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.

Remember Rushford?

Bob Collins July 17, 2008, 11:33 AM Jul 17, 2008

2

While most of the attention focuses on the anniversary of the I-35W bridge collapse, southeast Minnesota marks last year’s flash flood tragedy by carrying on and cleaning up.

On the road

Bob Collins July 17, 2008, 5:48 AM Jul 17, 2008

What’s interesting in your life or in your town?

What’s our culture?

Bob Collins July 16, 2008, 2:46 PM Jul 16, 2008

3

The world takes a look at … us.

Air security for Twin Cities

Bob Collins July 16, 2008, 11:59 AM Jul 16, 2008

1

If you think you’ve heard details of a TV ‘investigation’ into the flying restrictions during the Republican National Convention before, it’s only because you have.

It’s 1982!

Bob Collins July 16, 2008, 10:48 AM Jul 16, 2008

18

Consumer prices rose faster last month that at any time since 1982. Those were the days.

Helicopter door found

Bob Collins July 16, 2008, 10:47 AM Jul 16, 2008

6

The door was found in near Afton Road in Maplewood.

Live-blogging Midmorning: Your travel-by-air stories

Bob Collins July 16, 2008, 6:40 AM Jul 16, 2008

36

If there’s a “tipping point” for gas prices (the price at which you change your driving habits), is there a “tipping point” for flying on an airline? If so, what is it?

The thin blue line (Part II)

Bob Collins July 15, 2008, 5:09 PM Jul 15, 2008

2

Nuggets from the arraignment of a Minneapolis cop charged with corruption.

Slugs in training

Bob Collins July 15, 2008, 4:03 PM Jul 15, 2008

While 90 percent of 9-year-olds get a couple of hours of exercise

most days, fewer than 3 percent of 15-year-olds do.

Missing: One door

Bob Collins July 15, 2008, 3:45 PM Jul 15, 2008

5

A helicopter flying over the Twin Cities lost its door on Tuesday.

Bridge anniversary events

Bob Collins July 15, 2008, 3:24 PM Jul 15, 2008

2

Gov. Pawlenty and Mayor Rybak announced the official I-35W bridge anniversary events.

Minnesota, meet your new submarine

Bob Collins July 15, 2008, 1:04 PM Jul 15, 2008

6

Virginia-class submarine trivia — Minnesota style

The skinny on the Saints

Bob Collins July 15, 2008, 11:40 AM Jul 15, 2008

4

Midway Stadium renamed?

Live-blogging the president’s news conference

Bob Collins July 15, 2008, 8:41 AM Jul 15, 2008

19

Is the economy really that bad, or is it just the case of the media being nattering nabobs of negativity?

The illume

Bob Collins July 14, 2008, 10:27 PM Jul 14, 2008

9

There must be a good reason to close down the Stone Arch Bridge to bike traffic. Indeed there is: an energy drink must be promoted.