Story Stack

Story Stack is where stories first appear on the site. These stories have made our first cut, but haven't necessarily earned the "Smartly Selected" designation for inclusion as one of Pat's Picks.

  1. What to Do With Your Great Idea

    The Wall Street Journal has advice on what to do if you have a great business idea, but don’t want to go through the hassle of starting a business. To make a quick buck, you can sign over the rights to your idea. But if your concept has long term potential, you may want to license your idea, instead of selling it outright.

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  2. “Eat, Pray, Love” Author’s New Novel

    How do you follow-up a success like “Eat, Pray, Love?” Elizabeth Gilbert is out with her new novel, “The Signature of All Things.” The novel tells the story of Alma Whittaker, a 19th-century botanist who studies moss and goes off to live among the natives on Tahiti. The Daily News sits down with Gilbert who talks about the book and the success and backlash against “Eat, Pray, Love.”

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  3. Whale Alert App Helps Ship Captains Avoid Collisions

    Smartphones are being put to use on the high seas. Marine biologists in San Francisco are testing a new app that tracks the location of whales to help ship captains avoid hitting them. Whale Spotter uses GPS to track locations where whales have been seen. The Coast Guard would be able to use the information to reroute shipping traffic.

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  4. Over-The-Hill Video Game Champ Grooms Next Generation

    There aren’t too many careers where you’d be considered past your prime at age 28. But Patrik Sättermon, a former world champion in the game Counter Strike, says the reflexes you need for gaming peak at around 18 or 19. So he’s training the next generation. The Wall Street Journal says Sättermon’s Fnatic Academy accepts just six teens a year who are being groomed not only to be professional gamers, but to become stars in the gaming world.

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  5. What a Government Shutdown Means

    With a government shutdown looming tomorrow, many people have questions about what services will be affected. USA Today answers 66 questions about the shutdown, ranging from will I still be able to get a passport (maybe, but hurry) to will the government continue to collect taxes (of course). Most government workers would be furloughed starting tomorrow. And the shutdown will likely cost the government money, rather than save it.

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  6. Breaking Bad Finale Doesn’t Disappoint

    Critics and fans alike seem satisfied with the much-anticipated Breaking Bad finale. Newsday’s Verne Gay says the ending left no ambiguity - wrapping up all the show’s loose ends. He says the show was all about “emphatic, operatic closure—for characters as well as fans.”
    CLICK FOR SPOILERS

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  7. Federal Employee: Fire Me and Close My Agency

    Mike Marsh is on a mission. The inspector general for the Denali Commission, an economic-development agency based in Alaska, wants Congress to fire him, and shut down his agency. The Washington Post says Marsh wrote a letter to Congress stating his agency was a congressional experiment that has not worked out. He says the government would be better off spending money elsewhere. His colleagues, understandably, are not amused.

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  8. Swimmer Fights Ruling on Disability

    The New York Times says American swimmer Victoria Arlen’s Paralympic career is in jeopardy, because she is not disabled enough. Arlen suffers from the neurological condition transverse myelitis that has rendered her legs paralyzed. But the International Paralympic Committee ruled her ineligible to compete in the world championships last month because there’s a chance, according to her doctor, that her condition may one day improve. Arlen says it’s beyond sad to be penalized for having a glimmer of hope that she may one day be able to walk again.

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  9. Barilla Chairman Sparks Controversy With Remark About Gays

    Barilla pasta company chairman Guido Barilla is in hot water after saying he’d never use a gay family in an ad for his pasta. He says his view of the family is one where the woman plays a traditional role, adding that if gays don’t like it, they can buy another brand. The New York Post says an apology from Barilla has done little to quell the controversy.

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  10. Opinion: Obama Administration Out to Destroy Dimon

    The Wall Street Journal editorial page offers a strong defense of J.P. Morgan Chase CEO, Jamie Dimon. The paper says regulators are backing up a truck to J.P. Morgan’s vault and trying to load it up, as the company considers an $11 billion settlement. The Journal says Dimon is being targeted by the administration for refusing to toe the line, adding that he not only didn’t create the mortgage crisis but helped end it.

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  11. Huge Night for Television

    No, we’re not talking about the Emmy’s. Sunday night is shaping up to be an incredible night of television, and that’s not even counting some big NFL matchups. Sunday marks the series finale for Breaking Bad, the Season 3 premiere of Homeland and the series premiere of Masters of Sex.
    The Wall Street Journal talks about the challenges of wrapping up a series like Breaking Bad, especially one with a flawed protagonist. Homeland’s premiere gets 5 stars in the Daily News. David Hinckley says the show succeeds even with its main characters Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) and James Brody (Damian Lewis) essentially on the sidelines to start the season. The Washington Post‘s Hank Stuever revises his review of Masters of Sex from a B+ to an A, saying the new series gets better as it goes along.

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  12. McDonald’s Plans Healthier Sides

    Hold the fries. McDonald’s is making plans to offer side salads, at no extra charge, with its value meals starting next year. The company is also planning to promote only water, milk and juice as part of its Happy Meals, although soda will still be an option. McDonald’s says more healthy changes are on the way. An outside company is being brought in to track the progress of the new health initiatives.

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  13. Navy Yard Shooting Surveillance Video Released

    Still images from surveillance video of the D.C. Navy Yard shooter are on the front page of dozens of papers this morning, including the Washington Post. The FBI said yesterday Aaron Alexis was being driven by delusions that he was controlled by low-frequency radio waves. He also scratched the words “End the torment!” on the barrel of the shotgun he used to kill 12 people last week.

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  14. Kurt Kobain’s Childhood Home For Sale

    Nirvana fans have a chance to live in the home where Kurt Kobain grew up. His mother is putting the Aberdeen, Washington bungalow up for sale for $500,000, complete with the late frontman’s old mattress. The home was last assessed for less than $67,000. His family says it would welcome a partnership to turn the house into a museum.

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  15. Postal Service Proposes Stamp Price Hike

    You may need a few more pennies to mail a letter come next year. The cash-strapped U.S. Postal Service is plans to raise the rate for a first class stamp from 46 cents to 49 cents beginning in January. Pricing for other types of mail would go up as well. The Postal Service says the hike would raise an additional $2 billion in revenue. The Postal Service posted a net loss of $15.9 billion last year.

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  16. Bionic Leg Controlled by Brain

    A group of Chicago researchers this week unveiled a new prototype for a bionic leg controlled by the user’s mind. The Chicago Tribune says it’s part of a shift in prosthetic technology aimed at younger, more active patients. The leg works by using recorded nerve signals. Researchers say it could transform the lives of wounded veterans, accident victims and the elderly.  VIDEO

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  17. Fat Camp for Dogs

    Has your puppy put on a few pounds? Fitness programs for canines have been popping up across the country. More than half of all dogs in the U.S. are overweight and at risk of a host of serious ailments. Pet experts say the same advice that works for humans also works for out of shape dogs: Put down the snacks and get off the couch.

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  18. Smartphone Camera Comparison: iPhone is Surprise Winner

    USA Today put the cameras of three leading smartphones to the test. The newly revamped iPhone 5s, the Nokia Lumia 1020 Windows Phone and the Samsung Galaxy S4. Despite being the most “basic” of the three, the iPhone 5s actually performed the most consistently. VIDEO

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  19. Parkinson’s Takes Center Stage in Michael J. Fox’s New Show

    Michael J. Fox returns to television this week, more than a dozen years after leaving Spin City. Instead of hiding his symptoms, on “The Michael J. Fox show,” he plays a TV anchor who suffers from Parkinson’s. USA Today credits Fox with helping to change our understanding of Parkinson’s in the 15 years since he announced his diagnosis. Researchers are closer to a cure though they acknowledge it will be more difficult to achieve than they first thought.

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  20. What Our Bumper Stickers Say About Us

    Bumper stickers may be almost as old as bumpers. But what do they say about us? The Philadelphia Inquirer says you can get a good sense of someone’s priorities by taking a look at the back of their car. Trends are hard to predict, like the popular stick figure family. The head of the company that came out with them 8 years ago says he knew he’d gained traction after seeing the backlash to his stickers, like the decal with the chainsaw-wielding figure who says “No one cares about your stick figure family.”

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  21. Getting a Table at a Hot Restaurant

    The New York Times has some advice for landing a table at a popular restaurant. Waiting until the last minute can pay off - as reservations get cancelled or tables set aside for VIPs and family members get released back into the pool. There are now online services that will scan for open reservations and alert you by text or email when tables pop up. Or you can try grabbing a drink at your desired restaurant, then asking if there is a table available for the following weekend.

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  22. Farm-Raised Salmon Making Big Gains

    Good news for salmon lovers. Improvements in aquaculture have made farm-raised salmon better than ever. The Washington Post says salmon farmers have cleaned up their acts after years of criticism about the industry. The result is farm-raised salmon is now becoming a viable option to wild-caught. Industry watchers say there is still work to be done to make salmon farming more sustainable, but much progress has been made already.

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  23. Analysis: Obama’s Evolving Doctrine

    The New York Times says the “Obama Doctrine” is once again evolving. The Times analysis says President Obama has publicly struggled with the question of when to act as the world’s policeman. In his first term, the president seemed comfortable using military force to confront threats. But Obama told the UN yesterday he’s devoting the remainder of his presidency to two diplomatic initiatives: negotiating an end to the Iran conflict and creating a separate state for the Palestinians. The Times says the question now is when Obama will once again be willing to use force after five years of mixed experiences.

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  24. “Healthy” Chips Flooding the Marketplace

    Seaweed, kale, black beans, just some of the ingredients showing up in the snack aisle these days. The Wall Street Journal says more companies are coming out with chips made from foods with a proven nutritional value. Researchers say consumers are looking for a “permissible indulgence.” This comes as more Americans are snacking throughout the day. Nearly one in three people report eating three to four snacks a day in addition to meals.

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  25. Banjo Jam Session Etiquette

    With the International Bluegrass Music Association convention getting underway, the Charlotte News & Observer has a quirky piece on how to go about joining a bluegrass jam session. You can’t just pick up your banjo and join in. “Prepare to join a bluegrass jam session as you might a poker game in the Wild West, with some respect, knowledge of the art and willingness to take a chance.” Be realistic about your own ability, wait your turn, and please, no country and western.

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  26. Analyzing the Fall of the BlackBerry

    Self-described “recovering ‘CrackBerry’ addict” Jon Swartz of USA Today laments the fall of the BlackBerry. An investor known as the Warren Buffet of Canada has offered $4.7 billion for what’s left of Research in Motion.  At this point the value is mostly patents that it owns and about 2 billion dollars in cash that the company has from the days when business was good. Swartz says the descent of BlackBerry feels like a death in the family to him.

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  27. Cocktail Waitresses Battle Middleman

    Atlantic City cocktail waitresses are warning their Las Vegas counterparts: Don’t let your boss replace you with an iPad. The Las Vegas Sun says “beverage ambassadors” that have been in use in Atlantic City casinos for several years may be making their way to Las Vegas. Armed with an iPad, the young, sexy beverage ambassadors take orders from customers. The cocktail waitresses are now only responsible for delivering drinks, often within a set time limit. Career cocktail waitresses say it takes away their interaction with customers and leads to fewer tips.

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  28. How to Fight in Front of Your Kids

    The Wall Street Journal says the old rule of not fighting in front of your children has changed. Studies have found kids who witness constructive marital conflict from their parents end up happier and with better problem solving and coping skills. The Journal offers some tips for fighting in front of your kids: Try to keep arguments to 5 minutes, stop if your child seems distressed and avoid fighting about serious topics in front of your children.

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  29. Disney Cites Abuse in Changing Policy for Disabled Riders

    Disney theme parks are eliminating a policy that allowed disabled guests to skip to the front of the line for attractions. The Los Angeles Times says the move is partly in response to reports that visitors to Walt Disney World were hiring disabled people to go with them to the park to help them skip lines. Instead disabled guests will now get a version of the FastPass ticket that gives them a scheduled time for faster access to the attraction. Disney says it wants to create a more consistent experience for its visitors.

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  30. Old Place-Kicking Habits Die Hard in Ohio

    High school football place kickers in Ohio are still doing things the old fashioned way. The Wall Street Journal says many young kickers in Ohio still subscribe to the old toe-style kicking for kickoffs and field goal attempts. Soccer-style kicking with the instep of the foot has been the norm in the sport for decades. One manufacturer of special shoes for toe-kicking says 98% of the shoes he makes get shipped to Ohio. VIDEO

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