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Minnesota DNR delays NewRange permit for copper-nickel mine

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Minnesota DNR delays NewRange permit for copper-nickel mine


HOYT LAKES, Minn. (Northern News Now) – A setback for plans to mine copper and nickel on the Range.

The Minnesota DNR is delaying a decision on NewRange’s NorthMet facility permit to mine until next summer.

The company, formerly PolyMet, has been pushing to mine copper and nickel just south of Babbitt for nearly 20 years.

In 2018, the DNR gave the company the green light to issue a permit to mine.

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However, after pushback from environmental groups, the Minnesota Supreme Court reversed the permit in August 2023.

Now back in the DNR’s hands, the agency is mulling whether to reissue NewRange’s permit to mine in light of the company considering changes to its original mine plan.

The DNR announced on Monday it will delay a decision until August, which would mark a year from when NewRange said it planned to spend a year studying potential changes.

Environmental groups like Friends of the Boundary Waters are celebrating the decision to delay.

Executive Director for Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness Chris Knopf released the following statement after the decision:

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“The people of Minnesota should be thrilled by DNR’s decision to pause the proceedings on PolyMet’s permit to mine. Months ago, when PolyMet, or NewRange Copper Nickel, announced it would look into changing its mine plan, it confirmed what we’ve known all along: the project is fundamentally flawed and cannot meet environmental standards.

We have been frustrated to see state agencies such as the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) spend millions of taxpayer dollars defending shoddy permits PolyMet now wants to revisit. PolyMet and these agencies have wasted public resources on a project that should never have been permitted in the first place.

We are happy to see DNR make the right decision to stop defending the indefensible. We hope that DNR will take additional steps to put Minnesota’s water first and throw out this dangerous mining proposal that, time and time again, has been shown to not meet legal or environmental standards.”

Northern News Now reached out to NewRange for comment but has not heard back.

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So Minnesota: Enchanted Fantasy Film Museum brings Hollywood magic to Twin Cities

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So Minnesota: Enchanted Fantasy Film Museum brings Hollywood magic to Twin Cities


So Minnesota: Enchanted Fantasy Film Museum brings Hollywood magic to Twin Cities

One museum in the Maplewood Mall brings a part of Hollywood glamour to the Twin Cities.

William Swift is the owner and curator of Enchanted Fantasy Film Museum.

“I own the largest display of film costumes in North America, which is crazy,” Swift said.

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There are more than 350 costumes and props on display from over 90 films and TV shows.

“I have stuff from Narnia, the Power Rangers, and have quite an extensive collection from Game of Thrones,” Swift said. “It’s just so cool and so fun to share with people such a grand collection. We never get anything like this in Minnesota or even really in the Midwest.”

Years ago, Swift, a longtime film buff, started collecting screen-used movie memorabilia in auctions. In 2024, he opened the museum with his massive collection.

“Eventually I ran out of room in my house, and I thought maybe it was time to take that leap of faith,” Swift said.

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MyPillow’s Mike Lindell announces he’s running for Minnesota governor as a Republican

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MyPillow’s Mike Lindell announces he’s running for Minnesota governor as a Republican


MyPillow founder and CEO Mike Lindell has announced he will run for Minnesota governor in 2026 against incumbent Gov. Tim Walz.

Lindell, 64, last week filed the paperwork to potentially run, but at the time said he hadn’t yet 100% decided on a gubernatorial run. On Thursday, he made it official.

“After prayerful consideration and hearing from so many of you across our great state, I’ve made the decision to enter the 2026 gubernatorial race,” Lindell posted on social media Thursday. “I’m still standing and I’ll stand for you.”

Lindell will run as a Republican and a noted ally of President Trump, and enters a crowded field of names who have already tossed their hats into the ring, as Walz, a Democrat, attempts to secure an unprecedented third consecutive four-year term as Minnesota’s governor.

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“We’ve seen what happens when we elect a con man to the highest office in America,” Walz said Thursday, responding to Lindell’s announcement. “We can’t let it happen here in Minnesota.”

In addition to Lindell, state House Republican speaker Lisa Demuth has already announced a run for governor, as well as Scott Jensen, the Republican candidate who lost to Walz in the 2022 midterms. Other Republican hopefuls include Minnesota Rep. Kristin RobbinsKendall Qualls and defense lawyer Chris Madel

Lindell launched a campaign website, listing his main campaign priorities as including stopping fraud, fixing “failing school systems,” stopping “exploding property taxes” and “send(ing) illegal immigrants back.” 

Lindell’s MyPillow has been at the center of a number of legal issues through the years, and earlier this year was ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to shipping company DHL.

Also, a judge this year ruled that Lindell defamed election technology company Smartmatic after he alleged their voting machines rigged the 2020 presidential election in favor of former President Joe Biden. Lindell made similar unfounded claims against Dominion Voting Systems.

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Minnesota has a history of political outsiders overperforming in statewide races, most notably former Gov. Jesse Ventura’s surprising win in 1998, but also it’s been two decades since a Republican won a statewide race in the increasingly blue-tilting state. 

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Minnesota leaders criticize Gov. Tim Walz over alleged fraud scheme oversight | Fox News Video

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Minnesota leaders criticize Gov. Tim Walz over alleged fraud scheme oversight  | Fox News Video


Gen Z influencer Isabel Brown and political consultant Michelle Backus consider the potential of the alleged Minnesota fraud scandal to snowball further and praise I.C.E. operations amidst criticism from religious leaders on ‘Fox News @ Night.’



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