NASA's Viking Project May Have Found Life On Mars 50 Years Ago, Then Accidentally Killed It

Oops?

School district says doctor’s notes will no longer excuse child absences

Rub some dirt on it and get to class

More Stories Below, but first some new content in the News Sidequest Podcast Universe…

Auditory Anthology

SCI-FI SHORT STORIES - NARRATED BY DARREN MARLAR & PRODUCED BY KEITH CONRAD

A farmer tries to dissuade his son from pursuing a life as a space adventurer, hiding a terrible secret about his own past that he fears will forever bind his son's fate to his.

Wanderlust by Alan E. Nourse Keith Conrad / Darren Marlar Episode

Listen on Apple | Listen on Spotify | Listen on Amazon | RSS Feed

Become a paid subscriber to listen to all of our episodes completely ad-free! You’ll also get access to a deeper dive on the stories we share and the authors!

Sammy, Steroids, and Saying Goodbye

THE CHICAGO SMOKEHOUSE WITH BIG JOHN HOWELL AND RICK TELANDER

Big John Howell and Rick Telander dive into baseball’s most controversial era, reflecting on Sammy Sosa’s return to Wrigley Field and the lasting impact of steroids on the game. They revisit the infamous Lee Elia rant, Hall of Fame ethics, and the blurred line between performance and integrity. The episode ends on a heartfelt note as Rick shares a moving tribute to his late dog, Bear Bear

Pete Rose, Perfectionism, and the Price of Redemption John Howell / Rick Telander Episode

Listen on Apple | Listen on iHeartMedia | Listen on Amazon | RSS Feed

Andy Shaw on Trump, Media, and the Future of Politics

WHAT DOES IT MEAN? WITH JOHN DEMPSEY

This week on What Does It Mean?, John Dempsey reconnects with a longtime friend and Chicago media legend: political reporter, columnist, and former head of the Better Government Association, Andy Shaw.

Andy Shaw on Trump, Media, and the Future of Politics John Dempsey Episode

Listen on Apple | Listen on Spotify | Listen on iHeartMedia | RSS Feed

Also Worth A Look…

• No screens, no screams: Here’s how modern moms are ‘restaurant training’ their kids to crush their zombie tablet behavior - There are plenty of adults who could probably use that too

• Man Accused of Stealing Boat for Nude Joyride Escapes From NYC Hospital - He needs to pay for the owners to get it steam cleaned

• Ratings for These 'Smart' Toilets Are 'Through the Roof' - “10/10, would poop in again”

• You Can Now Venmo the Government To Help Pay Off National Debt - I’m sure people are going to be lining up for that one

• 800-pound wheel flies off monster truck during rally, careens out of arena and demolishes car in parking lot, wild video shows - They are going hard to promote that new Final Destination movie

• Dreams crushed! Kids watch as Chuck E. Cheese mascot is arrested on credit card fraud charges - And yet the Hamburglar continues to roam free

• 4 Carnival Cruise ship passengers detained in Bermuda for smuggling ‘illegal’ drugs, including one used to tranquilize elephants - Maybe they have some elephants at home. You don’t know

• Cat dubbed 'Leonardo da Pinchy' is stealing neighbors' underwear - Anthony Michael Hall was unavailable for comment

• Cops: Couple Arrested For Mile High Sex Act - So many germs

• Hulk Hogan Is Dead at 71 - RIP. He joined Ozzy Osbourne and Malcolm-Jamal Warner in the celebrity death trifecta

Thanks for reading News Sidequest! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Subscribed