Offbeats

A shopping line argument at a Marshalls store in Kearny, New Jersey, ended in a stabbing. Authorities report that 25-year-old Amber Thompson became upset Saturday when she thought another customer was moving too slowly in the checkout line. Police say…

Santa Rosa police have arrested 39-year-old Robert Lopez in connection with an organized Lego theft operation. Officers recovered tens of thousands of stolen Lego pieces and unopened sets worth $6,000 from his residence. The New York Times' Jin Yu Young…

The JM Smucker Company filed a trademark infringement lawsuit in Ohio against Trader Joe's, claiming the grocery chain's crustless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches copy their popular Uncrustables brand. Smucker's alleges Trader Joe's product is "an obvious copycat" featuring identical…

The British Library has reinstated Oscar Wilde's reader's card, 130 years after revoking his access following his 1895 conviction for "gross indecency" based on homosexual relationships. Library trustees had canceled Wilde's card in June 1895, weeks into his two-year prison…

Amherst, Nova Scotia is partnering with the Lillian Allbon Animal Shelter to choose the town's inaugural "pet mayor" from 10 animal candidates. Public voting on the shelter's website costs CA$5 ($3.56 U.S.) per vote, with proceeds supporting shelter animals. Nine…

A pumpkin has appeared atop the University of Montana's Main Hall spire for the 30th straight year, continuing a mysterious homecoming tradition that began in 1995. An anonymous climber recently disclosed how the nighttime prank works to NBC Montana. The…

On Inc., a Swiss shoe manufacturer with North American headquarters in Portland, faces a federal class action lawsuit over squeaking sneakers. Law firm Markowitz Herbold filed the case last week in Portland federal court, claiming On's CloudTec technology produces "a…

A 10-year-old boy named Kao in western Thailand received free laser tattoo removal after bullies inked the word "pussy" on his forehead using a makeshift tattoo gun. Local tattoo artist Janjira "Frame" Kaewket volunteered to help remove the markings after…

Laurence Watkins from New Zealand holds the Guinness World Record for the longest personal name, containing 2,253 individual words that take 20 minutes to recite. The 60-year-old retired security guard changed his name in 1990 after being inspired by "Ripley's…

California Highway Patrol officers in Merced stopped a motorist using a homemade license plate that mimicked an official state plate. An officer noticed "something unusual about the rear license plate" during the traffic stop. "Upon closer look, it turned out…

A foster kitten named Wendy was captured on security camera dropping a dead mouse into her family's cooking pot in California. The Merced SPCA shared the kitchen camera footage showing the moment Wendy added her "spice" to dinner. "Wendy is…

Animal rescuers in Suffolk County, New York successfully freed a kitten trapped in a storm drain pipe using an innovative remote-controlled car method. The Strong Island Animal Rescue League responded Tuesday night to a call from Suffolk police about the…

Brandon Dawson claimed victory at the 2025 Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-off in Half Moon Bay, California, with his 2,346-pound pumpkin. Dawson, whose 2,465-pound entry finished second in 2024, earned $21,114 for his winning gourd at $9 per pound. Defending…

A man urinated on the Altar of the Confession at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on October 10th around 9:30 a.m. local time, witnessed by hundreds of tourists. The individual bypassed security barriers, climbed the altar steps, and committed…

Instagram announced new content protections for teenage users that mirror PG-13 movie rating guidelines. The automatic update affects Teen Accounts launched last year, which already restrict who can contact teens and limit screen time. Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri explained…

Kim Kardashian's SKIMS brand released faux pubic hair string thongs on Tuesday, featuring hand-made super sheer stretch mesh underwear with attached "pubic hair" in twelve shade variations. The merkin-style undergarments come in nude skin colors with elastic side straps and…

A West Texas family discovered NASA research equipment on their Hale County farm after strong winds pushed it off its intended path. Ann Vincent Walter's son Hayden first spotted what appeared to be a weather balloon with a parachute over…

Dairy farmer Tony Louters in California's Central Valley equips his cows with high-tech collars containing sensors and WiFi instead of traditional bells. The Merck-developed collars function as early-warning systems, detecting health problems before symptoms appear. Louters says the technology saved…

The Canadian Space Agency awarded $1 million to Canadian Space Mining Corporation to create a low-enriched uranium nuclear reactor for moon operations. Company founder Daniel Sax says "Canada is really good at space technology. We're also really good at nuclear,"…

A Florida man named Jordan Cotto, 26, faces battery charges after allegedly hurling a cheeseburger at a man outside Atlantis Gentlemen's Club on Friday night. Police say Cotto arrived at the Tampa-area establishment to speak with management but became involved…

A Pennsylvania family discovered their cat Ray Ray had traveled 100 miles clinging to luggage on their van's roof during a trip to New Hampshire. The Denardo family from Kittanning found the feline at a gas station after driving 70…

Florida man Justin Farley faces federal charges after allegedly stealing $7,000 worth of scratch-off lottery tickets from a St. Petersburg Circle K on May 5th. Authorities say Farley drove his gray Hyundai Elantra to the store, opened multiple cabinets, and…

An Oklahoma City high school girls basketball team voluntarily returned their championship trophy after their coach discovered they had actually lost the title game. Academy of Classical Christian Studies appeared to defeat Apache High School 44-43 on a buzzer-beater in…

Kenya's Catholic Church has launched a new altar wine brand after discovering the previous sacramental wine was being sold in local bars and liquor shops. "The newly approved wine is not for sale at any business outlet, but is imported…