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.

CBS: The bet that blew up Wall Street

Bob Collins October 27, 2008, 11:13 AM Oct 27, 2008

1

A congressional bill that set the stage for the economic meltdown was embraced by the Minnesota delegation in 2000

News Agenda – Monday October 27, 2008

Bob Collins October 27, 2008, 7:54 AM Oct 27, 2008

1

Surprisingly, perhaps, not all the news is about politics.

Is Twitter a terrorist tool?

Bob Collins October 26, 2008, 8:48 PM Oct 26, 2008

6

The Army says the microblogging service could be used by extremists. Like vegetarians.

Al Franken’s lousy weekend

Bob Collins October 26, 2008, 10:10 AM Oct 26, 2008

13

The Star Tribune, said to be the worst friend the Republicans have had since Checkers the dog, has endorsed Norm Coleman.

Pawlenty 2.0

Bob Collins October 26, 2008, 9:44 AM Oct 26, 2008

1

Compared to his visibility before Sarah Palin was selected as John McCain’s running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has been invisible since the Republican National Convention ended.

Nuclear middle age

Bob Collins October 26, 2008, 8:57 AM Oct 26, 2008

If the effort to deter countries from joining the ‘nuclear club’ isn’t working, that also means the United States strategy for possessing nuclear weapons isn’t working either.

Geography of politics – Part 2

Bob Collins October 25, 2008, 9:43 AM Oct 25, 2008

Sorry, no stories about crazed supporters, personal stylists, or stupid gaffes.

Surveys and trivia

Absence of trust

Bob Collins October 24, 2008, 4:57 PM Oct 24, 2008

2

Nearly half of U.S. doctors are deceiving their patients, according to a new study.

The house loses

Bob Collins October 24, 2008, 3:07 PM Oct 24, 2008

1

Canterbury Park announces layoffs. The bad economy is hitting gambling.

Regional history

Revisiting the Wellstone memorial service

Bob Collins October 24, 2008, 1:25 PM Oct 24, 2008

8

The memorial service changed the outcome of an election.

State flags

Bob Collins October 24, 2008, 12:26 PM Oct 24, 2008

9

Minnesota’s state flag looks like a bunch of other state flags. Alternatives usually fall short.

Copycat vandals?

Bob Collins October 24, 2008, 12:08 PM Oct 24, 2008

Given that it happened a day after all the publicity about the Minnesota assaults, it’s unlikely it was part of a coordinated protest.

News agenda – Friday October 24, 2008

Bob Collins October 24, 2008, 8:40 AM Oct 24, 2008

6

Here’s a look at the news stories that are coming today.

Are viral videos for Democrats only?

Bob Collins October 23, 2008, 3:39 PM Oct 23, 2008

Of the 20 top viral videos on the Internet today, only three are not favorable to Barack Obama.

Minnesota’s ‘unAmerican’ connection

Bob Collins October 23, 2008, 1:15 PM Oct 23, 2008

2

A political firestorm in a California county was struck by a match from Minnesota