Bob CollinsThe New York Times says new data shows that having a daughter makes it less likely a couple will try to have more children. Why? Once you have a daughter, why mess up a good thing with a son? Read more →
MPR News Reflections and observations on the news
This or That
Francis Johnson was a constant presence in town. He loved riding his bike, wearing bright orange outwear. He kept 15 bikes at home to provide parts, according to the River Falls Journal, which pens a lovely tribute to him today. He died while riding his bike on Main Street on Tuesday. Read more →
When a big, national event rolls into town — a national political convention, for example — a host committee will almost always have a party for the thousands of representatives of the media beforehand. They’re an ‘ethical disaster’ some journalists say.
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The station will go dark at the end of the month. Read more →
Look at these beautiful faces, who came to the United States from all different situations from all around the planet and today became American citizens in one of two ceremonies at the Fitzgerald Theatre in St. Paul. Read more →
Keep this in mind, Minnesota. Your flood season is coming. Read more →
The gold-medal-winning U.S. curling team got a little lesson in the dangers of Twitter before heading back to Minnesota and a heroes’ welcome in Duluth.
It was all good for the fellas, tweeting to Delta to see if a gold medal could get a guy an upgrade. Read more →
A review of how two news executives sexually harassed their way through NPR this week results in the execs getting a full vote of confidence. Read more →
From all indications, Newsweek is exhibiting a death rattle this week.
It started when the magazine retracted its story suggesting that ‘bots’ took down Sen. Al Franken. Read more →
For a horrible-tasting drink, Red Bull certainly is able to get people to do odd things in support of its ongoing marketing.
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The flotsam and jetsam that flies out of trucks, whose drivers ignore the law requiring their loads be properly secured, peppers drivers with an array of material that could kill them.
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It comes after Tom Brady threatened to walk from his interview arrangement with WEEI after a host called his daughter “an annoying little pissant” and another host impersonated a Chinese accent when talking about an American- born sports agent of Asian descent who speaks perfect English.
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Murray the tax guy had become a big part of Peter Guthrie’s life over the last dozen years or so. They shared good times, and always laughed over the line on the tax forms that remind us to declare all of our ill-gotten income. Read more →
The woman who just wants to collect her Powerball winnings without you knowing her name is getting offers of help in her effort… in exchange for a cut of the cash. Read more →
The upper Midwest is ground zero for binge drinking, it’s considered acceptable to tail-gate at a football game until you’re-falling down drunk, and economic development in the region means another tap room. Just don’t put a little alcohol in a cupcake. Read more →