Government in Action
Rankin, Pennsylvania, got its first snowfall last month, but it was less than prepared, KDKA-TV reported. Alas, Rankin has only one public works employee — and that employee isn’t licensed to operate a snowplow. Still, borough resident Marcus Clay cut them some slack: “They didn’t do too bad. It was better than it was last year.” Borough council member Walter Sewell hopefully noted, “We’re working through it.” The city subcontracted with some local businesses, and in the spirit of the season, even residents chipped in, shoveling and salting their own blocks. It takes a village. [KDKA, 12/2/2025]
Workers’ Comp?
• The perils of working … outside. On Dec. 2, as Jessica Tyson, 32, filmed a segment for a current affairs show in Auckland, New Zealand, a low-flying bird struck her in the face, United Press International reported. Tyson shared the clip to social media, commenting, “POV Just trying to do your job when nature has other plans. Everything is fine, just got a little scar above my eye.” She’s looking forward to indoor assignments from now on. [UPI, 12/3/2025]
• Utility lineman Werner J. Neubauer responded to a prickly situation in Cochise County, Arizona, United Press International reported on Dec. 1. A bear was stuck at the top of a utility pole and was in danger of being electrocuted, Neubauer said. He shut off electricity to the pole and used a bucket truck to get to the bear’s level, where he poked at it with a fiberglass stick until it slid back down the pole. [UPI, 12/1/2025]
Wait, What?
We hope you got your Christmas order in before Dec. 11 for Mug Root Beer’s limited-edition cologne, “Daddy’s Home.” Fox5 Atlanta reported on Dec. 3 that the company was for the first time detouring into personal care with the scent, which includes aromas of cedar, sandalwood, vanilla, and caramel. “It’s the kind of scent that whispers ‘come to papa’ to dogs and dawgs alike,” the company said. The package was to include a 1.7-ounce cologne and a 10-pack of MUG Root Beer mini cans for the low, low price of $15. “Daddy’s Home by Mug Root Beer is for our die-hard MUG fans who believe root beer rules every sense, not just taste,” a statement read. [Fox5, 12/3/2025]
Nope
Fox News reported that a sky-dining — that’s right, DINING, not DIVING — attraction in Kerala, India, froze at its full height with two adults, two children, and a staff member on deck on Nov 28. The dining experience involves a crane lifting a platform 120 feet in the air, allowing diners to enjoy a panoramic view. However, the hydraulic system powering the lift failed, leaving the riders with no way to get down. Instead, firefighters used ropes to climb to the platform, then put each person in a harness and lowered them to the ground. The whole operation took about four hours. No injuries were reported. [Fox News, 12/1/2025]
Bright Idea
Magician and molecular biologist Zi Teng Wang of St. Louis, Missouri, came up with a fun idea a few years ago: He implanted an RFID chip in his hand and used it to perform magic tricks, Yahoo! News reported on Nov. 28. But the tricks faded and other uses fizzled out, and Wang went on with his life. “When I went to rewrite the chip, I was horrified to realize I forgot the password that I had locked it with,” he said. “I’m still locked out of my own body’s tech, and that’s inconvenient but hilarious.” Ah, techie humor. [Yahoo! News, 11/28/2025]
“Bright” Idea
Officers stopped a speeding car on Dec. 5 in Door County, Wisconsin, WBAY-TV reported. The sheriff’s office said the car was also missing a front headlight on the driver’s side, but no worries: A handheld flashlight had been jerry-rigged in the spot where the headlight should have been. “A flashlight is not a safe or legal replacement for proper headlights,” authorities said. [WBAY, 12/8/2025]
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NEWS OF THE WEIRD
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