Remembering some of those lost in the deadly central Texas flash floods
There have been more than 100 deaths following the flash floods in Texas, and dozens more are still unaccounted for. We remember some of those lost in the floods.
Ice Cream Truck Switches From Jingles To Text Messages
Sweden's icy winter leads a lot of people indoors which didn't deter one enterprising ice cream truck driver. He simply played his truck's jingle louder. So loud, that residents complained. Which led the ice cream company to come up with a quieter substitute to the traditional jingle: texting.
10,000 Year Clock Challenges Approach To Time
In this final interview in our series of conversations about the future, Morning Edition co-host Steve Inskeep talks to Danny Hillis, a scientist and engineer and the inventor of a clock designed to last 10,000 years. The clock is meant to encourage people to think about the long-range future; the "long now" as Hillis calls it.
Syria To Miss Deadline To Remove Chemical Weapons Stockpile
Today is the deadline for Syria to hand over about 500 tons of ingredients for its chemical weapons including the deadliest: Sarin and mustard gas. Renee Montagne talks to Ake Sellstrom, who headed the U.N. team of inspectors investigating the use of chemical weapons in Syria.
Kiwi Gardner Gets A Break, Told To 'Go At The Rim'
Two months ago, NPR listeners were introduced to Kiwi Gardner, 20, a 5'7" basketball wiz from Oakland, Calif. Like so many talented young ballplayers, Gardner's ultimate goal is the NBA but he has took take the minor league route.
Giant Peach, Cheese Wedge To Ring In New Year
In Georgia, an 800 pound peach is Atlanta's version of the Times Square crystal ball. Among the other huge items being dropped New Year's Eve: A giant ruby slipper in Key West, Fla. In Plymouth, Wis., an 80 pound cheese wedge is decorated for the occasion.
Would-Be Robber Rejects Victim's Flip Phone
A man was being mugged in New York's Central Park when the thief asked for the victim's phone. According to the New York Post, when he saw it was an old phone, he gave it back to the victim.
Local Brewery Has Starbucks Frothing Over Stout's Name
The giant coffee chain sent a cease-and-desist letter to the owner of Exit 6 Pub and Brewery in Missouri. Starbucks told the pub to stop referring to one of its dark, frothy beers as "the frappicino." Starbucks noted it sounds a lot like its trademarked frozen coffee drink.
American Dialect Society To Vote On Word Of The Year
Later this week the American Dialect Society will announce its word of the Year. Renee Montagne discusses word contenders with linguist Ben Zimmer, who is the language columnist for The Wall Street Journal.
Crushed Strawberry Won't Ruin Harrisburg's New Year
For the past 14 years, people in the Pennsylvania capital have been lowering a giant strawberry to mark the new year. During a test drop, the 65 pound fiberglass strawberry dropped three stories and shattered. Organizers say they'll have a new one ready for New Year's Eve.
How Do You Get A Cow Out Of Your Swimming Pool?
This is not the set up for a bad joke, it's a real conundrum faced by an Oregon man last week. The solution, it turns out, involves draining the pool. Along with a series of straps and ropes, a ramp, a bucket of oats and 10 firefighters to haul the cow out.
TV Prank Reveals News Media Shortcoming
ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel's fake twerking video not only made thousand of people believe a woman accidentally set herself on fire by twerking upside down, it fooled loads of news outlets into playing the fraudulent clip as if it were real. In one swoop, Kimmel uncovered how reliant many news programs are on found material they cannot or do not verify.