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Radio Magic: Reina del Cid and me as a Centaur
This Saturday, April 9, I’ll be bringing my Great Northern Radio Show to Pequot Lakes, Minnesota. I previewed the show late last week here at the blog. Today (Friday), I leave my familiar environs here on the Iron Range, escaping to Minnesota’s Central Lakes region where one finds Pequot Lakes along Highway 371. We’ve got a full 36 hours of…
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St. Louis County may allow ATVs on roads
St. Louis County commissioners may allow All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) to be operated on county roads with few restrictions as soon as May 24. John Myers of the Duluth News Tribune reported on the county plan to lift a ban on ATVs on county roads earlier this week. A majority of commissioners appear to support the idea.…
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Mills poll shows Nolan up 3 points in MN-8
A Republican pollster says the campaign for Congress in Minnesota’s Eighth District is close. Nevertheless, the internal poll still shows Rep. Rick Nolan (D-MN8) three points ahead of challenger Stewart Mills. Democrat Nolan defeated Mills by less than 2 points in 2014, with a third party candidate running to Nolan’s left. Mills is making another attempt…
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Great Northern Radio Show in Pequot Lakes
Next week I’ll be hosting another of my traveling Great Northern Radio Show programs from the Central Lakes town of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota. If you follow the blog, please consider attending the show or listening on the radio. Participate in social media during the show. This project is arguably my greatest passion. So many great…
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Iron Range economic imbalance, in one graphic
I’ve already written at length about the recent report by the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor. That document details serious management and governance problems at the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB). Today I’d like to talk about an aspect of that report that paints a broader picture of what ails the Iron…
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How Iron Range political drama helps no one
In his daily “Morning Take” newsletter on Monday, March 28, Blois Olson offered this editorial about the way Iron Range politics disproportionately dominates state political priorities: Minnesota politics can’t seem to ever avoid drama when it comes to the Iron Range. In 2016, the emotions and angles are more complex than a Tolstoy novel but some…
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Dayton coming North, definitely not a vacation
The Mesabi Daily News reports this morning that Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton will make public appearances in Eveleth on Friday. The governor will talk to local officials and the public about his recent decision to block new drilling on public lands for the Twin Metals project, a controversial copper nickel mining proposal near Ely. Gov.…
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Ode to Deviled Eggs
Carnivores eat eggs. They have for a long time. I recall an artist’s rendition from my childhood “Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs” depicting a sneaky rodent-like dinosaur spiriting away some big egg from the Mighty Somethingosaurus. I imagined the crafty lizard cracking open that big egg, devouring the eggy goodness inside like slop from a trough. I…
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IRRRB reforms announced after tough audit
The Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board will voluntarily reform itself to comply with findings from a recent Legislative Auditor’s report. Under a new plan, the IRRRB would retain its power to allocate funds from its unique regionally-funded state agency but those allocations would require the governor’s approval. This would address the Legislative Auditor’s finding that having…
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Jobless benefits for miners extended
On Thursday the Minnesota House of Representatives passed an unemployment benefits extension for workers affected by the downturn in the Iron Range mining industry. They also passed separately what House GOP leaders wanted attached in one bill: a rebate to businesses who pay into the unemployment fund, which now has a surplus because of the…
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Cliffs eyes acquiring Essar plant
As snow fades from the ditches of Northern Minnesota, the Essar Steel construction site north of Nashwauk remains frozen in time. Minor movement in and out of the site is but partial salve for the idled hope of hundreds of jobs from the region’s largest new mining project in a generation. Essar has stated that it hopes…
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Governor explains controversial mining decision
Two weeks ago Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton announced he would not support mineral exploration near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The controversial decision prompted strong reactions by those for and against new forms of copper nickel mining in Northeastern Minnesota. As expected, Iron Range lawmakers, local officials and mining advocates criticized the governor in…
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Let us see what we believe
When immigrants came to America, their first image of the new land was the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. This wasn’t just some green lady. She represented freedom and opportunity. She was all of America, welcoming those in need. The Statue of Liberty told a story that was happening in real time. She…
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Confusion over deal for unemployed miners
On Friday, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed a bill funding extended unemployment benefits for laid off Iron Range miners attached to controversial unemployment tax cuts for businesses. Though House DFLers opposed the pairing of those two issues, ultimately most Range DFLers argued for its passage so that unemployed miners without benefits could receive aid. Rep.…
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Report details serious problems at IRRRB
Today, the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor released its report exploring the organization, authority, effectiveness and transparency of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB). The OLA found that the IRRRB “has not adequately overseen the loans and grants it awards for economic development.” The report also dings the agency for its operation…