@JerryBurnes

Currently: Co-founder @IronRangeToday; for fun @Bearslnsider; full-time in digital comms. @NIUlive grad & Chicagoland native. [email protected]

 Biwabik, MN
ironrangetoday.com
Joined April 2016
  • Tweets4.4K
  • Following1.6K
  • Followers1.1K
832Media
I've been the only watchdog on this project for the last 10-plus years. Rooted out Essar's involvement in 2017, which the DNR knew about, a year before they officially came back on the scene. I learned new things about that time. I learned a lot more about what's going on now.
Iron Range Today@IronRangeTodayOct 9
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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This guy. This fucking guy. Should have hired your alum @NIU_Football @NIUlive
Aaron Torres
@Aaron_TorresOct 3
Minnesota beat Michigan earlier today, and this might the best postgame locker room video I've ever seen 😲😲
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Minnesota angle!
Pablo Torre Finds Out
@pablofindsoutAug 7
BREAKING: Kawhi Leonard had a hidden, multimillion-dollar "sponsorship" with Clippers' scoreboard-maker, sources tell @PabloTorre. "It was 1,000% a way to circumvent the salary cap," insider says. In our investigation, Daktronics' Ballmer-linked crisis firm raises NBA probe ⤵️
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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…

ironrangetoday.com
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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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Wrote for @IronRangeToday on why and how we are expanding our local government coverage. ironrangetoday.com/2026/06/2…

Why Iron Range Today is expanding local government coverage

In these meetings, locally-elected officials make several decisions that can affect residents for years. Taxpayers will help pay for them. Yet few people would know they happened.

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Two (!!) new things from me today for @IronRangeToday. It was a long night and early morning... 1/2 ironrangetoday.com/2026/06/2…

‘The city is not going belly up’: Pressure mounts on Virginia over missing funds and ‘financial...

The larger financial situation for the city was an inescapable theme Tuesday night as councilors also sought to find $3.7 million in improperly spent sales tax funds.

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And number 2. ironrangetoday.com/2026/06/2…

Virginia says no to public safety shakeup, but few solutions brought to the table

Councilor proposing RFPs said need Virginia needed to explore all options to address its budget. A standing-room crowd supported the departments’ current makeup.

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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.

ironrangetoday.com
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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.

ironrangetoday.com
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When Patrick writes like this about someone. You should read.
Max Nesterak@maxnesterakJun 12
Editor Patrick Coolican writes about his last conversation with former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, and who she was: "Principled but willing to compromise; competitive while ethically grounded; a team player but not blind to her own side’s faults" minnesotareformer.com/2026/0…

Commentary: I spoke with Melissa Hortman 36 hours before she was killed. Here's some of what she...

Melissa Hortman often told me things she probably shouldn’t have.  One time when I was a Capitol reporter with the Star Tribune, she expressed displeasure with a profile I’d written about a Republi...

minnesotareformer.com
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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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