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NewsCut

MPR News Reflections and observations on the news

By Bob Collins

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.

Weather

Sometimes ‘hot’ is just ‘hot.’ Or not

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 3, 2012, 12:06 PM Apr 3, 2012
14

Welcome to another day of science trying to explain March and the recently expired winter.

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When air service isn’t ‘essential’

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 3, 2012, 10:55 AM Apr 3, 2012

An empty airline indicates that not all small cities need air service.

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Five by 8

The mammogram debate renewed (5×8 – 4/3/12)

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 3, 2012, 7:12 AM Apr 3, 2012
8

Treating breast cancer. Or not. Also: Scrambling the young brain, GI Bill blues in Mankato, the dawn of the flying car, and a visit from Beasley.

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Gardening goes to prison

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 2, 2012, 2:17 PM Apr 2, 2012
5

The Minnesota Legislature today embraced an innovative program that apparently makes too much sense to ignore — gardens in prison.

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A hidden airline goes bankrupt

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 2, 2012, 1:57 PM Apr 2, 2012
2

The chances are you think Pinnacle is an airline you never fly. The chances are you’re wrong.

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Strip searches up close

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 2, 2012, 1:02 PM Apr 2, 2012
5

Unless you’ve been hauled off to jail lately, you may be unaware that your chance of being strip searched has increased in recent years.

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The people who fight for their unemployment (continued)

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 2, 2012, 12:05 PM Apr 2, 2012
3

The Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled today that a woman, who was encouraged by her boss to quit her job and become an independent contractor instead, is entitled to unemployment benefits.

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When seat belts are a story

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 2, 2012, 10:45 AM Apr 2, 2012
10

If there’s one fact that gets people riled up in the wake of a fatal car crash, it’s the one about whether the deceased were wearing seat belts.

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Followup: The shaving-cream solution

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 2, 2012, 10:33 AM Apr 2, 2012
12

A company responds to suggestions its packaging gives customers less than they pay for.

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Five by 8

When is ‘self defense’ self defense? (5×8 – 4/2/12)

Bob CollinsBob Collins April 2, 2012, 7:10 AM Apr 2, 2012
7

Defining self defense, autism’s blessings and burdens, saving Georgetown, when the sun kills, and the expanding drought.

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Sunday liquor sales dies again at Capitol

Bob CollinsBob Collins March 30, 2012, 1:52 PM Mar 30, 2012
34

The amendment went down and went down hard on a 97-27 vote.

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Early retirement is a quick route to an early death

Bob CollinsBob Collins March 30, 2012, 1:29 PM Mar 30, 2012
3

Dream all you want about winning a lottery and quitting work but be glad you’ll be a loser.

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The science of blaming the media

Bob CollinsBob Collins March 30, 2012, 12:44 PM Mar 30, 2012
3

Memo: If you want to keep your job in the world of science, don’t release a report that appears to prove Einstein was wrong.

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A penny dies a quiet death

Bob CollinsBob Collins March 30, 2012, 12:08 PM Mar 30, 2012
5

Canada made a sound decision to dump the penny. Why can’t the U.S.?

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Packaging: The art of giving you less than you think

Bob CollinsBob Collins March 30, 2012, 11:01 AM Mar 30, 2012
5

Packaging designers and marketers are smarter than the rest of us.

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