FEBRUARY 22, 2013

Full News Archive

• Headline: Oscar Predictions: The Envelope Revealed. Impact: The Academy Awards inspire countless future filmmakers, but imagine if the envelope had been misprinted, leading to a massive genre shift where every movie thereafter had to include a talking animal. Thank you, Oscar blunders!. Fact: Did you know that the first Academy Awards were held in 1929 and only lasted 15 minutes? Clearly, they were just warming up for the three-hour marathons we endure today!.
• Headline: Kenya's Vote Sparks Deadly Tensions. Impact: The tragic events in Kenya sparked a series of international interventions that later led to diplomatic tensions, which eventually resulted in a new appreciation for online voting—because nothing says 'trust' like casting your ballot with a Wi-Fi connection.. Fact: Did you know that the 2007 elections were so tumultuous that they effectively turned Kenya into a political thriller? Talk about a plot twist!.
• Headline: G.O.P. Governors Embrace Medicaid Expansion. Impact: The Republican governors' move to accept Medicaid funds sparked a nationwide debate over health care that ultimately led to the invention of the phrase 'I have a friend who knows a guy' in health policy discussions.. Fact: Did you know that the GOP's resistance to Medicaid expansion was so strong that it became a political hobby? Some folks even started collecting pins celebrating their favorite anti-Medicaid quotes!.
• Headline: Deli King’s Downfall: $82 Million Check-Kiting Case. Impact: Saquib Khan's check-kiting scheme inadvertently led to a nationwide crackdown on financial fraud, inspiring a new generation of 'criminal masterminds' who now plan their heists around reality TV shows. Thanks for the inspiration, Deli King!. Fact: Did you know that check-kiting is so common that it could practically be a sport? Just make sure you have more than one bank account if you want to play!.
• Headline: Despite Aid, Borrowers Still Face Foreclosure. Impact: The foreclosure crisis drove thousands of homeowners to seek alternative housing solutions, leading to a sudden surge in tiny homes and van life culture. Who knew a financial disaster could spark a trend in minimalist living?. Fact: Did you know that some people are now living in their cars by choice, all thanks to the foreclosure crisis? Talk about turning lemons into lemonade... or in this case, a tiny home on wheels!.