|
|
What's Going On In The World
Woman, 40, donates a kidney to her former English teacher
: "She is a teacher's pet now," says the 60-year-old kidney recipient and star of the feel-good story of the day. (Elwood Herald Bulletin)
Why didn't 10 witnesses stop this woman from abusing a puppy?
: Police got a report of animal abuse in progress at a shopping center, and when an officer arrived, about 10 witnesses pointed to a young woman clutching a puppy and said she had been throwing it to the ground, stomping...
Eighth-graders suspended for sitting during Pledge of Allegiance
: One of the moms says the "punishment didn't fit the crime. If they wanted to know why he didn't stand, they should've made him write a paper." (Fargo Forum | Star Tribune)
Woman uses "Back to my Mac" to catch laptop thieves
: A tech-savvy woman whose apartment was burglarized solved the crime herself after she was able to log on to her stolen laptop using the "Back to my Mac" program, photograph one of the suspects with the computer and get photos...
Teens accused of using corpse's head to smoke pot
: A cop says one of the suspects "regurgitated in his plate of food when I asked him about it, so I knew there was some truth to the story." The allegation: The boys removed the corpse's head with a garden...
Girl, 2, bounces off her bed and out a second-floor window
: That almost seems cartoon-like. She escaped with a few cuts and bruises. (Denver Post) > Man jumps from third-floor window of Denver government building
"I don't want to wear an orange jumpsuit," teacher told boy
: Too bad; she's shown in today's paper wearing an orange jumpsuit. Here's the latest on Stephanie Ragusa. (St. Petersburg Times)
Road-rager: I thought the car I was ramming was dad's
: A 30-year-old man who rammed a woman's vehicle with his SUV says: "I thought it was my dad that I was ramming and that is why I was doing it. I didn't know it was someone else." He declined to...
"Very cute" skunk forces family out of their home for a year
: Skunk spray traveled through the family's heating and ventilation system, effectively reaching every corner of the house they purchased in 2005 for $940,000. They moved out, and eventually sued their insurance company, even though it's paid $500,000 so far to...
Confiscate a teen's phone and you'll probably find a nude photo
: Buffalo's Pioneer Central School District over the past two months has discovered three cases of teenage girls -- ages 13 to 16 -- electronically sending nude photos to male classmates. The photos came to light when school officials confiscated students'...
"Beach Bob" says the sheriff lied about his exposed scrotum
: The self-described "super-lazy" sunbather is taking case to court. (Naples News)
Cat loses 5 of his 13 pounds while stuck in a wall for six weeks
: A vet believes the animal survived by licking condensation from a hot water pipe that ran through the wall. (Albany Times Union)
Woman files claim against city after son steps in dog poop
: She wants the city of Norwalk to reimburse her for $54 she spent at Stride Rite replacing her toddler's ruined shoes, and the wasted $50-plus in expenses she spent for parking and aquarium admission. She writes in her claim: "After...
DA caught drinking 70 ounces of beer during work hours
: The district attorney then hopped into a county-owned vehicle and drove away. "I will strive to make sure a thing like this never happens again," he says after a TV crew filmed him in the act. Gazette.com)
"Possessed" man accused of ripping off wife's fake leg
: When an officer spoke to the 29-year-old wife, she said, "He ripped my leg off." The report states: "At this point I noticed that she was not wearing any pants and that her right leg appeared to have been amputated...
Cocaine dealer gets the chicken-grease torture treatment
: It was delivered by gang members who called themselves the Body Snatchers. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Brewer in Weed, Calif. told to stop using "Try legal Weed" slogan
: In 2004, Vaune Dillmann moved from Milwaukee to Weed, Calif. and opened a brewery. He topped each of his beer bottles with a cap that reads: "Try legal Weed." The feds recently ordered him to stop using the caps. "It's...
Prospective juror in marijuana case is caught smoking pot
: Cornelia Mayo was nabbed with a joint outside the courthouse during a break. "I've had prospective jurors get lost before, but it never occurred to me that they might be getting ready for a marijuana trial by, allegedly, smoking marijuana,"...
Mayor of Texas town has a bit of a credibility problem
: Her claims: She sang backup for Linda Ronstadt and Jackson Browne, was once engaged to Eagles singer-songwriter Don Henley, and was devastated by a brother's death in Vietnam. Um, it appears they're all fibs. (Dallas Morning News)
Man climbs onto gas station roof to protest high gas prices
: Valparaiso Police and Fire departments were dispatched to the scene to remove musician Jay Weinberg from the roof and control his group of friends who were singing protest songs with the rooftop crooner. "That's just what we need, another headline,"...
Frat president says dumping crap on members isn't hazing
: A bucket containing a "slurry of vomit (and) urine with large brown chunks that could have been feces" was allegedly dumped on three frat members' heads. The frat president admits this was "irresponsible and immature" but insists that "we are...
Man's parked rental car lurches forward, plows into Starbucks
: "The inside of the coffee shop was strewn with chunks of glass, upended furniture, spilled coffee and drops of blood." Don't miss the snarky comments below the reporter's byline. (Bellingham Herald | Photo gallery of the crash scene)
Grandparents to dad: Take $125,000 and give up your kid!
: A tattooed father sporting body piercings and a criminal record turned down a $125,000 "walking check" from grandparents fighting for custody of his son. The dad's lawyer says: "It's subjective, their dislike of him. Body piercings and tattoos are not...
Researchers find men are more than willing to talk about hookers
: A group of researchers -- most of them young women -- invited more than 100 Chicago-area men who frequently use prostitutes to talk about their attitudes and experiences. They were overwhelmed by the response; in fact, more than 200 men...
Wal-Mart terrorist wanted his library book returned, dog walked
: A former Wal-Mart employee who allegedly planned to go on a shooting spree at the store left a note for his wife telling her to return his library book and to walk the dog. He also gave her permission to...
Drunk students arrested for raccoon-hunting hijinks
: The two, who had a bow and arrow, were "literally, like hiding behind bushes and things like that," says police commander Tim McGraw. (Campus Press)
"Paris Hilton Bill"?: Proposal would ban pets on drivers' laps
: I say it's about time! But the California measure to ban drivers from holding a live animal has been lambasted by Rush Limbaugh and ridiculed as the "Paris Hilton Bill." (Sacramento Bee | MediaNews Group/no-reg.)
Claim: St. Pat's Day cotton candy was tainted with ant poison
: The guy who hand-delivered the cotton candy to town offices has gone out of business, explaining that "there is no longer any fun in it. The enjoyment's out." An investigation continues. (Albany Times Union)
Substitute teacher ousted for allegedly practicing wizardry
: The teacher does a trick in which a toothpick disappears, the reappears. He showed it to some middle-schoolers, and that got him into trouble. (Tampa Tribune | Photo and story)
Boy retires Favre jersey after wearing it for 1,581 days straight
: The kid's dad says: "His last day wearing the [Brett Favre] jersey was April 23, which was his 12th birthday. It was tough for him for awhile but now that he's 12, he is a little more concerned about his...
|
|
|
Blockbuster + Circuit City = "Exclusive Content and Content-Enabled Devices" [Ominous]
: Blockbuster has recently drawn the ire of movie enthusiasts by inking "exclusive" rental deals with the likes of IFC. The upshot of this deal is that Blockbuster will retain the exclusive physical...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
EBay Decides To Contact Tim About His Laptop Auction Problems [Follow Up]
: Timothy, our hapless eBay seller who kept having problems listing his laptop on the auction site, was contacted by a Real Live Human from eBay the day after we posted his story. "Garrison" apologized...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Watch For Baloney "Reservation Rewards" Charges On Your Credit Card [Scams]
: You know when you buy tickets at Movietickets.com or Fandango and at that end that annoying popup window makes a noise and asks you if you want to save $10 on your next purchase? Yeah, don't enter...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Customer Gets Slapped With "Excessive Activity" Fee For Messing With Savings Account Too Much [Weird Fees]
: John found himself the proud father of a $10 fine from WaMu this morning because he exceeded 6 transfers from his savings account during a single billing period. When he called in to find out why...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Dr. Housing Bubble tells the tumultuous story ... [Housing Bubble]
: Dr. Housing Bubble tells the tumultuous story of one two bedroom 1 bath 825 square foot home in Santa Ana, California. The little house sold for $88,000 in 1988 and had skyrocketed in "value" all the...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Oil has hit a new high of $126 a barrel. ... [Fuel]
: Oil has hit a new high of $126 a barrel. If you listen quietly you can hear the sound of Delta and United softly weeping. [AP]
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Chargebacks Have Geographical Limitations [Chargebacks]
: Longtime Consumerist reader TBT read the fine print for a credit card she recently opened with Bank of America, and discovered that buried in pages 13 and 14 is a section that limits your right to...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Same Store, Same Product, Different Prices [Barber Magic]
: This is the same product sold at different prices. In one case, Dr. Leonards catalog sells the "Barber Magic" hair trimmer for humans is $12.99. But if you want to use it on a dog, it's only $7.99....
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Visualizing Inflation As A Pile Of Mold [Graphs]
: The NYT has a cool graphic up that shows all the parts of the Consumer Price Index and uses a color scheme to show how much they've gone up by in the past year. Go to the version on their site so you...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Activist Who Once Called Video Games "Killographic" Praises The ESRB Grand Theft Auto Rating, Boos Proposed $5,000 Fine [Grand Theft Auto IV]
: Phil Villarreal of the Arizona Daily Star has located a more reasonable voice to weigh in on the GTAIV controversy in (surprisingly enough) National Institute on Media and the Family founder, David...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Top Posts Of The Week [Roundups]
: It's Now Completely Impossible To Sell A Laptop On Ebay
"The cool thing about eBay's support system is it will always answer your question; unfortunately, that answer will always be a form letter on...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Linens 'N Things Marks Product Up $10 During Free $10 Gift Card Promotion [Badvertising]
: Jim from Blueprint For Financial Prosperity writes:
I thought I'd send along an interesting find from when I visited a Linens 'N Things (the one going through bankruptcy), they had some Rowenta...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Card Won't Swipe? Lick It! [Credit Cards]
: This was sent to us as an, "oh, this is gross and bad customer service," but I actually think it's a good tip for something to try if your credit or debit card won't swipe, and there's no plastic...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Round 35: Exxon vs United Airlines [Worst Company In America]
: This is Round 35 in our Worst Company in America contest, Exxon vs United Airlines.
Gawker Media polls require Javascript; if you're viewing this in an RSS reader, click through to view in your...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Holland America: Sorry, You And Your Wife Are Too Young To Go On Your Honeymoon [Holland America]
: Reader Austin and his fiance will be married on May 22, and their honeymoon cruise leaves May 29... without them. Holland America says that Austin (23), and his bride to be, Kelly (20) are too young...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Can Dell Stop Itself From Sending Me Catalogs? [Complaints]
: Dell, for the love of God, stop sending me catalogs! They are annoying and unwanted, not to mention, useless. If I want to buy something from you, I'll go online. I've filled out your online forms...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Subway Sandwiches Now With Rusty Bolt Goodness! [Complaints]
: According to News 10, Josh Sjowall ordered a foot-long roast beef combo at a Subway store in Tracy, California. As he picked up the sandwich he felt a foreign object with his thumb and discovered it...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Friday Consumerist Flickr Pool Finds [Flickr]
: Here are five special photos that readers added to The Consumerist Flickr Pool this week, chosen because they're both neat and could possibly be used in a Consumerist post. Our Flickr Pool is the...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Hidden Hybrid Automobile Dangers, What You Should Know About EMFs [Hybrid Dangers]
: Of course, you've heard of hybrid automobiles but most people haven't heard of their increased health risk compared to traditional vehicles. According to the New York Times, strong electromagnetic...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Man Convicted Of Spending $3.2M In 3 Months Using Photocopied ID & SSN [Identity Theft]
: According to 9 News in Denver, James Hartman was convicted and sentenced to 8 years in prison for spending $3.2 million on vehicles and land using his brother's photocopied driver's license and...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
"Dell Is Chasing Me Into The Arms Of Steve Jobs" [Dell Hell]
: Reader Julia writes in to say that Dell owes her a $70 gift card and when she didn't get it they simply told her "too bad." She's wondering if any other Dell customers were similarly "cheated." She...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Chili's Serves You Funky Chunky Sour Cream [Complaints]
: Reader Linda was having lunch at Chili's and decided to order some extra sour cream to eat with her mashed potatoes. She was surprised and disgusted to learn that like peanut butter, Chili's sour...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
BoingBoing notes that the U.S. House of Representatives ... [Riaa]
: BoingBoing notes that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed the notorious PRO-IP bill that " puts local law enforcement in a position to demand the forfeiture in criminal proceedings of stuff...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Morning Deals [Shopping]
: Woot: Woot-off continues apace.
NASA: Will you pay you $17,000 to stay in bed for 90 days as part of a test of the effects of microgravity on the human body (news article)
Bloomingdale's: Wagner of...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Tmobile Call Center Bans Kleenex [Leaks]
: Update on that outsourced Tmobile call center that banned paper and pens earlier this week: our insider reports that Kleenex is now verboten as well. He furthermore notes that, "paper and pens, if...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Adobe Blames Missing Shipment On Customer For Using The Online Store [Adobe]
: Amy launched an EECB to Adobe, after her $2600 worth of software failed to ship on time. Or at all. No one at Adobe customer service can tell her why it didn't ship, or if it ever will, but one CSR...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
MSNMoney wonders, can American families get ... [Auto]
: MSNMoney wonders, can American families get by with just one car? [MSNMoney]
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
British Airways yanks beef from the menu ... [Travel]
: British Airways yanks beef from the menu because
"We can only serve two options and beef and pork obviously have religious restrictions.
"We have to try to use two meals which appeal to as many...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Everything This Farmer Wants To Do Is Illegal [Government]
: Joel Salatin of Polyface Farm in Charlottesville, Virginia attained a certain moderate level of fame when his operation was featured in Michael Pollan's book The Omnivore's Dilemma. Now he's got a...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines Raise Fuel Surcharge $20 [Fees]
: Grab your wallets, American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have decided to raise "fuel surcharges" by $20 (round trip) reports the Associated Press. These charges now total $139 round...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Sony's Email Customer Service Is Extremely Unhelpful [Sony]
: Reader Dustin had a question about his PS3, so he emailed Sony. Now he's starting to suspect that they don't actually read the emails people send...
The other night I tried booting up my PS3 and got...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
In other news, don't try a taser out yourself, ... [Tasers]
: In other news, don't try a taser out yourself, the results will leave your cat frightened. [City-Data]
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Do You Know What Grade Of Beef Taco Bell Uses? Do They? Does Anyone? [Mystery Meat]
: A reader sent us the contents of a Better Business Bureau complaint filed against Taco Bell. It describes how a customer tried repeatedly to find out what grade beef Taco Bell uses in its food, and...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
RadioShack Won't Give Refund On Cash Purchase Unless You Show Your Papers [Privacy]
: RadioShack's whole collecting-your-personal-data nonsense is old news, but it's not just for purchases anymore. When Pete tried to take back some potentiometers he'd paid for the day before with...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Anti-Grand Theft Auto Political Advocate Tragically Unfamiliar With Grand Theft Auto IV [Grand Theft Auto IV]
: Phil Villarreal of the Arizona Daily Star has interviewed a spokesman from the Parents Television Council, a group that is lobbying for a $5,000 fine against retailers who sell "M" rated games to...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Blue Bell ice cream never shrank either. ... [Grocery Shrink Ray]
: Blue Bell ice cream never shrank either. [Blue Bell]
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
EECB Results In $6000 Credit From Maytag For Defective Jade Refrigerator [Success Stories]
: If you plunk down six grand for a refrigerator like the Jade Model #RJRS4870D, you expect it work. And if it doesn't, you expect the three-year warranty on it to cover things like the refrigerator...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Walgreens Thanks Nurse For Rescuing Comatose Diabetic By Sending Her Glucometer Bill [Videos]
: A woman went into a potentially fatal diabetic coma while in line at a New York-area Walgreens. Two nurses and an off duty sheriff's officer happened to be in line. They grab a carton of OJ, some...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
It's Now Completely Impossible To Sell A Laptop On Ebay [Nigerian Scammers]
: The cool thing about eBay's support system is it will always answer your question; unfortunately, that answer will always be a form letter on how to reset your password, as Timothy discovered when he...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Don't Get Cheated On Closing Costs [Real Estate]
: Some homebuyers are pissed because when the actual line item fees for various closing costs come in less than the estimation, their closing agents are simply pocketing the difference. How do you...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
Fun With Warning Labels: Beware The Mickey Mouse Cancer Lamp [Creepy]
: Reader Mike directs our attention to the above lamp. The warning label reads:
WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, or birth defects or other...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
|
|
|
Astronomy
