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.

A quiet death

Bob Collins February 21, 2009, 8:40 AM Feb 21, 2009

2

A lawsuit over an alleged smear of John McCain by the New York Times died a quiet, peaceful death this week.

Are we cowards when it comes to talking race?

Bob Collins February 20, 2009, 5:35 PM Feb 20, 2009

9

What prevents Americans from having an honest conversation about the subject?

Why insured people aren’t paying their medical bills

Bob Collins February 20, 2009, 2:32 PM Feb 20, 2009

2

An update on a post showing the rapid rise in unpaid medical bills by people with health insurance.

Cartooning Obama

Bob Collins February 20, 2009, 2:04 PM Feb 20, 2009

1

Editorial cartoonists are walking a fine — and mostly undefined — line when picturing an African American president.

Timewasters: Ma and Pa Kettle explain the economic stimulus plan

Bob Collins February 20, 2009, 12:31 PM Feb 20, 2009

Exclusive video of discussions that led to the economic stimulus plan. Or maybe not.

Surveys and trivia

Timewasters: Radio hosts

Bob Collins February 20, 2009, 12:07 PM Feb 20, 2009

1

Useless diversions from the day’s news.

Is there enough time for a comeback?

Bob Collins February 20, 2009, 10:26 AM Feb 20, 2009

2

For many Americans, there’s no chance of maintaining their standard of living when they retire.

Who should get help?

Bob Collins February 20, 2009, 8:26 AM Feb 20, 2009

2

Who should get economic help? Who shouldn’t?

Goodbye, Legislature

Bob Collins February 20, 2009, 7:19 AM Feb 20, 2009

16

TPT drops live legislative coverage for most people.

Retirement is not an option

Bob Collins February 19, 2009, 3:50 PM Feb 19, 2009

7

If the Dow drops another 180 points, it’ll be at the lowest level since October 28, 1997.

Defending pilots

Bob Collins February 19, 2009, 2:41 PM Feb 19, 2009

2

Pilots in the Buffalo air crash had a difficult task — push the airplane closer to the ground they were trying to avoid.

The veteran football

Bob Collins February 19, 2009, 12:58 PM Feb 19, 2009

Was a flap on the House floor about veterans, ‘gotcha’ politics – Minnesota style?

Carstarphen’s view

Bob Collins February 19, 2009, 12:44 PM Feb 19, 2009

The St. Paul school superintendent addresses reports she wants out.

The Southwest strategy

Bob Collins February 19, 2009, 11:43 AM Feb 19, 2009

2

Southwest Airlines made itself an aviation star by — mostly — avoiding direct competition with the big airlines. It flew to Midway instead of O’Hare. It concentrated on Love Field instead of the giant Dallas-Ft. Worth and all the big airlines. It flew to Providence and Manchester, New Hampshire instead of Boston. It never came Read more →

A view of the homeless

Bob Collins February 19, 2009, 11:26 AM Feb 19, 2009

3

Why is it news when a homeless person commits an act of honesty?