“This rest area brought to you by the makers of … Charmin?” That’s the headline in today’s Des Moines Register. The Iowa DOT is reaching out to companies in a bid to get sponsors for the state’s rest areas. It’s a strategy that’s been adopted by other states—last year PETA said it would sponsor a Virginia rest area….if the name was changed to “‘Fishing Hurts’ Rest Area.”

The New York Times has an interesting story on the high-tech parking meters in Santa Monica. They reset to zero when you pull out of your spot, even if there’s time left on the meter.  And if you happen to find a spot that says “one hour only,” it can’t be re-filled unless you leave and return.

Officials from the Justice Department are reportedly looking in to whether cable companies are in violation of antitrust laws by limiting their competition from online video. The Wall Street Journal says interviews have been conducted with Netflix and Hulu, and with people at Comcast and Time Warner. In particular, they are interested in the data-caps certain companies have implemented to deal with Internet traffic.

“Resistance is futile,” says Linda Stasi in today’s New York Post. She’s talking about the reboot of “Dallas,” which premieres this evening. This is the sentence that confirmed what I’ll be doing tonight: “The new ‘Dallas’ is more ridiculous, campier, more preposterous and so totally over the top that it’s skirting insanity. And those are only a few of the reasons to love this show.” Sold.

Cropped and rolled up pants are (allegedly) hot for men this season—that’s what USA Today says, anyways. The way to go about it, if you’re interested, is to start with a pair of slim, hemmed pants because “you don’t want a 3-inch-thick doughnut encircling your ankle.” Finish by pairing with a boat shoe or a loafer.

Alaska state troopers released a harrowing 911 call yesterday, of a hiker who managed to call for help while being attacked by a brown bear. The Fairbanks Daily-News Miner says 30-year-old Ben Radakovich waited for over two hours in a tree as rescuers tried to make their way to him. HEAR THE 911 CALL

What’s the easiest way to get a bigger backyard? Share with your neighbors. The Wall Street Journal says more and more people are pooling the plots behind their homes to create a larger space, which then becomes a place to socialize with friend and neighbors. But before you tear down your fence, consider the small things that could cause acrimony down the line, like who will do the weeding.

Yesterday was the last day of the U.S. Open National Balloon Championships says the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. How exactly does one race a hot air balloon? Competitors receive topographical maps and a set of coordinates, which they are to drop beanbags on, to mark their progress along the route. As the event’s organizer puts it: “It’s all about navigation. It’s best described as a balloon trying to sink a five-mile putt.”