MARCH 17, 1998

Full News Archive

• Headline: Remembering Elizabeth Barnes: A Legacy of Service. Impact: Elizabeth Barnes' passing sparked a nationwide movement to appreciate volunteers, leading to an annual 'Volunteer Appreciation Day' that most people still forget to celebrate.. Fact: Did you know that volunteering can add years to your life? Clearly, Elizabeth was trying to prove that theory!.
• Headline: Benjamin Spock Passes Away at 94. Impact: Dr. Spock's influence on parenting resulted in generations of children being raised with 'trust your instincts' advice, which is why we now have adults who think TikTok is a valid source of medical advice.. Fact: Did you know Dr. Spock was once criticized for being too permissive? Now we just call that 'parenting in the age of the internet.'.
• Headline: THE MARKETS: CURRENCIES. Impact: Japan's currency woes got investors nervous, causing a chain reaction of economic paranoia which somehow led to an increase in cat videos as a coping mechanism.. Fact: Did you know that currency fluctuations can make or break economies? But nothing breaks the internet like a good cat video!.
• Headline: Rangers, Clinging to Life, Survive Injuries and Rally. Impact: The Rangers' comeback victory solidified the belief that nothing is more powerful than a group of athletes clinging to the hope of a championship, leading to decades of overhyped sports movies.. Fact: Did you know that sports teams often rely on fan loyalty? The Rangers must have had a lot of fans who were really good at holding their breath!.
• Headline: HIGH RATES HOBBLE LAW TO GUARANTEE HEALTH INSURANCE. Impact: The failure of the 1996 health insurance law made a significant impact on Americans, leading to a series of bizarre attempts to find affordable healthcare, including bartering with goats.. Fact: Did you know that insurance companies love to say 'we're here for you'? It's just that they mean 'we’re here for your money.'.
• Headline: Scientist at Work: Wallace S. Broecker; Iconoclastic Guru of the Climate Debate. Impact: Wallace S. Broecker's climate debates eventually led to a reality show titled 'Survivor: Climate Change,' where scientists compete to see who can save the planet while simultaneously arguing with each other.. Fact: Did you know that climate scientists often argue over the smallest details? It's like watching a group of cats trying to agree on a nap spot..
• Headline: Omaha Tribe Turns to Cigarettes for a Better Life. Impact: The Omaha Tribe's foray into cigarettes not only raised eyebrows but also inspired a new genre of 'cigarette tourism' where people travel to try 'tribal smokes' as a novelty.. Fact: Did you know that smoking can lead to serious health issues? But hey, at least the cigarettes have good branding, right?.
• Headline: A Tough Town, on Screen Anyway; Despite Drop in Crime, New York's Gritty Image Prevails. Impact: New York's gritty image continued to thrive despite its actual safety, leading to a bizarre trend where tourists took 'dangerous' selfies in front of iconic landmarks while completely ignoring the actual crime statistics.. Fact: Did you know that Hollywood loves to exaggerate? It turns out that the 'gritty' portrayal of New York is just good marketing for movie tickets!.