Only hours before a new tax on sweetened beverages was set to kick in, an Illinois judge issued a temporary injunction keeping it from going into effect. However, not everyone got that message and some McDonald’s customers in the Chicago area were charged a tax they shouldn’t have paid. [More]
who knew?
Report: Disgraced Wells Fargo Exec Warned About Employees Opening Fake Accounts In 2006
By 10.12.16
In an attempt to determine the extent of its massive fake account fiasco, Wells Fargo has agreed to review account histories going back to 2009. However, the bank has already been presented with evidence that employees may have been opening bogus accounts before that, and a new report appears to show that the Wells executive blamed for turning a blind eye to this chicanery was actually warned about fake accounts a decade ago. [More]
DNA Molecules Can Now Store Hundreds Of Megabytes Of Digital Data
By 7.7.16
In a scene that could be straight out of Battlestar Galactica or Caprica, researchers from Microsoft and the University of Washington say they have found a way to successfully encode and store hundreds of megabytes of data in synthetic DNA molecules. [More]
Yes, People Do Still Really Use The Yellow Pages
By 6.17.16
Can you remember the last time you used the Yellow Pages? No, not as a doorstop or a booster seat, but as an actual resource? I know, we have the internet, but there are some folks out there still consulting a big yellow book full of phone numbers, and businesses who still take out display ads in the hopes of attracting customers. [More]
“Broadband For America” Members Didn’t Know Group Was Front For Anti-Neutrality Cable Industry
By 6.10.14
Last week, we told you about the handful of in-name-only broadband advocacy groups that are funded by the cable and wireless industries and who are pushing its boneheaded talking points about net neutrality and how it will bring about the end of days if enacted (it won’t). We also pointed out how the member list of the questionably named Broadband For America coalition is littered with organizations — from nonexistent websites to a tile company and an Ohio inn — that are out of place next to Comcast, Verizon, AT&T and pals. Now, some of those BFA members are denouncing the coalition’s stance on net neutrality, or saying they had no idea why they were listed as coalition members to begin with. [More]
GM Test Drivers Knew Of Ignition Problem In 2006
By 4.17.14
Another data point on the General Motors ignition recall timeline has been filled in with the latest revelation that test drivers for the car maker’s Cadillac division spotted the problem eight years ago, possibly leading to a hush-hush design tweak in the switch. [More]
Working For McDonald's Is Apparently Good Training For A Job At Volkswagen
By 8.2.12
Fast food jobs have been the butt of easy jokes since the first person asked if you’d like fries with that. But the volks at Volkswagen say that people who’ve worked behind the counter at McDonald’s are ideal for staffing the assembly lines at the company’s plant in Tennessee. [More]
SF Muni Workers Don’t Know Their Own Rules, Fine Man $100 For Being $.05 Short
By 7.11.12
While many public transit systems have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to having the required fare, San Francisco commuters who use the Clipper Card system to pay for their Muni bus and rail rides can actually complete their trip; the uncollected fare will just be subtracted the next time the user adds money to their card. Unfortunately for one man, no one at Muni seems to know this, and he’s now out $125. [More]
Stuck With A Forged Check? Homeowners Insurance To The Rescue
By 4.12.12
The bad news: Someone passed a bum personal check to you as a payment. The good news: Your homeowners insurance policy might cover you — even if you got stiffed with bogus cash. [More]
Hey! You Can Buy Alcohol At Costco And Sam’s Club Without A Membership!
By 1.5.09 — Updated: 9.5.17
Need some quality alcohol at discount prices? Don’t want to sign up for a Costco, Sam’s Club or BJ’s membership? There may be hope for you!
