Hello friends
In 1957, when i was a small child, my family moved to Massachusetts. My dad took a sabbatical to pursue his Masters Degree for a year. In the spring of 1958, the year he graduated, my Gramma and Auntie Helen came to visit and took us on a trip to Adventureland, a theme park in a nearby town. One of the park’s features was an Old West movie set where a live drama was performed. All the visitors were to go to “town” at an appointed time to watch a gang of robbers in black hats, on black horses, hold up a bank and a stagecoach and escape with the loot. During the re-enactment, i was so taken by what i saw, certain what i was seeing was real, i proclaimed that i was ‘gonna go get ‘em’, jumped off the boardwalk where the crowd was gathered, and ran out into the street chasing the ‘bad guys’. Surely someone needed to do something about this! People in the audience were so amazed they shouted, ‘Go get ‘em kid!’, as they laughed and clapped in approval. My short legs, of course, were no match for the speed of the horses and the robbers got away. My family waved me back to them. Many in the audience told me what a brave girl little i was while my parents explained that none of this was real; it was just a show. But, i knew better…and i still do. As we enter 2026, go get ‘em!
— jester
Next Membership Meeting
All are welcome!
- When:
- Wednesday, January 7, 6:30–8:00pm
- Where:
- Cook Community Center
510 Gopher Dr.
Cook, MN
- Special Guest
- Emanuel Anastos, Candidate for CD-8
Special speaker Emanuel Anastos, a candidate for CD-8, will address us. Emanuel earned a degree in Philosophy at Carlton College and is a native of Long Island, NY. He currently works in the Indian Child Welfare department at Bois Forte Reservation and resides in Tower, MN.
This is your opportunity to hear more about his positions on issues that matter to you & to ask
him your questions.
There will also be a brief presentation regarding the caucus process in the State of MN.
Please bring a donation for the Cook Area Food Shelf. Light refreshments will be served.
Looking ahead
Special Meeting January 14: Richard Carlbom, MN State DFL Chair will hold a Listening Session for for Northern Progressives and our friends in Cook.
Bring your questions, comments, and concerns for our region.
(See below for more)
Our January 21 Regular Meeting will be held from 6:30-9:00pm at the Herb Lamppa Community Centre in Tower.
Twin Ports Rapid Response will offer Constitutional Observer training geared toward rural areas. Comfortable attire is recommended. Training materials will be provided.
Breakfast in the Afternoon
- When:
- Friday, January 9th, 2:00pm
- Where:
- Tavern In The Bay
Greenwood Township near Tower
Bring your hearts and your thinking caps as we launch into 2026!
All are welcome to attend.
Other events
Day of Remembrance
Never Forget How Close We Came to Losing Our Democracy
from WARR
- When:
- January 6, 2:00–3:00pm
- Where:
- Highway 53 & 12th Street
Virginia, MN
Bring a Sign. Help us show a strong presence in remembrance of the horrible, despicable attack on our capital 5 years ago!
DFL State Auditor Candidate Forum
from St Louis County 03 DFL
- When:
- January 10, 2:00–4:30pm
- Where:
- Rice Lake City Hall
4107 W Beyer Rd
Duluth, MN 55803
Join us for an opportunity to meet the DFL State Auditor Candidates! Zack Filipovich, Adam Jennings, Ben Schierer, and Dan Wolgamott, the four candidates seeking the DFL endorsement, will be there. The forum will be at the Rice Lake City Hall on at Saturday, January 10th. You'll hear from each candidate about the role of the State Auditor and their qualifications. Audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions too.
Listening Sessions with Richard Carlbom
Sponsored by Iron Range Indivisible, WARR and Northern Progressives
Richard will engage participation with questions, discussion and action plans. Join in this discussion-based session at a location near you. Bring your questions, concerns and ideas.
- When:
- Wednesday, January 14, 12:00pm
- Where:
- Jim's Sports Bar
Chisholm, MN
- When:
- Wednesday, January 14, 3:00pm
- Where:
- Cook Community Center
Cook, MN
- When:
- Wednesday, January 14, 6:00pm
- Where:
- The Hive Coffee & Bakehouse
Aurora, MN
Free public screening — “Bad Faith”
"A great and powerful and timely film" - Ken Burns
from Ely Indivisible
- When:
- January 24, 2:00pm
- Where:
- Vermilion North College (VCC) Theatre
Ely, MN
This film offers a succinct history of the rise of religious nationalism and its implications for democracy today in the United States.
"Bad Faith" looks at the evolution of the political ideology of Christian nationalism-- what it is, where it comes from, and how it’s influencing culture & politics. It does not impugn the Christian faith. Nor is it an indictment of any religion, religious belief or practice. It includes voices from faith communities, historians, and everyday people.
Good will offerings help defray our costs, fuel our mission and are sincerely appreciated.
DFL Environmental Caucus Winter Member Meeting
Path to Victory 2026
from DFL
- When:
- January 25, 6:30pm
- Where:
- Zoom
This meeting will feature:
- An opportunity to hear from candidates seeking elected office
- Discussion of how to succeed at your precinct caucus on February 3
- The resolutions and endorsed candidates (so far) the DFLEC is supporting this year
- A preview of our plans to win an environment-friendly majority in the 2026 election
Signing & Resisting Events
Each Friday at noon at the following locations:
- Cook: Hwy 53 and River Street
- Tower: Mainstreet by the locomotive
- Ely: Sheridan St. & Central Ave
Signs should include issues common to everyone like good jobs, enough money for food and healthcare, and a good education.
Free Community Meal
Strength through Community
- When:
- First & Third Sundays, 12:00–3:00pm
- Where:
- 510 Chestnut Street
Virginia, MN
- Free hot meal
- Food distribution
- Clothing distribution
- Free store table
Note that food, hygiene, clothing donations are needed!
Calls to Action
Donate to Minnesota’s Political Contribution Refund (PCR) Program
by April 15
The truth is under attack. Fear has become a weapon. But courage still exists and WE will be silent no more!
While we knew this administration was going to be bad, we did not think that it would be as bad as it is. Here in Northeastern Minnesota we have to start right now to chart our path forward. We need to be in a strong position going into the 2026 campaign season. Financial resources are critical to accomplish our goal turning northeast Minnesota Blue again. We need your help with our 2026 caucuses and convention expenses, to continue our billboards project, and give our candidates the support they need to win.
You can help us reach our target by using Minnesota’s Political Contribution Refund (PCR) Program. Did you know that every Minnesota voter can be reimbursed up to $75 (or $150 per married couple) for contributions to state candidates or any party units in 2026? Please support St Louis County 03 DFL with this reimbursable donation.
Learn about Township Elections
2026 Minnesota towns with March elections calendar
Be Inspired
Take time to usher in the new year by reigniting HOPE for better days ahead!
2026 New York City Inauguration Ceremony
Download the free BBC App and listen to the 2025 Reith Lectures
It is worth your time.
The 2025 Reith Lectures, titled "Moral Revolution" were delivered by Dutch historian and author Rutger Bregman, exploring societal decline, elite complacency, and the potential for small, dedicated groups to spark significant change, drawing parallels with historical movements.
Trainings
The $50 Billion Rural Health Program in Context
from Penn LDI's Decoding the Moment Series
- When:
- January 6, 2026, 11:00am–12:00pm CT
- Where:
- Online
All 50 states have submitted proposals to the Trump administration for a piece of the new $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program. Passed as part of the Republicans’ megabill last summer, the program was included in the legislation to address concerns about the potential impact of nearly $1 trillion in federal health spending cuts over the next decade. States rushed to pull together applications this fall with initiatives focused on workforce development, telehealth, and access to healthy food. The Trump administration is expected to announce awards by the end of 2025 but experts also worry that the fund will fail to deliver meaningful results for rural communities.
"In the next virtual event in the 'Decoding the Moment' series presented by Tradeoffs and the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University (Penn LDI) of Pennsylvania, national experts will discuss the challenges facing health care access in rural America, evidence-based solutions to those issues, and how states and the federal government are looking to use this new pot of money."
Community Defense and ICE Watch
by States at the Core (STAC)
- When:
- January 7, 2026 5:00–6:30pm CT
- Where:
- Zoom
"This training will share important skills for documenting ICE activity and supporting neighbors in your community. ICE Watch is a key strategy being used by groups across the country to protect their communities against aggressive activity by ICE agents. Practicing ICE Watch protects our neighborhoods from immigration enforcement by ensuring our community members know their rights, have a plan, and know how to act in the event of targeting by ICE. In addition to covering the basics of ICE Watch, we will discuss new analysis on ICE operations and safety guidance."
