1. Pat’s Picks: Tuesday, September 10

    The best headlines, the most interesting photography and conversation-starting articles from today’s newspapers.

    Most Penicillin Allergies Are Bogus

    According to the New York Times, one in ten Americans self-report a penicillin allergy.  Nine out of ten of them are wrong. Part of the problem is that people misuse the word allergy. While some drugs can have less than desirable side effects, they are not technically allergic reactions. And many people who really do have a legitimate allergy to penicillin outgrow it by the time they are adults. 

     

    Tyra Banks Poses as Cindy Crawford

    There’s a great black and white picture of Cindy Crawford in today’s New York Post.  Except it’s actually Tyra Banks made up to look like Cindy Crawford.  She’s done a series of photos with photographer Udo Spreitzenbarth where she emulates 15 top supermodels. The exhibit, which will be up until November, is called 15 for the number of models Banks is photographed as, as well as the year she started modeling.

     

    VIDEO: Gwyneth Paltrow Narrowly Avoids Moped Accident

    The Daily Mail got its hands on some video of Gwyneth Paltrow just narrowly escaping a crash as she cruised around Los Angeles on a moped with her daughter Apple on back. The actress pulled out suddenly into traffic, seemingly obvious of a school bus in her path. Luckily, the bus driver hit the brakes in time and no one was hurt. VIDEO

     

    Welcome to the SUV World

    It’s the SUV’s world, says the Wall Street Journal this morning. The SUV phenomenon may have started in the U.S. but now even the Europeans prefer to “ride high.” Though the latest generation of SUV are more sleek and aerodynamic than their predecessors, one thing remains the same says the chairman of Ford: “You sit up high, in a command seating position, [and] that makes you feel superior.”

     

    Opinion: ‘Christmas in September’ Wastes Taxpayer Money

    In this morning’s USA Today, there’s a guest column about the wastefulness of something referred to as “Christmas in September.” September 30th is when the federal fiscal year ends—and many government agencies rush to spend every dollar in their budgets because they’re worried they won’t get as much money next year if they leave anything in the bank.

     

    Honey, You’re Embarrassing Me!

    The Wall Street Journal has some advice for dealing with an embarrassing spouse in today’s paper. Psychologists say it’s pretty normal to wince occasionally at what your significant other is saying because they are seen as an extension of you. It’s only a serious problem when it happens chronically and is accompanied by fighting. And according to experts, there isn’t just one way to be embarrassed—there’s about four. From “reflective” embarrassment, when your spouse does something you find gauche, like raising their voice angrily in public, to “targeted” embarrassment, when one partner does something to intentionally embarrass the other.

     
  2. Pat’s Picks: Monday, September 9

    The best headlines, the most interesting photography and conversation-starting articles from today’s newspapers.

    96-Year-Old Man Hits Billboard Hot 100

    Fred Stobaugh decided to write some lyrics about his deceased wife and send them into an amateur music contest. They turned out to be so moving that the 96-year-old Illinois native is now the oldest person to ever land a single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart says the New York Post. The touching song, “Sweet Lorraine,” is about his wife of 72 years, who died in April. SEE VIDEO

     

    Quest to Save AM Radio

    There’s an interesting article about AM radio on the front page of the New York Times this morning. Though listenership is at an all-time low thanks to competition from FM, Internet and satellite radio stations as well as increased interference with smartphones, one man is pushing the FCC to overhaul AM radio. His message? That its longer wavelength can be heard over greater distances, making it crucial in emergency situations.

     

    Single-Load Laundry Packets Dangerous for Kids

    According to the Houston Chronicle, there’s a new threat lurking in laundry rooms around the country. Single-load laundry packets are designed to make washing clothes easier. Unfortunately, they are also designed to look just like children’s toys—squishy and colorful. The paper says in just the Houston area, 79 children have been in poisoned after ingesting the packets since January.

     

    Miley Pulled From Vogue Cover

    “It Ain’t Gonna Twerk” is the headline in the New York Daily News this morning. Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour apparently pulled Miley Cyrus from cover of the December issue after her less-than-subtle performance at the MTV Video Music Awards. But it’s not all bad news for Cyrus—she recently appeared for a spread in Harper’s Bazaar, posing in dozens of couture outfits.

     

    Five Years After Financial Crisis, System Still Fragile

    Five years later, USA Today takes a look back at the financial crisis and asks, could it happen again? Experts say what happened in 2008 happened so quickly that world and financial leaders weren’t able to look five years into the future—they were essentially performing triage. And some now worry that the measures that were taken won’t stand the test of time. Experts say too big to fail banks are still a concern as is the increasingly interconnected financial market. Some say the next crisis won’t be contain to just Europe and the U.S. but will likely spread to India, China and Brazil.

     

    One Novel, Dozens of Translations

    There’s an interesting story in the Wall Street Journal this morning about novels with varying translations. For example, why do we need 14 versions of “Anna Karenina”? And what is so different about each one? The short answer is that it costs publishers virtually nothing to commission a new translation of a classic novel, and there’s a chance it will become popular on college campuses—a very lucrative possibility.

     
  3. Pat’s Picks: Friday, September 6

    The best headlines, the most interesting photography and conversation-starting articles from today’s newspapers.

    National Parks Try to Broaden Their Appeal

    The nation’s parks are trying to figure out why the majority of their visitors are white, says the New York Times this morning. Only about one in five National Park visitors is non-white, says the paper, a statistic officials are trying to bolster with various programs, including a push to include more monuments dedicated to non-white historical figures.

     

    Japan’s Revered Baseball Record in Jeopardy

    Times are changing in Japan.  According to the New York Times, 73-year-old Sadaharu Oh has the country’s home run record at 868.  He’s the Babe Ruth of Japan. There had been a deference to him to the extent that when a young player gets within sight of his record pitchers had a habit of throwing outside the strike zone to protect the record.  But now a player from Curacao is closing in on the number one spot.

     

    Freak Toy Helicopter Accident Leaves Man Dead

    The New York Daily News has the grizzly details of a freak accident yesterday that left a 19-year-old man dead. Roman Pirozek Jr. was piloting his toy helicopter yesterday in the park when he lost control of the machine, which then dropped from the sky and its rotor blades sliced the top of his head and throat. He was killed almost instantly, say the four witnesses who saw the accident. Pirozek was an experienced pilot, but he was attempting what police described as an unusual stunt when he was hit by his helicopter.

     

    NSA Winning War on Encryption

    The NSA is winning the war on privacy. Using code-breaking computers that defeat encryption, “technical trickery, court orders and behind-the-scenes persuasion” the agency can read pretty much anything you do online, reports the New York Times this morning. That includes encryption guarding banking systems, securing emails, and protecting phone calls. As opposed to the documents revealed by Edward Snowden, which showed the scope of the NSA’s reach, this latest batch of documents shows “how the agency works to ensure that it is actually able to read the information it collects.”

     

    Harvard’s Incoming Class Full of Cheaters

    Harvard’s incoming class is full of cheaters. According to a survey given by the Harvard Crimson, 10 percent of this year’s freshman class has cheated on a test and 42 percent copped to cheating on their homework. The LA Times pulls out another statistic from the poll: 8 percent say they are expecting to get jobs in the finance industry after graduation.

     

    Luxury Barn Mansions

    Accusing someone of being raised in a barn has never been so chic. The Wall Street Journal says, these days, old barns are being repurposed into sleek mansions, complete with gut-renovated interiors. Many owners spend millions installing updated heating and cooling systems with no guarantee that the home will be profitable down the road. But they do offer ample space and jive nicely with the open-format aesthetics of the day.

     
  4. Pat’s Picks: Thursday, September 5

    The best headlines, the most interesting photography and conversation-starting articles from today’s newspapers.

    Adding Outside Noise to Headphones

    The New York Times has a review of a cool new product in today’s paper. Blocking out all noise when listening to your headphones can be dangerous. But the Fuser mitigates the problem by feeding some outside noise back in. It’s about the size of an iPod shuffle and has a mixer that allows you to control how much environmental noise you want to add in. The Times says the $30 price tag will be especially attractive to those who use their headphones outside a lot, like runners and cyclists.

     

    Jack Nicholson Retires?

    A report in the New York Daily News says Jack Nicholson has quietly retired from acting. According to sources, the 76-year-old actor has some memory loss and it’s affecting his ability to remember lines. Nicholson has not confirmed or denied the rumors. But social media was abuzz yesterday with people pointing out he hasn’t appeared in a movie since 2010.

     

    NFL’s High Arrest Rate

    USA Today looks to the upcoming NFL season with a front-page story about the rougher side of football.  The league had a particularly ugly offseason.  Active players were arrested or charged with crimes 37 times, including 10 drunk driving cases. And a murder indictment. NFL players are arrested at a rate of about one a week. Asked to address the issue, Commissioner Roger Goodell had this to say, “You’re still dealing with young men, individuals who are bound to make mistakes.”

     

    IRS Angers Restaurants, Waiters with Tip Change

    Tips are on the menu again this morning. Yesterday it was the Pete Wells column in the Times saying tips don’t do much to improve service. Today the Wall Street Journal says the IRS is about to start forcing restaurants to report automatic service charges not as tips, but as regular income.  Waiters, as you might imagine, don’t like that. The change, which is set to go into effect in January, isn’t popular with restaurants either because it’s likely to make payroll accounting much trickier.

     

    Chicken Noodle Soup for the Office Worker’s Soul

    Decaf, hazelnut or chicken noodle? The selection at your office coffee machine is about to get a little wider, says the Philadelphia Inquirer. Starting next year, Keurig will partner with Campbell’s Soup to offer up “fresh-brewed soup” in a K-Cup. The soup will be offered in three flavors, including classic chicken noodle, and Campbell’s hopes that the new format will appeal to office workers looking for something new.

     

    Study: Smartphones Ruining Our Vision

    Is your smartphone ruining your vision? A new report says the way we hold our phones can greatly impact our chances of becoming nearsighted. Because you typically hold a phone closer to your face than a book or a laptop, it’s much harder for your eyes to focus. Too much of that during the day can lead to fatigue and eventually lead to nearsightedless, says the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The only way to avoid the strain? If you can manage to hold your phone about 16 inches away from your face.

     

    Atoning Via Social Media

    This is not your bubbe’s Yom Kippur, writes the Sun Sentinel this morning. The Jewish High Holidays are a time to ask forgiveness for the people you have wronged in the previous year, something that has traditionally been done face to face. But these days, Facebook and Twitter have become popular ways to atone quickly and succinctly. Some rabbis say using social media to ask forgiveness misses the whole point of the holidays while others, knowing their audience, have embraced the trend and gone so far as to set up an atonement hashtag.

     
  5. Pat’s Picks: Wednesday, September 4

    The best headlines, the most interesting photography and conversation-starting articles from today’s newspapers.

    Time to Do Away with Restaurant Tips?

    Does our tip culture need to change? Pete Wells makes that argument in the New York Times this morning, writing that the practice of leaving a tip is “irrational, outdated, ineffective, confusing, prone to abuse and sometimes discriminatory.” Some restaurants are trying a new way, like a Manhattan sushi restaurant, which recently raised its prices, began fully compensating its staff, and stopped accepting tips.

     

    ‘Greek Yogurt Culture Wars’

    There’s a war in the refrigerated section at the supermarket.  The Wall Street Journal says Greek yogurt has become so popular that it’s squeezing out other products that have long had a place in the dairy case.  Some types of margarine are being dropped.  And many regular yogurt flavors are being pushed out to make room for new Greek varieties. Some brands are resisting the invasion however. Dannon, for example, says it won’t abandon its perennial favorites like strawberry anytime soon.

     

    McCain Plays Poker Through Syria Hearing

    Senator John McCain was caught by a Washington Post photographer playing poker on his phone while his colleague John Kerry argued for a military strike against Syria yesterday. After the photo began circulating McCain took to Twitter, writing: “Scandal! Caught playing iPhone game at 3+ hour Senate hearing - worst of all I lost!”

     

    New London Building Melts Car

    The reflection off a new skyscraper in London is so bright that it’s being blamed for melting everything in its path—including a few cars. The Walkie Talkie building is only partially completed but complaints are mounting. People say its ability to reflect light is so intense that it’s causing paint to peel, fabric to scorch and tiles to pop off in neighboring buildings. And on the street, parking around the project has been suspended after a Jaguar and several bicycles melted.

     

    ‘Lyric Videos’ The Latest Craze

    USA Today looks at the latest trend in pop music in this morning’s paper, these “lyric videos” that use emoticons and colorful fonts to literally spell out the lyrics to songs. They’re so popular these days that record labels are making them a mandatory part of the production process. The most visible example of recent, Katy Perry’s “Roar,” has been viewed more than 31 million in the last three weeks. Industry experts give Cee-Lo Green’s 2010 “Forget You” a hat tip for making the genre so popular.

     

    ‘Mantiquing’ Takes Off

    The Minneapolis Star Tribune introduced a new word into my vocabulary this morning: mantiquing. Apparently, the popularity of shows like “American Pickers” and “Storage Wars,” has caused a surge of men to start antiquing. But the rules are slightly different than they are for female shoppers. For mantiquers, it seems that the more offbeat the better. Think an 8-foot stuffed giraffe. Or an old-fashioned dentist chair.

     

    The Guide to Every NFL Team’s Secrets

    Just in time for the NFL season kickoff, the Wall Street Journal takes a peek at every team’s playbook in this morning’s paper, from the Arizona Cardinals to the Washington Redskins.  Fans can glean insider info like the Falcons’ dirty little secret (they always run the same play) or why the Giants’ always have Eli Manning hold the snap for a few seconds.

     
  6. Pat’s Picks: Tuesday, September 3

    The best headlines, the most interesting photography and conversation-starting articles from today’s newspapers.

    The Guide to a Perfect Nap

    Napping is an art. And today in the Wall Street Journal, there’s a great guide to help you take one the right way. The first thing to think about is duration and the fact that longer is not always better. The 10- to 20-minute power nap, for example, is much more effective for a boost in energy than the 30-minute cat nap. If you need help remembering names and faces later in the day, try to squeeze in a 60-minute snooze, and try to make it between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., so it doesn’t mess with your sleep cycle.

     

    5 Health Numbers Everyone Should Know

    The Minneapolis Star Tribune has a good news-you-can-use feature in this morning’s paper about five health numbers everyone should be aware of. First up is blood pressure, which should be less than 120/80. You should also know your total cholesterol number (ideally, less than 200), your BMI, your resting blood sugar and your waist circumference. If the latter is higher than 35 inches (for women; 40 for men) than you have too much abdominal fat and have an increased risk for Type 2 diabetes.

     

    McCain Backs President’s Plan for Syrian Strike

    Senator John McCain says it would be wrong for Congress to deny the president’s request for support for an attack on Syria. He did stipulate that he’d only support a strike that “was punishing enough to weaken the Syrian military” and stipulated that more must be done to arm the Syrian rebels. It was a surprising move from McCain, one of President Obama’s most vocal critics, says the New York Times, and one that is likely to cause friction within the GOP.

     

    Jeff Bezos Outlines Plans for Newspaper ‘Golden Age’

    Jeff Bezos gives his first interview since acquiring the Washington Post last month…in this morning’s Washington Post. The Amazon.com CEO says he’ll use the same tactics he employed at the e-commerce site to bring about a “golden era” at the newspaper. He gives credit to three ideas for making Amazon so successful: “Put the customer first. Invent. And be patient.” Bezos says thinking of readers as customers will help to bring change to the flailing newspaper industry.

     

    After 35 Years, Nyad Complete Historic Swim

    The big photo on the front page of the Miami Herald is of Diana Nyad after completing her historic swim from Cuba to Key West. Honestly, after all of the times we covered her NOT making it, I wasn’t paying a lot of attention until she actually got close to the end.  And it’s a nice story of serious determination and triumph.  The 110-mile swim took 52 hours, 54 minutes and 18.6 seconds to complete and left 64-year-old Nyad bruised and swollen. VIDEO

     

    Spanish-Language Film Cracks Box Office Top 5

    The Spanish-language movie “Instructions Not Included” came from nowhere to post an impressive 5th place finish in US box office sales over the long holiday weekend. Grossing $10 million, the movie stars Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez, who has a huge following with Latino audiences. The LA Times says “Instructions Not Included” is the first successful film to come out of Pantelion Films, a joint venture between Lionsgate and Mexico’s Televisa.

     

    ‘50 Shades of Grey’ Actors Announced

    They’ve picked the “50 Shades of Grey” actors, and they’re pair of surprisingly unknown names. “Sons of Anarchy” star Charlie Hunnam will played Christian Grey and Dakota Johnson, the daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, will play his love interest, Anastasia Steele. After the announcement fans were quick to complain on social media, says the New York Post, because of both actors’ under-the-radar reputations. But analysts say the producers chose well.  The movie is slated to come out in August 2014.

     

    Hey, Steal This Bike

    Cops in Philadelphia are trying a new tactic to thwart would-be bike thieves, says the Daily News: they are letting them steal bikes. The police department has placed several “bait bikes” around the city that sit unattended and unchained until someone tries to remove them. When they do, a cadre of undercover cops watching nearby swarms the thief and nabs him. Cops say they’ve made more than a dozen arrests using the new tactic and plan to add GPS trackers to the next generation of bait bikes so they can track thieves back home in hopes of uncovering more stolen bikes.

     
  7. Pat’s Picks: Tuesday, August 20

    The best headlines, the most interesting photography and conversation-starting articles from today’s newspapers.

    Office Pranks

    The office tends to get boring at the end of summer when everyone is out on vacation. But perhaps all you need to liven things up is a good old-fashioned office prank. Luckily, the Houston Chronicle asked its readers for some ideas and prints a round-up of some good ones to try in today’s paper. Like the guy who covered his entire office in tin foil. Or the company that, for thirty years, told new employees of a mandatory costume party when in fact there was no costume party.

     

    Sharapova Applies for Two-Week Name Change

    The Times of London seems to have broken this laughable but true “Sugarpova” story about tennis star Maria Sharapova applying for a legal name change. The Guardian says she applied for the sweeter surname in a Florida courtroom with the intention of converting it back after the US Open. Sugarpova didn’t just come out of thin air—it’s a line of candies “that reflects the fun, fashionable, sweet side of international tennis sensation Maria Sharapova”.

     

    Study: More Kids Tearing ACL

    More kids are tearing their ACL these days, says the New York Daily News. Formerly thought of as an adult injury, experts say the spike is due to more kids competing at a higher level much earlier in their athletic careers. And it’s not just knees. Since 2000, the number of serious shoulder injuries in young baseball and softball players has increased fivefold. Some experts say the pressure to excel at sports has become more intense with college admissions and scholarships on the line.

     

    When to Take Antibiotics and When to Avoid Them

    There’s a good Wall Street Journal article this morning on antibiotics and when to use them. According to a few recent studies, not only are doctors overprescribing antibiotics, they often give patients the wrong ones. Instead of prescribing medications to knock out a specific ailment, they’ll order one of the “big guns,” which kill both good and bad bacteria in the body. As a general rule, you should take antibiotics when you have strep throat or a bladder infection. Avoid taking them when you have a viral infection, like the flu or a cold or most ear infections.

     

    Study Questions Safety of Lipstick

    According to the New York Times this morning, your lipstick may contain lead and eight other metals that aren’t meant to be “ingested daily.” It’s long been known that most lipsticks carry a trace amount of lead, but a new study has raised questions about the other ingredients routinely found in lipstick, from cadmium to aluminum, and what happens when those metals are swallowed or absorbed into the body. Researchers say their concern was heightened after a study found that some women re-apply their lipstick up to 20 times a day.

     

    PHOTO of the DAY: Impromptu Docking

    There’s a crazy photo on the front page of the Philadelphia Inquirer this morning. Yes, that’s a fishing boat on the beach in Atlantic City. The paper says police are investigating how the boat got there. One theory is that the captain turned on the auto-pilot and fell asleep. According to reports the three-man vessel was heading to shore to drop off a crew member who had a family emergency…but didn’t quite stick the landing.

     

    Study: Like Humans, Dogs Yawn Sympathetically

    It’s common knowledge that seeing someone yawn will elicit a yawn from your own mouth. But the New York Times says a new study has proven what pet owners have often suspected: yawning is contagious among dogs too. Humans tend to mirror a yawn as a sign of empathy. And after studying two dozen breeds, researchers have found that dogs do too. But they’re not fooled a fake yawn. In the study, dogs only yawned when they saw a real one, not when someone simply stretched their arms and opened their mouth.

     
  8. Pat’s Picks: Monday, August 19

    The best headlines, the most interesting photography and conversation-starting articles from today’s newspapers.

    Engineering Coffee at the Perfect Temperature

    Coffee lovers will want to take note of the Wall Street Journal’s small business report this morning. There’s a little article about an engineer named David Jackson who was so inspired after burning his tongue on his morning latte every day that he and a partner developed something called Coffee Joulies. The metallic coffee beans are made of “phase-change material”—something that changes its state based on temperature—and absorb any access heat so your coffee remains at the perfect 140° F. When it gets too cool, the beans release the heat, keeping your cup hot for five hours.

     

    Opinion: Age Works Against You in Silicon Valley

    There’s a somewhat depressing headline on the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle this morning: “30 is the New 40,” it reads, and “40 is the New Unemployed.” Columnist Andrew S. Ross says job experience doesn’t matter like it used to in Silicon Valley, a place that is dominated by youth. The fact is that young people have simpler lives, says Mark Zuckerberg. “We may not own a car. We may not have family. Simplicity in life allows you to focus on what’s important.” Like working on an app for seven days straight.

     

    Glowing Plants on the Horizon—Cool or Scary?

    The San Jose Mercury News has an interesting story about the rise of the glowing plant. Yes, those who donated to a project engineered by Stanford graduates to create genetically-modified, glow-in-the-dark plants will soon be one in the mail as a token of appreciation. The paper says while the project has its fans, there are an equal number of people worried that “decades-old regulations are failing to keep pace with 21st century innovations in genetic engineering.” The glowing plants, for example, are exempt for regulation by the FDA, the EPA and the USDA.

     

    Scientists Discover What Makes Sunburns Hurt

    Scientists have discovered what makes a sunburn hurt so much, says the Charlotte Observer. Blame a molecule called TRPV4—a “nightclub bouncer of the cell membrane world.” TRPV4 allows somethings to enter cells and keeps others at bay. Bad news: UV-B rays are one thing it lets in. Good news: Now that researchers have identified this behavior, they are working on a product to block the reaction, something that could potentially quell painful sunburns forever.

     

    Army Debuts Formfitting Uniforms

    New recruits at Fort Sill are lining up to be the most fashion forward in the Army, says the Oklahoman, the first place where new uniforms are being doled out. Officially known as “Army Combat Uniform-Alternate,” the new uniforms are designed to be more formfitting. Initially made for women, the unisex fatigues have a “wider hip, waist and backside while the new jacket offers slimmer shoulders, a thinner waist and a longer, wider bottom.” They are not, say insiders, designed to accommodate a larger, more out-of-shape Army.

     

    This Home Run is Brought to You By….

    Baseball fans will relate to Richard Sandomir’s article in the New York Times this morning about how intrusive radio sponsorships of baseball games are getting.  As in: “Phelps painted the corner. Painting at the corners is sponsored by CertaPro Painters. Because painting is personal.” Known as drop-ins in the advertising world, Sandomir says they have become more and more common in recent years as stations try to offset the rising cost to broadcast games.

     
  9. Pat’s Picks: Friday, August 16

    The best headlines, the most interesting photography and conversation-starting articles from today’s newspapers.

    Trader Joe’s Chases a Pirate

    Trader Joe’s is pursuing a pirate, says the San Francisco Chronicle. Michael Hallatt has spent more than $350,000 in the last two years at the grocery chain. So what’s he doing with all that food? Reselling it across the border in Vancouver, Canada for a profit at his store, Pirate Joe’s. Despite the fact that the chain has no presence in Canada, Hallatt now finds himself in the midst of a major lawsuit, a circumstance that inspired him to remove the P from his store window—it now reads Irate Joe’s.

     

    Who Caught Your Fish? New Technology Has the Answer

    Some cool technology for foodies on display in the Oregonian this morning. It’s easier than ever to find out where your fish are from, thanks to a new service called Fish Trax Marketplace. All you do is scan the QR code at the grocery store’s fish display and in an instant you’ll have the fish boat captain’s name, the ship’s name and even the middleman’s info at your fingertips. The idea was inspired by a similar system used by federal officials to track fish sales.

     

    MLB Expands Replay Rule

    In an historic move, Major League Baseball looks like it’s ready to expand the use of instant replay to overturn blown calls. USA Today has a good round-up of the changes: Under the proposal, managers would get three challenges per game, one in the first six innings, and two for the seventh inning or later. Just about everything except for balls and strikes would be subject to review. Believe it or not, MLB says expanded replay should actually speed up the game, since going back to look at a disputed call takes about 90 seconds, and the average argument between a manager and an umpire lasts 3 minutes.

     

    CIA Admits Existence of Area 51

    After decades of speculation from conspiracy theorists and UFO buffs, the CIA is finally confirming the existence of Area 51. The remote desert base in Nevada was the development and staging area for high-altitude spy planes. The Las Vegas Review-Journal says until now, mentions of the base in official government documents were rare and “probably inadvertent.” Researchers are hoping this is a sign the government might be more forthcoming about other secret programs, such as the development of the F-117 Stealth jet.

     

    Sony and Viacom Reach Deal to Stream Cable Channels

    Another day, another change in the television business. Sony has convinced Viacom to go along with its plan to bypass cable and satellite companies entirely and offer live TV over the internet. Paid subscribers would be able to watch live cable channels the same way they use services like Netflix and Hulu. The New York Times says even though the deal has not been finalized, having news about it spread is good for Sony, since it may encourage other programmers to get on board.

     

    The Pooch Purse

    It’s the Birken for the dog set. The New York Post says the latest fashion trend among dog owners is toting your pet around town in a pooch purse. Yes, a pooch purse. The bags consist of a series of straps attached to a purse handle and are designed to let a dog’s legs dangle while supporting its belly. Although they come in small, medium and large, don’t try to stick your golden retriever in one—pet experts say the bags are designed for small breeds weighing between three and five pounds.

     

    Cute Animal of the Day: The Olinguito

    Introducing your cute animal of the day: The Olinguito. The rust-colored, furry mammal lives in the treetops of the Andes Mountains. The Washington Post says it’s the first new carnivore species found in the Western Hemisphere in 35 years. In some ways the Olinguito, a member of the raccoon family, was hiding in plain sight. The species has been observed in the wild for decades and was even on display at some zoos, though zoologists didn’t realize the animals were a different species than the Olingo.

     
  10. Pat’s Picks: Thursday, August 15

    The best headlines, the most interesting photography and conversation-starting articles from today’s newspapers.

    Competitors Take Aim at New Coors Light Can

    The new Coors Light can is being touted as the “world’s most refreshing can,” a claim that has prompted Anheuser-Busch and its other competitors to mount a formal complaint to federal regulators says the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The complaint takes issue with three statements that it says are false: that the can provides a “smoother, more refreshing pour,” that it “locks in frost brewed taste,” and that when the mountains on the new Coors Light can turn blue “it’s as cold as the Rockies.” A little trivia: In 1991, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms forced the Coors Brewing Company to drop its slogan “It won’t slow you down” because that’s exactly what beer does.

     

    Hundreds Killed As Police Clash With Egyptian Protestors

    Security forces in Egypt stormed the camps of supporters of ousted president Mohammed Morsi.  The early morning assaults killed at least 300 people. A reporter from the Washington Post recounts her experiences after being caught in the raid on the opposition forces’ main encampment.  Abigail Hauslohner says the attack was stunning in its ferocity. She says one officer told her and her colleagues, “If I see you again, I’ll shoot you in the leg.”

     

    Cat DNA Helps Nab Killer

    Fingerprints aren’t the only thing that will convict you. The Daily Mail says police in London were able to catch a suspected murderer after running DNA from the cat hair he left behind. Using the UK’s first cat DNA database, investigators linked hair from Tinker, which was found on the victim’s dismembered body, to his owner, David Hinkley.

     

    Covert Clothing

    In the Washington Post style section this morning: covert clothes for those seeking to avoid surveillance. The Post says the fashion industry has responded to the decrease in privacy by creating pieces of clothing and accessories designed to thwart wandering eyes and ears. One product, due to ship next week is a metallized fabric case that claims to shield cell phones from snoops. Some other projects include face paint that makes faces invisible to computer algorithms and a burka-like metallic head covering.

     

    Cost of Raising Kids Up 23%

    Thinking about having a baby? You better start raising some funds. USA Today says the price of raising a child has increased 23 percent since 1960, thanks to more expensive health care, child care and housing costs. Parents who welcome a child in 2013 can expect to spent anywhere from $217,000 to $1 million by the time their kid turns 18. The total does not include the cost of sending them to college, which can cost another $100,000 or more.

     

    Shopping Up a Storm

    The Weather Channel is predicting more than just when the next storm will roll in. The Wall Street Journal says the cable network is forecasting what you will buy by analyzing when, where and how often you check the weather. They use that information to appeal to advertisers. So the next time you check the weather on a humid day, you might be greeted by an ad for a frizzy hair treatment product.

     

    Thumb Free Umbrella for Texting

    Great idea - or too silly to use?  The New York Times has a feature on “The Brolly.” It’s an umbrella with a handle that allows for a four-finger grip, leaving your thumb free.  This way, you can send out a text or check your email without getting wet or trying to hold the umbrella awkwardly under your chin for a minute. Gregory Schmidt says that while the handle design is great, the rest of the umbrella seems a bit too flimsy.

     

Autoload...