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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.
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Legendary socialist lair to hold 80th anniversay with picnic, lectures
You know what you don’t see much of these days? Cooperative recreational parks in which membership is based on shared maintenance of the grounds. The Mesaba Co-op Park between Cherry and Hibbing is legendary on the Iron Range and beyond. Of course, part of that might have more to do with its reputation as a…
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10 years or 20: How long can the Iron Range go without a return on investment?
Some recent developments indicate that Essar Steel, the Indian company backing an Iron Range taconite-to-steel plant, is either playing a very short game or a very long game in their endeavor. The company is battling with Itasca County over the duration of access to ore stockpiles depending on the timeline of construction. They’d prefer 20…
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Organizing for America to host listening tour stop on Iron Range
“Organizing for America” — the post-election offshoot of the Obama campaign is holding a listening tour stop in Hibbing on Tuesday, June 2. I’m intrigued, mostly because I’m curious what they’re up to. Obama for America proved to be one of the largest and most sophisticated political organizations of our time. What can they do…
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The certainty of bacon
A belated link. Mesabi Misadventures advocates the virtues of the small town cafes on the Iron Range (and most other places). Related posts: No related posts.
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Itasca women’s leadership project looks to mix, organize Wednesday night
A reminder, via press release, for those interested: Rural Women’s Leadership Project hosts an Itasca County event The Rural Women’s Leadership Project (RWLP) invites women in the Grand Rapids area to an evening of discussion and social networking. RWLP is hosting an event on Wednesday, May 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the MacRostie…