MPR News Reflections and observations on the news

By 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.

Love conquers Newark

Bob Collins March 9, 2010, 3:48 PM Mar 9, 2010

The justice system proves it still has a soft spot for lovers.

After Joe Nathan

Bob Collins March 9, 2010, 12:12 PM Mar 9, 2010

5

Why Twins fans should come in from the ledge.

A letter that makes no census?

Bob Collins March 9, 2010, 10:47 AM Mar 9, 2010

78

How much does it cost to send you a letter saying you’re going to get a letter?

Five by 8 – 3/9/10: Should Petters get life?

Bob Collins March 9, 2010, 7:21 AM Mar 9, 2010

6

Is a Ponzi scheme less serious than a violent crime?

Fresh Eye on the Radio – 3/8/10

Bob Collins March 8, 2010, 4:51 PM Mar 8, 2010

Stuck inside an aluminum tube, why small talk makes you sad, and how many years do you have to work to pay for one trip on Air Force One?

Covering Shakopee

Bob Collins March 8, 2010, 3:55 PM Mar 8, 2010

7

A proposal for a school dress code reveals a deeper issue.

The devil’s in the data

Bob Collins March 8, 2010, 2:40 PM Mar 8, 2010

1

A new Google visualization project reveals surprising results.

Ex-cops and guns

Bob Collins March 8, 2010, 12:41 PM Mar 8, 2010

A bill filed at the Capitol today is unfortunately timed.

The power of words

Bob Collins March 8, 2010, 10:56 AM Mar 8, 2010

3

The First Amendment at the U.S. Supreme Court

5×8 – 3/8/10: The new ‘fundamental rights’

Bob Collins March 8, 2010, 7:08 AM Mar 8, 2010

5

Is the Internet a right? Also: Porn and the state Legislature, cloning Neanderthals, name this landmark, and music meets math.

What’s wrong, Minnesota?

Bob Collins March 7, 2010, 7:37 AM Mar 7, 2010

6

It’s hard to have a ‘half-full’ attitude on a Sunday in which two sobering stories dominate the news.

Retirement is a moving target

Bob Collins March 6, 2010, 8:07 AM Mar 6, 2010

3

Many people need to delay retirement at a time when they’re being forced to retire early.

The Quiz

Bob Collins March 5, 2010, 10:52 AM Mar 5, 2010

13

If you didn’t pay attention to the news, you’ll have a tough time with this week’s Quiz. If you did pay attention, you’ll still have a hard time with it.

5×8- 3/5/10: Who owns culture?

Bob Collins March 5, 2010, 7:10 AM Mar 5, 2010

12

A white group wins a competition in a dance identified with African Americans. So?

Spreading rumors

Bob Collins March 4, 2010, 4:02 PM Mar 4, 2010

3

How to spread a rumor with social networking.