Strange News

After getting served a pearl in a clam, a couple turned it into an engagement ring

5:08am July 28, 2023

by A Martínez

Engagement ring shopping can be stressful. But a couple had one handed to them on a platter — literally — when they found a pearl inside a clam at a raw bar. They turned it into an engagement ring.

How an Alabama town without ballot boxes has two mayors

5:43pm July 27, 2023

NPR's Juana Summers speaks with columnist Kyle Whitmire of the AL.com. He's been following the story of an Alabama town that has two mayors.

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French's is partnering with Skittles to make limited-edition mustard-flavored candies

7:17am July 27, 2023

by A Martínez

For National Mustard Day next month, French's is partnering with Skittles to make their first-ever mustard-flavored candy. It will only be available in three cities and in an online sweepstakes.

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What will Twitter be named in Japan, since 'X Japan' is already taken by a rock band?

5:14am July 25, 2023

by Leila Fadel

What will Twitter Japan be called now that the parent company is called X? Yoshiki, leader of the band X Japan, say the name is trademarked. Some suggest "X Nippon" — the Japanese name for Japan.

Alabama nursing student Carlee Russell, 25, apologized and asked for prayer after lying about being abducted earlier this month.

National

Carlee Russell says she lied about seeing a lost child and being abducted

6:21pm July 24, 2023

by Juliana Kim

Earlier this month, the 25-year-old Alabama nursing student claimed that she was abducted, blindfolded and forced to undress by two captors.

National

Mischievous otter remains at large in Santa Cruz after harassing surfers

5:25pm July 24, 2023

by Erin Malsbury

In the waters off Santa Cruz, Calif., an otter that's been harassing surfers has been evading capture from state and federal wildlife officials and aquarium biologists, for several weeks.

A Wisconsin man has won the Ernest Hemingway Look-Alike Contest

5:16am July 24, 2023

by Steve Inskeep

There's a new champion in the annual Ernest Hemingway Look-Alike Contest. After 11 tries, a Wisconsin man named Gerrit Marshall finally won — and on this 68th birthday, too!

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A trio of rabbits gather on a driveway, in Wilton Manors, Fla., earlier this month. About 100 lionhead rabbits have taken up residence in the suburban Fort Lauderdale community.

National

Rabbits have overrun a suburban Florida community. Volunteers hop to the rescue

5:01am July 23, 2023

by Emma Bowman

Two years after a resident allegedly let loose lionhead rabbits, the fluffy animals now outnumber the homes in the Jenada Isle neighborhood. The bunny invasion has left some locals hopping mad.

Otter 841 has successfully evaded capture in Santa Cruz, Calif., for more than a week, despite efforts by wildlife officials. The otter has been deemed a public health risk because of its concerning interactions with humans.

National

An otter turned outlaw continues to evade wildlife officials in Santa Cruz

6:01am July 22, 2023

by Dustin Jones

Otter 841 has become a celebrity after a month of stealing surfboards at a popular beach in Santa Cruz. Authorities are trying to catch her, but the otter's fans want her to be left alone in the wild.

'Musky,' a corpse flower with a smell some compare to roadkill, is blooming today

5:18am July 21, 2023

by Leila Fadel

Ever wanted to sniff a stinky flower? Get over to Mitchell Park Domes in Milwaukee if you want to smell "Musky," a corpse flower that only blooms for 24 hours and today is the day.