Strange News

Tourists Who Steal Volcanic Rock Are Said To Unleash A Curse

8:09am May 28, 2017

Jessica Ferracane of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park explains why hundreds of visitors a year mail back pieces of volcanic rock they've taken from the park. The answer has to do with a mythic curse.

Forty years after The Dallas Morning News ran a review for the original Star Wars calling Chewbacca a "wookie," the paper issued a correction noting that the spelling is actually wookiee.

National

NPR News Nuggets: It's A Win For The Wookiees, Twitter's Power & Baby Bears

9:00am May 27, 2017

by Wynne Davis

Here's a quick roundup of some of the mini-moments you may have missed on this week's Morning Edition.

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Texas Teachers Give Student 'Most Likely To Become A Terrorist' Award

2:00pm May 26, 2017

by Camila Domonoske

The Channelview Independent School District has apologized for the "poor attempt to poke fun" after 13-year-old honors student Lizeth Villanueva received the award.

A man dressed in a Chewbacca costume throws his arms aloft in what can only be a confounding mix of emotions: triumph, sure — but also righteous indignation at all the decades lost to reckless misspelling.

40 Years After 'Star Wars' Error, Newspaper Apologizes To Wookiee Community

4:39pm May 25, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

In its 1977 review, The Dallas Morning News called Chewbacca a "Wookie." Now, on the film's 40th anniversary, the long national nightmare has ended. On that note: We, too, have something to confess.

Cheap Fake Diamond Ring Turns Out To Be Very Real And Very Valuable

5:03am May 24, 2017

A woman bought a ring for cheap many years ago, thinking it was fake. It turned out to be real. Sotheby's is auctioning the ring off next month and it's expected to go for more than $450,000.

Go To Ocala For Everything Flamingo-Related

5:03am May 24, 2017

Cindy Dunlow said she has the world record for the largest flamingo paraphernalia collection. She collects it in her Ocala, Fla., frame shop.

Male Rompers: Could This Garment Be The Worst Idea Ever?

6:33pm May 20, 2017

NPR's Michel Martin interviews Washington Post style editor Robin Givhan about the questionable new fashion curiosity — male rompers.

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"I have been ordered to say that Lord Bigglesworth believes he was put on this earth to be decorative and be worshipped by his human slaves," writes Gina Brett of Cat People of Melbourne.

Will Someone Please Adopt This 'Utter Bastard Of A Cat'?

3:02pm May 19, 2017

by Camila Domonoske

A rescue group in Australia is looking for someone to take in a gorgeous black rescue cat. But be warned: "Mr. Biggles is a despot and a dictator" who "does not like to be thwarted."

George W. Bush Photo-Bombs A Reporter

5:17am May 19, 2017

Fox Sports reporter Emily Jones was talking on camera about a Texas Rangers player when a baseball fan photo-bombed her. That fan was former President George W. Bush, who walked by and yelled, "Hey!"

Fourth-Grader Apologizes For Stealing Pen And Hazelnut From Oregon Capitol

5:10am May 19, 2017

During a tour of the Oregon State Capitol, a fourth-grader swiped a pen and a hazelnut. His mom made him write an apology to the governor. Gov. Kate Brown wrote back, and enclosed a new pen.