Recent content from Mark Brunswick
Review: 'The Fighters,' by C.J. Chivers
NONFICTION: Veteran journalist C.J. Chivers follows six U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Minnesota pioneers ways to fast-track military-to-civilian transition in high demand professions
States launch programs to ease transition into civilian life.
Aging Minn. veterans homes are in desperate need of repair
Officials seek $13.1 million to repair the aging facilities.
Bill Hargis, shepherd of Woodbury's growth, dies at 68
Bill Hargis, who as mayor of Woodbury presided over the east metro city's era of rapid growth, died April 10 after being diagnosed with advanced…
New St. Paul city attorney sues DFL legislator for defamation, 'innuendos'
Lyndsey Olson alleged in a court document that state Rep. John Lesch smeared her professional reputation in a letter to the mayor.
Mpls. VA givs OK for combat vet's banned sculpture to be viewed
Artwork can be shown at Minneapolis VA, but it must be behind a partition.
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North and South Dakota sues major opioid manufacturers and distributors
Federal lawsuit says the Indian community has been particularly hard hit.
Minnesota Guard members will be deployed to Kuwait
The Minnesota National Guard announced Thursday that 39 soldiers from the Brooklyn Park-based headquarters’ 347th Regional Support Group will be deployed to multiple locations in…
A strict dress code for Bemidji's famous lumberjack could soon be relaxed
A debate in Bemidji over whether to allow organizations to dress up the city's giant Paul Bunyan statue is rearing its huge plaster head.
End could be near for the historic Fergus Falls state mental hospital
After years of trying, the city failed to find a developer for the site.
VA says wounded Iraq War vet's sculpture is too real to display
It includes four 155 mm shells connected by wires, to represent the IEDs involved in his injury, but officials called them a risk to public safety.
Minnesota Guard soldiers to deploy to Kuwait and Afghanistan
The two teams going are the first of four deployments scheduled for the unit.
After getting cold shoulder from St. Paul, Detroit Lakes builds its own ice palace
It will be an homage to a town that once took pride in being an ice harvesting capital.
Minnesota military police unit returns from deployment to Gitmo
Minnesota military police unit returns from mission at Gitmo
Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken said new riot gear won't be purchased until after a full discussion of the issue
Duluth's police chief says he will hold off on a plan for purchasing updated riot gear, at least temporarily resisting a national trend of militarization…
Anonymous $25M donation to Gustavus Adolphus College to support career and vocational readiness
St. Peter liberal arts college puts focus on "career-related learning."
At notoriously haunted hotel in LeRoy, Minn., expect a shake-up call
The spirits lurking in Sweet's Hotel seem friendly enough — to those who have dared to check them out.
Vets forge new opportunity at Avon blacksmith shop
Dozens of vets showed up in Avon, Minn., to learn the craft of blacksmithing – and maybe something about themselves.
Big changes coming in the needs of Minnesota's veterans
In decades to come, the VA will be helping more women -- and more veterans with chronic conditions.
Psychiatrist Robert Jeub dies at 96 of natural causes
Psychiatrist and neurologist Dr. Robert Jeub was a pioneer in using modern techniques to diagnose mental illness and testified at a number of prominent criminal…
Oh, geez: Future of Walker's Eelpout Festival on the line
Homage to gross but engrossing creature is the focus of debate.
Minn.-based program helps vets reintegrate into their families
Post-deployment coping skills help calm effects of modern warfare.
Bike trail parking lot near New London, Minn., is testament to parents' tenacity
Tracy and Rick Clark fought for years to get their son's dream realized: a spot along a bike trail that would allow users to safely park off the busy highway nearby.
Former Watonwan County sheriff kills himself after child sex abuse allegations
Blue Earth County began investigating the former sheriff after receiving a complaint from a girl who alleged he'd abused her.
Kiesling House on New Ulm's Minnesota Street survived Dakota War of 1862
At issue is how to restore the wood-frame Kiesling House.
Minneapolis-based Air Force Reserve crew to assist in Irma recovery
A crew from the Minneapolis-based 934th Airlift Wing of the Air Force Reserve departed on Wednesday to take part in hurricane recovery efforts. The crew…
Mankato caters to growing community by adding more bike repair stations
The five added so far look to make cycling more accessible. A sixth is planned.
After 2013 killing in Mankato, a Marine's broken psyche is being mended
Levi Minissale was found not guilty by reason of insanity in attacks on a former girlfriend and her husband. His attorneys argued that his battlefield experiences contributed to his mental illness.
Minn. Guardsmen deployed to help with Hurricane Harvey response
Eleven soldiers from the Minnesota National Guard's 34th Combat Aviation Brigade were sent to Texas on Friday.
The flood of 2007: A rebuilt Rushford gathers to remember
Rushford gathers to give thanks and celebrate its resiliency
Minnesota attorney general sues companies over loans to vets, seniors
The lawsuit alleges that the companies violated state lending laws by issuing loans without a license and often charging annual percentage rates of 200 percent.
Outfitting gear, mounted animals for sale at IRS auction of Ely's oldest outfitter
The sale of the contents of Wilderness Outfitters comes after it was shuttered by the IRS earlier this summer over federal liens and unpaid taxes.
Obituary: David Brink, Minneapolis attorney and former national ABA president
When the Minnesota State Bar Association surveyed its members asking who they would most like to see present continuing-education courses, 93 percent of the respondents…
On a Jordan hilltop, young man puts together pieces of family he never knew
Jesse Richard had gone through life never knowing his father, a Marine killed in a barracks fire at a Japanese training base in October 1979.
Military cemetery in Preston, Minn., serves veterans across state lines
For many veterans, a military burial is the first and final thing they ask for in return for their service.
Duluth project puts protected bike lane on training wheels
The City of Duluth is testing a protected bike lane in its downtown, and officials anticipate a learning curve as steep as some of the…
Sunday sales in Minn. won't hurt Wis., say liquor store owners
Spotted Cow ale is cited as one secret weapon to keep Minnesota customers.
$1 million in grants aims to shore up vulnerable Minn. courthouses
Counties to match state funds in making security upgrades.
IRS shutters longtime Ely wilderness outfitter
The abrupt closing this week of a longtime outfitter came as some clients were canoeing and camping in the wilderness.
Glencoe Woodworking Club creates wooden treasures
All skill levels are welcome at the Glencoe Woodworking Club
In 'God's Country,' Minnesotans are steadfast in Trump support
Evangelical voters looked for a "bulldozer" in Trump. Looking past what others saw as disqualifying transgressions, Trump carried McLeod County by more than 38 percentage points, among the highest margins of victory in the state.
Despite a waiting list of 1,500, Minnesota has room for only 144 new veterans home beds
Supporters say new veterans homes would address "underserved"
A farewell to Iraq vet who sounded alarm over toxic risks
Amie Muller, who died of pancreatic cancer at age 36, worked and lived next to one of the most toxic military burn pits in all of Iraq.
Trump's inauguration raises stakes, hopes in rural Minn.
Donald Trump didn't win Minnesota. And he never visited Mower County. But his message resonated with voters in LeRoy and Lyle. Now they wonder: What's next?
Annandale lot where Jacob Wetterling's killer once lived now belongs to city
The house where Danny Heinrich once lived is gone, and the lot where it stood will remain undeveloped for at least 10 years.
Protesters gather at Minneapolis-St. Paul airport in wake of refugee ban
The rally was one of several reported nationwide in the wake of Trump's executive order banning migrants from 7 primarily Muslim countries.
Nonprofit trains veterans to lead, succeed in business
Veterans discover that resilience and resourcefulness make good entrepreneurship
Rochester arcade offers video gaming blasts from the past
Throwback video games mix fun with a sense of nostalgia
Globe, Minnesota Business ordered to pay restitution to students
The order comes after Globe U and the Minnesota School of Business lost federal funding and were hit by a fraud lawsuit.
A wing and prayers: Repairing 1945 seaplane is a labor of love for Duluth volunteers
Repairing a 1945 seaplane is a labor of love for Duluth volunteers
Globe, Minn. School of Business to close campuses
For-profit schools lost federal funding and were hit by fraud lawsuit.
Gifts shipped to Duluth-based unit bear message: 'We remember you'
Duluth-based Army Reserve company in Kuwait has had a long year of deployment.
Franken, Klobuchar seek relief for defrauded Globe/Minnesota School of Business students
Senators want debt relief for Globe and School of Business students.
Fundraiser that targeted veterans banned in Minnesota
Associated Community Services agrees to stop operations for two years.
Pearl Harbor survivors are fading, but memory of that day still sharp
On Dec. 7, 1941, Vern Luettinger was serving on the USS California. Today, the Richfield man is likely one of only three survivors to be living in Minnesota.
Feds end student aid for Globe U, Minnesota School of Biz
Globe University and the Minnesota School of Business no longer will be allowed to participate in federal student aid programs.
Crisis line for vets to get better oversight
President Obama signed into law last week a bill that will strengthen oversight of the veteran crisis line at the Department of Veterans Affairs. U.S.…
Minnesota tattooing project helps vets confront pain
"Warrior Ink" project helps wounded veterans with a mix of tattoo artistry and good conversation.
Longtime Bemidji State football coach fired over reported racial slur
Coach Jeff Tesch was placed on administrative leave in August for reportedly uttering a racial slur in practice.
Report gives VA mail drug program high marks
More than 99 percent of veterans using an outpatient mail pharmacy program received their prescription packages within Veterans Affairs’ 10-day timeliness goal, according to a…
Funding is approved to keep Duluth zoo's doors open
Viability of zoo is seen as critical to development along city's west end
GAO says Pentagon needs to do more about burn pit exposure
The Pentagon needs to study the long-term health effects of exposure to the chemicals inhaled from burn pits at its overseas military bases, the Government…
Obituary: Richard Jamieson, award-winning Minnesota filmmaking pioneer
The year was 1979, and the record album and phonograph needle were kings. But a prescient Richard Jamieson was asked about an emerging technology known…
Head of Minnesota National Guard gets reprieve on mandatory retirement
An extension is granted until at least late 2017.
Anoka County wins federal grants for veteran, drug courts
Anoka County was awarded two federal grants this week that will allow it to launch a drug court and to expand its veterans court. The…
U.S. soldier killed in Afghanistan grew up in Minnesota
A 31-year-old soldier killed this week in Afghanistan grew up in Minnesota and his parents are well-known in the Marshall area, where his father is…
Medal of Honor recipients gather in the Twin Cities this week
Medal of Honor recipients aim to promote courage, integrity.
$7.3M upgrade means airport in Rochester keeps global flights
New 20,000-square-foot project will provide for a passenger boarding bridge, a concourse holding room, baggage claim, improvements to security screening and more.
Vets left in limbo with ITT Tech closure
The abrupt shuttering of ITT Technical Institute, along with a recent court ruling putting in doubt the future of another for-profit school, is causing serious…
State moves to shut down Globe U, Minn. School of Business
The revocation of their authorization to operate came after a judge ruled that the schools committed fraud in relation to their criminal justice program.
Memorial service held for former Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. John Vessey
Gen. John “Jack” Vessey, a Minnesota native who rose to the highest ranks of the military to become President Ronald Reagan’s chairman of the Joint…
Federal probe addresses concerns about work environment at St. Cloud VA
The review found that top managers had made strides in increasing staffing levels and communication.
Work begins on $14.3M complex in Minneapolis for chronically homeless vets
Veterans East will provide 100 units of housing on the Minneapolis VA campus.
VA doctor to research approaches to chronic pain
A researcher for the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital has been awarded a $12.5 million grant to compare approaches to pain management. The study comes as…
State's Gold Star families struggle with Trump remarks
Some families are angry, uneasy and frustrated as they are thrust into an uncomfortable position of taking sides. It has also brought up the pain of loved ones lost to war.
