Odd News Show

Florida

We're not aboat you being on this cruise. Joost J. Bakker/Wikimedia Commons

Travel

Floating With Disaster: Woman Banned From Three-Year Cruise For Complaining

It’s not all smooth sailing for a woman who sold everything for a three-year $350k cruise, this after excessive complaining on a WhatsApp chat group leaked and it resulted in her being banned from the much-delayed cruise that hasn’t even started yet.

Delicious ravioli can be hard to share - and when someone won't share it, it's hard not to pummel the person with the very same tasty food. Guillaume Flambeau Von Uslar/Wikimedia Commons

Food

Stuff It: Woman Jailed After Allegedly Pelting Sister with Ravioli

Believe it or not, the saucy dust-up happened in the state of Florida, where going to jail because of pasta is pretty low on the Weirdness Scale.

No no no - I said I wanted a large Coke and a water, not a large amount of cocaine in water. WPBF 25 News/Youtube

Nature

Cocaine’s Vacation Ruined By Tropical Storm Debby

Tropical Storm Debby is bringing out a lot in people - grit, perseverance, a desire to get the hell away from it and stay dry. It’s also bringing out other things, like illegal drugs washing up on shore in Florida to the tune of over $1 million.

Actual reenactment of depressed bear in Florida (actor portrayal). Tambako the Jaguar/Flickr

Animals

Grin & Bear It: Depressed Florida Black Bear Becomes Unwilling Selfie Celeb

An unhappy black bear was spotted along a Florida highway last week, and authorities are warning tourists to stop taking selfies with it. As for the subject of these paparazzi, the photographic attention is simply unbearable.

I'm not sure what it is, but it rattles when I shake it. Scutdude/Creative Commons

Animals

The Snek’s In The Mail - Man Repeatedly Sent Live Rattlesnakes

Mail generally isn’t supposed to consist of live animals, but a man hissed his pants after a living rattlesnake was mailed to him. Which would have been just an odd news story if it didn’t happen again.

Seems like this guy's shed is the opposite of the fountain of youth. TikTok/@alecschaal

Travel

Hot Shed Time Machine: Florida Man Claims His Shed Is A Portal

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Florida that will reinvigorate your youth, that’s St. Augustine. This guy’s shed, on the other hand, appears to age you forty years. Is it a time machine or the latest TikTok conspiracy theory?

Sure they broke several laws and triggered mass panic, but was justice really necessary? Niu Niu/Unsplash

News

Gun-Waving Florida Couple Deserves the Benefit of the Doubt

Yes, these gun-toting muscle heads triggered an emergency lockdown of a Miami daycare. But I’m sure they have a solid explanation.

"I did what any other mother would have done." Alexis Antonio/Unsplash

Animals

Last Resort: Iguana Lays 30 Eggs in a Miami Resort Water Slide

Safe places for Iguanas to lay eggs during nesting time are getting more and more difficult to find, and these crafty lizards are getting more and more creative. For one lizard mom last week, it was time to drop the kids off… at the pool.

Florida Gator contemplating which Florida home he's hitting up next. judygva/Wikimedia Commons

Animals

Florida Woman Finds Alligator in Home; A Stunned Nation: “How is This Newsworthy?”

When the nearly 8-foot reptile appeared in the house in Sarasota County, Florida, locals called it everything from “pretty normal” to “business as usual.” One neighbor told a reporter, “Frankly, I’m surprised you’re here at all.”

Hopper the Kangaroo now safe at home Jack Hopper Khadartsev/Facebook

Animals

Escaped Kangaroo Returns Home After Poolside Adventure in Florida

Florida deputies faced a marsupial misdemeanor when an escaped kangaroo was found hanging out at an apartment complex pool. A swift response reunited the pouch-dwelling daredevil with its grateful owner, adding another twist to the Sunshine State’s wildlife tales.

Wilbur and Baby Palm Beach Zoo/Twitter

Nature

Rare Sloth Birth at Zoo, Part of Crucial Conservation Program

Wilbur, a Hoffman’s two-toed sloth at Palm Beach Zoo, gave birth to a healthy baby as part of a Species Survival Plan. The pair are doing well, under close observation in their habitat, contributing to the conservation of their species.

Bomb unearthed at future site of the Wilton Simpson Technical College Campus in Brooksville. Hernando County Sheriff's Office/Facebook

News

Construction Crew Discovers 1,000-Pound WWII Bomb in Florida

Construction workers at the upcoming Wilton Simpson Technical College Campus in Brooksville made a startling discovery as they stumbled upon a decaying 1,000-pound Mark 65 bomb from World War II during routine excavation near the Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport.

Estimated 1200lb+ 12ft Great White Shark Coastal WorldWide/Facebook

Nature

Fisherman Singlehandedly Reels in ‘Monster’ Great White Shark

Shark fishing experts Blaine Kenny and Dylan Wier reel in a 1,200-pound, 12-foot great white shark off Navarre Beach, Florida. The hour-long battle, captured on their YouTube channel, ends with the shark’s release back into the ocean.

Coral Castle Coral Castle/Facebook

Travel

Exploring the Enduring Mystery of Coral Castle

Coral Castle, a hidden gem in South Florida, is a mysterious devotion to lost love and craftsmanship by Edward Leedskalnin. This enigmatic stone sculpture garden, crafted single-handedly, continues to captivate with its mystery and architectural marvel.

The remarkable influx of 932 manatees seeking refuge from the cold at Blue Spring State Park in Florida not only shattered previous records but demonstrated the critical role the park plays in the conservation of these gentle giants. Florida Dive Company/Facebook

Nature

Manatees Seek Warm Refuge in Record Numbers

The remarkable influx of 932 manatees seeking refuge from the cold at Blue Spring State Park in Florida not only shattered previous records but demonstrated the critical role the park plays in the conservation of these gentle giants.

Capybara Magali Guimarães/Pexels

Animals

Miami Capybara Takes Center Stage with ‘Thriller’ Dance Moves

A newly named baby capybara is set to become a part of the educational wildlife encounters at the ZWF in Florida, offering visitors a chance to meet her in person. Their recent social media posts of the capybara “moonwalking” have gone viral.

Bobcat in the snow ForestWander/Wikimedia Commons

Nature

Bobcat Pawprint DNA Recovery Revolutionizes Wildlife Tracking

University of Florida researchers discovered a groundbreaking method to recover bobcat DNA from pawprints. Published in Biological Conservation, the study unveiled insights into bobcats’ ancestry and microbial communities.

Manatees at Three Sisters Springs WaterMattersTV/YouTube

Nature

Mesmerizing Footage Captures Manatee Paradise in Southwest Florida

Southwest Florida’s manatee conservation triumph shines through restored sanctuaries such as Three Sisters Springs and Warm Mineral Springs. These refuges, fueled by committed initiatives, curb erosion and also provide vital havens for these gentle giants in the colder months.

Driveway Stolen in Florida Nick Papantonis WFTV/Facebook

News

Florida Woman’s Driveway Stolen Following Overpayment Scam

Amanda Brochu fell victim to an overpayment scam that escalated into the theft of her driveway. Scammers posed as a non-existent landlord convincing contractors to perform unauthorized work and then bouncing checks.

9-Foot Python Caught Using Golf Clubs Marco Island Police Department/Facebook

Nature

Police Use Golf Clubs to Subdue Nine-Foot Python at Golf Course

At Florida’s Hideaway Beach Club, police officers used golf clubs from the nine-hole course to subdue a nine-foot Burmese python. The creative and resourceful approach of law enforcement has helped address the persistent threat posed by these exotic snakes in the Sunshine State.

Giant Alligator Captured at Florida Mall Facebook Screenshot / Lee County Sheriff's Office

Animals

Florida Shoppers Stunned as Enormous Gator Captured at Mall Entrance

Shoppers witnessed the capture of a massive alligator from a pond by the entrance of the Coconut Point Mall. Swift action by deputies and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers ensured the safe resolution of the scaly intrusion.

Man Takes Live Tarpon from Bass Pro Shop Facebook Screenshot / Lee County Sheriff's Office

News

Man Takes a 50-Pound Tarpon from Florida Bass Pro Shops Display

A thief stole a live Megalops from a store in Fort Myers, Florida prompting a criminal investigation. The Sheriff’s Office collaborating with wildlife officials & seeking public assistance is actively pursuing the recovery of the stolen fish and the identification of the poacher.

Jim Abernethy Petting Emma YouTube Screenshot / Jim Abernethy Sharks & Wildlife

Nature

A Diver’s Unlikely Bond with a 15-Foot Tiger Shark

In the azure waters of Tiger Beach in the Bahamas, a remarkable friendship began in 2001, unveiling the gentle and playful nature of these often misunderstood apex predators. This bond serves as evidence of sharks’ sentient nature, advocating for a shift in public perception.

Anthony Lessa Pinellas County Mugshot Facebook Screenshot / Pinellas County Arrests and Mugshots

News

Florida Tourist’s Unsettling Encounter with a Manatee Sculpture

A tourist made headlines for disorderly conduct including throwing food and demonstrating inappropriate behavior with a manatee statue. A night of intoxication and chaos left St. Pete Beach patrons bewildered & earned him a disorderly intoxication charge with a brief stint in custody.

Jawlene at Gatorland YouTube Screenshot / Gatorland VLOGS

Nature

Florida Alligator with Missing Jaw Gains Strength and Hearts at Gatorland

An alligator missing her upper jaw, “Jawlene” is making remarkable progress at Gatorland in Orlando, Florida. Despite her injury, she’s gaining weight and strength, exhibiting the adaptability of the American Alligator.

Caeb Phillips Indian River County Sheriff's Office

News

Meth Mysteriously Appears in Florida Man’s Underpants

During a change into jail clothing, a plastic cylinder filled with meth which was hidden in a man’s undergarments dropped to the floor. The man denies knowing how it got there, assuming someone must have slipped it in there while he was sleeping.

The ever-growing collection of Titanic on VHS Instagram / titanicfan_97

World Records

Florida Man on a Mission to Collect 1 Million VHS Copies of Titanic

Meet JD, aka TitanicFan97, a Florida man with an insatiable passion for Titanic. His quirky quest to amass 1 million VHS copies has turned into a global phenomenon, blending nostalgia, humor, and an unsinkable love for James Cameron’s iconic film.

Iguana found in the toilet Gary Greenspan/Facebook

Animals

Florida Man is Flushed with Surprise When he Finds Something Huge in His Toilet

An unsuspecting man in Florida was shocked when he found an unwanted guest hanging out in his bathroom. The guest was an invasive iguana playing in the bowl of his toilet - animal control was called to deal with the critter, who will now have to relieve itself in the wild.

Black bear checking out his swanky new boat Facebook/Towboat US Naples

Animals

Black Bear Found Captaining Boat at Naples Sailing Club in Florida

A black bear surprised locals as it casually strolled around on a catamaran at Naples Sailing and Yacht Club in Florida. The bear, initially swimming in the harbor, was later spotted walking around the boat, creating a spectacle with passersby looking on in shock.