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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.

Good night and good news

Bob CollinsBob Collins May 31, 2019, 4:20 PM May 31, 2019
41

Running out of things to say (along with health issues) was one of the reasons I gave when I informed people last year that I would retire on my 65th birthday. Today is my 65th birthday. And this is the 17,071st, and last, NewsCut post.
Read more →

Arts & Culture

Paul Tosto at workThis blog stood on the shoulders of a giant

Bob CollinsBob Collins May 30, 2019, 1:54 PM May 30, 2019
3
Paul Tosto at work

Paul Tosto applauded, supported, defended, and created a fair amount of the material that found its way onto these pages, and he did so without getting or needing attention. At least until today. Read more →

This or That

Tell your story

Bob CollinsBob Collins May 30, 2019, 7:01 AM May 30, 2019
107

The voice in my head, the feeling in my stomach, conspire to tell me the answer: nothing. Apparently, this is the day when I can’t fool anyone anymore. I knew it would come sooner or later. Read more →

What’s on MPR News – 5/30/19

Bob CollinsBob Collins May 30, 2019, 6:00 AM May 30, 2019
3

Here are the stories, topics, and guests you’ll hear today on MPR News. Read more →

Sports

In first pitch attempt, woman throws like a rapper

Bob CollinsBob Collins May 29, 2019, 1:43 PM May 29, 2019
16

Up until Tuesday evening, 50 Cent held the distinction of throwing the worst first pitch in the history of all ceremony. Read more →

Arts & Culture

To the storytellers

Bob CollinsBob Collins May 29, 2019, 10:30 AM May 29, 2019
15

We live in a golden age of storytelling that seems to have a uniquely Minnesota pedigree. Read more →

Sports

Red Bull pulls the plug on air races

Bob CollinsBob Collins May 29, 2019, 10:01 AM May 29, 2019
2

There’s irony — somewhere — in an announcement from Red Bull.
Read more →

Politics

Democrats brace for the comeback of Al Franken

Bob CollinsBob Collins May 29, 2019, 8:22 AM May 29, 2019
20

Franken isn’t talking about the quick push by Democrats to get him out of the Senate — led by presidential candidate Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who provided the final shove — but whether he paid too high a price is still being debated Read more →

Weather

Meteorologist loses it when viewers complain about tornado coverage

Bob CollinsBob Collins May 29, 2019, 7:10 AM May 29, 2019
15

Everybody has a breaking point and for a TV meteorologist in Ohio, it’s The Bachelorette. Read more →

What’s on MPR News – 5/29/19

Bob CollinsBob Collins May 29, 2019, 6:00 AM May 29, 2019
1

Here are the stories, topics, and guests you’ll hear today on MPR News. Read more →

Sports

What do you get a millionaire son for his birthday? The same thing you got him when he was broke

Bob CollinsBob Collins May 28, 2019, 2:28 PM May 28, 2019
1

It’s hard to buy just the right birthday present for your kids when they become adults. Better just to slip a few bucks in a card and let them shop for themselves. Classic.
Read more →

This or That

A planet of pigs

Bob CollinsBob Collins May 28, 2019, 12:55 PM May 28, 2019
27

There’s no getting around it: As a species, we’re pigs. Read more →

Politics · Sports

Baseball team runs right-wing propaganda video in Memorial Day salute

Bob CollinsBob Collins May 28, 2019, 10:06 AM May 28, 2019

The Fresno Grizzlies put the ‘minor league’ in the minor leagues.
Read more →

Weather

NewsCut Flashback: A tornado’s connections

Bob CollinsBob Collins May 28, 2019, 10:02 AM May 28, 2019
0

Though I’ve been in the news business for over 35 years, the connections and coincidences in the news — especially in times of turmoil — never fail to amaze me.
Read more →

Arts & Culture · Crime and Justice

Victim of alleged abuse calls for boycott against Children’s Theatre Company

Bob CollinsBob Collins May 28, 2019, 8:35 AM May 28, 2019
28

The Children’s Theatre Company, which prevailed in a lawsuit over the abuse of child actors, has lost the public relations war.
Read more →

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