Bob CollinsThe station will go dark at the end of the month. Read more →
MPR News Reflections and observations on the news
By Bob Collins
Bob Collins retired from Minnesota Public Radio in 2019 after 12 years of writing NewsCut and pointing out to complainants that posts weren’t news stories. A son of Massachusetts, he was a news editor 1992-1998, created the MPR News regional website in 1999, invented the popular Select A Candidate, started several blogs, and every day lamented that his Minnesota Fantasy Legislature project never caught on.
Restrictions on gun sales, announced by Dick’s Sporting Goods and Walmart, are pretty good news for gun dealers not named Dick’s Sporting Goods or Walmart. Read more →
It seems highly unlikely that the genie can be put back in the bottle where drivers with smartphones are concerned. Nothing seems to have gotten through to drivers that they might kill someone if they focus more on the little screen than what’s happening out the front window.
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Marshall High School’s stalling strategy against Waseca in Minnesota’s Section 2AAA tournament on Tuesday night made for an ugly game, for many reasons. Read more →
Look at these beautiful faces, who came to the United States from all different situations from all around the planet and today became American citizens in one of two ceremonies at the Fitzgerald Theatre in St. Paul. Read more →
People vote with their feet and big chains continue to squeeze the life out of communities because that’s the choice people have made. Years from now, they’ll remember how great things used to be and wonder how it is those times disappeared. Read more →
This is not a Confederate flag. Read more →
Irony. Because someone drove drunk, a sheriff dies. Because of alcohol, his wife does too. Read more →
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The problem with rankings of states on overall factors is it allows us to be comfortable in our lofty second-place ranking while pretending that there isn’t a Minnesota that isn’t a good place to live. Read more →
It was good to catch up with some old classmates at my high school class’ 45th reunion a few months ago.
The usual reunion discussions included one unique to my generation: What happened to the baby that girls gave up under tremendous pressure in high school? Read more →
For sure, it’s become easier for people to talk about providing access to mental health care, too often talk is all it is. Politicians are failing Minnesotans on this issue and failing big. It’s a testament to the resiliency of people that some of them can navigate the roadblocks and fear that exists and get the help they need.
So Brian Murphy’s story should at least provide inspiration that it’s possible. Read more →
The politicians of Georgia, ticked off that Delta has joined the list of companies that have cancelled discounts to members of the National Rifle Association, have unwittingly revealed what a giveaway unnecessary tax breaks to corporations are. Read more →
Here are the topics and guests you’ll hear today on MPR News. Read more →