Rabbits with 'horns' in Colorado are being called 'Frankenstein bunnies.' Here's why

DENVER (AP) — Some cottontail rabbits in Fort Collins, Colorado, have been drawing attention because they have wart-like growths on their faces that look like horns. The rabbits are infected with the relatively common Shope papillomavirus. The virus likely inspired the centuries-old jackalope myth. It also helped scientists learn about the connection between viruses and cancer, such as the human papillomavirus that causes cervical cancer. Experts say the virus cannot spread to other species. The growths don’t harm rabbits unless they grow on their eyes or mouths and interfere with eating. Rabbits’ immune systems are able to fight the virus. And once they do, the growths will disappear.

A driver faces up to $110,000 in fines for speeding on a Swiss street. But he can afford it

GENEVA (AP) — A wealthy driver caught for going way too fast on a Swiss city street is facing a fine of more than $110,000. That’s because the speedster is one of Switzerland’s wealthiest people. The Vaud canton issues fines based on income, fortune or family financial situation. Newspaper “24 Heures” first reported the case and said the man, who was unidentified, was a French citizen living in Switzerland with a fortune in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Why Niger is investigating the $5 million sale of the largest Mars rock found on Earth

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — A 54-pound meteorite from Mars has sold for over $5 million at a New York auction, setting a world record. But officials in Niger, where the meteorite was found, suspect it may have been smuggled out of the West African country. They have launched an investigation into possible "illicit international trafficking." The meteorite was discovered in the Sahara Desert in 2023. Sotheby's auction house claims it followed all international procedures for its sale. Niger's president has since suspended the export of meteorites in an effort to ensure their traceability. But vast desert areas and informal trading networks make that challenging.

From court to pin: How a Little Leaguer's bat flip became baseball memorabilia

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A 12-year-old from Haddonfield, New Jersey, has turned a controversial bat flip into a piece of baseball memorabilia. Last month, Marco Rocco was ejected and faced suspension for flipping his bat after a home run in a sectional tournament. His father took Little League to court and won a restraining order, allowing Marco to play in the state tournament. Now, the bat-flip moment is commemorated as a pin for the Little League World Series. The pin, not for sale, is released by the Rocco family and friends, including former major leaguers Jeff and Todd Frazier. Only 75 pins were made.

3 elves are cycling from the German town of St. Nikolaus to Finland's Santa Claus Village

ST. NIKOLAUS, Germany (AP) — Three postal workers have set off on a nearly 3000-kilometer bicycle journey from St. Nikolaus, Germany, to the small town of Rovaniemi, Finland. The Finnish town is home to Santa Claus Village, a winter-themed amusement park perched on the edge of the Arctic Circle. St. Nikolaus himself, with his long purple cape and a tall golden staff, was on hand Saturday to hand over the letters to the three elves. The town of St. Nikolaus is one of seven places in Germany with a Christmas-themed name, all of which receive letters addressed to Santa Claus or Saint Nick.

$7K worth of Labubu dolls stolen from Los Angeles store, authorities say

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is investigating an incident in which thieves stole about $7,000 worth of Labubu dolls, the agency said. The incident took place early Wednesday morning at a store in a Los Angeles suburb. The suspects used a stolen vehicle in the incident, authorities said. The store said on social media that it was still in shock and asked people to help find the suspects. The store posted surveillance footage that shows a group of people in hoodies and face coverings shuffling through items and taking boxes from the store.

A Florida woman posed as a nurse and treated thousands of unsuspecting patients, officials say

PALM COAST, Fla. (AP) — Authorities say a Florida woman posed as a licensed nurse and provided medical care to thousands of patients. Officials say 29-year-old Autumn Marie Bardisa participated in medical services involving more than 4,400 people from June 2024 until January 2025. The Flagler County Sheriff's Office says she faces multiple charges, including practicing health care without a license. She's being held on a $70,000 bond and is due in court next month. Officials say Bardisa used another health care worker's license number to gain employment at a medical facility. No lawyer who could speak on Bardisa's behalf was listed in local court records.

A fiery meteor that punched through a Georgia home's roof is older than Earth, a scientist says

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — A scientist says fragments of a meteorite that punched through a Georgia homeowner's roof after blazing across the sky in a fiery streak is older than the Earth itself. University of Georgia geologist Scott Harris said in a press release Friday that he concluded the meteorite fragments are 4.56 billion years old and came from an asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. People in several Southern states reported seeing the mysterious fireball in broad daylight on June 26. Harris says the meteor  was traveling faster than the speed of sound when it approached Earth's surface. The university received 23 grams from a piece the size of cherry tomato that shot like a bullet through a roof outside Atlanta.

Pocket pancakes? Brewers selling ballpark flapjacks after Pat Murphy's viral moment

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers are bringing manager Pat Murphy’s strange eating habits to fans. Murphy went viral in a recent interview for pulling a pancake out of his uniform pocket and taking a bite — sharing the flapjack with the reporter — as he detailed different ways he shoves food into his pockets to snack on in the dugout. The moment has spawned quite the movement in Milwaukee. The ballpark announced Friday that “Murph’s Pocket Pancakes” will be sold at American Family Field during Sunday games for the rest of the season, starting with this weekend’s series against the New York Mets.