Bob CollinsIs it too early to start debating whether schools should close during snow storms? No? Good, because Duluth schools could change the way winter operates around here. The Duluth News Tribune reports that administrators are considering a philosophical shift away from closing schools for the entire day when there’s a storm — they lost 8 Read more →
MPR News Reflections and observations on the news
Earlier this week, Steven Bergknoff posted a link to a substance abuse fundraiser in memory of his brother on a Facebook page dedicated to memorials for Hopkins High School students who have died. “It was a long, almost 5-year battle that he had to fight,” Bergknoff said. The post was taken down by the site’s Read more →
We’re still getting fairly gorgeous sunrises and sunsets in Minnesota, thanks to the wildfires burning out West. What else can the fires provide? Thunderstorms, according to NASA’s earth observatory. In images provided this week, NASA notes that the heat of the wildfires creates Pyrocumulus clouds when conditions are right, which they are. Says NASA: Pyrocumulus Read more →
Don’t be such selfish, ill-mannered transit riders, Green Liners. Let a family get off a train before you shove against them trying to get on. Read more →
Some years ago, a monkey got ahold of David Slater’s camera and took one of the best selfies in the history of monkeys taking selfies. Who owns the copyright if the monkey took the picture? It’s shaping up as one of the most fascinating copyright debates in recent years. The monkey can’t own the copyright Read more →
With the the hurricane season underway and Hawaii now in the eye of the storm, we begin our season of asking, “how long could a typical American city last before anarchy sets in once daily conveniences are denied?” It appears that residents of Hawaii are most concerned about water and toilet paper, presumably in that Read more →
Joshua Ploetz, a Minnesota veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder, has completed his attempt to “paddle off the war” by canoeing down the Mississippi, chronicling his trip on a Facebook page. Read more →
Love, having spurned Minnesota, now takes his place in the long line of vilified Minnesota athletes. But basketball is a business, and Love and his agent played their hand perfectly. Read more →
Why are the people who hold office so afraid of being questioned? Read more →
The University of Minnesota reportedly is joining an attempt to prevent the Vikings from using the word Redskins in promotional advertising for its Nov. 2 game at TCF Bank Stadium. Read more →
NPR reports today on a study in Baltimore that appears to destroy the notion that education is the great equalizer. Instead, the study says, it’s family and money. You either have it or you don’t. End of story. Sort of. Read more →
When’s the last time you watched a floor speech with any passion in the U.S. Congress on any subject? Read more →
Algae doesn’t have a lot of friends, but it’s still pretty.
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He and his wife having paid off student loans in the last year, Daniel Sarles wasn’t looking forward to the idea of going right back into debt. But the 20-year old Camry with more than 200,000 miles wasn’t getting any younger. The Minneapolis man, 28, a financial analyst for UCare, has been driving it since Read more →
Political victory speeches are usually tame and boring things. Even if you hate your opponent, graciousness is the order of the day. Ronald Reagan declared it so when he created the 11th Commandment. Not in Michigan last night, and not for Rep. Justin Amash, the Republican who won his primary battle. One can hardly blame Read more →