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NewsCut

MPR News Reflections and observations on the news

By Bob Collins

Bob Collins
bcollins@mpr.org • @newscut

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.

Sports

Judge rejects bid to cancel playoff game over racist mascot

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 17, 2016, 4:31 PM Oct 17, 2016
49

Indigenous activist Douglas Cardinal’s attempt to prevent it from happening because of Cleveland’s racist mascot and team name is worthy of attention in a country that has a law against such things. If nothing else, Cleveland’s success in the playoffs is coming alongside attention over its racist mascot. Read more →

Politics

Report cites journalists who contribute to politicians

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 17, 2016, 1:09 PM Oct 17, 2016
26

One photojournalist said she contributed because it’s her freedom of speech. That’s true. Everyone has a right to contribute to political causes. No one has a right to work in a newsroom while doing so, however.
Read more →

Crime and Justice

For lack of a warrant for GPS tracking, alleged poacher goes free

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 17, 2016, 11:33 AM Oct 17, 2016
14

The Minnesota Court of Appeals today ruled that it was unconstitutional for a Department of Natural Resources officer to attach a GPS-based tracking device to the vehicle of a man he suspected was hunting big game illegally in Lac qui Parle County.
Read more →

Politics

In covering Trump’s words, broadcasters fear the long arm of the FCC

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 17, 2016, 10:34 AM Oct 17, 2016
17

There’s a fascinating intersection of regulations and politics in the latest essay from NPR ombudsman Elizabeth Jensen in which she answers critics of the network’s coverage of Donald Trump’s comments regarding his treatment of women.
Read more →

Sports

In fall, a young man’s thoughts turn to boating in a pumpkin

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 17, 2016, 9:32 AM Oct 17, 2016
6

You have to give a nod to Rick Swenson, 35, of Fergus Falls, who found inspiration watching a giant pumpkin dropped onto a car in Lancaster, Minn., some time ago.
Read more →

Economy

Prairie Island leaders say anti-casino literature ‘racist’

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 17, 2016, 8:49 AM Oct 17, 2016
6

The Pioneer Press reports today that people in the Lake Elmo – Lakeland Township area are upset that the Prairie Island tribal community will build a casino on land its purchased at Manning Avenue and I-94.
Read more →

Politics

Newspaper publisher answers threats following endorsement for president

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 17, 2016, 8:18 AM Oct 17, 2016
6

Sadly, it’s not at all surprising that a newspaper’s editorial board, a newspaper that endorsed Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump, got death threats for its trouble.
Read more →

Education · Sports

A call for more sportsmanship

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 17, 2016, 6:52 AM Oct 17, 2016
5

The occasional tales of sportsmanship on this blog are, indeed, heartwarming. But it must also be acknowledged that with every yin, there is often a yang.

Tyler Ohmann, of the Morrison County Record, found the yang at the homecoming football game in Royalton earlier this month when Upsala Swanville came calling. Read more →

This or That

St. Paul, 4:53 p.m. – Part 2

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 14, 2016, 4:54 PM Oct 14, 2016
18

Where does everyone go on Friday afternoon? Read more →

Regional history

When the future won’t wait, the people of the past disappear

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 14, 2016, 1:56 PM Oct 14, 2016
12

My hometown’s historic buildings are now a testament to an economy that longer works for people; Minneapolis’ disappearing history is a testament to an economy that does. Read more →

Sports

Baseball playoffs put team’s racist name, mascot in spotlight

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 14, 2016, 10:20 AM Oct 14, 2016
33

Jerry Howarth cannot bring himself to say “the Cleveland Indians.” He finds the team’s name and mascot insulting. Lots of people do. But lots of people aren’t the play-by-play voice of the Toronto Blue Jays, who open the American League Championship Series against the Cleveland Indians. Jerry Howarth is. Read more →

Arts & Culture · Economy

Times are changing for Nobel cash

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 14, 2016, 9:42 AM Oct 14, 2016
0

Bob Dylan probably doesn’t need the money that comes with winning a Nobel Prize and it’s a good thing. Like everything else, it doesn’t stretch as far as it once did, according to CNBC. Read more →

Delta investigating ‘doctoring while black’ allegation

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 14, 2016, 8:45 AM Oct 14, 2016
6

Tamika Cross, a doctor from Houston, could’ve helped a man who needed a doctor on a flight from Detroit to Houston. But she says the flight attendant aboard her flight didn’t believe she’s a doctor. Tamika is a woman. Tamika is African American.
Read more →

Politics

Will McAvoy: Why we need to stand up to each other

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 14, 2016, 7:27 AM Oct 14, 2016
36

The Twitter account under the name of Will McAvoy, the fictitious anchor of a cable TV news network made popular by The Newsroom, offers some grist worth considering on the current political campaign. Read more →

Economy

Iron Range board ready to bet on another airplane company

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 13, 2016, 3:27 PM Oct 13, 2016
3

One of the brothers who started Cirrus Design, the aircraft company, years ago is using the template to start another aircraft company in Minnesota. Read more →

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