Ah, rats! Researchers say some other critter likely created Chicago's 'rat hole' sidewalk landmark
Ah, rats! Researchers have debunked the origin of Chicago's so-called “rat hole," concluding some other critter was likely responsible for creating the macabre sidewalk landmark. The rat hole was a full-body impression of a small creature crossing wet cement in the city's Roscoe Village neighborhood 20 to 30 years ago. The imprint closely resembled a rat, hence the namesake. It became a tourist attraction in 2024 after comedian Winslow Dumaine tweeted about its existence. Someone filled it in later that year, but the city preserved the slab. A team of researchers published a study Wednesday in the journal Biology Letters saying they measured the imprint and concluded a squirrel or muskrat — not a rat — likely created it.
Firefighters rescue stranded pup from rising floodwaters in Southern California
OXNARD, Calif. (AP) — A firefighter has rescued a stranded pup from rising floodwaters in Southern California. Video captured the Ventura County firefighter climbing down a ladder to reach the dog during Tuesday's rare October storm. The pup was stuck on reeds on the edge of a flood channel northwest of Los Angeles. Officials said the 19-pound female pug or French bulldog mix was cold but otherwise unharmed. She did not have a tag or microchip. According to the Ventura County Animal Services' website, the dog is staying at the Camarillo Animal Shelter. She could be adopted as soon as Saturday if her owners are not identified.
California engineer wins pumpkin contest with 2,346-pound gourd
HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (AP) — A California engineer and gardening enthusiast has won the top prize at a pumpkin-weighing contest in Northern California. Brandon Dawson of Santa Rosa clinched victory Monday at the 52nd World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay. His giant pumpkin weighed 2,346 pounds. That's roughly the same weight as a small sedan or a large bison. Dawson celebrated by sitting his two children on top of the massive gourd and pumping his arm in the air for photos. He says his 4-year-old son now pays attention to the growing process, especially since giant pumpkins can grow 50 to 70 pounds a day. Dawson, who works at Rivian Automotive, has been growing massive pumpkins for five years.
An estimated 1 million cats prowl the streets of Cyprus as officials scramble to check their numbers
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Cyprus has a cat problem. Officials estimate the small island nation in the Mediterranean has about one cat for every one of its approximately 1 million human population. And given cats' predatory nature, feline overpopulation could negatively impact the island's ecosystem. Officials say an existing cat sterilization plan is too limited in scope and can't cope with a burgeoning population. With a cat history going as far back as 9,500 years, Cypriots are enamored of their felines and are keen to protect them.
A long-lost ancient Roman artifact reappears in a New Orleans backyard
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A family cleaning their backyard in New Orleans discovered an unusual marble tablet with some characters in Latin. Daniella Santoro turned to an archaeologist friend for help. It turns out to be a grave marker for a 42-year-old Roman sailor named Sextus Congenius Verus, who died 1,900 years ago. The tablet had been held at a museum in the seaside town of Civitavecchia that was destroyed during World War II. That's where the grandfather of the home's previous owner was stationed, and fell in love. The couple apparently brought the tablet from Italy after the war. Now the FBI is in talks with Italian authorities to repatriate the tablet.
Scrapple sculpture contest winner prevailed in Eagles country by putting the pig into pigskin
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — In the contest for best scrapple sculpture in Philadelphia on Friday it was the “Mush Push” fashioned from the regionally popular pork breakfast meat that got Patrick Moser’s entry over the goal line. The Norristown tattoo artist’s tribute to the Philadelphia Eagles’ trademark short yardage play known as the “tush push” took the top honor Friday. He won a lighthearted art contest to kick off the Scrapple and Apple Festival. The contestants at Reading Terminal Market were allowed 90 minutes to fashion art from five pounds of the pork-based breakfast meat. Scrapple is sometimes the butt of jokes, but when made properly it’s a porcine delicacy.
Critically endangered baby black rhino makes its debut at Cleveland zoo
CLEVELAND (AP) — A baby eastern black rhino has made its debut at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, giving a boost to efforts to conserve the endangered species. The 120-pound rhino, which made its public debut Friday, was born earlier this month to 22-year-old mother Kibibbi and 25-year-old father Forrest. The rhino could be seen running around its enclosure in the Daniel Maltz Rhino Reserve. The zoo was also holding a contest to name the rhino. The zoo has a long history of caring for the species, which has fewer than 583 adults in the wild.
After a police pursuit of a huge inflatable pumpkin, body cam video shows officer struggling with it
PARMA HEIGHTS, Ohio (AP) — The subject of an Ohio police pursuit took off down the road, a flash of orange in the darkness, but officers eventually caught up and grabbed the escapee: a runaway inflatable pumpkin as tall as them. Body camera footage shared this week by the Parma Heights Police Department in northeast Ohio shows an officer struggling to grasp the floored gourd as he describes to a clearly amused colleague how he chased it as it kept blowing away. Officers eventually squished the decoration into the back of a police car to return it to the home where it was displayed.
Eeyore the dog helps a Florida deputy find a missing 86-year-old woman, video shows
DESTIN, Fla. (AP) — A dog named Eeyore became a hero by leading a Florida sheriff's deputy to a missing 86-year-old woman who had fallen while walking him. The woman's husband reported her missing on the night of Sept. 25 after she didn't return from her walk. The man told an Okaloosa County sheriff's deputy that she usually took only 10 to 15 minutes. The deputy began searching the neighborhood and spotted Eeyore in the road. The dog then led the deputy to the woman, who was alert and later taken to a medical facility. She was amazed by Eeyore's actions.
