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Name that delegation!
As Minnesota’s legislative session begins I am left with a conundrum. I cover the whole state but pay special attention to the Iron Range. Thus, I am forced to type the phrase “Iron Range DFL legislative delegation” again and again. I’d rather have a short nickname I could use instead. No acronyms. (IRDFLLD just doesn’t…
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Session outlook for the Iron Range
Here’s an overview of the grim session outlook from Iron Range legislative correspondent Jon Collins from the Mesabi Daily News and other Range papers. Job creation, the federal stimulus package and “innovation” appear likely to receive support, though said innovation remains in a theoretical stage. Related posts: No related posts.
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Greater Minnesota bloggers unite!
I’m passing along an interesting press release below. Join me, fellow off-the-beaten-path bloggers! Minnesota Voices Online The Blandin Foundation and E-Democracy.Org have partnered to offer “Minnesota Voices Online,” an online forum for Minnesotans using new media technologies to build community – particularly across Greater Minnesota. Learn more and join from http://e-democracy.org/mnvoices Are you telling local…
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On the future of the Iron Range
Today’s Mountain Iron community discussion on the future of the Iron Range, sponsored by Messiah Lutheran Church, was fascinating. I won’t recap it now but sufficed to say I heard some things in this discussion that suggest a bright future for this unusual region, provided enough people work hard to make it happen these next…
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Reminder: Come to Mountain Iron today! The future depends on you!
Just a reminder, I and others will be taking part in a discussion (round table? not sure) about the future of the Iron Range from 2-4 p.m. today at the Mountain Iron Public Library. I don’t know the guest list yet, but to keep things interesting I’ll just say that I heard someone, somewhere say…
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The only ace up the sleeve for the Iron Range (and Minnesota) is transportation
A new legislative session has arrived in Minnesota. I must admit, I am a bit sheepish that I have not written more about what might come out of this session, especially since it is the all-important biennial budget session. The truth is that the crippling state budget deficit situation makes this session less about what…
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Big trucks, small trucks
According to this Gita Sitaramiah story in today’s Pioneer Press, Ford dealers are seeing an increase in demand for larger trucks like the F-150 and less demand for the smaller and more fuel efficient Ford Ranger (made in Minnesota). Those following this know that the Ford Ranger was going to be discontinued, but made a…
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The future of the Iron Range (needs you!)
I’ll be taking part in a round table discussion about the future of the Iron Range at the Mt. Iron Public Library Wednesday, Jan. 7, (tomorrow) from 2-4 p.m. I snagged the swank invite because my new book “Overburden: Modern Life on the Iron Range” discusses that very topic, among other history, political, beer- and…
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Range paper says Senate should seat … Burris?
A Mesabi Daily News (Virginia, Minn.) editorial today suggests that despite all the controversy, leaders should seat the new U.S. Senator from the upper Midwest. No, not Al Franken. The editorial is silent on that one. But rather, the MDN says the Senate should seat Roland Burris, the appointee of disgraced and embattled Illinois Gov.…
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‘Change’ and ‘Bailout’: strange bedfellows indeed
This is my weekly column from the Sunday, Jan. 4, 2008 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. ‘Change’ and ‘Bailout’: strange bedfellows indeedBy Aaron J. Brown Change. According to the Global Language Monitor, “change” was the top word of 2008. That’s no great surprise. It’s been a fascinating year. Our current president, the son of…
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Finale to Minnesota’s U.S. Senate recount best summarized by Iron Range paper
Marshall Helmberger of the Ely, Orr and Tower Timberjay is one of those independent small town newspaper publishers who still puts up a fight against all odds. Today, he offers (my opinion) the best view of the conclusion to Minnesota’s U.S. Senate recount. We’ve had a fair and transparent recount. All eligible votes have been…
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Range wars press on
Here’s an interesting snippet from today’s Mesabi Daily News:Star Tribune column raises ire of ‘Range’ resident Strib sports writer Patrick Reusse said something that implied Rangers were dumb. I suppose I should tell him to go to hell, or something, but it’s just not worth the effort right now. Meh. Related posts: No related posts.
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Ring in the new
Starting this week I’m going to change the posting schedule here at MinnesotaBrown. My weekly column for the Hibbing Daily Tribune usually runs Sundays and I’ve traditionally posted it here that day as well. Well, Sundays are terrible traffic days so I’m going to post the column on Mondays from now on. This will put…
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Retail economics on the Iron Range
The magazine Finance and Commerce just published a story about a retail development in Mountain Iron. We still don’t know what box store is going to be in this development but it’s interesting to see a Range town get this kind of attention. Media outlets are finally remembering that the Range is an excellent barometer…
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Keep an eye on steel
The New York Times analyzes the American steel industry today, opining that it’s the industry to watch in terms of the end of the recession. It’s also the industry to watch in regard to the fortunes of the Iron Range here in northern Minnesota. Read the story. Related posts: No related posts.