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 snapshot of Minnesota

Bob Collins August 18, 2008, 3:55 PM Aug 18, 2008

11

The DFL is touting the diversity of its delegation to the national convention in Denver. Is it a representation of the state?

Delegate profile: Sam Scott

Bob Collins August 18, 2008, 2:30 PM Aug 18, 2008

1

Scott, an Iraq war vet from Andover, is 25 and will be one of the DFL’s delegates in Denver.

Electorate Fetus?

Bob Collins August 18, 2008, 10:21 AM Aug 18, 2008

The Minneapolis store, Electric Fetus, is one of the businesses in the region taking advantage of the Republican National Convention.

Leroy Sievers, 1955-2008

Bob Collins August 18, 2008, 7:31 AM Aug 18, 2008

2

The NPR and former ABC News reporter blogged his battle with cancer.

Melody’s Olymics: Melody goes scalping

Bob Collins August 18, 2008, 4:17 AM Aug 18, 2008

The U.S. Olympic swim team has Michael Phelps. MPR has Melody Ng. At the Olympics, we consider it a wash.

The Phelps conspiracy?

Bob Collins August 17, 2008, 8:11 PM Aug 17, 2008

1

A web site has been created to “prove” that Michael Phelps didn’t really win his 7th gold medal at the Olympics.

A day at the bridge

Bob Collins August 17, 2008, 6:51 PM Aug 17, 2008

1

Attention Twin Cities reporters, touring the new I35W bridge is not a day at the beach.

Prayer at the pump

Bob Collins August 17, 2008, 9:08 AM Aug 17, 2008

6

Organizers of Pray at the Pump say their prayers have brought down the price of gasoline.

The News Cut challenge

Bob Collins August 15, 2008, 7:00 PM Aug 15, 2008

4

More fun than the mutton-bustin’ competition at the country fair. Trust us!

Pawlenty mischaracterizes unemployment rate

Bob Collins August 15, 2008, 4:13 PM Aug 15, 2008

The governor says the 5.8% unemployment rate for Minnesota ‘is a near historic high.’ He’s not close.

Delegate profile: Yolanda Lehman

Bob Collins August 15, 2008, 3:09 PM Aug 15, 2008

1

An occasional look at delegates to the national political conventions.

Melody’s Olympics

Bob Collins August 15, 2008, 7:35 AM Aug 15, 2008

1

MPR’s Public Insight Network guru Melody Ng is back in China on vacation and has just provided some pictures and commentary on life around Beijing.

Surveys and trivia

The best place to work

Bob Collins August 15, 2008, 5:59 AM Aug 15, 2008

3

What makes your workplace qualify?

The unemployment rate: It’s not 1983

Bob Collins August 14, 2008, 3:36 PM Aug 14, 2008

18

There are more people unemployed in Minnesota in 2008 than at any time since 1983. But, economically speaking, it’s not 1983.

Housekeeping: What’s your story? (redux)

Bob Collins August 14, 2008, 2:44 PM Aug 14, 2008

1

Last week, while soliciting your everyday stories of life, I told you about a family I met while on vacation. I told you a little bit about them and mentioned that I’d interviewed them for a piece I was writing for a personal blog and newsletter. The piece is now done and I wanted to Read more →