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.

Mary and Bob (audio) – 1/16/13

Bob Collins January 16, 2013, 4:48 PM Jan 16, 2013

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Guns, hostages, and the singer who wants to go to prison as soon as her kid becomes a teenager. Who wouldn’t?

Vets of ‘Secret War’ take another shot at the Capitol

Bob Collins January 16, 2013, 3:25 PM Jan 16, 2013

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Another effort is underway in Minnesota to allow veterans of one of America’s secret wars to be buried in state veterans cemeteries.

Regional history

The ships of Savage

Bob Collins January 16, 2013, 2:24 PM Jan 16, 2013

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You knew that Savage, Minnesota was a shipbuilding port during World War II, right? Me, neither.

Mental health and gun control up close

Bob Collins January 16, 2013, 1:16 PM Jan 16, 2013

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Could New York state’s new gun law backfire when it comes to people with a mental illness? Some experts think so.

The art of ‘serious fishing’

Bob Collins January 16, 2013, 12:36 PM Jan 16, 2013

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From the ‘Things We Didn’t Know Until Today’ file comes word that there’s a godfather of ice fishing. And, naturally, he’s from Minnesota.

Live-blogging President Obama’s gun program

Bob Collins January 16, 2013, 10:30 AM Jan 16, 2013

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When the sheriff is the law(5×8 – 1/16/13)

Bob Collins January 16, 2013, 6:53 AM Jan 16, 2013

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Picking which laws to enforce, where the women are assaulted, the $28,000 diet, the Saint Paul exodus, and the sports kids of the year who know a thing or two about brotherhood.

Not embracing winter: The snowman assassin

Bob Collins January 15, 2013, 2:32 PM Jan 15, 2013

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There’s something oddly warming about watching the slow-motion destruction of snowmen.

Study: Bicyclists, car drivers share blame for accidents

Bob Collins January 15, 2013, 1:55 PM Jan 15, 2013

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There could be a break in the ongoing debate between bicyclists and vehicle drivers.

A clear case of pedophobia

Bob Collins January 15, 2013, 1:54 PM Jan 15, 2013

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Is fear of young children a legitimate phobia or a good reason to try to shake down a school district? We’re about to find out.

China’s pollution from space

Bob Collins January 15, 2013, 12:00 PM Jan 15, 2013

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Can it affect the U.S.? Yes, in about five days according to one expert.

Healing through music in Newtown

Bob Collins January 15, 2013, 11:02 AM Jan 15, 2013

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A month after the horrific shooting in Connecticut, two musicians have done what they could do to help the town.

Math as a team sport (5×8 – 1/15/13)

Bob Collins January 15, 2013, 7:32 AM Jan 15, 2013

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When math kids can’t pass the math test, it was four years ago today on the Hudson, I am an African man, welcoming strangers, and second chances.

Mary and Bob (audio) – 1/14/13

Bob Collins January 14, 2013, 4:36 PM Jan 14, 2013

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Lance Armstrong is sorry, but we’re not sure for what. The debt-limit debate, the end of same-day voter registration in Wisconsin and do chimpanzees have a human style of fairness?

NASA record-holder signs off.

Bob Collins January 14, 2013, 2:18 PM Jan 14, 2013

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If any humans orbiting the earth want to talk to the Roseville (by way of Bemidji) native Paul Dye in the future, they’ll have to call him at home.