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.

Surveys and trivia

One for the Situation Room

Bob Collins September 18, 2009, 12:29 PM Sep 18, 2009

5

In a battle of wits, a journalist is no match for a comedian.

Will a tax/fee cost jobs? ‘Yes,’ Minnesota DFLers say

Bob Collins September 18, 2009, 12:15 PM Sep 18, 2009

1

Rallying around Medtronic

Ramstad for governor?

Bob Collins September 18, 2009, 11:31 AM Sep 18, 2009

5

The former congressman drops a firecracker.

Five at 8 – 9/18/09: What kind of person?

Bob Collins September 18, 2009, 7:40 AM Sep 18, 2009

12

Toxic farmers, the Last Man Club, a kidney on Facebook, the kind of father we wish we were, and the kind of person we’re glad we’re not.

One Picture: ‘I’d give it all up to have my son back.’

Bob Collins September 17, 2009, 4:10 PM Sep 17, 2009

A mother and father get their son’s medal.

Surveys and trivia

Health care debate has been polite for some, survey says

Bob Collins September 17, 2009, 3:42 PM Sep 17, 2009

5

Surveys tend to reveal more about us than we’d like

After the fire

Bob Collins September 17, 2009, 3:11 PM Sep 17, 2009

After a wildfire, only a moonscape is left.

Perils of the photo op

Bob Collins September 17, 2009, 2:01 PM Sep 17, 2009

8

‘Photo opportunities’ are always risky business for a president.

Is Keillor coming or going?

Bob Collins September 17, 2009, 11:28 AM Sep 17, 2009

2

After a stroke, is Keillor considering retirement? It depends.

The Unemployed: Moira Webster-Larranaga

Bob Collins September 17, 2009, 11:03 AM Sep 17, 2009

A director of human resources has seen layoffs from both sides.

Duluth’s off the hook

Bob Collins September 17, 2009, 9:15 AM Sep 17, 2009

A bizarre story about an incorrect phone call telling a family their son was killed no longer has a Minnesota connection.

Five at 8 – 9/17/09: Broken trust

Bob Collins September 17, 2009, 7:40 AM Sep 17, 2009

5

Is there a reason to trust Congress, what’s wrong with us, what’s right with us, why are color-blind monkeys a big deal, and is Deuce ready for prime time?

Too late for ACORN?

Bob Collins September 16, 2009, 1:47 PM Sep 16, 2009

27

The ACORN scandal is mushrooming.

The right way to pray?

Bob Collins September 16, 2009, 1:35 PM Sep 16, 2009

11

If you pay a computer to say your prayers for you, are you still praying?

Five at 8 – 9/16/09

Bob Collins September 16, 2009, 7:37 AM Sep 16, 2009

6

A health care lab rat, how you know you’re meant to be a father, racism and Obama, birds on a wire, and counties hold the line on taxes.