Catching The Future of News

Posted at 4:50 PM on November 20, 2009 by Julia Schrenkler

We continue the discussion - and keep rolling out video - from The Future of News summit on Monday, November 16, 2009.

From the intro

To the summary

You'll find plenty to comment on... or you can even replay through the comments and tweets.

* Check thefutureofnews.org frequently, as we continue to post video and new discussions.

A few things about MPR

Posted at 12:18 PM on November 19, 2009 by Julia Schrenkler

It isn't always easy for a news organization to cover the news that surrounds it, but here are a few places we've communicated about MPR:

* MPR President Bill Kling took your questions on Midday (archive audio will be available) and talked about The Future of News Summit.

* State of the Arts blog: How MPR did in "Give to the Max Day"

* Learn more about MPR

If you don't uncover the information you seek, please don't be shy, just contact us.

Discuss the new mammogram guidelines

Posted at 9:50 AM on November 18, 2009 by Julia Schrenkler

MPR News is always interested in your perspective when medical practice and personal experience meet. The NewsQ Commentary this morning dives right in:

"A government health task force released a report Monday stating that women in their 40s shouldn't bother getting mammograms. According to its research, only one life in 1,000 is saved. If so, that life is mine and, not to sound egotistical, I like to think it was worth saving."

Share your reactions on the commentary: How you see statistics on breast cancer may depend on whether you've had it.

More:
* Join the online discussion on mnlife.gather.com
* News Cut: Mammogram panels?
* Today's Question: What do you think of the new guidelines discouraging mammograms for women under 50?
* MPRNewsQ: Health coverage collection

What would you do if you weren't afraid to do it?

Posted at 8:33 AM on November 17, 2009 by Julia Schrenkler

Each weekday morning Bob Collins posts his "Five at 8" News Cut entry. He includes five (imagine that) web sites or stories that are of interest, and often slips in discussion questions. Sometimes you have you look to find them, but today's is directly under a wingsuit skydiving video:

What would you do if you weren't afraid to do it?

Answer on News Cut, I'm looking forward to reading the comments there.

Discuss The Future of News

Posted at 5:04 AM on November 16, 2009 by Julia Schrenkler

Starting at 9 a.m. MPR will host The Future of News: Creating a new model for regional journalism in America. Although the summit is booked full, anyone interested in news can attend online. You'll be able to stream live video of the presentations and panels, join our liveblog/chat session, submit questions and comments for the panelists, and participate in online discussions.

You don't have to be a journalist to be interested in the state of news. Share your own thoughts about journalism on thefutureofnews.org, and inform the evolution.

* Join us at thefutureofnews.org

Read a story, tell your story

Posted at 6:03 PM on November 12, 2009 by Julia Schrenkler

Tonight I read the story Wally couldn't tell on News Cut. If you asked me to recommend one blog post to read today, I'd recommend that one as written by my coworker Bob Collins.

After I read it, I wondered about the unexplored, unspoken stories we carry. I considered the knowledge, the experiences and the observations we make on a daily basis. Please share what you know with MPR, and become a part of our Public Insight Network.

Share your experiences as a pedestrian in the Twin Cities

Posted at 2:45 PM on November 10, 2009 by Julia Schrenkler

I'm reading the answers to Today's Question: Do you feel safe as a pedestrian in the Twin Cities? At time of writing there are 35 replies to varying degrees of comfort:

"I've been almost hit quite a few times. Invariably, the driver is looking at where cars might be coming from and are not checking in with where pedestrians might be coming from (eg: turning on to a one-way street). Sometimes they don't even see that something might have happened if I hadn't jumped out of the way. I give their car a slap with my hand, hoping to startle them into maybe paying more attention next time. With great power comes great responsibility and giant metal boxes=great power." Posted by Sarah

"As a pedestrian in Minneapolis, I feel safe because I always look both ways before venturing into the wild unknown of Minnesota drivers." Posted by Michael Venske

"A few months ago, I was hit by a car while crossing the street in daylight, in a crosswalk, with a 'walk' sign. I'm OK, but I don't feel especially safe as a pedestrian anymore." Posted by Charlie

"Yes, I feel safe as a pedestrian in Minneapolis. However, compared with another safe city, Seattle, Minneapolis drivers are not respectful of crosswalks, and seldom yield to pedestrians." Posted by Don Nygaard

Read all the answers and share your own reply.

Could you make your own work?

Posted at 7:28 AM on November 9, 2009 by Julia Schrenkler

While one headline on MPRNewsQ states that being unemployed is tougher than it used to be, I also spotted a Marketplace commentary with Charles Handy: Need work? Trying making your own. Commenter Mark Norton of Traverse City, Mich. reacted:

Mr. Handy hit the nail right on the head. I left corporate America at 41 and would prefer to never work for another company again. I work harder than ever, but I sleep well at night knowing that what I do for people has a greater positive effect on my customers who greatly appreciate me. Like I told another business owner yesterday, I have over 400 bosses and for the most part, I really like each one. Even in a bad economy, creativity and perseverence (along with some prayers...) have allowed us to make it through. Maybe not perfect, but better than constantly worrying about losing your job.

Is it? Who is unemployed, and how do their stories compare with your own? Read and comment on News Cut: The Unemployed Series

Checking in on the health care vote

Posted at 10:41 AM on November 8, 2009 by Julia Schrenkler

As noted on MPRNewsQ, the Democrats' health care reform bill passes House. Join our open online discussion to share your reactions.

* News Cut: Behind the health care vote
* Polinaut: House passes health care overhaul bill
* MPRNewsQ coverage collection: Health Care Reform

Around the MPRNewsQ blogs

Posted at 9:03 AM on November 6, 2009 by Julia Schrenkler

First, grab the knowledge weekday cheat-sheets. The Daily Digest from Polinaut and News Cut's Five at 8 are a newsie's version of a racing form: the good, the notable, the interesting. Perhaps the knowledge will somehow pay off during your day. Dig into these blog entries from our other MPRNewsQ blogs:

* For the Friday weather forecast, Updraft's Paul Huttner goes out on a limb.
* Paul Tosto of MinnEcon reports on the jobless aid, housing credit extensions today
* On State of the Arts, Euan Kerr introduces you to a man who had a man who stares at goats stare at him. Clearly, he lived to tell.