MPR News Reflections and observations on the news

Archives for August 2009

The return of customer service

Bob Collins August 10, 2009, 5:11 PM Aug 10, 2009

1

In the middle of the Great Recession, some companies return to the concept of serving the customer.

Exit the butterfly

Bob Collins August 10, 2009, 4:12 PM Aug 10, 2009

1

First bees, now butterflies may be in peril.

The Unemployed: John Armstrong

Bob Collins August 10, 2009, 1:01 PM Aug 10, 2009

7

The unemployed aren’t numbers and statistics. They’re individuals with a story to tell.

Five at 8 – 8/10/09

Bob Collins August 10, 2009, 7:27 AM Aug 10, 2009

6

Why don’t airline passengers rebel? People who shout into cellphones. Drug court softball. Rituals of the day. A week of golf.

The lightning show

Bob Collins August 8, 2009, 9:45 PM Aug 8, 2009

Video of the heavy storms’ lightning display in Minnesota on Saturday evening.

Why midairs happen

Bob Collins August 8, 2009, 5:16 PM Aug 8, 2009

1

How can two aircraft collide with each other in New York City airspace as two did Saturday over the Hudson River?

What’s the measure of success for Cash for Clunkers?

Bob Collins August 8, 2009, 8:29 AM Aug 8, 2009

15

Is there one?

Consumer debt by the numbers

Bob Collins August 7, 2009, 3:05 PM Aug 7, 2009

The Fed says consumers paid off debt at a far greater rate than predicted in June. They’ve got a long way to go.

The black hole of juvenile detention

Bob Collins August 7, 2009, 2:23 PM Aug 7, 2009

3

Does locking up kids just make things worse later?

Different perspectives

Bob Collins August 7, 2009, 2:14 PM Aug 7, 2009

2

Times are tough but every now and again we get a reminder that we’ve got it better than most.

Surveys and trivia

Birth, marriage and death by the numbers

Bob Collins August 7, 2009, 12:55 PM Aug 7, 2009

The National Vital Statistics Report has released birth, marriage, divorce, and death statistics for 2008 today.

The Airbus problem

Bob Collins August 7, 2009, 12:36 PM Aug 7, 2009

7

Up to a dozen Northwest Airlines flights reported faulty airspeed indicators.

Protesters and protests

Bob Collins August 7, 2009, 12:09 PM Aug 7, 2009

7

Depending on your party persuasion, there are two narratives going on today regarding political discourse and the apparent backlash against Democratic policies.

Five at 8 – 8/7/09

Bob Collins August 7, 2009, 7:28 AM Aug 7, 2009

1

Your brain thinks money is a drug, the upside of being laid off, a tale of two bicycling cities, how one person avoided an Iranian jail, and the last man standing.

Dealers running out of cars to sell

Bob Collins August 6, 2009, 3:44 PM Aug 6, 2009

13

Even if the Senate approves more money for Cash for Clunkers, buyers won’t be able to buy the most popular models.