January 29, 2001 - The loss of jobs on Minnesota's Iron Range doesn't just affect mining towns, such as Hibbing and Chisholm. In Duluth, the huge ships passing under the aerial bridge are already carrying less iron ore. In fact, last year the port moved more coal than iron ore for the first time since the Great Depression. Last year, ore shipments from the Duluth-Superior port hit their lowest level since the 1980s, when the Iron Range economy took a nose dive and the mines laid off thousands of workers. The mining slump in the '80s hit Duluth hard, too. Businesses closed. People lost jobs. This time, economists are predicting Duluth will withstand the blow somewhat better. But they say the city WILL suffer. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin reports.
January 25, 2001 - MPR’s Chris Julin reports on speech event by Governor Jesse Ventura at University of Minnesota in Duluth. The Governor is traveling around the state, trying to sell Minnesotans on his proposed budget. Some of the loudest criticism of the budget plan is coming from university and college administrators who say the governor's proposal will make them lose good professors, and raise tuition.
January 24, 2001 - All Things Considered’s Lorna Benson talks with Duluth reporter Chris Julin, who details Governor Ventura’s Duluth visit to talk to citizens and students about the benefits of his budget. Topics included higher education, and the Iron Range economy.
January 3, 2001 - The recent bad economic news for Minnesota's Iron Range got worse today. The L-T-V Steel Plant in Hoyt Lakes is closing at the end of this week. One thousand workers will lose their jobs. The company originally announced the Iron Range plant would close next summer, then moved the date to February. Last week L-T-V filed for bankruptcy, leading to today's announcement, that Saturday will be the last work day in Hoyt Lakes. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin has more.
January 2, 2001 - Anti-smoking activists are going out for lunch today in Duluth. A city ordinance went into effect yesterday banning smoking in restaurants -- or at least restricting it. Today at lunchtime, representatives of an anti-smoking group are checking dozens of restaurants to see if the businesses are obeying the new law. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin reports from Duluth.
December 28, 2000 - The history of Duluth abounds with fur traders and explorers, ships and trains. The city is proud to point tourists to the museums and historical markers pointing to Duluth's colorful past. But, like all cities, Duluth has stories it regrets. For many years Duluth tried to forget the day it made national news in 1920, the day a crowd of thousands hanged three black men from a downtown street light. A group of Duluth residents is now working to honor the victims with a monument, and a week of events this coming June, on the anniversary of the lynching. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin reports.
December 18, 2000 - As colleges and universities wind up for the winter break, many students are filling out evaluations, rating their instructors. This fall, students at two northern campuses, one in Duluth, and one on Superior, asked to see the results of those surveys. Students say they pay thousands in tuition, and ought to know what their fellow students think of professors before they sign up for classes. But Minnesota and Wisonsin laws are different, so students in Superior will see the evaluation results, while students in Duluth won't. UMD students responded by organizing their own instructor evaluations. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin reports.
December 4, 2000 - Bird-watching is the fastest growing outdoor activity in the United States, according to Minnesota tourism officials. They say bird watchers outnumber hunters in Minnesota -- and outspend them too. The Office of Toursim and the Department of Natural Resources are urging resort owners to cash in, saying a little bit of preparation could fill hundreds of cabins and hotel rooms. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin reports.
November 21, 2000 - It looks like a good winter for people who want to look at snowy owls, but a tough year for the owls themselves. Unusually large numbers of northern owl are showing up in Minnesota this fall. The birds aren't finding enough to eat in their home range, so they're moving south, in what's called an owl "irruption." Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin reports.
November 6, 2000 - Election day will be especially interesting for people in the Greenway School District on the Iron Range where the schools are facing bankruptcy.The district is asking voters to voluntairly increase their taxes for ten years to help get the district back in the black. Voters in more than 50 Minnesota school districts will vote on similar tax increases. Greenway officials say without the money, they may be forced to consolidate with a neighboring district. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin reports.