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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.

An attempt to stamp out spin

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 21, 2008, 4:31 AM Oct 21, 2008

Can a piece of software and some volunteers root out bias in online news articles?

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The things he carried

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 20, 2008, 5:37 PM Oct 20, 2008

A magazine writer tests airport security at MSP and finds it lacking.

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Surveys and trivia

Crime wave

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 20, 2008, 3:49 PM Oct 20, 2008
4

The world can’t be in very bad shape if the cops are picking up 89-year-old women for not giving kids their football back.

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A fine mess

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 20, 2008, 1:04 PM Oct 20, 2008
7

Some officials say it’s time to start spending to save the economy. But what if it weakens the future economy?

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Ad wars: Apple edition

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 20, 2008, 9:21 AM Oct 20, 2008

Apple unveiled a new set of ads today in its long-running battle with Microsoft.

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The geography of U.S. presidential elections

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 20, 2008, 7:28 AM Oct 20, 2008
5

Divided politically, America is increasingly divided geographically.

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Metric football

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 20, 2008, 7:17 AM Oct 20, 2008
3

At one time, the U.S. came within a few kilometers of adopting the metric system.

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Minnesota – October weekend

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 19, 2008, 6:14 PM Oct 19, 2008
4

Next stop: Winter.

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Coleman rejects Bachmann’s view on Obama’s ‘Americanism’

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 19, 2008, 10:05 AM Oct 19, 2008
53

At the same time, Michele Bachmann denies asserting liberals are unamerican.

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On political endorsements

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 19, 2008, 9:32 AM Oct 19, 2008
3

Colin Powell has endorsed Barack Obama. Do endorsements make a difference to you?

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Naming names

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 18, 2008, 9:01 AM Oct 18, 2008
14

A Twin Cities radio host is arrested, but not yet charged. Should you know that?

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College costs: How much is too much?

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 18, 2008, 8:14 AM Oct 18, 2008
1

The U of M intends to raise tuition again. When it comes to college costs, what’s the ‘tipping point?’

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Mum’s the word

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 17, 2008, 2:30 PM Oct 17, 2008
3

For a lesson on failed efforts to get people to vote, we need only look to Canada.

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Can Minnesotans video their vote?

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 17, 2008, 12:42 PM Oct 17, 2008
6

PBS and YouTube are trying a different way of documenting Election Day. But voters should check the law first.

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Tales from flyover country

Bob CollinsBob Collins October 17, 2008, 10:35 AM Oct 17, 2008

A few stories today that escaped the attention of the Twin Cities media.

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