@IronRangeToday

An independent digital news source covering Minnesota's Iron Range.

 Iron Range, Minnesota
ironrangetoday.com
Joined July 2022
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NEW: From a Manhattan penthouse to the Oval Office, the names are familiar. The promises are bigger. We examine the corporate ties, political connections and questions surrounding the latest promises Essar made for the Iron Range. Read our investigation:ironrangetoday.com/2026/10/0…

Old ties, new billions: Inside Mesabi Metallics’ latest comeback

From a Manhattan penthouse to the Oval Office, a $15 billion steel announcement brings familiar players, political connections and federal financing back into focus.

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NEW: Tuesday's Virginia City Council meeting was a real-time display of governing through various compounding financial issues. Everything from $125 to $10M seemed to warrant discussion. ironrangetoday.com/2026/07/3…

Virginia confronts its financial reality as audit, spending debates collide

A missing $3.7 million sales tax fund, an $80,000 forensic audit and rejected infrastructure spending exposed the difficult choices facing a city trying to rebuild public confidence.

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NEW: Before the delays set in, the vision behind Virginia's planned hotel secured millions in state grants, financing and local incentives. ironrangetoday.com/2026/07/2…

Before the delays, Virginia hotel project secured millions in public funding

State and local officials embraced the development as a catalyst for growth, assembling a $9.5 million public support package years before construction stalled.

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For five years, Virginia pursued a hotel project. Today, the site remains an empty lot behind a chain-link fence. Our investigation examines the developer's history, the city's decisions and what protections exist if it fails. ironrangetoday.com/2026/07/2…

Virginia wanted to build its prized hotel. Five years later, it has a fence. The developer has...

An Iron Range Today investigation reconstructs the promises, delays and public records behind the stalled project, where the city transferred valuable land for $1, with limited protections if it fa…

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NEW: A garbage-strewn Broadway Street after the Third of July celebration sparked plenty of conversation at the Gilbert City Council this week. ironrangetoday.com/2026/07/1…

Trash talk: Gilbert garbage cleanup sparks union concerns

Questions, solutions and some blame swirl around council meeting over a messy Broadway Street on July 4.

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BREAKING: Local charges filed against Chris Chad, former Rock Ridge administrator open.substack.com/pub/ironra…
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NEW: Councilors Annie Bachschneider and Julianne Paulsen will lead the city's committee to select a firm, and oversee progress on the forensic audit. ironrangetoday.com/2026/06/3…

Virginia approves scope of forensic audit, selects committee to oversee process

City staff and two councilors will ultimately review bids submitted by July 14 and select a firm by July 28. Once the forensic audit is completed, findings are set to be presented to the full counc…

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NEW: The Range Facts recurring story debuts today with notes from Virginia, Gilbert and Hoyt Lakes city councils. ironrangetoday.com/2026/06/2…

Range Facts: Gilbert drills down on OT; Virginia sets a special meeting; Hoyt Lakes talks housing

A collection of briefs and notes from city governments and school boards from June 22-26, 2026. 

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NEW: We try to answer all the questions around why Virginia's sales tax issue matters and the potential fallout. ironrangetoday.com/2026/06/2…

Virginia’s $3.7 million sales tax problem, explained

Taking a look at how the sales tax increase was created, why the missing money is such a significant issue and what options the city may have moving forward.

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NEW: Virginia is set to discuss outsourcing the city's ambulance and police services, and creating a hybrid fire department on Tuesday. This comes as the city's financial situation continues to tighten on low cash flow and $77M in debt. ironrangetoday.com/2026/06/1…

Virginia to look at outsourcing ambulance, law enforcement services; reorganize fire department

Changes would shift operational costs to the private sector or county, as city’s budget situation deals with $77M in long-term debt.

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Wanted to take a moment in our newsletter to pull the curtain back on how decide on news stories. There's more in here, too, that you should read! But we're doing this in light of questions and criticism other media outlets received over similar coverage. ironrangetoday.substack.com/…
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NEW: Gilbert police chief says rental properties are increasingly the origin for disturbance calls, search warrants and two recent incidents involving a gun and knife. ironrangetoday.com/2026/06/1…

After a ‘hectic’ two weeks of drugs and violence, Gilbert eyes landlord accountability

Police chief says rental properties are increasingly the origin for disturbance calls, search warrants and two recent incidents involving a gun and knife.

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NEW: Iron Range schools are set to receive budget help from the IRRR, potentially easing some of the financial strains faced in recent years. ironrangetoday.com/2026/06/1…

Iron Range schools see $1.9M influx of one-time state funds. Now what to do with it.

Districts, like Rock Ridge, can use the money for lagging general fund balances as Minnesota attempts to help with massive budget woes of recent years.

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NEW: Biwabik Fire Chief Dan Mackey was charged Monday with two counts of DWI stemming from an early Saturday morning arrest. He's scheduled to make a first appearance later this morning. ironrangetoday.com/2026/06/1…

Biwabik Fire Chief Dan Mackey charged with DWI

Mackey is the second fire and ambulance leader in the city to face DWI charges since April.

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Iron Range Today retweeted
Jerry Burnes@JerryBurnesJun 11
Had a great time moderating a panel for the release of The Mine Next Door book with @IronRangeToday . We had great discussion that was serious, fun and in between. Thanks to @Marksauerphoto for the photos! @profamyoc @chunkjohnson More photos: ironrangetoday.com/2026/06/1…
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NEW: Virginia doesn’t know where it spent $3.7M in sales taxes. Its council is moving ahead with a forensic audit to find it. ironrangetoday.com/2026/06/1…

Virginia pursues forensic audit on $3.7M sales tax spending

Despite spending limits, council also approves new public safety radios, 5 new officers and considers pay increase for themselves.

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NEW: Chris Chad, the former Rock Ridge administrator, has been in Fulton County Jail for more than 430 days without indictment. He faces 12 felony charges related to online sex crimes with a minor. ironrangetoday.com/2026/06/1…

More than a year later, where is the case of former Rock Ridge administrator Chris Chad?

Delays in Fulton County criminal justice system are common, often leaving defendants held for more than a year before indictments or resolution.

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One of our first Range Makers stories focuses on Jim Whitlock and Twisted Woods, where family has helped him carve out a niche business in Chisholm. READ MORE: rangemakers.com/2026/04/30/t…
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Iron Range Today retweeted
Jerry Burnes@JerryBurnesMay 1
. @IronRangeToday launched its Range Makers series this week! It will be an ongoing series where you can meet the people forging the Iron Range’s future, today. Check out more: rangemakers.com
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Mesabi Metallics is evaluating Kentucky as a potential site for an integrated steel facility using DRI. The company has registered under Mesabi GreenIron, hired a top lobbying firm and posted employment ads for leadership positions in the state. ironrangetoday.com/2026/02/2…

Mesabi Metallics evaluating Kentucky for a steel facility as Nashwauk project forges on

The company is permitted for value-added facilities on Minnesota’s Iron Range, and said it is continuously looking at potential options in Minnesota, Kentucky and other states.

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