Bob Collins
Even good times are tough times for farmers. 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.
The Minnesota State High School League may yet acknowledge two high school girls whom it disqualified for helping another runner at state cross country meet in Northfield last week. Read more →
Having failed to get a vote in the Senate after the House voted more than 50 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare), Republicans rode the horse to take control in the Senate. Now, GOP leadership may moderate its attack on the health care law.
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An odd thing happened when Senate candidate Mike McFadden gave his concession speech last night. He gave a campaign speech.
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When a few Republicans stood up to the party platform last year and voted to legalize same-sex marriage in Minnesota, some saw it as a gutsy move. But maybe they just knew their voters. Read more →
Arnold Abbott might go to jail for making sure the hungry and homeless have something to eat in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Read more →
If you’re a public radio fan, you probably already know about Serial, the podcast from the creators of This American Life.
The series explores the 1999 killing of Hae Min Lee, a popular high-school senior in Baltimore. Her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, is serving time for her murder.
If reported traditionally, it’s just another murder with just another person serving time who says he didn’t do it. Read more →
There can be no more unimaginative photo in all of news than the one of a candidate voting. Read more →
Michael Furrh set the record yesterday when he hit the ball a whole 63 yards with his 25 foot club.
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Thanks to social media, an every-two-years question is surfacing: Can I take a picture of my ballot?
Yes. Sort of. Read more →
It undoubtedly wouldn’t matter to those involved — a sense of decency is a powerful thing — but the decision to disqualify two runners who helped an injured competitor still undermines the whole ‘sports is meant to teach children’ notion that’s the underpinning of its existence. Read more →
In his New York Times column today, David Leonhardt theorizes that Democratic-leaning states are the ones in which high school football is struggling. And he zeroes in on Minnesota as an example where schools are canceling football seasons because there aren’t enough players.
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Well, it’s over.
In the two or three days before the 2016 election cycle begins, let’s kick this question around:
What did you learn from this year’s campaign? What issues were clarified for you? Read more →
The numbers — and the media — aren’t lying: the president is at the bottom of his popularity and no amount of playing with the calendar can make that a lie. Read more →
Tom Magliozzi’s laugh gave public radio permission to laugh and not be constantly weighed down by thinking such deep thoughts all the time. Read more →