12.13.22 | Indonesia is poised to criminalize sex and cohabitation before marriage for residents and tourists. Some in the government are protesting the state’s legislation of morality, but it looks like it will pass and become law. Then, France is limiting—or forbidding—some short hop commercial jet travel when a train will suffice to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, an update on a story we covered in the early summer. Hertz wrongly accused hundreds of people of “stealing cars” and in many cases people were jailed, lost jobs, houses, and thousands of dollars in legal fees. In most cases Hertz was wrong and must now pay a $168 million in settlements. 

12.07.22 | Author Erin McHugh joins Tim and John to talk all things Pickleball. Pickleball is Life is Erin’s 31st book and she tells us she had a lot of fun writing this one. But first, VW in Italy may want to re-think their social media handle and a Lake Elmo, MN library gets a book back after 47 years. The creator of Hello Kitty, Shintaro Tsuji, is our Business Birthday. Happy 95th! Shintaro!

12.06.22 | A recent UK study suggests that we need to be extra diligent in cleaning our hands when using the self-checkout at a store. Apparently, the area is full of bacteria including fecal matter. Then, despite all the press and popularity of electric vehicles, in the last 10 years they have only saved 2.5 days’ worth of gasoline in the USA. Finally, Merriam-Webster revealed the word of the year for 2022: Gaslighting.

11.30.22 | Shop Talk shares some tips on how to spend and acquire less. Hint: know the difference between need and want. Caught My Eye announces that department store Macy’s has broken ties with The Salvation Army this holiday season. Also, discover the secret hidden in the Swiss chocolate brand Toblerone’s logo. Angier “Angie” Biddle Duke, America’s youngest ambassador and bon vivant is our Business Birthday.

11.29.22 | Celebrate your fandom with Star Trek Spirits. Purchase vodka or rye whiskey in custom bottles to match the iconic Romulan Ale first featured in “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.” But first, learn what states have the highest and lowest consumer credit scores and the importance of checking yours each year for accuracy. Also, The Freemasons are allowing women to join the male only group if they initially joined as men. Women who transitioned to men are also eligible, but women who classify as female are not allowed. Very confusing release from the world’s oldest secret society.

11.23.22 | Shop Talk covers a UK study that investigates reducing the work week by a day, reducing hours while keeping pay the same. Anecdotally, everyone who has tried it likes it. Difficult to do with some service jobs of course. Caught My Eye looks at an old fort that just sold off the coast of England and the percentage of Americas that have not experienced snow. Gwynne Shotwell, President, and COO of Space X is our Business Birthday. Happy 59th Gwynne.

11.22.22 | The NYC Metropolitan Transit Authority is celebrating the release of Dolly Parton’s Greatest Hits Collection—Diamonds and Rhinestones—by issuing a special MetroCard. All you NYC Dolly fans be on the lookout. But first, a Catholic cemetery in Ohio erased the date of when a gay couple legally married from a tombstone. While the cemetery leadership later apologized, they still did not address how such a thing could happen. Finally, British Virgin Atlantic airlines has instituted a relaxed dress code that allows flight crews to dress in clothing that best represents them and allows for their preferred pronouns on name badges.

11.16.22 | Shop Talk discusses four unexpected perks of a remote workforce. Caught My Eye looks at the $10 monthly membership fee that Planet Fitness says after 30 years they will not change. Also, a new crop of toys including #LiteBrite and a spinning top are inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame. Charles Dawson Butler, voice actor for more than 97 animated characters, is our Business Birthday.

11.15.22 | The famed baker in Colorado that went to the Supreme Court over not wanting to make a cake for a same-sex wedding is now embroiled in a lawsuit regarding a gender transition cake. Is there only one bakery in Colorado? Then, climbers from the Pink Summits visibility campaign place a Rainbow and Ukrainian flag on top of Putin Peak in Kyrgyzstan to protest Putin’s anti-LGBTQ legislation and regime. Finally, the USPS suggests you not use the blue mailboxes for sending holiday gifts of value—they can be targeted by thieves.