Strange News

It took Richard Plaud years, not to mention more than 700,000 matchsticks, to build his replica of the Eiffel Tower. The structure stands 7.19 meters, or a little taller than 23.5 feet.

World News

Reversal: Guinness awards record to French man who made Eiffel Tower from matchsticks

11:59am February 09, 2024

by Bill Chappell

Guinness World Records at first rejected a tower replica that Richard Plaud made from more than 700,000 matchsticks. But on further review, the organization said it might have been too "heavy-handed."

These people are all answers. You're welcome.

Famous women made some surprise appearances this week. Were you paying attention?

5:00am February 09, 2024

by Holly J. Morris

With a Grammys comeback performance, an unannounced 'SNL' visit, and an Olympic un-retirement, women were center stage this week. Sorry, Swifties, this time we're not talking about Taylor.

A piece titled 'As Slow as Possible' has been in performance for 21 years — so far

8:00am February 06, 2024

by Rob Schmitz

A John Cage piece for organ titled ASLSP — as slow as possible — lives up to its name. It has been in performance for 21 years so far.

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Punxsutawney Groundhog Club President Tom Dunkel and groundhog handler AJ Derume with Punxsutawney Phil, at last year's annual Groundhog Day festivities in Punxsutawney, Pa.

National

Watch Groundhog Day 2024: Punxsutawney Phil declares an early spring

1:17pm February 02, 2024

by Bill Chappell

For Groundhog Day in 2024, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow, elating a massive crowd at Gobbler's Knob.

Have a seat on my couch: When the beloved children's character Elmo asked people how they were doing, the responses came from far beyond Sesame Street.

Elmo takes a turn as a therapist after asking, 'How is everybody doing?'

7:22pm January 31, 2024

by Bill Chappell

When the beloved red Muppet asked people how they were doing, they responded with honesty — and, in some cases, despair. Elmo replied to many messages with encouragement and empathy.

Foul-mouthed parrots at an animal park in England have become an attraction in their own right — but staff still do their best to shield young visitors from the birds' profanities.

World News

Sweary parrots become unlikely stars at a British zoo ($#@%!)

3:50pm January 25, 2024

by Bill Chappell

The profane parrots please patrons, despite the staff's fears that visitors might be scandalized from hearing so much salty language from the birds.

The dodecahedron was found fully intact and in excellent condition.

Amateur archaeologists uncover a mysterious ancient Roman artifact in England

12:01pm January 24, 2024

by Diba Mohtasham

More than 100 of these artifacts have been found across Europe, but no one knows what they were used for. This dodecahedron was discovered fully intact and in excellent condition.

From things that suck to stars that shine — it's the weekly news quiz

5:00am January 19, 2024

by Holly J. Morris

This week, we saw the Iowa caucuses suck up news coverage, an ancient space entity suck in stars, and low temps suck the charge from Teslas. Were you paying attention?

Woman sues Hershey for $5 million because candy doesn't match the wrapper design

4:13pm January 04, 2024

The Hershey Company is being sued for their Reese's holiday candies. The complaint alleges deceptive packaging as the peanut butter cups do not have "cute faces" as displayed on the wrapper.

The New Year's Eve ball drops in a mostly empty Times Square on Jan. 1, 2021, in New York City.

National

Beyond the ball drop: a pickle, pine cones and a MoonPie will mark the new year

1:47pm December 31, 2023

by Juliana Kim

Times Square is not the only place that drops something to count down to the new year. A duck decoy, a MoonPie and a pickle are some of the other things that will descend at midnight.