn their $4 million lawsuit against the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board over what they believed was a premature loan to Polymet, an international company proposing copper/nickel mining on the Iron Range. The Duluth News Tribune has the story. In essence, HF1 — the streamlining of the permit process signed into…
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Sparks fly in House committee over anti-Range budget bill
It would appear that the Jobs and Economic Development committee meeting yesterday became a bit heated. Katy Meeks penned a story for the Range dailies (subscription only for full text). GOP leaders introduced their proposal to raid $60 million from an IRRRB economic development fund as part of $87 million in total cuts. I wrote…
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Iron Range labor community to hold solidarity rally Friday
You know it’s serious when they break out the fist art. Iron Range labor unions and political leaders are holding an “Iron Range Solidarity Rally” this Friday at 5:30 p.m. at the Hibbing Memorial Building, depicted in the promotional image at right. The Memorial Building is a big hall, so this is no small feat.…
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Work ahead, but also optimism after Soudan Mine fire
With the Soudan Underground Mine fire finally stopped, officials are now able to show optimism over the mine’s ability to re-open as a state park and advanced physics research facility. A story by Janna Goerdt from today’s Duluth News Tribune is a useful look at the fire, how it was put out and what will…
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Let the ‘acoustic’ good times roll like ‘rag rug,’ or something like that
Here are some upcoming events at the Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm. I haven’t been doing a good job of promoting Acoustic Cafe, but it remains a regular live music event on the “free” night at the Discovery Center, which is, of course, the nonprofit cultural center celebrating the people and history of the Iron…
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No learning curve, Melin tasked with defending $60 million in local Range money
Over the weekend I had a conversation with Rep. Carly Melin (DFL-Hibbing) about the predictable biennial attack on Iron Range funds as a short term budget fix. Today, just a few weeks after taking office, she’s put out a press release on the latest effort to raid the Johnson Trust Fund. (see below) It’s very…
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Cravaack to open Duluth office at last
U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN8) finally announced that he’ll open a field office in Duluth, possibly by early April. This was a wise, if overdue, move. Duluth is the largest city and center of Minnesota’s Eighth Congressional District. Until now he’s operated with a district office in North Branch, near the district’s southern corner and…
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The steel hauled ’round the world, and what it means for the people of the Iron Range
As potential Iron Range economic development projects go, Essar Steel Minnesota is the biggest and most likely to happen. With most permits in place and actual concrete being poured as we speak, the young but rapidly expanding Indian steel giant Essar is on its way to opening up the ore formation near Nashwauk abandoned when…
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Soudan mine shaft fire out, power restored to pumps
Some good news from the state DNR and others fighting the fire deep in the the Soudan Underground Mine. A crew was sent into the mine today and was able to restore power and confirm that there were no more flames amid the water and fire suppressing foam. Pumps that had been shut down are…
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The day Rocky came to breakfast
This is my weekly column for the Sunday, March 20, 2011 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. The day Rocky came to breakfast By Aaron J. Brown Many different woodland creatures live in northern Minnesota but these creatures are knowable, just as the people of a city can be known to the advantage of the…
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DNR fights fire, time in underground blaze at Soudan mine
The DNR reports that fire fighters are making significant progress in its battle against the fire at the Soudan Underground Mine State Park. The advanced physics laboratory at the 27th level, just below the fire at the 23rd-25th levels, is still OK. The fire might still be burning, however, and more work and danger lies…
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In northern Minn., Soudan mine fire menaces underground science lab
The uncontrolled fire deep in the Soudan Underground Mine now threatens the advanced $60 million scientific MINOS laboratory two levels below the fire, reports WDIO. It’s not the fire, but the water collecting at the bottom of the mine that poses a risk. Pumps that normally keep the mine dry are without power. In 1-2…