Winter Storm; Starbuck's Stanley; 13 Year Old Tetris Master; The Chinese Year of the Wood Dragon; and MORE

Florida: Real And Imagined

Show Prep for "The World Spins Fine On Her Own" with hosts Larry Whitler and Robin MacBlane: Thursday, January 4, 2024

1. Weather Update: Cross-Country Storm Threatens Northeast Snow

   • A coast-to-coast storm is forecasted to end a nearly two-year snow drought in certain Northeast regions.
   • The storm, sweeping through the Great Basin and Southwest, will bring rain, wind, and substantial snowfall to higher elevation states like Nevada, Utah, and northern Arizona.
   • Potential impacts on the I-95 corridor along the East Coast may lead to a messy situation.
   • Detailed breakdown by day:
     • Wednesday: Storm moves inland, rain and snow spread through the Great Basin and Southwest.
     • Thursday: Heavy snow in the Southern Rocky Mountains, showers and storms in western Texas.
     • Friday: Storm heads East, drawing up moisture from the Gulf, potential for heavy rain along the Gulf coast.
     • Saturday: Storm moves towards the mid-Atlantic coast, with a possible expansion of snow into the Northeast by evening.
     • Sunday: Interior Northeast could face heavy snow, with snow, sleet, and rain likely along the I-95 corridor.
   • Cities along I-95, including New York City, Baltimore, Maryland, and Richmond, Virginia, may see the end of their two-year snow streaks.

2. Fire at Tyreek Hill's Home in South Florida

   • Firefighters battled a massive fire at the South Florida home of Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill.
   • The fire, limited to the attic and roof, caused smoke damage throughout the house.
   • No injuries reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

3. Hero Dog Alerts Owners to Fire in Arlington, Washington

   • In Arlington, Washington, a hero dog named Lucy alerted her owners to a fire in their neighbor's house at 3:00 a.m.
   • Lucy's loud, screaming-type bark was different from her usual barking, prompting the owners to investigate and call 911.
   • Firefighters arrived in time to contain and extinguish the blaze, preventing it from spreading to the nearby home.

4. Stanley's Exclusive Tumbler Collaboration with Starbucks Causes Chaos

   • Stanley's collaboration with Starbucks on an exclusive "Winter Pink" tumbler, sold only at Target, leads to chaos in stores.
   • Long lines, overnight campouts, and mayhem reported as enthusiasts rush to get the limited-edition tumbler.
   • Reselling online for $159 after the initial release for $49.95.

5. Starbucks Embraces Sustainability in 2024

   • Starbucks announces that customers can bring their own reusable cups for mobile and drive-thru orders starting January 3.
   • Clean, reusable cups accepted at company-operated stores and select licensed stores in the U.S. and Canada for in-store, mobile, and drive-thru orders.
   • Starbucks aims to reduce waste and give customers more options for sustainable choices.

6. Darts Prodigy: 16-Year-Old Luke Littler Makes History

   • Darts world has a new star in 16-year-old Luke Littler, who made history by reaching the world championship final.
   • Although he lost the final, Littler is the youngest player to win any match at the world championships.

7. 13-Year-Old Beats Original Nintendo Tetris, Reaches "Kill Screen"

   • Willis Gibson, a 13-year-old from Oklahoma, becomes the first person to beat the original Nintendo version of Tetris.
   • Reaches level 157, encountering the game's notorious "kill screen," typically reached only by artificial intelligence.

8. Alanis Morissette Discovers Jewish Ancestry on PBS' Finding Your Roots

   • Alanis Morissette learns on PBS' Finding Your Roots that her maternal grandfather escaped the Holocaust in Hungary.
   • Morissette reflects on her Jewish heritage, discovered in her late 20s, and her parents' decision to protect their children from antisemitism.

9. Japan's Upcoming Moon Landing with Smart Lander (SLIM)

   • JAXA's Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) set to land on the Lunar surface on January 19.
   • Mission aims to research pinpoint landing technology for future lunar probes.
   • If successful, Japan will become the fifth nation to land on the Moon.

10. Year of the Wood Dragon in Chinese Zodiac

    • The Lunar New Year on February 10 marks the Year of the Wood Dragon.
    • Dragons of wood may amplify introverted tendencies but are expected to be rewarded for vision, risk-taking, and innovation.
    • Astrologers predict a year of growth, progress, and abundance, fostering opportunities for long-term development.