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NewsCut

MPR News Reflections and observations on the news

By Bob Collins

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.

This or That

Manitoba fights Borg-themed license plate

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 8, 2019, 3:33 PM Apr 8, 2019
5

Nicholas Troller got permission a few years ago for the ASIMIL8 license plate, which is displayed in a ‘We are the Borg’ and ‘Resistance is Futile’ plate frame, based on the Star Trek story.
Read more →

This or That

Dogs to drivers: Put the phone down

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 8, 2019, 2:08 PM Apr 8, 2019
0

Some PR agency figured out how to get NewsCut to pay attention to a press release: put dogs in it. Read more →

Sports

Pro tip: Don’t burn your baseball field

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 8, 2019, 12:33 PM Apr 8, 2019
22

These sorts of baseball diamond incidents are a good reminder to you youth sports bosses: don’t light your field on fire because it’s wet. Read more →

Arts & Culture · Education

Rosenberg leaving Macalester

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 8, 2019, 11:13 AM Apr 8, 2019
3

Brian Rosenberg announced today he’s leaving as president of Macalester College a year from now. Over the next year, there will likely be well considered assessments of Rosenberg’s contributions to the local culture.
But we’re going to go with nothing topping this gem Read more →

Economy

When capitalists fight

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 8, 2019, 10:27 AM Apr 8, 2019
2

It’s a discussion that is increasingly happening but is less easily dismissed by those who avoid it by shouting ‘socialism’ as a distraction. Read more →

Economy

Time to end senior discounts?

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 8, 2019, 9:49 AM Apr 8, 2019
73

Why should seniors get discounts when younger people are suffering from the burden of student loans and $1,000 phones? Read more →

This or That

Book due from reporter who moved to MN from East Coast

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 8, 2019, 8:30 AM Apr 8, 2019
2

Let’s get to the good stuff first: the part about why we’re better than the rest of the nation. Read more →

This or That

Heroes in the skateboard park

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 8, 2019, 7:05 AM Apr 8, 2019
1

Before we begin a week of telling you all the horrible things and despicable people in the world, this equal time (one can only wish) for a dissenting view.
Read more →

What’s on MPR News – 4/8/19

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 8, 2019, 5:56 AM Apr 8, 2019
4

Here are the stories, topics, and guests you’ll hear today on MPR News. Read more →

Arts & Culture

The band kids

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 5, 2019, 2:32 PM Apr 5, 2019
3

The difference between my generation and Tyra Gibeau’s is that when I was in high school, few people thought the cool kids were the ‘band kids.’ That’s all changed now and all for the good.
Read more →

Health

Anonymous letter writing flags an unvaccinated neighbor

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 5, 2019, 11:34 AM Apr 5, 2019
11

There’s little scientific question that vaccinating your kids is in their best interest and the best interest of everyone with whom they contact.

But the anonymous letter-writing is its own disease. Read more →

Education · People doing good · Sports

La Crosse basketball team celebrates championship with a 100-year-old fan

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 5, 2019, 10:29 AM Apr 5, 2019
6

The kids of the Aquinas girls basketball team on Thursday showed us why they’re two-time state champions. Read more →

Sports

Final Four coach: ‘Watch how women lead’

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 5, 2019, 8:36 AM Apr 5, 2019
4

Forget Minneapolis. For the true role that college sports can play in society, and an actual intellectual exercise, you’ll have to go to Tampa, Fla.
Read more →

Health · People doing good

It took a nurse to find a mom for an addicted baby

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 5, 2019, 7:05 AM Apr 5, 2019
5

Gisele was born premature in 2016; she weighed only 2 pounds. That’s what happens when your mother uses heroin, cocaine and methadone during pregnancy. Read more →

What’s on MPR News – 4/5/19

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 5, 2019, 5:42 AM Apr 5, 2019
1

Here are the stories, topics, and guests you’ll hear today on MPR News. Read more →

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