Bob Collins
It was never much of a secret how things were going to end between Norma Cook, 89, and singer/actor Chris Salvatore, 31. She was going to die. Read more →
MPR News Reflections and observations on the news
People doing good
The mark of true charity is that which occurs without fanfare.
Mike Ilitch, who died last Friday, provided an example that only is becoming known — or at least, well known — after his death.
He paid Rosa Parks’ rent Read more →
William Tentis, 64, is one of the many people who hold cardboard signs around St. Paul.
His says ‘Veteran.10 yrs Army. God Bless.’
It’s been five years since he’s held a job Read more →
An update now on James Wiitamaki, the man with cancer who took out an ad in a local newspaper asking for cards and letters at the VA hospital in St. Cloud. It’s working. Read more →
Here’s a little guy secret from the Northland:
There isn’t a guy alive around here who doesn’t want to drive a Zamboni.
That’s why Cole Schusted is a lucky guy. Read more →
In his last days, James Wiitamak doesn’t want much. Just a letter from you.
He’s in the VA hospital in St. Cloud and wants so much to hear from people that he took out an ad in the local newspaper.
Read more →
What do you do if you get on a New York subway train and finding swastikas on every ad?
In a post on Facebook on Saturday, Gregory Locke, an attorney, said you look uncomfortably at each other, and then get to work. Read more →
Victoria Islamic Center in Victoria, Texas burned nearly to the ground on Saturday night. The cause of the fire isn’t known yet and it could be months before it is. But the people of Texas aren’t waiting. They’re pulling together to get it rebuilt. Read more →
NPR’s StoryCorps provides a warm update to the journey of Mary Johnson, the Minneapolis woman whose son was murdered by Oshea Israel in 1992, and who came to forgive him — and become friends with him — after visiting him in Stillwater prison. Read more →
Given the current state of affairs, we’ll take a heartwarming story anywhere we can find it, and Steve Hartman’s latest effort certainly fits the bill.
Read more →
When Frederick C. Sylvia, Jr, of Achusnet, Mass., died five years ago next month, an honor guard played taps and presented an American flag to his family, a fitting tribute to a man who fought with Gen. Patton in World War II.
But his son couldn’t stop thinking about the medals — especially the Victory Medal — that he’d promised his dad he’d be buried with. He didn’t have the heart to tell him in his dad’s last days that they’d been stolen. Read more →
If you want to feel like a slacker then proceed through the link to Boyd Huppert’s story on Danny Pham, who not only believes in making new year resolutions, but keeping them.
Read more →
The fire, on Third Avenue, forced four families to find new places to live. And a burglar broke in after the fire and stole the presents under the tree in one apartment. Read more →
Can we give it up, please, for Rick Oglesby, of North Mankato, and all the people like him who usually get no public credit for what they do each day? They’re the type to pick up your trash along the side of the road. Read more →
Today’s daily dose of sweetness comes from Concord, Mass., where Noah Kieran, of nearby Littleton, celebrated his 6th birthday and got a bunch of presents. Read more →