Ben

Ben

I'm not going to lie this is my dream job! Growing up in Waunakee Wisconsin, 101.5 IBA-FM is the station I grew up with and feel humbled that I play...Full Bio

 

101.5 IBA-FM Rocker Report - Thursday August 8th

101.5 IBA-FM Rocker Report - Thursday - August 8th

In today's 101.5 IBA-FM Rocker Report......55 years ago Today the Beatles walked across Abbey Road, Ozzy Osbourne really did snort ants, Sammy Hagar has a new theory as to why Alex Van Halen hasn't responded to his numerous requests to join him and Michael Anthony for a partial Van Halen reunion, and more!

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Music News

THE BEATLES: The Day They Did it in the Road

Fifty-five years ago today (Thursday) August 8th, 1969 at 11:35 a.m., The Beatles walked across Abbey Road, just outside the EMI studio where they recorded. This was for the cover of what would become their last studio album, Abbey Road. The cover is famous not only for the crosswalk, which fans visit daily, but because of the fuel it added to the "Paul Is Dead" controversy.

Interpreted as Paul McCartney's funeral procession, it shows:

·Paul in an old suit and barefoot, which is how bodies were buried, and he's out of step with his bandmates. He is also holding a cigarette in his right hand, despite being left handed. This led to the rumor that the person on the cover was an imposter.

·The Volkswagen Beetle in the background has a "LMW 28-IF" license plate, which some believe stands for Linda McCartney is widowed, and Paul would've been 28 if he "lived."

·John Lennon is dressed in white, signifying a priest.

·Ringo Starr is in black, signifying an undertaker.

·George Harrison is in denim, so he was dubbed the gravedigger.

Paul explained why he was barefoot on the cover of Abbey Road -- "You know why he was walking across that crossing with no shoes on?' Well, it was hot, man. It was like a real hot day in London, and I had sandals on and I kicked them off, you know -- big deal."

Producer George Martin recalled "I actually was sitting with Paul, later, in my house in London -- we were working out an idea for a song -- and the phone rang and there was a distraught voice on the other end of the phone, a teenager from somewhere in America saying, 'Is that Mr. Martin? You tell me that Paul isn't dead.' I said Paul isn't dead. 'You're lying, you're lying!' And there was Paul sitting beside me. I mean it was just absurd. I used to get phone calls in the middle of the night. I hated it."

The album was originally going to be titled Everest after their engineer Geoff Emerick's favorite brand of cigarettes. It was then suggested that the band go to the Himalayas, where Mount Everest is located, but they declined. It was then decided to name the album Abbey Road after the street that the studio is on. Paul then sketched out an idea that had them walking across the zebra crosswalk down the street from the studio.

The photo was taken by photographer Iain MacMillan, a friend of John and Yoko, while standing on a stepladder in the middle of the road. When all was said and done, he took six photos and the whole session lasted 10 minutes. We let some of the traffic go by," said MacMillan, "and then they walked across the road the other way, and I took a few more shots. “The one eventually chosen for the cover was number five of six. It was the only one that had their legs in a perfect ‘V’ formation, which is what I wanted stylistically.” MacMillan died in 2006.

The back cover of the Abbey Road street sign was also taken by MacMillan, who became angry when a girl in a blue dress walked through the shot. The sign and wall are no longer there, having been demolished in '70s.

Conspiracy theorists also say there are clues on the back -- The "Beatles" sign has a crack through it – to show that the band are no longer complete. And, the sun shining through the shadows create a shape that is supposed to resemble McCartney’s skull.

In 1993, McCartney returned to the crosswalk with his dog Arrow and MacMilian to shoot the cover for his Paul Is Live album. Paul is superimposed on an original Abbey Road picture – with the Beatles taken out. However, the VW license plate was changed, to 51 IS – Paul’s age when the picture was taken.

The other controversy was that when Sir Joseph Lockwood, the head of EMI, saw that the words "The Beatles" were not on the front cover, he threw a fit. John Kosh, the art director at (The Beatles' company) Apple, says, “Lockwood said I would cost them thousands of sales by not having the name of the band on the cover. “So I went into Apple the next day scared stiff and the first person I saw was George Harrison and I told him about the phone call. He just said, ‘Screw it man, we’re The Beatles’. In the end, the album has sold something like 26 million copies, so I feel vindicated.”

The crosswalk, which is visited by upwards of 200,000 people a year, is an historic landmark and cannot be moved or altered without specific government permission. You can check out the crossing live, anytime of day or night, at earthcam.com.

AC/DC Finishes German Leg Of European ‘Power Up’ Tour

AC/DC’s first tour with its new lineup has wrapped up its run in Germany. The tour – which features singer Brian Johnson, guitarists Angus Young and Stevie Young, bassist Chris Chaney and drummer Matt Laug – next touches down in Belgium on Friday, according to the band’s itinerary. The band then appears in Paris next Tuesday before putting the wraps on the tour in Dublin on August 17th. The last time AC/DC toured in 2015 and 2016, the band sold 2,310,061 tickets and grossed more than $180 million.

Axl Rose Says AC/DC Threatened To Give Him 'The Boot'

In 2016, Axl Rose had a brief stint as AC/DC's lead singer. But Rose didn't get any special treatment from his new bandmates. AC/DC drummer Chris Slade told the On the Road to Rock podcast that Angus Young and the band's management gave Rose an ultimatum: "If you screw up, Axl, you'll get the boot." Slade thinks Axl did a "great job" filling in for Brian Johnson, who had to leave the band mid-tour for health reasons before returning in 2020.

Yes, Ozzy Osbourne Really Did Snort Ants

Motley Crue’s Tommy Lee confirmed that Ozzy Osbourne did actually snort ants, as mentioned in the band’s memoir ‘The Dirt.’ In an appearance on ‘This Past Weekend with Theo Von,’ Lee said, “Full-on true. I know people ask that all the time. They're, like, 'Dude, really?' I'm, like, abso-f*cking-lutely. You can't make that sh*t up.” He added, “At that time, it was just kind of a thing — everybody was into [trying to] out-rock star and out-gross somebody out, like out-partying. So Ozzy's wasted. He sees there's a little trail of ants going all the way to this kid's popsicle that he left on the ground. And Ozzy looks down and fucking just snorts the line of ants going to the popsicle.”

SAMMY HAGAR: Has a New Theory

Sammy Hagar has a new theory as to why Alex Van Halen hasn't responded to his numerous requests to join him and Michael Anthony for a partial Van Halen reunion on The Best of All Worlds tour, which is heavy on VH songs. In an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, he says, “I’m sure when he made his book deal, they said, ‘You cannot talk to Dave [Lee Roth], and you cannot talk to Hagar. I guarantee you, that that was part of the deal.” A source close to Alex tells us, "He is not commenting on anything regarding Sammy." Meanwhile, Alex's book, Brothers, will be published on October 22nd.

After a week off, Hagar will resume The Best of All Worlds tour on Friday in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

DAVID GILMOUR: The Wright Stuff

David Gilmour continues to post behind-the-scenes videos of his new album, Luck and Strange. The latest is on the title track, which was born out of a jam in 2007 with the late Pink Floyd keyboardist Rick Wright. "I wrote choruses and bridges for it and [my wife] Polly

 [Samson] write these great words. From the first second that you hear Rick playing his electric piano you just know that there's something absolutely individual about what he does that no one else does or could do." Gilmour has also given brief insight into the album's first single, "The Piper's Call," which he released in April. He says it's about the "Faustian pact, you know, that deal with the Devil."

And lastly, he talks about his guitar playing on the album, which he says is "very hard to describe." "They just pop out of me and demand to be heard. I can't really explain it. But it's very enjoyable when it happens right. And it's very irritating when it doesn't, won't, and weeks go by and there's something you're searching for but you can't quite find. Fortunately those are few and far between." Luck and Strange is his fifth studio album and first since 2015's Rattle and Lock, which came nine years after the previous one, On an Island in 2006. It will be released on September 6th.

Bruce Springsteen Joins Zach Bryan Onstage In Philly

Zach Bryan fans at his Philadelphia show last night got a big surprise. Bruce Springsteen

made a surprise appearance. The two, who collabed on “Sandpaper” for Bryan’s “The Great American Bar Scene” album, jammed to The Boss’ “Atlantic City.” Bryan also had The Lumineers and Shane Gillis perform with him throughout the night. Springsteen previously popped up on stage with Zach in March in New York City. 

Neal Schon And Jonathan Cain Ask A Judge To Resolve Their Business Impasse

Journey members Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain are letting a judge resolve their business deadlock. Schon is president of Freedom 2020, a company formed three years ago to oversee tour-related finances. He and Cain each have a 50-percent stake in the company. Cain said he and Schon “fundamentally disagree” on the management of the company and wants the court to appoint a custodian as a director to resolve disputes. This comes after Schon is accused of maxing out the company's credit card for pricey… and personal… expenses during the band’s tour.

Flea Recalls Wild Story About Almost Getting Into Brawl With Woody Harrelson

Recently, Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers appeared on Woody Harrelson and Ted Danson's podcast and relived a story about when he went snowboarding naked and almost got into a brawl.

Flea said, "He and I snowboarded naked. I have footage of Woody Harrelson and I snowboarding stark naked down a big snowy mountain." He continued, "I remember one of the last times we went, we were racing, and we were both reckless ’cause let’s face it. We go very fast, but we’re very average snowboarders. We have to admit that we’re average. So we’re racing and I’m like out of control rocketing down this mountain and I nearly take a lady out, but I don’t. I see her and I’m like, 'Whoa.' Swerve out of her way and I miss her."

He added, "All’s good. We’re racing. I can’t remember who won. Probably me, probably me, and we get down there, but then the lady, we’re getting ready to get on the lift and we’re laughing and yelling at each other, and this lady comes up and she’s infuriated." Flea continued, "I’m so glad that I didn’t hit you, but I’ll be much more careful next time. Please forgive me. I’m very sorry. As you know, I’m neighborly. I’m polite, I’m considerate."

He added, "And then she goes, 'Well, my husband’s gonna come down here and he is gonna show you what for,' and then that’s when you’re like, 'Bring the f–king husband. I want to see her bring the husband. 'I’m waiting at the top of the lift. I’ll be waiting up top!'"

ROD STEWART: Every Dollar Tells a Story

Rod Stewart was scheduled to bring his 13-year Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace, The Hits, to an end last night (Wednesday) after 200 shows, but he's had a change of heart. He

says, "Vegas, I’m having too much fun for this to end so we are coming back for an encore! Don’t miss The Encore Shows Las Vegas Residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace March 12th to the 22nd and May 29th to June 8th. Tickets on sale Monday at 10am PT!"

In addition to his hits, the new residency will also include "surprises from the [Great American] songbook, swing (his latest album, Swing Fever) … deep cuts, and stunning new production elements.” The exact dates are as follows: March 12th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 21st, and 22nd, and May 29th, 31st, June 1st, 5th, 7th and 8th. 

BONO: Early to Bed and Early to Rise...

Many adoring fans of musicians think they're living the "rock star" life 24/7 and until all hours of the morning, but that's not usually the way it is. Case in point, Bono, whose actress daughter Eve Hewson recalls life in the family home in Dublin during the COVID pandemic.

She tells Net-a-Porter magazine, “We have a studio at the end of the garden, where [we’d] usually end up, in the middle of the night, writing stupid songs. I actually got kicked out of the family band for being too enthusiastic.” But she says it wasn't her famous musician dad who was leading these impromptu studio sessions. “No! He was asleep by 10 p.m. every night.”

Bono and his wife Ali have three other children -- daughter Jordan, and sons Elijah, singer in the band Inhaler, and John.

MICK JAGGER: Apparently There Can't Only Be One

If you wanted to, or had to change your name, would you pick Mick Jagger? Well, that's exactly what a 62-year old recovering gambler in England did. In an effort to leave the past behind, the non-singing Mick tells ITV News Anglia, “I’ve had plenty of low points when I’ve thought it would just be better to end it all. “I’ve had flats. I’ve had jobs. I’ve lost them through gambling. I spent more time in the betting shop than I did at work. I never paid my rent or my bills because I always gambled it away.”

Estranged from his family and 18 months removed from gambling, he now resides in a homeless shelter where he tends to its garden. “I’m a new person. Just because we suffer with addiction, we’re not bad people.” No word on why he chose to name himself after The Rolling Stones' frontman.

CHEAP TRICK: A Tip of the Pick

Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen is being honored with a 62-foot replica of his checkerboard guitar outside the new Hard Rock Casino in his hometown of Rockford, Illinois. In addition to the guitar, which measures 62 feet, 10-inches tall and 38 feet, 6-inches wide, are the words "I Want You to Want Me” on the facade in honor of the Cheap Trick song. Nielsen, a partner in bringing the casino to his hometown, said in 2019, "This is a dream come true ... Instead of people driving by, they will stop in... I have my guitars hanging in tons of Hard Rocks around the world and I can’t think of a better place to hang one than in Rockford, where I grew up and where I live.” The Hard Rock Rockford will open on August 29th, and Nielsen and his side band, The Nielsen Trust, will perform as part of the grand opening

JACK BLACK: Says Tenacious D Will "Be Back"

Jack Black says Tenacious D will return. The star canceled the band's recent tour after his partner, Kyle Gass, made a controversial remark about Donald Trump’s attempted assassination in July.

At the premiere for his upcoming movie Borderlands, Jack was asked if he had spoken to Kyle since the cancellation. “Yeah, we’re friends," Black told Variety. "That hasn’t changed. These things take time sometimes… And we’ll be back when it feels right.” He added, “We need to take a break. Everybody needs a break sometime.” In fact, Jack was wearing the magical guitar pick from his 2006 movie Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny. “Look what I wore today: I wore the Pick of Destiny. I love Tenacious D. It’s probably my favorite job, if you can call it that. It’s a work of art, it’s my baby.”

In July, Kyle was asked on stage to make a birthday wish and he infamously said, “Don’t miss Trump next time.” Soon afterwards, Jack said, “After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold.”

IN OTHER NEWS

Neil Young has released “Winter Winds,” one of 15 unreleased songs off his new box set, Archives Vol. III (1976-1987), which will follow on September 16th. He recorded the song at his Broken Arrow Ranch in Half Moon Bay, California during the sessions for his 1980 album, Hawks & Doves.

Peter Frampton recently sat down for an interview with Steve Cropper for a documentary Cropper is making. Frampton, who’s also making one on his life, says, “He told me when writing one day, Isaac Hayes called out to David Porter, who was in the loo. David shouted back, ‘Hold on. I’m Coming’! The rest is history!!”

Pete Townshend has co-produced Afterglow, the concept album by the U.K. band The Wild Things. He says, “I loved working with The Wild Things on the music that became Afterglow. The songs are rocking, but also full of nuances and witty cleverness. They are a fireball of energy and creativity and having supported the Who a few times I know they are spectacular live. Every one of them is so talented.” Afterglow, which tells the story of the residents of the fictional town of Valentine amid a paranormal phenomenon, will be released on September 13th. The first single, “Come Around,” is out now.

Eddie Vedder has recorded a studio version of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' "Room at the Top," which he's covered over the years during his solo shows. The studio version, which is out Friday, is on the soundtrack to the Apple TV+ series Bad Monkey.

Green Day's "American Idiot" is included on the Madden 25 soundtrack. The video game launches on August 16th.

Los Lobos and Elvin Bishop have teamed up to record a new version of Bishop's "What the

Hell Is Going On," a song from his 2020 album,100 Years of Blues. Check it out on YouTube.

Lifestyle

August 8th               

Birthdays….

·The Edge (David Evans – guitarist/vocals – U2)

·Scott Stapp (singer/songwriter – Creed)

·Deborah Norville (tv personality/host – Inside Edition, The Today Show)

·Donny Most (actor – Happy Days)

·Keith Carradine (actor – Fargo, Dexter, Deadwood)

·Dustin Hoffman (actor – Best Actor Oscars for Kramer Versus Kramer, Rain Man; The Graduate, Midnight Cowboy)

·Roger Federer (tennis champ – 20 Grand Slam titles including a record 8 Wimbledon singles titles)

On This Day

·in 1974, President Richard Nixon announced his resignation in the wake of further evidence of his direct involvement in the Watergate scandal and cover-up. It became effective the next day.

·in 1992, the "Dream Team" clinched the Gold medal at the Barcelona Summer Olympics. The U.S. basketball team beat Croatia 117-85.

·in 2018, Academy of Motion Pictures revealed the new "Popular Film" category for the Oscars. The idea? To celebrate popular movies as well as the snootier “Best” films. The plan didn’t last for long, however. Thanks to public backlash, the Academy nixed the idea a month later.

Today is National Zucchini Day

August 8th is National Zucchini Day! This is the day we celebrate a versatile vegetable that comes from Italy! The word “zucchini” comes from the Italian word “zucchino,” which means “small squash.”

Philippe Petit Marks 50th Anniversary Of Twin Tower Wire Walk

The French high-wire artist who walked across the Twin Towers 50 years ago is marking the anniversary of the historic feat in New York City this week. Philippe Petit astounded the city back on August 7, 1974 when he strutted and danced across a tightrope that he and his friends had unlawfully rigged between the towers. Petit, who turns 75 next week, will take to the wire at St. John the Divine again this evening. Various artists will also take part in 19 short scenes conceived and directed by Petit and friend and musician Sting will perform new music. 

Giant Pandas Ready For U.S. Debut

New giant pandas are ready for their public debut in California. Yun Chuan and Xin Bao [[ YOON'-shwaun & SING'-bow ]] arrived at the San Diego Zoo from China about six weeks ago, and tomorrow marks the first time the public can see them. Caretakers say the five-year-old male, Yun Chuan is curious and a bit shy, while 4-year-old Xin Bao is more chill. San Diego's two pandas are the first to enter the U.S. in over two decades.

America’s Most Popular Side Hustles

Having one job isn’t always enough to afford to live comfortably anymore, which is why so many Americans are boosting their salaries with multiple streams of income. Side hustles are nothing new, but what people do to make a little extra money on top of their career may have changed. So what are the most popular side hustles? A new study reveals the top ones in the country.

·To find the most popular side hustles in the U.S., the team at Creative Fabrica analyzed Google search trends.

·Their research breaks down the results to identify the top ones in the country, as well as every state and major cities.

·Rideshare driver tops the list, with a monthly search volume of nearly 31-thousand (30,950). It’s the most searched-for side hustle in 2024 in the U.S.

·YouTube content creator comes in second, with 19,150 monthly searches, followed by personal trainer, with 18,140.

The Top 10 Most Popular Side Hustles in the U.S.

1.Rideshare driver

2.YouTube content creator

3.Personal trainer

4.Virtual assistant

5.Life coach

6.Food delivery driver

7.Photographer

8.Yoga teacher

9.Amazon dropshipping

10.Online store owner

The Most Pet-Friendly Cities In The U.S.

Having animal companionship is a great way to relieve stress and nearly 86.9-million U.S. households own pets. Most people who have one, see it as a member of the family, despite its fur, feathers or scales, and they take their pet into consideration when deciding where to live. Some parts of the country are more welcoming to pets and a new report reveals which ones they are.

·WalletHub is out with their list of the Most Pet-Friendly Cities in the U.S.

·They compared the 100 largest cities in the country on 23 key metrics in the main areas of pet budget, pet health and wellness and outdoor pet friendliness.

·This year’s most pet-friendly city is Scottsdale, Arizona, which is number one for pet health and wellness and sixth for outdoor pet friendliness, but it must be pretty pricey because it’s 79th for budget.

·North Las Vegas, sixth overall, is number one for pet budget, while San Francisco, 41st overall, is number one for outdoor pet friendliness.

·The least pet-friendly city is Boston, landing dead last for budget, 63rd for pet health and wellness and 22nd for outdoor pet friendliness.

The Top 10 Pet-Friendly Cities

1.Scottsdale, Arizona

2.Tampa, Florida

3.Las Vegas, Nevada

4.Birmingham, Alabama

5.Lexington/Fayette, Kentucky

6.North Las Vegas, Nevada

7.St. Petersburg, Florida

8.Cincinnati, Ohio

9.Portland, Oregon

10.St. Louis, Missouri

The Top U.S. Fall Foliage Destinations For 2024

Some folks love soaking up the sun and all the fun summer has to offer, while others are ready to stop sweating and feeling like they’re going to melt in triple-digit temperatures. It may not feel like it yet, but fall will be here soon-ish, and some travelers are already looking ahead to the next season. They’re making plans to go enjoy the changing leaves this autumn and new research from Priceline tells us where everyone’s going.

·The online travel company is tracking search volume data to find the top destinations for fall foliage getaways this year.

·The most popular spot for leaf peepers is Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

·The area is less than an hour’s drive from Philadelphia and is famous for its 12 historic covered bridges, which make a lovely backdrop for those falling leaves.

·In Bucks County you can also take in the fall colors in a hot air balloon ride over the Delaware River, or from New Hope Railroad’s 1920s vintage train.

·North Lake Tahoe, which is located in both California and Nevada, is the second most popular fall foliage destination.

·Visitors can take in the natural beauty by hiking Tahoe National Forest’s Donner Pass, or go ziplining through the colorful canopies.

The Top Fall Foliage Destinations for 2024

1.Bucks County, Pennsylvania

2.North Lake Tahoe, California / Nevada

3.Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

4.Albany, New York

5.Payette River Scenic Byway, Idaho

6.Stowe, Vermont

7.Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

8.McKenzie River Scenic Byway, Oregon

Younger Americans Think Relaxing On Vacation Is Overrated

Have your travel preferences changed as you’ve gotten older? While pretty much everyone loves to take a vacation, new research shows that 59% of Americans say their vacation priorities have shifted with age.

A new survey of 2-thousand U.S. adults who travel (split evenly by generations) looks at how people of different generations get ready for vacations and what they like to do most during

them.

·One major difference is the way people of different ages feel about relaxing on a trip. While more than half of both Gen X (51%) and baby boomers (57%) prioritize relaxation while traveling, 30% of millennials think it’s a waste of time.

·Gen Z (54%) and millennials (45%) are both more interested in making memories than relaxing on a trip.

·Sightseeing is a thing of the past, according to a quarter of millennials, and 28% of Gen Z isn’t interested in learning new things while traveling.

·No matter what they do on a trip, for 28% of all respondents traveling is a high priority.

·People of all generations like family-friendly (33%) and tropical (27%) destinations, but Gen Z (25%) and millennials (24%) also love hitting up theme parks on a vacation.

·Before traveling, Gen Z is most likely to create a vacation plan (60%), while baby boomers are likeliest to just go with the flow (40%).

·For 65% of baby boomers and 53% of Gen Xers, going with the flow helps them avoid feeling rushed or stuck with a plan.

·Gen Z enjoys the safety they feel by planning things out (46%) and they turn to social media for help planning (55%) and inspiration (66%).

·Older Americans are more old school, with Gen X counting on word of mouth recommendations (44%) and baby boomers using travel magazines for advice (34%).

·Millennials are most likely to read restaurant menus before traveling (34%), while Gen X looks at photos others have posted (36%).

·More than three-quarters (77%) of respondents who traveled with their parents when growing up plan to continue the tradition of traveling with their kids to bond (66%) and make memories (65%).

McDonald’s Brings Back Nostalgic Cups In New Collector’s Meal 

Nearly everyone has a memory of a McDonald's collectible from the past, and the chain is leaning in on that nostalgia with their newest product launch. Starting on August 13th, McDonald’s new limited-edition Collector’s Meal combos will be available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Collector’s Meal will pair several different food combo options with one of six different collectible cups that celebrate iconic McDonald's memorabilia. The cups showcase images of popular collectibles of the past including Beanie Babies, Barbie

 & Hot Wheels, Hello Kitty & Peanuts, Shrek, Jurassic Park & Minions, and Coca-Cola, which will be sure to spark a nostalgic connection with many customers.

Dunkin’ Adds Boozy Pumpkin Spice Latte To Spiked Lineup 

Taking PSL season to a whole new level, Dunkin' is introducing a new Spiked Pumpkin Spice Iced Latte as part of their Dunkin' Spiked collection, which was launched last year. The limited-edition seasonal drink combines pumpkin, vanilla, fall spices, and real coffee with a 6% ABV malt alcohol base, providing a boozy twist on the popular pumpkin spice latte. The release follows the successful response to Dunkin's spiked iced coffees and teas from the previous year. Available only for a limited time, the Spiked Pumpkin Spice Iced Latte can be found using the “Find it Now” button on the company’s website.

Gen Z Confirms Landlines Are Cool Again

Just when you thought rotary phones were a thing of the past, Gen Z has brought them back. Landlines are trending on TikTok, not because they’re useful in emergencies, but as design elements. TikTok user, brooktheshopaholic, shares her joy over a new baby pink corded phone from Amazon. Although it doesn't work, she mounts it on the wall as a decorative piece. The nostalgia trend continues with TikTok user webkinzyohoho, who showcases a Garfield phone whose eyes open when the receiver is lifted. These quirky phones are less about making calls and more about making a statement.

Phone Collector Andrew Nodell says you can connect landline phones to wi-fi, so you can actually use them to make a call. You would need to connect the landline phone to a modem. Feel free to google a YouTube video and watch how to do it, if you're super interested.

Seagull Snatches Man's Wallet In Grocery Store Parking Lot

A man from Massachusetts is offering a reward for the return of his wallet after a seagull snatched it outside a grocery store. Noah Karberg from Nantucket had gone fishing and then visited the Stop & Shop. "I was in a fishing shirt and board shorts, so no pockets," he explained. Karberg placed his phone and wallet in the tray on top of his shopping cart while loading groceries into his truck. "I take the last couple of bags around to the backseat, come back around to the shopping cart, and there is a gull sitting on the cart, and right in front of me, grabs my wallet, flies off!" he exclaimed. He managed to capture video of the seagull going through the wallet's contents on the roof of a nearby car wash. "It was like a gull with an agenda," he said. "Tossed the cash and went straight for my Amex."

Karberg posted in a local Facebook group, offering anyone who finds the wallet the remaining cash inside and an additional $100 reward for the return of his license and cards. "I have had a lot of people reach out to me, say they were sorry for me, but it was really funny," he said.

Backyard Plant That Can Alter DNA Is Spreading Across The US

Giant Hogweed, a dangerous plant that can cause severe burns and alter DNA, is spreading across the US. Officials have raised concerns about the invasive species, which can grow up to 20 feet tall, with spiky leaves and white flowers that contain toxins. "The sap contains a substance that can bind to DNA in the skin's cells, destroying the body's DNA molecules," officials warn. When humans come into contact with Giant Hogweed, they can experience painful blisters, redness, and burn-like wounds within 24 hours. Medical experts advise, "People who come in contact with the plant should immediately wash the exposed area with soap and water and avoid sunlight."

The plant is especially prevalent in New York, but can also be found in Connecticut, Washington DC, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wisconsin. Officials urge, "Anyone who sees or comes into contact with a Giant Hogweed plant, report it to authorities and do not attempt to remove it on your own."

Study Finds That Your Flatulence Is Making Your Pet Anxious

A new study has been released that looks into your flatulence, and how it affects your pets. According to the researchers, 19% of dogs and cats are “left feeling anxious” when their human counterparts blow ass. Other noises and events take their toll on our furry friends, too… 

·Around 7% of pets were found to “get agitated” at the sound of a refrigerator opening

·12% of dogs and cats get stressed when their owner snuggles and cuddles with another person

·37% are terrified of the noise coming from a vacuum cleaner

·To no one’s surprise, fireworks are the biggest source of audible terror, with 47% having adverse reactions to them 

Other sources of pet fear are going to the vet (41%), meeting new people (34%), sudden movements (32%), balloons (25%), and boiling kettles (9%). Since you’re probably wondering, these results came from a survey of 2,000 pet owners…and the pets themselves weren’t physically required to respond.

 

World’s Most Useless Poll Finds That Electric Bills Increase When It’s Hotter

Hey! Here’s a fun fact! When it gets hotter, people use the air conditioning more…and utility bills increase. For most of us, this information would fall under the umbrella of basic logic. Still, the Associated Press thought it valuable to put together a survey, along with the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The survey found that 70% of Americans have been “personally affected by hot weather or extreme heat waves over the past five years.” With that, 79% say it’s affected their utility bills. Other ways the heat has affected Americans include outdoor activities, exercise, pets, sleep, and vacation plans.

 

Dolce And Gabbana Releases Perfume For Dogs

Who doesn’t want a prettier-smelling pet? Dolce and Gabbana has released a new perfume…for dogs. Not everyone is thrilled with the product, though. Vets emphasize the importance that scent plays in a dog’s world, and artificial scents can alter and interfere with how dogs rely on their sense of smell. Those in favor of doggie perfume include dog groomers, who think they should smell nice if they’re going to sit on the couch with us. Incidentally, those who want to invest in Dolce and Gabbana’s dog perfume will need to spend $99 for the privilege.

 

Company Called Out For Excluding Job Candidates Based On Astrology

A Chinese company is taking heat after posting a job opportunity, but telling applicants to not bother applying if they were born “in the year of the dog”…because they’d be instantly rejected. The job opportunity, which pays roughly $557, caught fire on social media, with people calling out the unnamed company for discrimination for not even being willing to consider applicants born in 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, or 2006. A source from inside the company reportedly said that the boss was “born in the year of the dragon and believes he’s not compatible with those born in the year of the dog.” So, we’re guessing dating is out of the question, too.

 

Missouri Museum Proud To Display World’s Longest Shoelace

Are you looking for that next off-the-beaten-path, weird, road trip destination? We’d like to recommend The City Museum in St. Louis, Missouri. That’s where you see the world’s longest shoelace proudly on display. Measuring more than a half-mile long… 2,729 feet, to be precise…it was created in partnership with a business that’s located on the second floor where The City Museum is located. Using antique machinery, the shoelace took around 24 hours to create. In order to secure world record status, the shoelace had to be laid out across the Eads Bridge and “officially measured by a survey team,” had to be proven to be made from “woven threads,” and had to be “proven functional by using it to tie a shoe.”

“Bluey” Coins Worth About $400,000 Stolen By Australian Warehouse Worker 

A 47-year-old man named Stephen John Nielson, was arrested yesterday for allegedly stealing nearly $400,000 worth of limited-edition "Bluey" coins produced by the Australian mint. The $1 coins are actual currency and feature characters from the popular TV series "Bluey." On July 12th, they went missing from a trucking warehouse in Fairfield City, Australia. Nielson, an employee at the warehouse, reportedly sold the coins online for ten times their value just hours after the theft. Police have recovered 189 of the stolen coins. Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi said, “The theft of these coins has deprived many young children and community members, so we’re doing our best to recover these coins and put them back into circulation.” Nielson faces charges including three counts of break and entering with intent to commit a serious offense, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years.  

Mississippi High School Principal Charged With Shoplifting From Walmart 

Mississippi high school principal Amy Yarborough Necaise has been charged with misdemeanor shoplifting for incidents at a Walmart in Hancock County on three separate occasions. According to police, Necaise allegedly left without paying for items valued at $123.66 on Aug. 20, $25.24 on Aug. 1, and $51.25 on Aug. 15. Since the incident, a job listing for the Bay High School principal position has appeared on the Bay Waveland School District website.

Florida Woman Arrested After Assaulting Husband With Taco Bell Food

A Florida woman is facing charges after she reportedly assaulted her husband with food from Taco Bell. St. Petersburg resident Esha Persad, 34, was taken into custody over the weekend after the attack, which began as an argument over her husband’s birthday. Apparently, the husband became upset when she served him food from Taco Bell and McDonald’s to celebrate, according to the St. Petersburg Police Department. In retaliation, Persad threw a burrito and a soft taco at her husband, striking him in the face, police say. The husband still had parts of the burrito on his face when officers arrived, the department reports. Persad – who claims her husband first threw a bag at her – was taken into custody and released on her own recognizance later that day, police say.

Florida Python Challenge Kicks Off On Friday

The 2024 Python Challenge will kick off in the Florida Everglades in just a matter of days. The 11th annual competition is designed to remove the invasive Burmese pythons from the state's ecosystem because they pose a threat to native wildlife.Participants must find and kill the snakes within one of the seven eligible areas in order for their entries to be accepted. Cash prizes will go out to contestants who catch the most and largest pythons.Nearly two-hundred pythons were removed last year. The challenge will begin on Friday and run through August 18th.

Women Siphoning Gas Thinks It’s A Good Idea To Light A Cigarette 

If you’re going to be around gasoline, smoking is not a good idea. Jennifer Denise Holmes, of Oregon, drives a van with “Nana’s Sweet Treats” on the side and allegedly went to a U-Haul lot and used a hose to siphon gas out of one of the vehicles. For some reason Holmes decided to light a cigarette and the result was an explosion and fire, as you’d expect. A probable cause affidavit from the police says Holmes admitted to the mishap that caused two U-Haul vans to be destroyed. Naturally, she’s being charged.

Sports

U.S. Closing In On 100 Total Medals

The U.S. added eight more medals on Wednesday at the Paris Olympics and is now closing in on the century mark. Team USA has claimed 94 total medals which includes a games-best 27 gold medals with just four days remaining. China remains second in the standings with 65 total medals and 25 gold. France sits third with 51 total medals.

U.S. Women's Basketball Dominates Nigeria To Advance

The U.S. women's basketball team blew out Nigeria 88-74 to advance to the semifinals at the Paris Olympics. A'Ja Wilson led all scorers with 20 points and added 11 rebounds for a double-double. Jackie Young added 15 points and Breanna Stewart sunk 13 on five-of-seven shooting.The ladies won their 59th straight Olympic game and will square off against Australia in the semifinals tomorrow.The men's team plays Serbia in the semifinals today.

Today, the men’s Olympic basketball semifinals begin: 

·11:30 am ET – France Vs. Germany

·3:300 pm ET – United States Vs. Serbia 

Friday’s women’s semifinal schedule will be: 

·11:30 am ET – United States Vs. Australia

·3:00 pm ET – France Vs. Belgium 

Team USA Track And Field Recap

The United States continued to collect hardware at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Quincy Hall won his first career Olympic medal after taking gold in the men's 400 meter final. Kenneth Rooks won silver in the men's 3000 meter steeplechase, and Katie Moon captured silver in the women's pole vault final.

U.S. Olympic Figure Skaters Finally Get Their Gold Medals

Here's something you don't expect to see during the Summer Olympics - figure skaters getting gold medals. It happened on Wednesday, as the U.S. figure skating team was finally presented with gold medals from the 2022 Beijing Games. Team USA originally won silver in the team competition but were upgraded to gold after Russian skater Kamila Valieva tested positive for a banned substance. The team had to wait more than 500 days before finally receiving their medals in a ceremony at Champions Park in Paris.

Simone Biles Casts Doubt On 2028

On Sunday, Simone Biles posted a video on social media as she got ready for her day, and mentioned how she was “tired,” “felt like her body was slowly starting to shut down” like it was “ready to be done.” That was the day before her final events at the 2024 Olympics. Biles’ husband, Jonathan Owens, put that in perspective in a different social media post which emphasized that both Biles and Rebeca Andrade had completed 17 routines in Paris, and how most people will never understand the “inhuman…mental and physical endurance” that requires. While Biles hasn’t officially closed the door on the 2028 Olympics, this makes it more understandable if this was her last Olympic run…and should make everyone appreciate just how special and talented Biles’ is along with the magnitude of what she’s accomplished during her career.

The Youngest Athlete Competing In Olympics Is China’s 11-Year-Old Skateboarder 

Chinese 11-year-old Zheng Haohao is the youngest Olympian at the 2024 Paris Games, where she’s representing her country in the skateboard park event. Despite taking up skateboarding just five years ago, she quickly advanced in the rankings to secure her Olympic spot. Although Zheng is the youngest-ever Chinese Olympian, she’s not the youngest Olympian ever, that honor goes to Greek gymnast Dimitrios Loundras, who won a bronze medal way back in the 1896 Athens Games at just 10 years old. Unfortunately, Zheng was eliminated in the first round of the competition and finished 18th, but at her age she has a lot of time to improve and plans to return for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

NFL Preseason Week 1 Begins Tonight

(Undated) -- NFL football is back. Preseason Week One begins Thursday with the Patriots hosting the Panthers and Giants hosting the Lions. New England rookie quarterback and third-overall pick Drake May will play against Carolina. New York and Detroit will square off after both teams were fined by the NFL for fighting during joint practices this week. Both games start at 7 p.m. Eastern. Preseason Week One continues with three games on Friday, nine games on Saturday and two on Sunday. 

Giants, Lions Fined $200K Each For Practice Fights

The NFL has handed down its punishment to the Giants and Lions for repeatedly fighting during joint practices this week. New York and Detroit were each fined 200-thousand dollars due to more than a dozen scuffles that broke out over two days of joint practices between the teams. The NFL reminded all teams in a memo last month that fighting and "unprofessional conduct" during joint practices would not be tolerated. The Giants will host the Lions in the preseason opener for both teams on Thursday at MetLife Stadium.

NCAA Hands Down Show-Cause For Jim Harbaugh’s “Unethical Conduct”

Yesterday, the NCAA handed down a four-year show-cause order against former Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh. With Harbaugh now coaching the Los Angeles Chargers, the announcement appears largely symbolic, because it means: 

·Any college football program that wanted to hire Harbaugh would have to suspend him for the first full season

·Then, Harbaugh would have to spend the rest of the four years “barred from athletics-related activities, including team travel, practice, video study, recruiting, and team meetings, until the order expires”

·Since Harbaugh isn’t coaching in college, and won’t be for the foreseeable future, none of this matters 

Harbaugh’s lawyer, Tom Mars, points out that his client “was not invited to participate in the settlement process or aware that an agreement had been reached between (Michigan) and the NCAA” regarding the sign-stealing scandal. Mars also “blasted” the punishment, equating it to “getting a letter from your high school saying you’ve been suspended for not signing your yearbook” and saying that, if he were Harbaugh, he “wouldn’t pay attention to the findings of a kangaroo court.” 

Michigan has already “accepted the sanctions and served many of the penalties” related to the scandal.” As for Harbaugh, on Monday, he was emphatic that he “does not apologize,” “did not participate,” nor was he “aware or complicit in those said allegations.”


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