Rhode Island May Break Up With Mr. Potato Head Plates After Hasbro Heads North

Well folks, pull up a chair. Today’s headlines come with a side of “did that really happen?”, from talking potatoes to runaway rats. The world stays strange, and we’re just trying to keep up. — Doug Marlowe

Today's Stories

Rhode Island May Break Up With Mr. Potato Head Plates After Hasbro Heads North

Rhode Island has proudly offered Mr. Potato Head license plates for decades, which is honestly one of the more charming things a state can do. But now Hasbro is moving its headquarters to Boston, and lawmakers are wondering if it’s time to stop advertising a company that packed up and left. It’s a small story, sure, but it’s also about pride, identity, and who gets to keep the famous plastic potato. Sometimes even a license plate comes with feelings attached. The world is funny that way.

In a Long Island house now condemned for filthy conditions, volunteers found hundreds of pet rats running loose. Rescue workers have already gathered more than 450 of them, and they’re still trying to catch the last few before a winter storm hits. It’s a reminder that even small animals can create a very big problem when things spiral out of control. The good news is many of these rats may still find loving homes. The odd news is that this is something we have to say out loud at all.

That’s the roundup for today, potatoes with feelings, rats on the run, and a world that refuses to be boring. If you’ve got a favorite strange headline, hit reply and share it. We’ll shake our heads together. — Doug