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.

Science!

Bob Collins August 11, 2009, 3:15 PM Aug 11, 2009

3

Americans don’t know that much about science. Clearly we’re not blowing up enough stuff.

People-watching politics

Bob Collins August 11, 2009, 2:05 PM Aug 11, 2009

13

For pure theater, the growing protests over President Obama’s health care initiative makes for a compelling people-watching moment or two.

Stuck in the middle

Bob Collins August 11, 2009, 12:21 PM Aug 11, 2009

3

What if you don’t want to choose sides in a political debate?

Tiger

Bob Collins August 11, 2009, 12:00 PM Aug 11, 2009

10

Images from Hazeltine

Five at 8: 8/11/09

Bob Collins August 11, 2009, 7:35 AM Aug 11, 2009

4

Getting state help for the unemployed, where are all the passengers from the Continental Express Jet flight, a sportswriter admits he’s got a drinking problem, the secret of happiness from the man who created the pain index, and the long life of optimists.

The return of customer service

Bob Collins August 10, 2009, 5:11 PM Aug 10, 2009

1

In the middle of the Great Recession, some companies return to the concept of serving the customer.

Exit the butterfly

Bob Collins August 10, 2009, 4:12 PM Aug 10, 2009

1

First bees, now butterflies may be in peril.

The Unemployed: John Armstrong

Bob Collins August 10, 2009, 1:01 PM Aug 10, 2009

7

The unemployed aren’t numbers and statistics. They’re individuals with a story to tell.

Five at 8 – 8/10/09

Bob Collins August 10, 2009, 7:27 AM Aug 10, 2009

6

Why don’t airline passengers rebel? People who shout into cellphones. Drug court softball. Rituals of the day. A week of golf.

The lightning show

Bob Collins August 8, 2009, 9:45 PM Aug 8, 2009

Video of the heavy storms’ lightning display in Minnesota on Saturday evening.

Why midairs happen

Bob Collins August 8, 2009, 5:16 PM Aug 8, 2009

1

How can two aircraft collide with each other in New York City airspace as two did Saturday over the Hudson River?

What’s the measure of success for Cash for Clunkers?

Bob Collins August 8, 2009, 8:29 AM Aug 8, 2009

15

Is there one?

Consumer debt by the numbers

Bob Collins August 7, 2009, 3:05 PM Aug 7, 2009

The Fed says consumers paid off debt at a far greater rate than predicted in June. They’ve got a long way to go.

The black hole of juvenile detention

Bob Collins August 7, 2009, 2:23 PM Aug 7, 2009

3

Does locking up kids just make things worse later?

Different perspectives

Bob Collins August 7, 2009, 2:14 PM Aug 7, 2009

2

Times are tough but every now and again we get a reminder that we’ve got it better than most.