Best of News Cut 5x8

1) THAT "NICE" THING (posted Friday, Oct. 5)

Count us as big fans of the United Way of Duluth's ad campaign this year, which nails fairly perfectly the quirks of "Minnesota Nice," at least as how Minnesotans envision it.

But, really, what's the deal with the whole "last piece" thing?

2) PEOPLE DOING GOOD: LEONARDO'S BASEMENT (posted Wednesday, Oct. 3)

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

The Bus 52 people -- the fivesome I profiled here weeks ago -- have released another one of their Minnesota stories on their "stories from every state" tour.

Leonardo's Basement encourages kids to build things, using their imagination.

3) THAT'S ONE FOR THE 'BAND KIDS' (posted Tuesday, Oct. 2)

In many ways, the band kids are harder workers than the jocks. In Roseville, for example, by the time school stars, the "band kids" have been practicing for eight weeks, three-and-a-half hours a day.

"When we talk to the kids, prospective students, we compare it to going out for a varsity sport," Steve Olsen, band director at Rosemount. "Because it's not an MSHSL sport, we can start whenever we want in the summer. Our season's a little longer, but we're kind of done before the football season is done."

Former Stribber John Millea at the State High School League has a terrific article on the kids who don't get anywhere near the recognize the athletes do.

4) PEOPLE, NOT CARS (posted Monday, Oct. 1)

Skyways for bikes? What would happen if cities were redesigned for people, instead of cars?