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.

’tis the first ‘Embrace Winter’ post of the season

Bob Collins November 28, 2011, 2:57 PM Nov 28, 2011

1

Downtown Saint Paul’s ice rink has opened for the season.

Can retail survive in Saint Paul?

Bob Collins November 28, 2011, 12:32 PM Nov 28, 2011

11

Downtown Saint Paul remains the Bermuda Triangle of retail.

The best and worst of Barney Frank

Bob Collins November 28, 2011, 10:58 AM Nov 28, 2011

6

The Massachusetts Democrat announces his retirement.

Court: Expired tabs good enough reason for drunk driving arrest

Bob Collins November 28, 2011, 10:12 AM Nov 28, 2011

2

If you’re stopped for one reason, can a police officer expand the investigation into actions that had nothing to do with why he/she pulled you over?

A dream in the bucket (5×8 – 11/28/11)

Bob Collins November 28, 2011, 7:04 AM Nov 28, 2011

13

U of M closes a pathway to a better future, droning on, how others see us while shopping, living small, and holiday leftovers from Aitkin.

Fish House Friday

Bob Collins November 25, 2011, 5:47 PM Nov 25, 2011

5

Images from this year’s Fish House Parade in Aitkin, Minn.

On Jeno Paulucci

Bob Collins November 25, 2011, 8:10 AM Nov 25, 2011

6

We don’t run into people like Jeno Paulucci any more in this state.

Watch this space

Bob Collins November 24, 2011, 8:06 AM Nov 24, 2011

1

Big shock, eh? There’s no 5×8 this morning because of the holiday. Enjoy your time with your favorite family and pals today.

Another Taser death

Bob Collins November 23, 2011, 2:10 PM Nov 23, 2011

Cops can get in trouble regardless of what choice of weapons they use to stop a perceived threat.

Surveys and trivia

The funniest holiday of the year

Bob Collins November 23, 2011, 12:46 PM Nov 23, 2011

9

What is it about the holiday that popular culture finds so appealing when it comes to dropping a punch line?

Court: Duluth can cut health benefits for retirees

Bob Collins November 23, 2011, 11:41 AM Nov 23, 2011

5

The court considers the meaning of ‘current’ employees vs. ‘active’ employees.

Rookie pilot shows uncommon skill in Princeton crash

Bob Collins November 23, 2011, 10:39 AM Nov 23, 2011

A pilot who crashed his plane in Princeton yesterday was hardly the rookie the news made him out to be.

Smacking down the Target workers (5×8 – 11/23/11)

Bob Collins November 23, 2011, 7:01 AM Nov 23, 2011

46

Just be glad you have a job, the great sleepover debate, why you shouldn’t deep-fry the turkey in the house, should there be religion at a holiday display in Duluth, and the art of writing backwards.

The death of ‘Father Dollar’

Bob Collins November 22, 2011, 11:02 AM Nov 22, 2011

1

For two decades, Father Maurice Chase gave away money on ‘Skid Row.’

11/22/63 (5×8 – 11/22/11)

Bob Collins November 22, 2011, 7:40 AM Nov 22, 2011

9

Dying conspiracies, public radio humor, watch some TV news and know even less, turkey love, and the mine-pit energy solution