Offbeat News

Offbeat Now Venezuela is running out of toilet paper

By FABIOLA SANCHEZ, Associated Press Published: May 16, 2013 at 8:00 AM PDT Last Updated: May 16, 2013 at 8:03 AM PDT

First milk, butter, coffee and cornmeal ran short. Now Venezuela is running out of the most basic of necessities - toilet paper.

Offbeat Protesters picket Barbie-themed house in Berlin (Photo Gallery)

By Associated Press Published: May 16, 2013 at 8:46 AM PDT Last Updated: May 16, 2013 at 11:36 AM PDT

Feminist protesters burned a doll on a cross and left-wing demonstrators shouted "pink stinks" at the Berlin opening of a life-sized Barbie house Thursday.

Offbeat McDonald's employee spots her stolen car in drive-thru

By Associated Press Published: May 16, 2013 at 6:58 AM PDT Last Updated: May 16, 2013 at 6:58 AM PDT

A Kennewick woman whose car was stolen from her apartment complex saw the stolen SUV hours later - in the drive-thru of the McDonald's restaurant where she works.

Offbeat Deer smashes Pennsylvania bus windshield, takes short ride

By Associated Press Published: May 15, 2013 at 9:40 PM PDT Last Updated: May 15, 2013 at 9:44 PM PDT

A deer has taken a ride on a western Pennsylvania bus.

Offbeat Chef planning to feast on invading cicadas

By Associated Press Published: May 15, 2013 at 7:54 AM PDT Last Updated: May 15, 2013 at 8:32 AM PDT

A chef in Connecticut is looking forward to the upcoming cicada invasion, and the chance to try out a few recipes for the insects.

Offbeat City sues parking meter 'Robin Hoods'

By Associated Press Published: May 15, 2013 at 7:51 AM PDT Last Updated: May 15, 2013 at 7:51 AM PDT

The city of Keene, N.H., has sued a group that feeds change into parking meters that are about to expire, saying members are harassing enforcement officers.

Offbeat Drunk college student left at hospital with Post-it note

By Associated Press Published: May 14, 2013 at 8:38 PM PDT Last Updated: May 15, 2013 at 12:15 PM PDT

An Arizona State University student who passed out and was left in a wheelchair in a hospital lobby with a Post-it note to tell doctors that he had participated in a drinking competition apparently put back about 20 shots of tequila.

Offbeat Intruder charged in overnight feast at supermarket

By Associated Press Published: May 14, 2013 at 8:02 AM PDT Last Updated: May 14, 2013 at 8:02 AM PDT

Authorities in Kentucky have charged a man who officers say had an overnight feast in a closed supermarket outside Louisville.

Offbeat Cop trying to help cat in tree needs fire department rescue

By Associated Press Published: May 14, 2013 at 8:10 AM PDT Last Updated: May 14, 2013 at 8:10 AM PDT

Authorities say a New York police officer who went after a cat stuck in a tree got caught himself and needed a little help getting back down to the ground.

Offbeat Billionaire Richard Branson swaps suit for skirt to honor bet (Photo Gallery)

By SEAN YOONG Associated Press Published: May 13, 2013 at 8:10 PM PDT Last Updated: May 13, 2013 at 11:12 PM PDT

British business magnate Richard Branson has lost his latest job because of orange juice.

Offbeat Watch: Bowie's 'Space Oddity' performed...in space! (Video)

By Hanna Brooks Olsen Published: May 13, 2013 at 7:45 AM PDT Last Updated: May 13, 2013 at 8:10 AM PDT

Commander Chris Hadfield's video dispatches from the International Space Station have captured the hearts of space nerds (and regular people) worldwide, as he's explained how even basic tasks like dental care function without gravity. But it's his most recent video, where the Canadian musician and explorer performed a classic hit by David Bowie, that has drawn attention to his array of talents and generally friendly nature.

Offbeat UN's new weapon to fight hunger: edible insects (Photo Gallery)

By FRANCES D'EMILIO Associated Press Published: May 13, 2013 at 8:06 AM PDT Last Updated: May 13, 2013 at 8:06 AM PDT

The U.N. has new weapons to fight hunger, boost nutrition and reduce pollution, and they might be crawling or flying near you right now: edible insects.

Offbeat Derelict mom books tell blunt truths about parenting

By LEANNE ITALIE,Associated Press Published: May 11, 2013 at 3:33 PM PDT Last Updated: May 11, 2013 at 3:33 PM PDT

The authors behind a fresh round of parenting books love their munchkins, to be sure, but there's something about the scorched earth narrative that sells memoirish parenting books these days.

Offbeat Boxer Mike Tyson set to become a cartoon detective

By Associated Press Published: May 10, 2013 at 5:52 PM PDT Last Updated: May 10, 2013 at 5:52 PM PDT

Adult Swim says it's turning Mike Tyson into a cartoon detective.

Offbeat Oregon smokejumpers skydive into illegal pot garden

By Associated Press Published: May 9, 2013 at 4:48 PM PDT Last Updated: May 9, 2013 at 4:48 PM PDT

A team of smokejumpers parachuting into a fire in the mountains of Southern Oregon landed in an illegal marijuana garden being prepared for growing season.