Offbeat

Offbeat Cemetery officials ban profanity on rapper's headstone

By Associated Press Published: May 9, 2013 at 7:41 AM PDT Last Updated: May 9, 2013 at 7:41 AM PDT

Commissioners at a Massachusetts cemetery have said no to profanity on headstones.

Offbeat Treasury Secretary's loopy signature improving (Photo Gallery)

By Associated Press Published: May 8, 2013 at 7:34 AM PDT Last Updated: May 8, 2013 at 7:47 AM PDT

Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew may not have succeeded yet in getting a grand budget bargain with Congress, but at least his handwriting is improving. And it is expected to be even better when the time comes for him to affix his "Jacob Lew" to the nation's currency.

Offbeat Swimming elephants: Lily and Rose-Tu go for a dip to stay cool

By KATU.com Staff Published: May 7, 2013 at 1:34 PM PDT Last Updated: May 7, 2013 at 2:30 PM PDT

Lily, the 5-month-old Asian elephant, hopped in the water with her mom Rose-Tu and splashed around a bit. Lucky for all of us, a videographer from the zoo was there to capture it all and share with the world.

Offbeat Action cameras gone wild

By Shannon L. Cheesman, Multimedia Journalist / Travel & Outdoors Published: May 7, 2013 at 11:45 AM PDT Last Updated: May 7, 2013 at 1:11 PM PDT

It's one of the latest trends among photographers - wearable 'action' cameras that allow us to share unique perspectives of the world around us.

Offbeat 'The peacocks are vandalizing our cars' (Video)

By Matt Finn & KIMATV.com Staff Published: May 7, 2013 at 12:05 PM PDT Last Updated: May 7, 2013 at 6:42 PM PDT

A group of unusual suspects has grabbed the attention of law enforcement. Officers say it's time to chase the pack out of town -- they just aren't sure how.

Offbeat Alaska moose head donated to Navy's newest warship

By Associated Press Published: May 7, 2013 at 11:59 AM PDT Last Updated: May 7, 2013 at 11:59 AM PDT

An Anchorage man has donated a trophy moose head and antlers to the Navy's newest warship.

Offbeat Critter cams provide peek into the lives of city bears

By Associated Press Published: May 7, 2013 at 10:27 AM PDT Last Updated: May 7, 2013 at 10:27 AM PDT

Biologists at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game are getting a peek into what city bears do all day.

Offbeat Utah cabin had uninvited guests - 60,000 honeybees

By PAUL FOY, Associated Press Published: May 6, 2013 at 8:14 AM PDT Last Updated: May 6, 2013 at 8:14 AM PDT

It was the biggest beehive that that Ogden beekeeper Vic Bachman has ever removed - a dozen feet long, packed inside the eaves of a cabin in Ogden Valley.

Offbeat Norway's chess superstar has cross-over appeal

By MARK LEWIS, Associated Press Published: May 6, 2013 at 8:08 AM PDT Last Updated: May 6, 2013 at 8:08 AM PDT

He does fashion shoots with Liv Tyler, enjoys soccer-style sponsorships deals and was recently named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people. Who is this superstar? The world's top-ranked chess player.

Offbeat Unlikely scribe handwrites Good Book in 4 years (Photo Gallery)

By MICHAEL HILL, Associated Press Published: May 6, 2013 at 8:05 AM PDT Last Updated: May 6, 2013 at 8:05 AM PDT

In the beginning, Phillip Patterson decided to write out every word in the Bible.

Offbeat Gerbils strut their stuff at New England pageant

By RODRIQUE NGOWI,Associated Press Published: May 4, 2013 at 3:13 PM PDT Last Updated: May 4, 2013 at 3:13 PM PDT

The American Gerbil Society's annual pageant brought dozens of rodents scurrying to New England this weekend for a chance to win "top gerbil."

Offbeat Rat meat sold as lamb in latest China food scandal

By Associated Press Published: May 3, 2013 at 8:12 PM PDT Last Updated: May 3, 2013 at 8:12 PM PDT

Chinese police have broken up a criminal ring accused of taking meat from rats and foxes and selling it as lamb in the country's latest food safety scandal.

Offbeat Photos: Boise Burger Brawl contestants tackle 'Braveheart' (Photo Gallery)

By KBOI Web Staff Published: May 3, 2013 at 2:01 PM PDT Last Updated: May 3, 2013 at 2:16 PM PDT

The Braveheart includes three 9-oz meat patties, four types of cheese, 10 pieces of bacon, ham, corned beef, finger steaks, pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, pickles, lettuce and tomato, sandwiched in a sourdough roll.

Offbeat Photos: Giant rubber duck makes splash in Hong Kong (Photo Gallery)

By ANNIE HO, Associated Press Published: May 3, 2013 at 9:42 AM PDT Last Updated: May 3, 2013 at 9:54 AM PDT

A six-story-high rubber duck is making a big splash in Hong Kong.

Offbeat Artist replaces paintbrush with jet engine thrust (Photo Gallery)

By SUZETTE LABOY, Associated Press Published: May 3, 2013 at 9:24 AM PDT Last Updated: May 3, 2013 at 10:48 AM PDT

Instead of paintbrushes, artist Tarinan von Anhalt uses $10 million jet engines from a Learjet to hurl blues and purples with a force that creates intense power and heat.