News Cut: December 27, 2007 Archive

Panic mode

Posted at 7:01 AM on December 27, 2007 by Bob Collins (4 Comments)

There's nothing like a good panic during a slow news week -- or any other time if you're in the news business.

We can take it. And a Web site, Panic Watch, can dish it out, organizing the endless "crisis" stories in one spot so that when you look at it, you realize the absurdity of it all.

On the site's list of "bad links," is this one:

The Power Line Task Force (PLTF), is a group of homeowners living near a power line in Minnesota. They wear special costumes with capes and have dedicated their lives to perpetuating old studies and myths about high tension lines causing childhood leukemia.

Visiting the site, we find it hasn't been updated since June 2005, which makes one wonder if they're OK.

(h/t: John Pearson)

Science!

Posted at 7:33 AM on December 27, 2007 by Bob Collins

Great strides in science in just the last two days, according to the BBC.

One: Researchers in Israel say they have succeeded in putting a version of the Bible on a chip smaller than a pinhead. No word, yet, on attempts to shrink a camel to fit through the eye of a needle.

Two: Liver damage caused by heavy drinking can be reversed.

We're #26!

Posted at 8:18 AM on December 27, 2007 by Bob Collins

The annual population estimates are out from the U.S. Census Bureau today. (Here's the raw data)

As of July, Minnesota's population is 5,197,62, a slight increase from a year earlier (.83%).

Only two states -- Rhode Island and Michigan (is there a bigger basket case than Michigan?) -- lost population over the year. Minnesota is not exactly booming -- population wise. We're 26th in population growth, trailing even South Dakota (20th in growth) and Alaska (23rd in growth).

Continue reading "We're #26!"

On the ground in Pakistan

Posted at 10:18 AM on December 27, 2007 by Bob Collins

How could it have ended any other way?

Since Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan months ago, one had the sense that her death was imminent. That's either a statement on Pakistan or on our inability to be surprised by political assasinations.

Here's a look at Pakistan-themed blogs and news sources online and their reaction:

Continue reading "On the ground in Pakistan"

When a newspaper dies

Posted at 7:36 PM on December 27, 2007 by Bob Collins (1 Comments)

It's no secret -- is it? -- that the newspaper industry is in bad shape. The Twin Cities, of course, still has two newspapers, but supporting two is going to be tough in the years ahead.

It's true that many people wouldn't mind seeing a few newspapers die. Still, there's something that's especially sad when they do. Say what you will about the political leanings of your favorite rag, but newspapers -- along with soldiers, good citizens and, yes, even lawyers -- are one of the reasons we still have the rights we still have.

A newspaper is circling the drain in Cincinnati where the Post is ending 126 years of service.

There won't even be a glass of champagne hoisted, as the bosses have warned employees against bringing booze into work on the last day.

One hopes we'll never experience such a scene here. The odds, however, say we will.

We're the most... whatever

Posted at 10:42 PM on December 27, 2007 by Bob Collins (3 Comments)

One thing I was taught by an old MPR news director back in the day was: Minnesotans love surveys that show Minnesota in a good light. And now, I love them, too.

We really should begin to make a good list of the "most whatever" in which Minnesota -- or Minnesota cities -- rank high. A few weeks ago it was determined we are the 6th most happy, although it's still unclear what South Dakota is allfired giddy about.

This week we learned we're #5 in economic impact of hunting and fishing. And our relative contentment at being almost first was displayed when we were named the second most healthy state.

Now, according to Central Connecticut State University, which if nothing else knows when to issue a news release about its obscure school, Minneapolis is the most literate city in America. And St. Paul is 3rd, just behind Seattle.

Continue reading "We're the most... whatever"