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.

English as the official language?

Bob Collins February 12, 2008, 2:10 PM Feb 12, 2008

9

On the first day of the session, a Minnesota lawmaker stirs up the melting pot.

How much is a lost laptop worth?

Bob Collins February 12, 2008, 10:59 AM Feb 12, 2008

13

About $54 million, one woman says.

The health benefits of global warming

Bob Collins February 12, 2008, 10:50 AM Feb 12, 2008

Fewer people die in the cold.

Covering the duck

Bob Collins February 12, 2008, 10:33 AM Feb 12, 2008

1

A showdown is looming tonight in Ulen, Minn.

Hockey and health care

Bob Collins February 12, 2008, 9:14 AM Feb 12, 2008

2

Memo to lawmakers: Don’t compare the cost of hockey to the cost of health care.

Sprewell’s tough times

Bob Collins February 11, 2008, 6:03 PM Feb 11, 2008

It turns out the former Timberwolf really can’t make ends meet on a few million dollars.

Fretting over the merger

Bob Collins February 11, 2008, 5:31 PM Feb 11, 2008

1

What if Northwest changes Delta?

The tax debate cometh

Bob Collins February 11, 2008, 3:52 PM Feb 11, 2008

What is Minnesota’s rank in the tax world?

From the ‘shoe on the other foot’ department

Bob Collins February 11, 2008, 1:57 PM Feb 11, 2008

How CBS covers a story about CBS.

Campaign ’embeds’

Bob Collins February 11, 2008, 12:10 PM Feb 11, 2008

2

Are we better off for having access to embarrassing moments on the campaign trail?

The wisdom of Tom Lantos

Bob Collins February 11, 2008, 10:41 AM Feb 11, 2008

An only-in-America tale ends.

Dropped from the Dow

Bob Collins February 11, 2008, 8:20 AM Feb 11, 2008

A slap in the face for a former Minnesota company.

Insult to injury

Bob Collins February 10, 2008, 9:59 AM Feb 10, 2008

5

Why do we have to pay extra to pay extra taxes?

Gov. Pawlenty’s Munich trip

Bob Collins February 8, 2008, 12:55 PM Feb 8, 2008

1

Though he’s invited as head of the nation’s governors, it’s unusual for a state leader to attend an international conference on security issues.

Smoke, fire, or neither?

Bob Collins February 8, 2008, 10:32 AM Feb 8, 2008

1

A study in Moorhead falls short of solving the question of whether American Indians are ‘profiled.’