Magpie News Collector

Trespassing snake apprehended at Texas car wash

By United Press International, Inc. | | 8/28/2025 12:11 PM

Police in Texas said a large snake caught trespassing at an Austin car wash was released back into the wild with "a stern talking-to" but "no tickets issued." ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Look: Deer rescued after plunging into Michigan resident's pool

By United Press International, Inc. | | 8/28/2025 11:58 AM

A crew of Michigan firefighters were summoned to a home Thursday morning to rescue a deer that had apparently been stuck in a swimming pool all night. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Watch: Pig found loose in Pennsylvania park for a second time

By United Press International, Inc. | | 8/27/2025 4:07 PM

A pot-bellied pig was found running loose in a Pennsylvania state park for the second time this summer, prompting an investigation from animal authorities. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Long-lost postcard returned to sender 72 years after being mailed

By United Press International, Inc. | | 8/27/2025 2:28 PM

A postcard lost in the mail for 72 years arrived at an Illinois post office, where officials were able to track down and contact the now-88-year-old sender. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Look: 'Dinosaur-like' alligator snapping turtle found under dock in Wash.

By United Press International, Inc. | | 8/27/2025 1:32 PM

A "dinosaur-like," invasive alligator snapping turtle spotted under a dock at a Washington beach was safely removed by a lifeguard supervisor, officials said. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Guinness World Records marks 70th year with unclaimed titles challenge

By United Press International, Inc. | | 8/27/2025 10:48 AM

Guinness World Records is celebrating its 70th anniversary by challenging fans to attempt 70 unclaimed titles, including the fastest 400 meter sack race. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Want to be a world record holder? These are still available

By Sky News | | 8/26/2025 11:13 PM

Guinness World Records (GWR) is celebrating its 70th anniversary by highlighting unclaimed titles you might fancy going for. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Illinois lottery player's second-choice ticket wins $200,000

By United Press International, Inc. | | 8/26/2025 3:54 PM

An Illinois man scored a $200,000 top prize from a scratch-off lottery ticket thanks to the grocery store he visited being sold out of his favorite game. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Look: Cow rescued after sinking face-deep into mud pit

By United Press International, Inc. | | 8/26/2025 3:40 PM

Firefighters in England conducted an unusual rescue after a cow sank into a nearly 10-foot-deep mud pit, with its eyes and nose just barely above the surface. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Japanese city weighs limiting smartphone use to 2 hours per day

By United Press International, Inc. | | 8/26/2025 1:55 PM

A Japanese city is considering a proposed ordinance that would limit screen time to two hours outside of work or school -- but the measure is non-binding. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Watch: Colorado deputies wrangle their second loose emu in one week

By United Press International, Inc. | | 8/26/2025 11:48 AM

Deputies in Colorado's Weld County wrangled an escaped emu running loose through a neighborhood -- the second such incident to occur within five days. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Look: Escaped horse falls into swimming pool in Nevada

By United Press International, Inc. | | 8/26/2025 10:53 AM

Firefighters and animal services officers were summoned to a Nevada home in the wee hours of the morning to rescue a horse that plunged into a swimming pool. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Man Who Shares Name With Babe Ruth Accused Of Settlement Fraud

By HuffPost.com | | 8/25/2025 4:44 PM

George Herman Ruth, of Greeneville, Tennessee, allegiedly used the names of hundreds of dead or retired pro baseball players to make phony claims for payouts in class action settlements. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Store clerk selects $1M winning lottery ticket for Maryland man

By United Press International, Inc. | | 8/25/2025 2:13 PM

A Maryland man had an extra $20 in his pocket so he asked a store clerk to pick out a scratch-off lottery ticket -- and ended up winning a $1 million top prize. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Watch: Squirrel honored with Topps card after interrupting Yankees game

By United Press International, Inc. | | 8/25/2025 1:11 PM

Sports card company Topps is releasing a card featuring an unlikely baseball star: a squirrel that ran onto the field during the Yankees-Red Sox game. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Look: Turtle with unique peanut-shaped shell turns 41 in Missouri

By United Press International, Inc. | | 8/25/2025 10:48 AM

The Missouri Department of Conservation celebrated the 41st birthday of Peanut, a red-eared slider turtle with a unique figure eight-shape to her shell. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Look: Animal control officers get stranded while rescuing baby geese

By United Press International, Inc. | | 8/25/2025 10:26 AM

Animal care officers attempting to rescue baby geese from the basin beneath a dam spillway ended up calling for backup when they also became stranded. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Watch: Dog rescued from Chattahoochee River in Georgia

By United Press International, Inc. | | 8/25/2025 10:07 AM

A dog was rescued from the Chattahoochee River in Georgia after falling down an embankment in White County and becoming stranded in the rushing waters. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Look: Large tegu lizard spotted wandering loose in Maine

By United Press International, Inc. | | 8/25/2025 10:06 AM

Police in Maine are asking members of the public to report any sightings of a large tegu lizard recently spotted wandering loose in an Old Town neighborhood. ... Read full Story

odd_fun

Man buys 162 tickets for one lottery drawing, wins $811,000

By United Press International, Inc. | | 8/22/2025 2:45 PM

A South Carolina man took a gamble by buying 162 identical tickets for a single Pick 4 lottery drawing, and ended up winning a record-breaking $811,000 prize. ... Read full Story

animal

Octopus arms are adaptable but some are favored for particular jobs

by Science News | Sep 11 2025

auto

Volkswagen Delayed Electric Golf Beyond 2029 Due To Budget Concerns

by carbuzz.com | Sep 15 2025

connecticut

CT in talks to buy Bristol, Day Kimball and Waterbury Hospitals

by CT Mirror | Sep 15 2025

exercise

Here’s How Many Steps You Really Need To Walk, Says a Cleveland Clinic Sports Cardiologist Based on New Research

by thehealthy.com | Aug 28 2025

fashion

Jason Wu collaborates with Robert Rauschenberg Foundation on art-inspired collection

by NY Post | Sep 15 2025

FFNEWS

Radiant Logistics beats expectations to close fiscal 2025

by FreightWaves | Sep 15 2025

finance

Miran set to vote at this week’s Fed meeting. Here’s what to expect on Wednesday.

by MarketWatch.com | Sep 15 2025

long_island

Tap Room tees up as Long Island’s Ryder Cup watch-party headquarters

by greaterlongisland.com | Sep 15 2025

music

Reba McEntire Shares How Kelly Clarkson’s Kids Are Doing After Brandon Blackstock’s Death: ‘We Know God’s Got This’

by Billboard | Sep 15 2025

odd_fun

Pennsylvania police pursue pigs on the loose near country club

by United Press International, Inc. | Sep 15 2025

real_estate

This Atlanta suburb was ranked America’s best place to live — again

by NY Post | Sep 15 2025

retirement

Retirees face staggering 6-figure health care bill when leaving the workforce

by Fox News | Jul 30 2025

soccer

BREAKING: New England Revolution 'contact' two-time MLS Coach of the Year

by Yahoo Sports | Sep 15 2025

technology

Engineer turns disposable vape into 24KB web server that loads pages in 160ms

by Interesting Engineering | Sep 15 2025

wellness

The One Habit a Neurologist Does Every Day to Protect Her Brain Long-Term

by Self.com | Sep 15 2025

Word of the Day

askance

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 15, 2025 is:

askance • \uh-SKANSS\ • adverb

Askance means "in a way that shows a lack of trust or approval" or "with a side-glance."

// I couldn't help but look askance at the dealer's assurances that the car had never been in an accident.

// Several people eyed them askance when they walked into the room.

See the entry >

Examples:

"In other cultures they might look askance at such a gnarly, leggy thing wedged into a loaf. But we know that a whole fried soft shell crab is one of the gifts of southeast Louisiana's robust seafood heritage." — Ian McNulty, The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate Online, 1 May 2025

Did you know?

As with the similar word side-eye, writers over the years have used askance literally when someone is looking with a side-glance and figuratively when such a glance is conveying disapproval or distrust. Back in the days of Middle English you could use askaunce and a-skans and a-skaunces to mean “in such a way that,” “as if to say,” and “artificially, deceptively.” It’s likely that askance developed from these forms, with some help from asqwynt meaning “obliquely, askew.” Askance was first used in the 16th century with the meaning "sideways" or "with a sideways glance.”

Trespassing snake apprehended at Texas car wash

Look: Deer rescued after plunging into Michigan resident's pool

Watch: Pig found loose in Pennsylvania park for a second time

Long-lost postcard returned to sender 72 years after being mailed

Look: 'Dinosaur-like' alligator snapping turtle found under dock in Wash.

Guinness World Records marks 70th year with unclaimed titles challenge

Want to be a world record holder? These are still available

Illinois lottery player's second-choice ticket wins $200,000

Look: Cow rescued after sinking face-deep into mud pit

Japanese city weighs limiting smartphone use to 2 hours per day

Watch: Colorado deputies wrangle their second loose emu in one week

Look: Escaped horse falls into swimming pool in Nevada

Man Who Shares Name With Babe Ruth Accused Of Settlement Fraud

Store clerk selects $1M winning lottery ticket for Maryland man

Watch: Squirrel honored with Topps card after interrupting Yankees game

Look: Turtle with unique peanut-shaped shell turns 41 in Missouri

Look: Animal control officers get stranded while rescuing baby geese

Watch: Dog rescued from Chattahoochee River in Georgia

Look: Large tegu lizard spotted wandering loose in Maine

Man buys 162 tickets for one lottery drawing, wins $811,000

Octopus arms are adaptable but some are favored for particular jobs

Volkswagen Delayed Electric Golf Beyond 2029 Due To Budget Concerns

CT in talks to buy Bristol, Day Kimball and Waterbury Hospitals

Here’s How Many Steps You Really Need To Walk, Says a Cleveland Clinic Sports Cardiologist Based on New Research

Jason Wu collaborates with Robert Rauschenberg Foundation on art-inspired collection

Radiant Logistics beats expectations to close fiscal 2025

Miran set to vote at this week’s Fed meeting. Here’s what to expect on Wednesday.

Tap Room tees up as Long Island’s Ryder Cup watch-party headquarters

Reba McEntire Shares How Kelly Clarkson’s Kids Are Doing After Brandon Blackstock’s Death: ‘We Know God’s Got This’

Pennsylvania police pursue pigs on the loose near country club

This Atlanta suburb was ranked America’s best place to live — again

Retirees face staggering 6-figure health care bill when leaving the workforce

BREAKING: New England Revolution 'contact' two-time MLS Coach of the Year

Engineer turns disposable vape into 24KB web server that loads pages in 160ms

The One Habit a Neurologist Does Every Day to Protect Her Brain Long-Term

Word of the Day

10 Odd & Fun

1.Pennsylvania police pursue pigs on the loose near country club

2.Watch: Connecticut city breaks record for world's largest pizza party

3.Illinois player learns of their own lottery win from the rumor mill

4.Peru wins viral “World Cup of Breakfasts” with pan con chicharrón

5.Watch: Florida woman punches alligator to rescue her dog

6.Watch: Hundreds of people named Ryan gather for 'Rytoberfest' in New York

7.Look: Herd of escaped goats munch on lawns in Baltimore neighborhood

8.Stowaway gecko travels from Portugal to Guernsey in suitcase

9.Michigan man's Powerball winnings are 3 times more than expected

10.National Video Games Day: 5 stunning world records