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I’m with the band
The MDN pens an editorial in support of a startup organization trying to revitalize the Iron Range music scene. Check it out. Related posts: No related posts.
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The perils of Excelsior’s appeal
The Hibbing Daily Tribune follows up on yesterday’s news of Excelsior Energy’s disappointing day at the state Public Utilities Commission. Excelsior will appeal, of course, but the story points out that such an appeal could create as many problems as it could solve for the beleaguered economic development boondoggle. Related posts: No related posts.
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Range jobless rate shows tiny improvements, but still far worse than average
The Mesabi Daily News reports that the Iron Range jobless rate is hovering in the bad zone, though shows tiny improvement in the Hibbing and Grand Rapids areas. The unemployment rate here is still far worse that the national and state averages and as mining layoffs start being factored in it’s likely to get worse…
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Economy claiming small businesses across the Range
Two anecdotes don’t make evidence but it bears mentioning that two very recognizable downtown Hibbing businesses are closing (The Flower Basket and John Peterson’s photography studio). I’m hearing that conditions are very difficult for small businesses across the Iron Range. With no mines currently in production places like the Range should brace for what could…
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Brown on the Air: RIVERS!
My essay for the Saturday, May 30, edition of “Between You and Me” on 91.7 KAXE will deal with the topic of rivers. The independent public station will begin its summer fundraiser this weekend and members of the intrepid radio crew will be rafting down the Mighty Mississippi River for the cause. My piece will…
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Who runs this joint?
Mike Jennings of the Hibbing Daily Tribune turned in this report of Wednesday night’s (Itasca County Railroad Commission) meeting. It shows a compelling conflict over who the commissioners work for — a company or the citizens of the county. This particular story — over how generous the terms toward Essar Steel are ultimately structured —…
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HOPE for the broadband of the future economy
Here’s a fascinating story about the Obama FCC’s new report on rural broadband. Somebody is finally at the switch. Related posts: No related posts.
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And that’s all I have to say about that
The state PUC has closed the docket on Excelsior Energy’s foolhardy Xcel Power Purchase Agreement demands for its Mesaba Energy Project. The start-up company will now appeal the decision in hopes of sustaining its government sanctioned boondoggle. All those who have supported this monstrosity will face increasing questions of competence and accountability as economic development…
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The Iron Range builds America … on your TV!
On my book tour for “Overburden: Modern Life on the Iron Range” I’ve heard several positive comments about the new documentary “Iron Range: Minnesota Building America.” Well, I must admit that I haven’t had the chance to see it yet (they’ve been playing it on one of those digital broadcast channels we don’t get out…
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NOT JUST NEWSPRINT!
Here’s a classified ad from Wednesday’s Duluth News Tribune. What is this? WANTED: Editor / Content Manager We want a person who will head up our news gathering organization and deliver news, while it is still NEWS. If your focus is to DELIVER COMPELLING AND QUALITY NEWS and NOT JUST NEWSPRINT, then respond to this…
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Itasca County moves toward placating global steel company on land deal; vote to come
I’ve been getting reports that last night’s Itasca County Board Meeting enjoyed its share of fireworks. This story from the Grand Rapids Herald-Review details some of the concern over the county’s relationship with Essar Steel, the company that announced plans to build an iron mining and steel operation in Nashwauk. Ultimately, Essar got what it…
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Vogue lady says we’re fat (and not just a little bit)
Just read my new edition of Newsweek. They’re going high class now, if you didn’t know. Not one “Jon and Kate Plus 8” item. Not even as an ironic reference for a story about entitlement reform! Anyway, here’s this from the “Scope” section (formerly Periscope, the quotes page): “I’d just been on a trip to…
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Amid sea of economic turmoil, Range college enrollment floats upward
This MinnPost story from Catherine Conlan explains how and why enrollment is rising at Northeastern Minnesota community and technical colleges. Increasingly, I have seen that regional college enrollment and post-graduation job placement taken together and run through a formula might become a good indicator of regional economic strength. It’d make a worthwhile thesis for an…
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The welfare wrasslin’ match
From Across the Great Divide a fascinating addition to the perpetual argument over welfare and whether people pour into Minnesota just to take advantage of our benefits. The post argues no more than average and no more than other states. What follows is a pretty good representation of the core issues of this debate. I’m…
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Taconite roads, coming soon?
A company is experimenting with the shipment of taconite tailings to Chicago as an aggregate for road construction. This according to a story in today’s Mesabi Daily News. Let’s hope it works. Right now that’s the only Iron Range taconite product on the water. Related posts: No related posts.