Former college design professor Don Glickman was 93 and dying when he and his daughter discussed how he wanted to be memorialized, The (Spokane) Spokesman-Review reported on Feb. 9. Leah Glickman said her father faced his fate head-on: "We never used words in our house like 'he passed,'" she said. "We said, 'he died.' No one gets out of here alive." She and her dad came up with a clever idea: Send out postcards to family and friends, announcing his death. On the front is a photo of Glickman and the text, "If you're reading this, I'm dead, and I really liked you," with a small sketch of him that had become his signature. On the back, Leah wrote, "After 94 years on this planet, my dad has departed. ... In a last act of design and Glickman ethos, he asked that this postcard be created, photo and text chosen by him." Glickman died on Nov. 11. Former student Jason Snape, 56, got a postcard. "It made me laugh really hard because it was just so him," Snape said. "It's unusual, it's sweet, it's straightforward." [Spokesman-Review, 2/9/2026]

Sir, This Is a Wendy's

City officials in Gastonia, North Carolina, got involved after a video surfaced of someone getting a tattoo in a Wendy's dining room in the city, WBTV reported. The video was recorded on Feb. 5 from outside the restaurant and shows a man with his shirt off and another person sitting behind him, wearing blue gloves and holding a tattoo gun. A city official said an environmental health team member talked to the store manager on Feb. 6 and reminded them that the restaurant "cannot tattoo without a permit." For its part, the franchisee said they "took immediate disciplinary action to address the situation." [WBTV, 2/6/2026]

The Passing Parade

Residents of Stoughton, Wisconsin, have been complaining to police about someone using a city park as their toilet, WMTV reported on Feb. 7. The Stoughton Police Department said it had received numerous calls from citizens who found human feces and used toilet paper along a walking path in the park. Using trail cameras, police discovered the person was fouling the park in the early morning hours, then used a drone to catch a 46-year-old woman in the act. Officers say the woman is not homeless and doesn't appear to be mentally impaired. [WMTV, 2/7/2026]

Awkward

Olympic gold-winning downhill skier Breezy Johnson was jumping around in excitement after her medal ceremony in Italy on Feb. 8 when the medal broke, the Associated Press reported. "It's not crazy broken, but a little broken," Johnson said. She's not the only Olympian to experience a medal malfunction. German biathlete Justus Strelow realized his bronze medal had fallen to the floor as he danced with teammates, and U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu posted a photo of her team gold medal detached from its ribbon. Chief games operations officer Andrea Francisi said they're working on it. "The medal is the dream of the athletes, so we want that in the moment they are given it that everything is absolutely perfect." [AP, 2/9/2026]

Hair Today

During a boxing match on Jan. 31 in New York, heavyweight Jarrell Miller lost his head -- or at least, his hair. Fox News reported that as Miller fought Kingsley Ibeh, one of Ibeh's punches knocked Miller's head back, and his hairpiece flew upward from the front, revealing a mostly bald head. Miller ripped off the toupee and thew it into the crowd, where spectators posed for photos with it. Strangely, Miller said he got the hairpiece just two days before, after he accidentally washed his hair with "ammonia bleach" instead of shampoo. Miller won the bout in a split decision. [Fox News, 2/1/2026]

Nope

At Ershui Junior High School in Taiwan, it's not enough to be successful in the classroom, Oddity Central reported on Feb. 10. Before their graduation certificates can be signed, students must scale a 15-meter-high rock-climbing wall. The students take six climbing lessons each week in preparation for the test. The school says the training challenges students' limits and cultivates focus and physical coordination. [Oddity Central, 2/10/2026]

Wait, What?

Christopher Carroll, 36, was suspended from his job as a paramedic with the Baltimore County Fire Department and is facing 23 criminal charges following inexplicable behavior at work and elsewhere, WSFA-TV reported on Feb. 7. Investigators said Carroll urinated in different spots all over his workplace, including on his supervisor's keyboard, in a pot of chili, in coffee creamer and in an icemaker. Prosecutors said Carroll "urinated into the ice, wiped on a scoop and used the scoop to mix the urine throughout the ice" -- all while filming himself. Other targets were someone's ChapStick, a can of vegetables and a carton of orange juice. Officials believe Carroll was making the videos to post to online subscription services. He was denied bail. [WSFA, 2/7/2026]

Oversharing

Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid, who won bronze in the 20km individual event, stunningly announced in his post-event interview on Feb. 10 that he had cheated on his girlfriend three months ago, Yahoo! News reported. Through tears, Laegreid, 28, said he met "the love of my life" six months ago, then "made the biggest mistake of my life." He said his sport had "taken a back seat in recent days." For her part, the girlfriend called his revelation "hard to forgive. Even after a declaration of love in front of the whole world." Later, Laegreid told a group of reporters, "Maybe it was really selfish of me to give that interview. I'm not really here mentally." [Yahoo! News, 2/11/2026]

News You Can Use?

Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed new technology to ... yes, it's true ... count the number of times people pass gas each day. The New York Post reported on Feb. 10 that previously, scientists believed people tooted on average 14 times a day, but UMD reported that the number is more like 32 times a day. The team created Smart Underwear, a wearable device that snaps into regular underwear and detects increased hydrogen levels. They say the previous lower estimates were based on self-reporting and people's varying ideas of what counts as flatulence. UMD is looking for participants for its Human Flatus Atlas, which will measure the gas patterns of hundreds of people -- in case you're interested. [NY Post, 4/10/2026]

Awesome!

Six-year-old Girl Scout Pim from Pittsburgh, whom her dad calls "literally unstoppable," has sold more than 75,000 boxes of cookies this year, People magazine reported on Feb. 11. Her numbers exceeded the previous record for single-year sales, and now she has her eye on the lifetime record, 180,000 boxes. Pim's go-getter attitude goes beyond cookie sales; she read 506 books last summer for her library's reading program, and her sales accounted for 10% of her school's popcorn fundraising effort. Pim's dad calls her troop "a place to be herself and belong. She is welcomed and loved." Go, Pim! [People, 2/11/2026]

Government in Action

Listen up, 29-year-olds in France: Health minister Stephanie Rist wants you to get busy! The Independent reported on Feb. 9 that all 29-year-olds in France will be receiving a letter from the government with "targeted, balanced and scientifically based information on sexual and reproductive health," the health ministry said. Rist said France's "concrete and long-awaited measures" will include increasing the number of fertility preservation centers. Critics suggest raising maternity leave from 16 to 26 weeks would have a greater impact. [Independent, 2/9/2026]

LEAD STORY -- Creme de la Weird

Rangueil Hospital's emergency department in Toulouse, France, had to be evacuated on Jan. 31 after a man showed up with a World War I-era explosive ... in his rectum. The Irish Star reported that the 24-year-old man was complaining of discomfort because of an "inserted object," but doctors didn't realize what it was until they had begun to treat him. Hospital staff alerted police, who locked down the facility until bomb disposal experts determined that the device was harmless. Surgery proceeded, and the 8-by-2-inch shell was successfully removed. [The Irish Star, 2/2/2026]

In (Probably Not) Related News ...

KRCG-TV reported on Jan. 30 that Fort Leonard Wood in Pulaski County, Missouri, is offering a $5,000 reward for recovery of an explosive device that was stolen from the base's Ammunition Supply Point late last year. The "demolition shaped charge" uses "a specially shaped, explosive-filled cavity to focus the effect of the explosion," according to the U.S. Marines website. [KRCG, 1/30/2026]

Bright Idea

If you really want to make an impression on your Valentine, check out the McDonald's McNugget Caviar Kit. USA Today reported on Feb. 2 that the burger chain is offering a free kit when you sign up online, which includes chicken nuggets (of course), a 1-ounce tin of caviar, a $25 McDonald's gift card, creme fraiche and a mother of pearl caviar spoon. Sign-ups begin on Feb. 10 at 11 a.m. Eastern time. The combo was inspired by a dish served at the U.S. Open in August. That kit, however, set diners back $100. You can get in on the action at mcnuggetcaviar.com. [USA Today, 2/2/2026]

The Continuing Crisis

At the University of Alaska Fairbanks, master's student Nick Dwyer submitted 160 images made through collaboration with AI to an art show, The Sun Star reported on Jan. 14. Dwyer said his work "explores identity, character narrative creation and crafting false memories of relationships ... after a state of AI psychosis." Fellow student Graham Granger, 19, however, wasn't a fan. On Jan. 13, Granger was found "ripping artwork off the walls and eating it in a reported protest," the UAF police department said. He chewed and spit out at least 57 of the 160 images in Dwyer's exhibit. Granger said he opposed Dwyer's use of ChatGPT and the school's AI policy. "I'm surprisingly fine," Granger said after chewing up the photos. "I've eaten paper on, like, dares before, so I've learned a method, like, over the course of my life." Granger was arraigned on charges of criminal mischief and will appear in court in March. [The Sun Star, 1/26/2026]

Awesome!

Thirteen-year-old Austin Appelbee is being called a hero after he swam through rough waters off the coast of Western Australia to summon help for his family, CNN reported. The family had gone out on Jan. 30 to paddleboard and kayak, but the waves swept them out to sea. Austin, who has been swimming since he was young, decided to swim the 2.5 miles back to shore to get help. "The waves were massive. I hit the bottom of the beach and I just collapsed and then after that I had to sprint 2 kilometers to go get the phone," he said. Volunteer marine rescuers found his mom and two siblings clinging to a paddleboard, and they were rescued and returned to shore. Marine Rescue commander Paul Bresland called Austin's feat a "superhuman effort." [CNN, 2/3/2026]

It's a Mystery

If you are the woman who dropped off a human skull at the Goodwill Donation Center in Chelsea, Michigan, on Jan. 26, the Chelsea Police Department would like a word. CBS News reported that a woman, who was caught on the store's surveillance camera, brought in a skull wrapped in a shirt. The skull appeared to be intact and didn't have any "visible damage." Officers turned it over to the county medical examiner, who forwarded it to the anthropology department at the University of Michigan for further study. [CBS News, 2/4/2026]

That Calls for a Bronze Medal

Just four minutes into the mixed doubles curling competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics, the lights went out, the Associated Press reported on Feb. 4. Four matches came to a halt as the athletes waited for the power to come back on. Olympic officials said the interruption was "due to an energy-related issue" (really?), and the lights were back on within about three minutes. [AP, 2/4/2026]

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

At a high school boys' basketball game in Frederick, Oklahoma, on Jan. 29, an official made the unusual move of ejecting the home team's entire fan section, KFOR-TV reported. The game between Frederick and Mangum was late in the fourth quarter when an official called a foul. One fan stood up to yell at the official, then left. The referee conferred with the school administrator on hand, who announced, "The officials ask that the whole side clear." Play didn't resume until all the fans had cleared the gym, but radio announcer Chad Fox said some were standing outside the doors, trying to peek inside. "The official might have been called a few names for a while," he said. The Frederick superintendent provided a statement, saying the district "reaffirms its commitment to upholding sportsmanship standards." [KFOR, 2/3/2026]

The Tech Revolution

Tasmania Tours website owner Scott Hennessy admitted that "Our AI has messed up completely" after the technology hallucinated some tourist destinations in Tasmania, Australia, that do not exist. ABC reported on Jan. 21 that the site had directed travelers to the Weldborough Hot Springs, offering a "peaceful escape" and "authentic connection to nature." One small issue: The website did not provide directions, so many people stopped at a pub for guidance. Pub owner Kristy Probert set them straight: "The Weld River, which runs through Weldborough, is freezing cold. It's definitely, definitely not a hot spring." Hennessy said the company had outsourced its marketing materials, and that company used AI to produce some of the content. "We're not a scam, we're a married couple trying to do the right thing by people," he said. [ABC, 1/21/2026]

The Entrepreneurial Spirit

On Feb. 1, as a freak snowstorm blanketed parts of North Carolina, former Little Caesars employee Jonathon Hackett, 41, broke into a Little Caesars store in Kinston and started making pizzas to sell, the Charlotte Observer reported. Correction: Hackett broke in TWICE. The first time, he made and sold pizzas to customers, keeping the proceeds for himself. The second time, employees were still in the store and tried to stop him from entering, police said. Hackett was charged with three felonies. [Charlotte Observer, 2/3/2026]

Least Competent Criminal

An unnamed Passaic County, New Jersey, man who got a ticket on Jan. 28 called the police department on Jan. 29 to complain about it, NJ.com reported. Because of the disturbing comments the 38-year-old made on that call, East Rutherford police went to his location for a welfare check. The man was sitting in his car and saw officers approaching; "the driver accelerated at a high rate of speed illegally, passing several vehicles, putting the motoring public at risk," police said. Police declined to chase him, and shortly afterward, the suspect "made several phone calls to the East Rutherford Police Department, bragging about being able to elude the officers," Capt. Jeff Yannacone said. The next day, the man was arrested at his home and charged with third-degree eluding police, along with many traffic citations. [NJ.com, 2/3/2026]

Kevin Westerhold, 51, was arrested on Jan. 27 at his home in Oviedo, Florida, ClickOrlando reported. Westerhold was sought after an incident on Jan. 22 at Windsor Hills Resort, near Disney World, in which "a male, partially clothed ... engaged in a sexual performance with a vacuum cleaner," the Osceola County Sheriff's Office said. Witnesses provided a cellphone recording of the act, but the suspect had left by the time officers arrived. Other residents of the area had reported similar occurrences to the HOA in December. Westerhold was charged with exposure of sexual organs. [ClickOrlando, 1/29/2026]

Awesome!

It's the 40th anniversary of Super Bowl XX, when the Chicago Bears won their one and only Vince Lombardi Trophy. So, WGN-TV reported on Jan. 26, what better way to celebrate than with a piece of Bears memorabilia? Up for sale at Goldin Auctions is the iconic sweater vest that became a uniform for Bears coach Mike Ditka. It comes with a letter of provenance from Ditka. (Bring your piggy bank: As of this writing, the bidding was up to $82,000.) "This wasn't Nike or Reebok or someone telling a coach what to wear," said Darren Rovell, founder of media site Collect Media. "He was going to wear it every time." Fans of the team still wear replica vests at games; the size of the original is XXL. [WGN, 1/26/2026]

People With Issues

After a romantic relationship ended, Eyvan Collins of Burnaby, British Columbia, "just needed to do something with it," they said. Thus was born the Museum of Personal Failure at the Kingsgate Mall in Vancouver. United Press International reported that Collins posted signs around the region seeking exhibits, with the headline "Failures wanted." The museum has a "wall of reject" with job application rejections and firing notices. A knife maker with Lynn Valley Forge donated a knife he had made that was unable to be sharpened because of the chemical properties in an oil he used. Also on display are tie rods from a failed car repair, failed songs from a local music producer, and Collins' mother's wedding gown, which she named "Threads of Innocence." [UPI, 1/26/2026]

It's Come to This

CNN reported on Jan. 23 that in advance of the winter storm affecting much of the nation, FEMA was warned not to use the word "ice" in any of their messaging or signage because doing so could spark confusion or online mockery. The Department of Homeland Security allegedly delivered the directive on Jan. 22. However, a FEMA spokesperson said in a statement: "FEMA will use correct and accurate descriptors of weather conditions to communicate clearly to the American people." [CNN, 1/23/2026]

And So It Begins

A chain pub in Tokyo called Tori Yaro has drawn a line in the sand: No geezers are welcome at their Shibuya location, Japan Today reported on Jan. 25. A posted sign reads: "This is an izakaya (pub) for younger generations. Pub for under-40 only." The sign goes on to specify that as long as one person in the group is 39 or under, others will be admitted with them. "With older customers, they tend to make a lot of complaints about the restaurant being too noisy and such, so we decided to limit who's coming in," said Toshihiro Nagano, a PR spokesperson for the chain. But here's a secret: Tori Yaro will admit over-40s who are "OK with the noise level" and "have the spirit of a 20-something." Whew. [Japan Today, 1/25/2026]

Next Up: Cow Tools

Veronika, a Swiss brown cow who lives in Austria, has been documented using a tool, Live Science reported on Jan. 19. Witgar Wiegele, Veronika's owner, had seen her picking up sticks with her mouth occasionally over about nine years, but then Alice Auersperg, a cognitive biologist at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, raised the bar. Auersperg and a colleague visited Veronika and placed a broom near her. The cow used the broom to scratch her back, employing the brush end about 2.5 times more than the handle end. She learned to use the handle end to scratch more delicate areas, like her udder or navel. She would also readjust her grip on the broom for a better angle. "It showed the kind of a behavior I would expect from the stricter definitions of tool use," Auersperg said. [Live Science, 1/19/2026]

The Tech Revolution

First, we had to be afraid that students would use AI to write papers and otherwise cheat their way through school. Now, NBC News reported on Jan. 28, AI is helping students "dumb down" their work so that it's more believably original. New generative AI tools, some costing about $20 per month, "humanize" text so that it doesn't seem to be created by AI. But there's more! Other software will detect text that has been reviewed by a humanizer. "So where are we? We're just in a spiral that will never end," said Erin Ramirez, an associate professor of education at California State University. Aldan Creo, a graduate student from Spain, said he sometimes turns in his original work with a few misspelled words or using Spanish structures that aren't proper English, just so he won't be accused of using AI. "Long term, I think it's going to be a big problem," he said. [NBC News, 1/28/2026]

Yeah, That'll Work

The Independent reported on Jan. 29 that the Royal Navy is cracking down on boozy sailors. Under the new policy, crewmembers will be restricted to 14 "units" of alcohol (about 6 pints) per week, and ships will be dry on certain days. The change is in response to "significant concerns" about alcohol consumption. For their part, sailors are worried that the move is a slippery slope toward banning booze altogether. One retired rear admiral says the rule could affect morale. "You can screw down a system too much," Chris Parry said. "Sailors take great risks and make big sacrifices." [Independent, 1/29/2026]

News You Can Use

Having a Super Bowl party? You need this: Heinz revealed on Jan. 27 the KegChup -- a 19.5-inch-tall dispenser full of 114 ounces of that beloved sweet red condiment. KTLA-TV reported that Heinz is hoping to stave off the horror of running out of ketchup at football parties. Jamie Mack, associate director of brand communication for Heinz U.S., said the KegChup is "the ultimate game-day companion that gives people the freedom to dip responsibly." Fans entered to win the KegChup; if you missed the contest, you can sign up for news and updates at heinzkegchup.com. [KTLA, 1/27/2026]

Awwwwww

On Jan. 24, a calf was born on a Mount Sterling, Kentucky, farm during single-digit temperatures, the Associated Press reported. When farmer Tanner Sorrell went out to check on the mother and baby, the calf was "just frozen. Her umbilical cord looked like a popsicle," said Sorrell's wife, Macey. The family made a quick decision to bring the calf into their home to warm up. "I took out the blow dryer and warmed her up, and got her all fluffed out," Macey said. Soon the visitor was curled up on the couch with her young children, and 3-year-old Gregory named her Sally. The next morning, Sally was reunited with her mom, and all are doing well. [AP, 1/29/2026]