Offbeat

Offbeat UN's new weapon to fight hunger: edible insects (Photo Gallery)

By FRANCES D'EMILIO Associated Press Published: May 13, 2013 at 8:06 AM PDT Last Updated: May 13, 2013 at 8:06 AM PDT

The U.N. has new weapons to fight hunger, boost nutrition and reduce pollution, and they might be crawling or flying near you right now: edible insects.

Offbeat Photos: Chainsaw Carving Invitational (Photo Gallery)

By The Associated Press Published: May 11, 2013 at 4:30 PM PDT Last Updated: May 13, 2013 at 10:18 AM PDT

Offbeat Derelict mom books tell blunt truths about parenting

By LEANNE ITALIE,Associated Press Published: May 11, 2013 at 3:33 PM PDT Last Updated: May 11, 2013 at 3:33 PM PDT

The authors behind a fresh round of parenting books love their munchkins, to be sure, but there's something about the scorched earth narrative that sells memoirish parenting books these days.

Offbeat Boxer Mike Tyson set to become a cartoon detective

By Associated Press Published: May 10, 2013 at 5:52 PM PDT Last Updated: May 10, 2013 at 5:52 PM PDT

Adult Swim says it's turning Mike Tyson into a cartoon detective.

Offbeat Say what? Woman accused of hitting deputy to stop smoking

By Associated Press Published: May 10, 2013 at 8:08 AM PDT Last Updated: May 10, 2013 at 2:08 PM PDT

A California woman has been arrested for investigation of battery after she allegedly slapped a sheriff's deputy because she wanted to go to jail in order to stop smoking.

Offbeat Oregon smokejumpers skydive into illegal pot garden

By Associated Press Published: May 9, 2013 at 4:48 PM PDT Last Updated: May 9, 2013 at 4:48 PM PDT

A team of smokejumpers parachuting into a fire in the mountains of Southern Oregon landed in an illegal marijuana garden being prepared for growing season.

Offbeat Miracles happen: Woman survives harpoon shooting

By STAN LEHMAN, Associated Press Published: May 9, 2013 at 7:35 AM PDT Last Updated: May 9, 2013 at 7:36 AM PDT

A 28-year-old woman miraculously survived after her husband accidentally shot her in the mouth with a harpoon, Brazilian officials said Wednesday.

Offbeat Cemetery officials ban profanity on rapper's headstone

By Associated Press Published: May 9, 2013 at 7:41 AM PDT Last Updated: May 9, 2013 at 7:41 AM PDT

Commissioners at a Massachusetts cemetery have said no to profanity on headstones.

Offbeat Treasury Secretary's loopy signature improving (Photo Gallery)

By Associated Press Published: May 8, 2013 at 7:34 AM PDT Last Updated: May 8, 2013 at 7:47 AM PDT

Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew may not have succeeded yet in getting a grand budget bargain with Congress, but at least his handwriting is improving. And it is expected to be even better when the time comes for him to affix his "Jacob Lew" to the nation's currency.

Offbeat Remodeling gone wrong: House destroyed by fire, falling tree

By Associated Press Published: May 7, 2013 at 12:46 PM PDT Last Updated: May 7, 2013 at 12:46 PM PDT

Firefighters say things got out of hand last weekend after one of three workers arriving about 6 a.m. for a house remodeling job south of Florence built a warming fire in the carport.

Offbeat Alaska moose head donated to Navy's newest warship

By Associated Press Published: May 7, 2013 at 11:59 AM PDT Last Updated: May 7, 2013 at 11:59 AM PDT

An Anchorage man has donated a trophy moose head and antlers to the Navy's newest warship.

Offbeat Critter cams provide peek into the lives of city bears

By Associated Press Published: May 7, 2013 at 10:27 AM PDT Last Updated: May 7, 2013 at 10:27 AM PDT

Biologists at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game are getting a peek into what city bears do all day.

Offbeat Utah cabin had uninvited guests - 60,000 honeybees

By PAUL FOY, Associated Press Published: May 6, 2013 at 8:14 AM PDT Last Updated: May 6, 2013 at 8:14 AM PDT

It was the biggest beehive that that Ogden beekeeper Vic Bachman has ever removed - a dozen feet long, packed inside the eaves of a cabin in Ogden Valley.

Offbeat Norway's chess superstar has cross-over appeal

By MARK LEWIS, Associated Press Published: May 6, 2013 at 8:08 AM PDT Last Updated: May 6, 2013 at 8:08 AM PDT

He does fashion shoots with Liv Tyler, enjoys soccer-style sponsorships deals and was recently named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people. Who is this superstar? The world's top-ranked chess player.

Offbeat Unlikely scribe handwrites Good Book in 4 years (Photo Gallery)

By MICHAEL HILL, Associated Press Published: May 6, 2013 at 8:05 AM PDT Last Updated: May 6, 2013 at 8:05 AM PDT

In the beginning, Phillip Patterson decided to write out every word in the Bible.