Unusual News
Georgia Legislator Who Wants Welfare Recipients Drug Tested is Arrested for Drunk Driving
Republican legislator Kip Smith of Georgia, a strong supporter of drug testing for welfare recipients, was arrested late last week for driving under the influence.
According to local police, Smith's blood-alcohol level was .091. The state's le... read more
Researchers Name Horse Fly Species after Beyoncé
A rare Australian horse fly has been named after one of pop music's most glamorous stars: Beyoncé.
Although others may make light of the decision, entomologist Bryan Lessard was sincere, if not a little cheeky, when he explained why Australia'... read more
TSA Defends Confiscating Professor’s Cupcake
Having become the butt of jokes across the Internet, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) decided to address the issue of “cupcakegate” on its blog.
Last month, passenger Rebecca Hains, a professor at Salem State University in Mass... read more
If Skyscraper Construction is a Sign of Looming Economic Crisis, China is Next
Rather than symbolize economic growth, the rise of skyscrapers often portend bad times ahead, says one property analyst. If this correlation is accurate, China and India beware.
A report written by Andrew Lawrence, director of property researc... read more
Injured by “The Spirit,” Illinois Woman Sues Church
Cheryl Jones got more than anticipated when she visited the Disciple Fellowship Christian Church in East St. Louis, Illinois.
During services on January 5, 2010, the church pastor laid hands on a parishioner who was then overcome with “the spi... read more
Actress Sues Internet Movie Database for Revealing her Age
A 40-year-old actress is suing Amazon, owner of the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), for revealing her age and consequently costing her employment opportunities in Hollywood.
Huong Hoang, who goes by Junie Hoang, contends Amazon used her person... read more
Unexpected Connection: Bad Real Estate Market in Georgia Could Lead to Delayed Executions
The state of Georgia may be looking at prolonged delays for many of its death-row inmates unless it can come up with more money for legal defense.
Most of the 90 prisoners facing execution are represented by the Georgia Appellate Practice and ... read more
State Department Refuses to Release Cables Already Available on Internet
As far as the State Department is concerned, WikiLeaks’ release of 250,000 of the agency’s secret cables never happened. That’s why if any American requests copies of the exposed documents, the State Department refuses—insisting the information is... read more
Gingrich, Unaware Washington and Jefferson Grew Marijuana, Claims They Would Have “Violently” Opposed Growers
Former history professor and presidential candidate Newt Gingrich has said that two of the nation’s founding fathers would not have tolerated marijuana production and would have cracked down violently on growers.
“I think Jefferson or George W... read more
Indiana Law Would Criminalize “Inappropriate” Singing of National Anthem
Claiming there’s a right and wrong way to do it, a lawmaker in Indiana has introduced legislation that bans the inappropriate singing of the national anthem.
Republican Senator Vaneta Becker’s bill would set specific “performance standards” fo... read more
Best Unusual Stories from AllGov—Government in Action Edition
ATF Training Exercise Gone Wrong Burns 150 Acres in Texas
In Motley County, in North Texas, ATF agents decided to blow up a stockpile of explosives. Unfortunately, in doing so they also set off a grass fire that burned 150 acres before it was bro... read more
Best Unusual Stories from AllGov—Financial Crisis Edition
Man Robs Bank to Get Arrested and Gain Health Care
Desperate for care, James Richard Verone walked into his local RBC bank and demanded $1 from the teller. He then proceeded to wait for police to arrive and arrest him. Before doing so, he mailed ... read more
Coast Guard Alters Passenger Limits for Boats to Adjust for Fatter Americans
America’s expanding waist lines have prompted the U.S. Coast Guard to adopt new rules for the first time in half a century because they now assume that the average passenger aboard vessels is a good 25 pounds heavier.
The new regulation states... read more
Best Unusual Stories from AllGov—Criminal Justice Edition
Ex-Sheriff Booked into Jail Named after Him
The Patrick J. Sullivan Jr. Detention Facility in Colorado this week took in an unexpected prisoner: Patrick J. Sullivan Jr. himself. The former sheriff of Arapahoe County (1983-2002), for whom the jail... read more
Best Unusual Stories from AllGov—Open Government Edition
SEC Censors Document on How It Censors Documents
The government watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request in September 2010 seeking the new guidelines handed out t... read more
Best Unusual Stories from AllGov—International Edition
Chinese TV Passes Off Footage from “Top Gun” as Chinese Military Drill
China Central Television, a government-sponsored broadcaster, recently aired footage purportedly of a Chinese J-10 fighter demonstrating its air-to-air combat prowess. In the ... read more