Author: Steve DiMatteo

California Senator Dianne Feinstein’s memory and health are failing her. That’s not meant to be a slight or an attack against her – she’s 89 years old. That’s typically what happens to everyone, senators included. And while it’s certainly concerning that she had to be reminded multiple times that she was no longer in a leadership position on the Judiciary Committee (and that whispers of her deteriorating short-term memory are only getting louder), it’s even more troublesome that her health is now preventing Democrats from doing essentially anything of importance in the deadlocked Senate, where Democrats hold a slim 51-49…

There’s a good chance every American is at least somewhat familiar with Thomas Edison. The prolific inventor had an incredible influence on modern life, even as we know it now, inventing things like the incandescent light bulb, the phonograph, and the motion picture camera. When it comes to so many things in this world, we can often trace the origins back to Edison, whose name is registered on more than 1,000 patents. But perhaps the most incredible thing about the Wizard of Menlo Park – even more so than altering the entire trajectory of human existence in the 20th century…

I am a recent convert into the Costco cult. I never quite knew the magic of buying in bulk, especially not at a level of quality that I typically see at Costco (end paid promotion). And every time I enter the warehouse, there it is: that wonderful, massive sign in the food court, marketing Costco’s limited but legendary menu. That includes perhaps the most legendary menu item of all in the $1.50 hot dog (ALL BEEF) and soda combo (with refill!). Over the past 30 or so years, Costco has almost become famous for the hot dog combo alone, as…

Remember the war over in Ukraine? That one with Russia that was a big deal back in March of 2022? Guess what – it’s still going on! That’s right, the conflict is Ukraine is shaping up as a good old-fashioned proxy war between the United States and Russia (and the Russians are winning the hearts and minds of some rather impressionable Americans). Though the country hasn’t committed any physical troops and likely never will, the US is of course pumping billions of dollars into the fight, doling out more than $75 billion in military, financial, and humanitarian aid. The United…

You might just call it an urban legend, but there are many people out there who are convinced that Doveland, Wisconsin was a real town. And not only was it a real place, but it was a Wisconsin town that allegedly vanished into thin air sometime in the 1990s (just like the value of Beanie Babies – zing!). It’s something of a creepy Mandela effect, but this is how the story goes: Supposedly, there was a town in Wisconsin – located in the “heart of the state” – called Doveland and at one point in the ’90s, it simply… disappeared.…

Here’s a tax-related question you’ve probably never considered but now can’t seem to get out of your head: What would happen if you wanted to be a little cheeky and stick it to the man by filing your taxes – which includes your income from illegal sources! – in the infamous Wingdings font? Let’s consult Reddit. With quite a debate sparked in the r/tax subreddit, there are a number of theories that exist over what would happen if you submitted your 1040 form in Wingdings. Some believe you might simply be fined $5,000 for submitting a frivolous tax submission, reflecting…

Those Funko Pop! vinyl figurines have become ubiquitous in stores over the past few years, and now they’re about to be ubiquitous at a landfill near you. The company – dealing with an extreme level of excess product – is choosing to trash $30 million worth of its toys. The increased inventory has put a huge strain on the company’s warehouse capacity and logistics capabilities, so Funko will simply take the $30 million hit to ease up on its overall fulfillment costs. In other words, it will cost Funko less money to just throw these toys in the trash than…

The American tax system is opaque by design. Tax companies like TurboTax and H&R Block spend millions of dollars lobbying to prevent a world with free, easy-to-understand tax filing because, otherwise, they’d be out of business. But that’s a story for another day. The process of filing one’s taxes can feel daunting without the help of a professional, and that goes for even the criminals among us. Luckily, the IRS provides plenty of guidance on how to report one’s illegal income. That’s right, the Internal Revenue Service requires you to report income from your various illegal activities, lest you want…

Much of North America is a hotbed for Bigfoot sightings – and no state is safe from encounters with this massive, mysterious creature. But by following the map of reported sightings, you can certainly put yourself in the best position to never cross paths with a Bigfoot, if that’s what you choose. So where are these sightings happening the most? First, you might be wondering what exactly a Bigfoot – or Sasquatch or any of the other names it might go by – is. It is most commonly known as a bipedal creature that is large, hairy, and humanlike. This…

The “Rocky Steps” in Philadelphia – the 72 stone steps leading to the entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art – have been iconic ever since Rocky was released in 1976. To this day, it remains a popular tourist attraction and photo opportunity. But as you might know, a Rocky statue also makes its home in front of the museum, and though it’s also a popular photo spot, it’s had something of a long, complicated story within the city. The Story of the Rocky Balboa Statue We actually have Rocky III to thank for this one. Sylvester Stallone commissioned artist…