What We’re Talking About

Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday: Although it’s the time change that everyone initially hates because we lose an hour of sleep Saturday night, it is immediately forgiven by most people who enjoy having an extra hour of daylight in the evening. But how much do you really know about Daylight Saving Time? Here are some interesting facts.

• It is “saving” and not “savings.”
• It is a myth that Daylight Saving Time was implemented to benefit farmers. It was actually implemented in 1918 with the Standard Time Act and was intended as a wartime measure during World War I to conserve energy resources.
• Longer daylight hours encourage outdoor activities, reduce energy consumption, and enhance overall well-being.
• Retailers traditionally see increased sales because of extended evening shopping hours.
• Arizona (with the exception of the Navajo Nation), and Hawaii do not participate in DST. Arizona participated once in 1967 and never again.
• Daylight stretching later into the evening is great, but the mornings will stay darker longer, making it harder to get out of bed.
• There has been a push in Congress to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, but so far it is has not happened.
• According to the National Institutes of Health, effects of changing our clocks could include strokes, heart attacks, accidents and changes in mood.

While many people don’t look forward to shots, one German man voluntarily received the Covid vaccine 217 times in 29 months. The man did so against recommendations “for private reasons”, and then allowed scientists to examine his blood samples. While scientists suspected so many vaccines could send the man’s body into “overdrive”, he appears to have suffered no negative side effects. The patient also shows no signs of having contracted Covid. However, scientists “do not endorse hyper vaccination as a strategy to enhance adaptive immunity.”  A correspondence published in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases found the man’s “hypervaccination” did not significantly improve or worsen his immune response.

Here is a list of Easter Egg Hunts happening in our area!

-Community Breakfast & Easter Egg Hunt is is happening Saturday, March 30th from 8:00-10:00 AM at the Retreat Methodist Fellowship Hall(E3426 County Road N, De Soto). Easter Egg Hunt will start at 10.  Check out the Bake Sale Feat. Easter Cookies!

-Waukon Easter Egg Hun is happening Saturday, March 30 at the Waukon City Park.  Registration will begin @ 10:00 am and will be done as you drive in, then go to your area and unload. Remember to bring your baskets.  Ages 11 and under grouped as boys and girls 5-under, 6-8, & 9-11.  Hunt begins 10:30am.   Prizes include bikes and money. Bring your cameras as the Easter Bunny will be there.  Donations given from local businesses and area banks.  For more info, or would like to help or donate, call Linda at 563-794-1663.

-The Red Barn Campground and Restaurant in Lansing is hosting their 3rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30th at 1:00 PM.  Get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny. Bring your basket and fill it up with some goodies! Hayrack Rides too!

-The 1st Annual Fort Atkinson Public Library Easter Egg Hunt is happening Saturday, March 30th at 10:00 AM at the Fort Atkinson Public Park.  Please bring your own basket, bucket or bag to carry off your eggs! This is a free event, but free will donations will be accepted.

-The 4-H Toppers Annual Easter Egg Hunt is set for Saturday, March 30th at 10:00 AM at the Waterville Community Center.  Please bring a non-perishable food item for the local food shelf.  In the case of inclement weather, the hunt will be held in the gymnasium.

-The Elkport-Garber EMS and Elkport Garber Community Club are hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30th at 1:00 PM at the Elkport City Park.  Prizes will be awarded and come meet the Easter Bunny.

-Community children are invited to join the Easter Egg hunt at Aase Haugen in Decorah on Monday, April 1! The hunt starts at the solarium facing Ohio Street at 10:45 a.m. Follow the fun signs around the building, stopping at Assisted Living and ending at the Main Entrance where children can go inside to the Egg Cracking Station and greet the residents in the main dining room.

-The Calmar/Springfield Luther League are hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30th at 9:00 AM at Riverside Park in Spillville.  Bring your own container/basket.  The Easter Bunny will be there for pictures.

-The Calmar Community Club is sponsoring an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30th at 10:00 AM at the South Winneshiek High School Practice Fields in Calmar.  Over 2000 eggs!  Easter Bunny will be ready for pictures by 9:45 AM.

-The De Soto Public Library is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30th at 9:30 AM.  A story will be read after the hunt.

Do have info on an Easter Egg Hunt happening this year??  Let us know!  E-mail erik@kneiradio.com

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior guard, Caitlin Clark, was unanimously named the Big Ten Player of the Year for the third consecutive season on Tuesday live on the Big Ten Network’s “B1G Today” show. Kate Martin and Hannah Stuelke earned Second Team All-Conference honors from the coaches and media.

Clark joins Ohio State’s Jessica Davenport as the only players in conference history to win back-to-back-to-back player of the year honors. This also marks the sixth time in seven seasons and 10th time overall that an Iowa student-athlete has been named Big Ten Player of the Year. Iowa has the second-most Big Ten Player of the Year award recipients in conference history.

A native of West Des Moines, Iowa, Clark is once again a finalist for every major national player of the year award, most recently being named a finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award as the nation’s top point guard (an honor she earned the last two seasons). Clark leads the nation in assists (8.6 assists per game) and in scoring (32.3 points per game) after becoming the first player to finish No. 1 in both categories in back-to-back seasons. She also owns a nation-leading six triple-doubles this season, giving her a conference-record 17 for her career (second in NCAA history). Clark also became the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer in men’s and women’s basketball on March 3, 2024.

Clark is the first player in program history to be named First Team All-Big Ten four times in four years of competition.

Martin, a graduate student, in her sixth year with the program has played in every game and has registered the second-most points and rebounds for Iowa this season. Martin became the first Iowa women’s basketball player to notch 900+ points, 500+ rebounds, 400+ assists, 120+ steals, and 60+ blocks in a career.

A native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Stuelke recently owned the record for most points scored in Carver-Hawkeye Area history against Penn State on Feb. 8, 2024. She netted 47 points which is the third-most points in a single game in program history. In that same game, she broke the school record for free throw attempts (21) and field goals made (17). Stuelke has scored 20+ points on six occasions this season.

UP NEXT
The 2-Seed Hawkeyes will either face 10-Seed Wisconsin or 7-Seed Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals on Friday. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. (CT) inside a sold-out Target Center. The game will air on the Big Ten Network and the Hawkeye Radio Network.

Manchester, Iowa – March 5, 2024 – The Delaware County Fair is proud to announce country music powerhouse Brantley Gilbert will be taking the stage on Friday, July 12th. This electrifying performance promises to be a highlight of the fair, delivering Gilbert’s signature blend of high-energy anthems and heartfelt ballads.

With an impressive repertoire that includes seven No. 1 hits, Brantley Gilbert has solidified his place as one of the most influential figures in contemporary country music. His chart-toppers include RIAA 7x Platinum-certified “Bottoms Up,” “Country Must Be Country Wide,” “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do,” “One Hell of An Amen,” and the Platinum-certified collaboration with Lindsay Ell “What Happens In A Small Town.” Additionally, Gilbert has achieved success as a songwriter, contributing to hits like CMA Song of the Year nominee “Dirt Road Anthem” and “My Kinda Party.”

Gilbert’s landmark record, Just As I Am, clinched the 2014 American Music Award for Favorite Country Album, further solidifying his status as a fan favorite. Praised by esteemed publications such as the New York Times, NPR, and American Songwriter, Gilbert’s music resonates with audiences worldwide.

Known for his ability to explore the juxtaposition between the party lifestyle and his deep-rooted faith, Brantley Gilbert brings authenticity and passion to every performance. His latest album, So Help Me God (Deluxe Edition), features 15 tracks, all co-written by Gilbert, and includes collaborations with industry heavyweights like Blake Shelton, Vince Gill, Jason Aldean, HARDY and Toby Keith, and Jelly Roll.

Fans can expect an unforgettable experience as Gilbert gears up for his Off The Rails Tour 2024, along with select dates on Rock the Country this spring and summer. Don’t miss your chance to witness this country music phenomenon live at the Delaware County Fair!

Tickets for Brantley Gilbert’s performance go on sale Saturday, March 9th at 9:00 a.m. Make sure to mark your calendars and secure your spot for what promises to be an incredible night of music and entertainment. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.delawarecountyfair.com.

Motorists in Spokane, Washington were alerted to a bizarre road hazard during their morning commute on Wednesday where they were advised to be on the lookout for angry raccoons.

An electronic road sign on the side of the road displayed a message which read, “Angry raccoons ahead.” Motorists didn’t really know what to do with that confusing information. The Department of Public Works contacted the company that controls the sign and concluded that a prankster somehow hacked into it and changed the message. Spokane Traffic Control, which owns and operates the sign, said they were relieved that the message was at least G-rated and not offensive.

Warmer air surges northward today along with winds gusting to around 25 to 40 mph from the southwest. Humidity values fall to around 20 to 25 percent this afternoon and create elevated to critical fire weather conditions today. The highest fire danger exists across northeast Iowa where the winds will be the strongest and snowpack has melted.

Any fires that start could spread rapidly and be hard to control. Avoid outdoor burning today.

• What: Southwest winds gusting 25 to 40 mph, humidity dropping to 20-30%, and dry fuels will create conditions for quick starting, moving fires.
• Where: Highest fire danger will be over parts of northeast Iowa. Elevated fire danger will be along and south of I-90.
• Timing: Through 6 pm
• Impacts: Fires will start very easily, moving quickly through dried grasses and dead leaves
• ACTION: avoid any outdoor burning

The National Weather Service in La Crosse has issued a Red Flag Warning for critical fire weather conditions for parts of northeast Iowa, which is in effect from 10 AM this morning to 6
PM CST this evening. AFFECTED AREA…In Iowa, Mitchell, Howard, Floyd, Chickasaw and Fayette.

Is Leap Day really necessary? The short answer is yes, it is … in order to keep our calendars accurate. We know that it takes 365 days for the Earth to circle around the sun, but it’s not quite exact. In actuality, it takes slightly longer – roughly 365 days and six hours. It’s just a few extra hours each year, but they add up. So, in order to keep the calendar accurate, an extra day needs to be added, hence February 29th. If we didn’t add the extra day every four years, the seasons would shift, and a white Christmas would be very unlikely in the summer.

Did you know there was a tradition of women proposing to men on Leap Day? If you didn’t, it’s probably because a survey found most women think Leap Day proposals are completely “out of date.” Two-thirds of the women surveyed said they would never consider proposing on February 29th. That said, 16% of the women polled said they were planning to propose today.

Some other Leap Day facts….

-A person born on a Leap Day is called a “29er”, a “leapling” or a “leaper”. The odds of being born on February 29th are 1-in-1,461.
-The Henriksen family from Norway set the Guinness World Record for the most children born on February 29 in the same family, with children born in 1960, 1964 and 1968. American family the Estes tied the record, with Leapers born in 2004, 2008 and 2012.

According to a new Delta Dental poll, the tooth fairy is leaving a little less this year. The average value of a lost tooth declined by 6% from $6.23 to $5.84. Still not too shabby.

U.S. regional ranking for the average value of a lost tooth

1. West ($8.54): Surged ahead of the pack to lead U.S. regions with the highest monetary gift for a lost tooth, marking a 37% increase since last year’s results.
2. Northeast ($6.87): Increased 12% and surpassed the national average by more than $1.00.
3. South ($5.51): Dropped below the national average, after leading last year with $6.59 for a lost tooth.
4. Midwest ($3.63): Significantly trailed the national average with a 36% drop, returning close to its 2021 average of $3.66.

MASON CITY, Iowa – Feb. 27, 2024 – On Sunday, Feb. 25, the Iowa Department of Transportation was alerted to unexpected movement on the existing Mississippi River Bridge connecting Iowa Highway 9 in Lansing, Iowa to Wisconsin Highway 82 in rural Crawford County, Wisconsin. The bridge was closed as a result of this discovery.

After thoroughly inspecting the bridge, engineers have determined there has been movement in two existing bridge piers near the work zone.

Work is already in progress to stabilize the two impacted piers so we can reopen the bridge as quickly as possible. However, work is expected to take up to two months. The bridge will not be reopened until it is deemed safe.

The nearest bridges for vehicle traffic to cross the Mississippi River are at La Crescent, Minnesota/Lacrosse, Wisconsin, or Marquette, Iowa/Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.

We are currently working on alternative transportation options for those who rely on the bridge.

For updates on the bridge construction and optional transportation services, please go to https://iowadot.gov/lansingbridge. Brief updates will be posted to the website and you can sign up to receive more detailed updates, as well.

You can also find more information on the Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LansingBridge/.

Photo Credit: Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing via Facebook

Last night on American Idol, Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter, Emmy Russell performed for the judges. She sang an original song called “Skinny”, and the judges gave her golden ticket to Hollywood.

To find out more on Emmy Russell, check out her Instagram page.

 

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Photo Credit:  American Idol via YouTube

We aren’t sure if Morgan Wallen has any acting aspirations, but after watching the longform promo for his Ryl Tea that he shared on Instagram, we think he has a lot of potential.

 

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An Ohio couple held their wedding in an unusual venue: a Kentucky gas station’s viral “disco bathroom.” Logen Abney and Tiana Ailstock, who live in the Cincinnati area, exchanged vows in the bathroom at the Hop Shops location in Verona. The store’s bathroom went viral online for a big red button that causes a disco ball to switch on and dance music to play. “Tiana, from the first dance in this disco bathroom to this moment, I vow to hop through life with you. through the funk beats and mellow melodies, every rhythm in life,” Abney said in his vows. The couple pressed the red button at the end of the ceremony to share their first dance.

Photo Credit: Hop Shops via YouTube

A college baseball player named Matt Masciangelo made his debut for Sacramento State last Friday and got hit by a pitch SEVEN TIMES in his first eight at-bats.  The announcer couldn’t believe it kept happening.

𝙉𝙊𝙏 1, 𝙉𝙊𝙏 2, 𝙉𝙊𝙏 3…
But how about 7? Sacramento State’s Matt Masciangelo was a hit… err… was hit… by a pitch seven times in eight plate appearances in his Hornet debut against Loyola Marymount on Friday… #StingersUp pic.twitter.com/U4enqrAQwD

— Sac State Baseball (@SacStBaseball) February 17, 2024

It was during a double- header, and then he also got hit in his first at-bat the next day.  So it was really eight of his first nine.  One was with the bases loaded, so it wasn’t on purpose.

Photo Credit: Sac State Baseball via X

The Clayton County Fair is set for later this summer, July 31 – August 5 in National, and they always bring in some great country music acts!  Thursday, August 1st the entertainment will include Whey Jennings, the Grandson of Waylon Jennings at 7PM.  Taking the stage at 9PM that night is 90’s country legends BlackHawk.  Friday, August 2nd acts include the Eli Alger at 7PM, and Not Quite Brothers at 9PM.  For all the details on the Clayton County Fair, check out the fair website here.

Students in Paris, Kentucky, have a day off from school today –and it’s not a snow day. It’s not even a holiday, although the superintendent thinks it should be. The district actually voted to close schools because it’s the day after the Super Bowl. Every year, the topic of whether “Super Bowl Monday” should be a holiday comes up and nothing is ever done about it, so Stephen McCauley, the superintendent of Paris City Schools, decided to put it up for a vote – and the board approved it.

Instead of having a long Presidents’ Day weekend, the schools will observe a long Super Bowl weekend. McCauley announced in a video, “No need to rush the kids to bed at halftime or leave the parties and taco dip early. At Paris City Schools, we understand school should adjust to fit real life. Enjoy the game and cheer on your favorite team.”

NEW HAMPTON, Iowa – Feb. 9, 2024 – If you travel on Front Street in Lansing you need to be aware of an upcoming road closure that may slow down your trip.

Beginning on Friday morning, Feb. 16, weather permitting, crews will close Front Street between Henry and Hale streets to start work on Pier 1 for the Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing replacement project.

Front Street will be closed through the fall of 2024. The next anticipated closure of Front Street will be from the fall of 2025 through the summer of 2027.

For more information about the Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing, visit the Iowa DOT website page at https://iowadot.gov/lansingbridge or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LansingBridge.

Help keep everyone on the road safer. Drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, you should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through our 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or Twitter (find links at https://iowadot.gov/511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to your mobile device.

Photo Credit: Iowa DOT

Former Green Bay Packer Brett Favre spoke to Toby Keith a couple of weeks before Toby’s passing, and it sounds as if he knew the end was imminent.

In an interview with TMZ Sports, Brett remembered Toby telling him that he had quit chemo thinking it was doing more damage than good, and he was hopeful he hadn’t quit too late. Brett also said that Toby’s weight had dropped from 260 to 130, and that the singer said that whatever happened, he was OK with it.

Imagine taking a ride on a carousel and hopping up on a truck, an airplane, or a rainbow – instead of a colorful horse like you’ve come to expect. That’s the kind of merry-go-’round envisioned by PETA, which sent a letter to Chance Rides, the country’s largest manufacturer of amusement rides. The animal rights activists want the company to stop using animal designs on its carousels because it normalizes “the use of animals as conveyances and amusements.” Instead, they suggest using things like vehicles, spaceships, rainbows, and shooting stars. Chase Rides has not responded to PETA’s request.

A car scrapping company in Britain is offering jilted exes the chance to send former lovers to the junk heap for Valentine’s Day.  Scrap Car Comparison announced its “Scrap Your Ex” program will allow people to have cars named after their exes before being sent to the scrap heap. “Offering a unique form of ‘car-tharsis’ for anyone that has recently gone through a breakup, the ‘Scrap Your Ex’ scheme is open for a limited time to anyone worldwide who wants to trash the memories of a past relationship, or even nominate a friend’s ex that deserves to be junked,” the company said in a news release. Anyone seeking to have their ex scrapped for Valentine’s Day simply has to put their name into an online form and explain why their particular ex-lover deserves to end up in the dump. Each car scraped during the promotion will have a chosen ex’s name written on its chassis. The person who nominated their ex for scrapping will receive photographic evidence of the deed.

Photo Credit: Scrap Car Comparison

Jelly Roll will be featured in a Super Bowl commercial this year for Uber Eats where he pokes fun at all the tattoos he has on his face.  Here is a quick clip of the commercial.

I’m sure this list will spark some conversation.  With the big game on the way, the commercials during the game always steal the show.  The website Study Finds put together a list of the best Super Bowl commercials of all time.  Below are the top five.

1. Hey Kid, Catch- Mean Joe Greene for Coca-Cola (1979)

2. Apple’s Macintosh Commercial (1984)

3. Wendy’s: “Where’s the Beef?” (1984)

4. McDonald’s: “The Showdown” McDonald’s (1993)

5. Snickers: “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” (2010)

Photo Credit: Reelblack One via YouTube

Darius Rucker was arrested in Tennessee on Thursday (February 1^st) and charged with drug possession.  According to TMZ the “Wagon Wheel” singer was arrested for two counts of simple possession/casual exchange of a controlled substance and one count of a violation of the state’s vehicle registration law.  The former Hootie and the Blowfish frontman was brought into jail around 10am PT and released about an hour later. His attorney, Mark Puryear told TMZ, “Darius Rucker is fully cooperating with authorities related to misdemeanor charges.

If you’ve ever thought of Chuck E. Cheese as a quality restaurant, which just happens to be inside a very large arcade, then you’re probably the ideal customer for the fun center’s new official cookbook. That’s right, Chuck E. Cheese has published a cookbook, so now you can prepare and enjoy all of your favorites at home without the deafening bells, sirens, and electronic sounds of the games all around you. The 128-page Chuck E. Cheese and Friends Party Cookbook features recipes for party favorites like pizzas, quesadillas, something called Mummy dogs, and birthday cakes – but there are also recipes for breakfast items, appetizers, snacks and desserts. The book is set to shelves on March 19th.

 

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A chain of Kentucky convenience stores are attracting visitors and going viral online for an unusual feature: a button that turns the bathroom into a disco dance party. Six HOP Shops locations in Northern Kentucky have big red buttons installed in their bathrooms with a sign reading: “Do Not Push This Button.” Mary Moss, the manager at the HOP Shops in Walton, said a winking photo of mascot Hopper the Frog on the sign is meant to indicate to customers that they should actually push the button, and its an experience she recommends. Pushing the button activates colored lights, a disco ball and music in the bathroom, turning it into a miniature dance club. The bathrooms have proven to be a big draw, with workers at the HOP Shops reporting that many people come into the stores just to experience the disco bathrooms. Videos documenting what happens when someone pushes the button have gone viral on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. The first bathroom was installed at the HOP Shop in Verona in February 2023, and proved to be such a big hit that the company started expanding them to other locations, with the sixth disco bathroom opening earlier this month in Florence.

Cody Johnson was brought to tears during a show in California when he saw a young fan in the crowd holding a sign that read “I survived my bone marrow transplant to see CoJo, your biggest fan.”

 

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They say Oreo’s newest cookie is out of this world – and its makers want you to be, too. To celebrate the launch of a galaxy-inspired limited-edition cookie flavor “Space Dunk”, Oreo has partnered with Space Perspective, the world’s “first and only” carbon-neutral “spaceflight experience” company, to send one lucky cookie lover to space. The winner will be sent on a “transformative 6-hour journey to the edge of space in the Spaceship Neptune. No special training is required, and there’s no weightlessness or heavy g-forces involved.

One small step for man, one giant leap for cookie-kind 🚀🌟OREO Space Dunk will land on shelves 1/29 pic.twitter.com/kZHxff7XHv

— OREO Cookie (@Oreo) January 23, 2024

Photo Credit:  Oreo via X

Ranch for your chapped lips … Is the cold winter air leaving you with dry, chapped lips? Do you also really love Ranch dressing? If you answered “yes” to both, you are in luck, because Hidden Valley is partnering with Burt’s Bees to release a limited-edition Ranch-flavored lip balm. This is not a joke, people. The Hidden Valley lip balm comes in four varieties – original Hidden Valley Ranch, Crunchy Celery, Fresh Carrot, and Buffalo Sauce. You get all four flavors in the pack, which you can purchase for $11.99 only at BurtsBees.com.

 

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Millions of cicadas will again invade parts of the United States this spring and summer with their beady red eyes and hauntingly loud song. These frightening, yet completely harmless, insects come around every year to mate and lay eggs, but they are cyclical and come back more en masse in intervals of either 13 or 17 years. Lucky for us this year, two particular groups, or broods as they’re known, are coming back at the same time. Brood 19, which is on a 17-year cycle, will invade 14 states across the Southeast and Midwest. At the same time, Brood 13 will arrive in five Midwestern states. Those who live in Illinois and Indiana will be lucky (or unlucky) enough to experience both of them.

Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan will pay tribute to Alabama for CMT.  The network announced Wednesdays that “CMT GIANTS: ALABAMA,’ a star-studded salute celebrating one of the most iconic country groups of all time, will also feature Evander Holyfield, Jamey Johnson, Lionel Richie, Little Big Town, Lorrie Morgan, Martina McBride, Old Dominion, Pam Tillis, Riley Green, Sam Hunt and Vince Gill.  The two-hour special will film at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville.

Photo Credit:  Alabama via Facebook

A mother found something in her young son’s underwear drawer that she never could have expected to find — not even in Australia.

The Melbourne woman was going through her three-year-old’s drawers when she was greeted by a five-foot eastern brown snake, which is one of the world’s deadliest snakes. She called in a snake wrangler known as “The Snake Hunter” who admitted “that’s not something you see everyday.” Fortunately he was able to capture the underwear snake and safely remove it from the house.

If you like cute animals, you have to see this viral TikTok video of a camel that walked into a guy’s kitchen.  This was posted by an animal sanctuary in California.  Albert the camel knows all the food is in there, take a look at the video as finally get the big guy outside.

@ranchograndeojai Albert our camel gets into the kitchen again and reeks havoc in search of food. #ranchograndeojai #ranchogrande #farmlife #ranch #animals #dog #puppy #airbnb #baby #camel #wow ♬ Sneaky Friends – Eitan Epstein Music

Photo Credit: ranchograndeojai via TikTok

Every year there are new words entering our daily vernacular, and some of them even make their way into the dictionary. But sometimes when we start using new words, we stop using old ones, and one university is looking to reverse that by bringing back some old-timey words that our grandparents and great-grandparents may have used back in their day. Wayne State University’s “Word Warriors” have released their annual list of “long-lost” words that they believe are due for a comeback this year. Making the list this year are:

• Blatherskite: A person who talks at great length without making much sense.
• Curglaff: The shock felt when one first plunges into cold water
• Dollop: A shapeless mass or blob of something.
• Kaffeeklatsch: An informal social gathering at which coffee is served.
• Pawky: Having a mocking or cynical sense of humor.
• Petrichor: The pleasant smell that accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm and dry weather.
• Pettifogger: An inferior legal practitioner.
• Rawgabbit: A person who speaks confidently but ignorantly.
• Thunderplump: A heavy fall of rain during a thunderstorm.
• Twankle: To twang with the fingers on a musical instrument.

Another significant winter storm is expected to cause travel impacts from late tonight into Saturday across the region. Besides the potential for heavy snow, winds will be on the increase, leading to blowing and drifting. There could also be pockets of whiteout conditions, especially in open areas.

Currently a broad swath of 6 to 10 inches is forecast, but those amounts could still change based on storm track and amount of moisture the storm has to work on. There is still the possibility for higher amounts if bands move repeatedly over the same areas.

Widespread travel impacts should be planned for Friday into Saturday. Near white-out conditions could develop at times Friday into Saturday morning as winds gust upwards of 30 to 40 mph. Consider altering, delaying or even canceling travel plans if conditions warrant it.

Bitterly cold air arrives as this storm system exits the area. This will lead to wind chills of 20 to 30 below by Saturday night.

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 9 AM CST SATURDAY… WHAT…Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 8inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph.

WHERE…Portions of north central and northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota and southwest Wisconsin.
WHEN…From midnight tonight to 9 AM CST Saturday.
IMPACTS…Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute Friday.

A winter storm remains on track to bring heavy snow and gusty winds to parts of the region Tonight into Tuesday night. Locally, the heaviest snow and impacts are forecast for parts of northeast Iowa into southwest and west central Wisconsin. Be sure to check back for updates to the forecast and the latest road conditions if traveling!

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 AM
CST WEDNESDAY…WHAT…Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 7 to 12 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph.

WHERE…In Iowa, Allamakee and Clayton Counties. In Wisconsin Crawford and Grant Counties.
WHEN…From midnight tonight to 6 AM CST Wednesday.
IMPACTS…Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Power outages will be possible.

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 AM
CST WEDNESDAY…WHAT…Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 7 to 10 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph.
WHERE…Floyd, Chickasaw and Fayette Counties.
WHEN…From 6 PM this evening to 6 AM CST Wednesday.
IMPACTS…Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 AM
CST WEDNESDAY…WHAT…Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 8 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.
WHERE…Winneshiek County.
WHEN…From midnight tonight to 6 AM CST Wednesday.
IMPACTS…Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.

There’s been a TON of talk about the potential winter storm headed our way early next week.  Things are becoming a little more clear.  Check out the latest from the National Weather Service in La Crosse and Des Moines.

A winter storm is on track to bring snow and wind to southern portions of the region Monday through Tuesday night. Locally, Monday night through Tuesday is the time frame of concern, with the impacts currently focused on northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin. Uncertainty continues on the track of the storm, and some adjustments to the track and forecast are anticipated. Monitor a trusted source for the latest forecasts and be prepared for potential impacts – especially if you have travel plans south or east.

Photo Credit:  NWS La Crosse

A New Jersey bride was, unfortunately, not the focus as her father walked her down the aisle. He was – due to an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction.

New bride Sarah Grundman-Connors took to TikTok to share an unexpected memory from her recent wedding: Her 74-year-old father’s rear end, courtesy of an innocent fashion malfunction.

In the video, Sarah’s dad, Leonard Grundman, is seen trying unsuccessfully to secure his sliding pants before they find a new home around his ankles. As the he bends over for recovery, he unintentionally treats the onlooking crowd to a glimpse of his tighty-whities.

“To all my 2024 brides,” Grundman-Connors said in her video. “Make sure that whoever is walking you down the aisle is wearing suspenders.”

@sarahcongrun PSA to all the 2024 brides- whoever is walking you down the aisle make sure they’re wearing suspenders or a belt! #bride#wedding#bridesoftiktok#funny#fyp#bridal#humor#weddingsgonewrong #greenscreenvideo ♬ original sound – Sarah_conhers

Rascal Flatts’ J.D. Rooney posted on X Wednesday, and opened up about why he’s been so quiet on social media.  The country star set aside the rumors that he’s been transitioning to a women, writing, “There have been so many rumors and opinions thrown around about me – but I’m finally healthy and ready for t he world.  And NO, I’m not transitioning to be a woman.  That thought has never entered my mind.  Nothing against the trans community whatsoever but I needed to set the record straight.”  Instead, Rooney began seeking treatment for his alcohol addiction after a serious drunk driving accident in September 2021.  He added, “My life has been changed forever – and I’m grateful for the change.  I’ve been sober for almost 28 months come this Jan. 13th.”

I’m sorry it’s been a while since I’ve posted on any socials. It’s actually been a couple years since I’ve engaged with fans and friends on Twitter (now X) or Instagram.
But I figured today, at the beginning of this brand new year 2024, would be a good day to send a message out…

— JDR (@JoeDonRooney) January 3, 2024

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. – Putting truth to the viral rumors, Joe Bonsall, tenor singer for fifty years for The Oak Ridge Boys, has officially announced his plans to retire from touring. During a Saturday, December 30th concert in Greenville, Mississippi, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, and Richard Sterban introduced Ben James (Doyle Lawson, Dailey & Vincent) to an enthusiastic audience at Harlow’s Casino Resort.

Bonsall shares this message with his legion of Oak Ridge Boys Fans:

“Many of you know I have been battling a slow onset (over four years now) of a neuromuscular disorder. I am now at a point where walking is impossible, so I have basically retired from the road. It has just gotten too difficult. It has been a great 50 years, and I am thankful to all the Oak Ridge Boys, band, crew, and staff for the constant love and support shown to me through it all. I will never forget, and for those of you who have been constantly holding me up in prayer, I thank you and ask for you to keep on praying. There is a young man named Ben James singing for me out there, and he needs your love and encouragement … his sound is different than mine, but he brings a ton of talent to the table! The Oak Ridge Boys will finish the Farewell Tour without me, but rest assured, I am good with all of it! God’s Got It!!!”

Ben James was no stranger to The Oak Ridge Boys, being introduced to them in 2022 during a concert in Wheeling, West Virginia, where Daily & Vincent were also on the bill.

“Joe handed me the mic and said, ‘You’ve got the next verse,’ James said. “And I’m not sure I will ever get over that moment. ‘Elvira’ was always on repeat when I was growing up. It’s still one of those timeless songs that never grow old.”

The Oak Ridge Boys are planning a full touring calendar for The Oak Ridge Boys American Made Farewell Tour. They anticipate returning to the studio with Grammy-winner Dave Cobb in late January, their fifth pairing with the legendary super-producer.

The Oak Ridge Boys American Made Farewell Tour:
Sat, JAN 20 The Grand 1894 Opera House Galveston, Texas
Sun, JAN 21 The Grand 1894 Opera House Galveston, Texas
Fri, FEB 02 Boot Barn Hall (Gainesville) Gainesville, Ga.
Sun, FEB 04 Family Gras Mardi Gras Plaza Metairie, La.
Sun, FEB 11 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo San Antonio, Texas
Thu, FEB 29 Florida Strawberry Festival 2024 Plant City, Fla.
Fri, Mar 01 The Alliance Center Burlington, N.C.
Sat, MAR 02 Montgomery Performing Arts Centre Montgomery, Ala.
Sun, MAR 03 Norton Auditorium University of North Alabama Florence, Ala.
Fri, MAR 15 Foxwoods Resort Casino Ledyard, Conn.
Sat, MAR 16 American Music Theatre Lancaster, Pa.
Sun, MAR 17 American Music Theatre Lancaster, Pa.
Sat, MAR 23 Sugar Creek Casino Hinton, Okla.
Thu, APR 04 Oxford Performing Arts Center Oxford, Ala.
Fri, APR 05 City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium Morganton, N.C.
Sat, APR 06 Alabama Theatre North Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Wed, APR 10 Clay County Agricultural Fair Green Cove Springs, Fla.
Sat, APR 13 George H Henderson Jr. Exposition Center Lufkin, Texas
Sat, APR 27 Paramount Arts Center Ashland, Ky.
Fri, MAY 17 Peoples Bank Theatre Marietta, Ohio
Sat, MAY 18 The Oak Ridge Boys American Made Farewell Tour Defiance, Ohio
Fri, JUN 07 Hartville Kitchen Hartville, Ohio
Sat, JUN 08 Hartville Kitchen Hartville, Ohio
Wed, JUN 26 Blue Gate Performing Arts Center Shipshewana, Ind.
Thu, JUN 27 Blue Gate Performing Arts Center Shipshewana, Ind.
Fri, JUN 28 Meramec Music Theatre Steelville, Mo.

To catch The Oak Ridge Boys in concert and for all the latest news, visit oakridgeboys.com or follow them on social media.

Photo Credit: Brandon Wood

Dolly Parton helped a fan with cancer complete his bucket list by giving him a call and having a conversation with him.  Here is LeGrand Gold (LG) from Utah speaking to Dolly over the phone and her serenading him at the end.