Category: News Pie!

Olympic Flag Football?

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The answer is yes!

The NFL has approved a resolution allowing players to participate in flag football at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with a unanimous vote from team owners on May 20th, 2025, at the Spring League Meeting in Minneapolis.

The decision, requiring at least 24 of 32 owners’ approval, permits one player per NFL team, plus each team’s designated international player, to compete. This move aims to boost flag football’s global popularity and expand the NFL’s international reach.

Players like Justin Jefferson and Jaycee Horn have expressed excitement about representing their countries, with the event scheduled for July 14th-30th, 2028, aligning with the NFL offseason.

The league will work with the NFL Players Association, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), and Olympic authorities to set rules, ensuring medical staff and field standards meet NFL requirements and that schedules don’t conflict with players’ NFL commitments. Injury protection and salary cap credits will also be provided for participants.

STORY IS HERE

Headed To The Bank!

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The sleep bank, that is.

Sleep banking, or building up a reserve of sleep by getting extra rest before an anticipated sleep deficit, can help mitigate the effects of a bad night’s sleep. Studies suggest that extending sleep duration in the days leading up to sleep deprivation improves cognitive performance, reaction times and mood compared to those who don’t bank sleep. For example, research from the Walter Reed Army Institute showed that soldiers who slept 10 hours per night for a week before sleep restriction performed better on tasks than those who got their usual 7 to 8 hours.

To practice sleep banking, aim for 1 or 2 extra hours of sleep per night for a few days before an event like travel, a demanding work period, or a known sleep disruptor. Naps can also help, ideally 20 to 90 minutes, taken early in the day to avoid interfering with nighttime sleep. However, sleep banking isn’t a cure-all; chronic sleep deprivation still requires consistent, adequate rest to fully recover.

Useful tips on implementing sleep banking and more information can be found below!

LINK IS HERE

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Daily Prompt @ The Pie!

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Daily writing prompt
What is the legacy you want to leave behind?
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Legacy. The word feels like it belongs to giants—people who build empires, write timeless books, or change the course of history. But what about the rest of us? The ones living ordinary lives, with no monuments or Wikipedia pages to our names? What kind of mark can we leave on the world?

I’ve been thinking about the question this morning and I’ve realized that legacy doesn’t have to be loud or grandiose. It’s not about fame or fortune—it’s about the quiet ways we shape the world around us. For me, it’s about connection, curiosity and leaving things a little better than I found them.

I want to be remembered as someone who showed up for people. Not just physically, but emotionally. The kind of person who listens when someone’s unraveling, who asks the question that unlocks a story, who makes space for the messy, beautiful truth of being human.

It’s easy to rush through life, distracted by our own noise. But when we slow down and really see someone—when we hear their fears, their joys, their quiet hopes—that’s when we create something lasting. A moment of connection can ripple outward, changing someone’s day, their perspective, maybe even their life. If my legacy is a collection of those moments, I’d be proud.

I’ve always been a question-asker. Why does this work this way? What’s the story behind that? What if we tried something new? Curiosity is what keeps life vibrant and I want to leave behind a trail of it. I want to inspire people to wonder, to explore, to chase the things that make their hearts race.

Maybe it’s encouraging a friend to pick up that hobby they’ve always wanted to try, or sharing a book that opens a new world. Maybe it’s asking a question that makes someone pause and think. If I can plant a seed of curiosity that grows long after I’m gone, that’s a legacy worth having.

We don’t need to change the world to leave it better. Sometimes, it’s the small things—a kind word, a helping hand, a story shared over coffee—that make the biggest difference. I want to leave behind a world that’s a little kinder, a little braver, a little more open to possibility.

I think of the times I’ve been moved by someone’s quiet generosity: the stranger who smiled when I was having a rough day, the teacher who believed in me when I doubted myself, the friend who laughed with me until we couldn’t breathe. Those moments stick and they shape us. If I can leave behind even a handful of those, I’ve done something worthwhile.

Legacy isn’t about perfection or permanence. It’s about the choices we make every day—how we show up, what we share and who we lift up along the way. So, I’ll keep listening, keep questioning, keep spreading small moments of light. That’s the legacy I want to leave: a world that feels a little more human because I was here.

Rest Now, Norm!

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George Wendt, best known for his role as Norm Peterson on the NBC sitcom Cheers, passed away on Tuesday, May 20th, 2025, at the age of 76. His publicist, Melissa Nathan, confirmed he died peacefully in his sleep at home, as reported by multiple sources.

Wendt’s family requested privacy during this time, noting he was a beloved family man and friend.

His portrayal of Norm, the lovable barfly who appeared in all 275 episodes of Cheers from 1982 to 1993, earned him six consecutive Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

Born in Chicago in 1948, Wendt honed his comedic skills at The Second City before landing roles in shows like MASH*, Taxi, and films such as Fletch and Spice World.

He is survived by his wife, Bernadette Birkett, and their three children. Fans and peers have expressed their grief on social media platforms, celebrating his iconic Cheers moments with posts like, “We lift a beer in his honor.”

STORY IS HERE

Daily Throwback @ The Pie!

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On May 19th, 1999, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace hit US cinemas, marking the highly anticipated return of the Star Wars franchise after a 16-year gap since Return of the Jedi.

Directed by George Lucas, the film introduced fans to a new prequel trilogy, diving into the origins of Anakin Skywalker, the Jedi Order and the Sith.

With groundbreaking visual effects, including extensive CGI and the iconic podracing sequence, it was a cultural phenomenon, grossing over $924 million worldwide.

Despite mixed reviews (praised for its visuals but criticized for pacing and characters like Jar Jar Binks) it remains a pivotal moment in sci-fi cinema.

An Alligator @ Your Door?

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An alligator was spotted recently “knocking” on doors in the Tortuga neighborhood of Lee County, Florida, during the start of alligator mating season.

Video footage from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office showed the alligator approaching front porches, even getting its head stuck in a folding chair at one point.

Deputies and a licensed trapper safely captured the alligator, with no injuries or damage reported.

This behavior is linked to increased alligator activity during mating season (May-June), when males become territorial and may wander into residential areas seeking mates or territory, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

STORY IS HERE (WITH VIDEO)

Daily Throwback @ The Pie!

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On May 18th, 1980, Mount St. Helens, a stratovolcano in Washington State, erupted with a force that reshaped the landscape and left a lasting mark on history. After two months of ominous rumblings (earthquakes, steam venting and a growing bulge on its northern flank) the volcano unleashed its fury in a series of three explosive eruptions within 24 hours. This catastrophic event not only altered the region’s geography but also taught scientists and communities about the raw power of nature.

For weeks, Mount St. Helens had been signaling unrest. Starting in mid-March 1980, seismographs detected thousands of small earthquakes, indicating magma movement beneath the volcano. By late March, steam and ash began venting and a noticeable bulge on the north side grew at an alarming rate of up to 6 feet per day. Geologists warned of an imminent eruption, leading to evacuations and restricted access zones. Despite these precautions, the scale of what was to come was unimaginable.

At 8:32 a.m. on May 18th, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake triggered a massive landslide on the north flank, releasing the pressure of the bulging magma chamber. The result was a lateral blast, one of the most powerful in recorded volcanic history, which obliterated everything in its path for 230 square miles. Trees were flattened, rivers choked with debris and a plume of ash soared 15 miles into the atmosphere.

The initial blast was followed by two more eruptions within 24 hours, each sending additional ash and pyroclastic flows across the region. The ash cloud spread across the United States, with deposits reaching as far as the Midwest, disrupting air travel and blanketing communities in a gritty, gray haze.

For local communities, the eruption was a humbling reminder of nature’s unpredictability. Memorials and visitor centers, like the Johnston Ridge Observatory, now stand as tributes to those lost and as educational hubs for future generations.

The May 18th, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens remains one of the most studied volcanic events in history. It underscored the importance of preparedness and respect for natural forces, leaving a legacy that continues to inform science and policy today. As we reflect on that fateful day, we’re reminded of both the destructive power of the Earth and its capacity for renewal.

Leaving With Aliens?

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In November 1980, Granger Taylor, a 32-year-old mechanical genius from Duncan, British Columbia, vanished after leaving a note for his family claiming he was embarking on a 42-month interstellar journey aboard an alien spaceship.

Known for his extraordinary talent in restoring vehicles and building a life-size spacecraft replica, Taylor believed he could communicate with extraterrestrials. That stormy night, he disappeared, leaving behind all his possessions.

Despite extensive searches, no trace of him was found until 1986, when forestry workers discovered a blast site near Mount Prevost with fragments of a vehicle matching Taylor’s Datsun pickup, along with human bone fragments and a piece of clothing possibly his. No full body was recovered, and the cause of the explosion remains unclear.

Theories range from a tragic accident involving explosives Taylor may have carried, to mental health struggles, or even the possibility he staged his disappearance. The mystery endures, with no definitive evidence confirming his fate or the alien claims.

SOURCE STORY HERE

VIDEO IS HERE

Don’t Stop Believin’!

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Donald Trump recently shared an AI-generated video of himself playing the piano to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” sparking a frenzy online.

The video, originally from a TikTok account, shows Trump at a patriotic-themed piano, later transitioning to guitar and drums in a red, white, and blue outfit, with cheerleaders in the background.

Reactions on social media range from amusement to criticism, with some calling it “cringe” or “propaganda,” while others find it “epic.”

The song choice is notable, as Journey previously issued a cease-and-desist in 2022 after their keyboardist performed it for Trump at Mar-a-Lago, citing misuse of their brand.

The video has also fueled debates about Trump’s use of AI for self-promotion.

See the video below!

Daily Throwback @ The Pie!

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On May 17, 1993, American country music fans were treated to a song that would become a timeless anthem: Alan Jackson’s “Chattahoochee.” Released as the third single from his album A Lot About Livin’ (And a Little ’bout Love), this track captured the essence of Southern summers and small-town life, cementing Jackson’s place as a country music icon.

“Chattahoochee,” written by Alan Jackson and Jim McBride, is a nostalgic ode to coming-of-age experiences along the banks of the Chattahoochee River, which flows through Georgia and Alabama. With its catchy melody and vivid lyrics, the song paints a picture of youthful adventures—learning about life, love, and good times by the river. Lines like “We laid rubber on the Georgia asphalt / We got a little crazy but we never got caught” resonate with anyone who’s ever chased freedom under a summer sky.

The single was a massive hit, topping the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and peaking at number 46 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its infectious energy and relatable storytelling earned it widespread acclaim, including the 1994 CMA Awards for Single of the Year and Song of the Year.

More than three decades later, “Chattahoochee” continues to evoke nostalgia and pride for fans of country music. It’s a reminder of a time when life felt simpler and a song could capture the heart of a community. Whether you’re from the South or just love a good story, the song’s universal themes of youth, freedom and fun keep it fresh for new generations.

So, on this May 17th, let’s crank up the volume, roll down the windows and celebrate the day Alan Jackson gave us “Chattahoochee”—a song that’s as much a part of country music history as the river itself.