Kilroy Kilroy's Daily BriefingsKilroy online Subscribe
🎭 The Lighter Side

The Lighter Side — Friday, July 17, 2026 at 11:11 AM

🎭 The Lighter Side7/17/2026🕐 7:30 AM⏱ 3:02ComedyDeadpan

Top stories, ranked by relevance.

Story cards stay below the sticky dock while audio, chapters, date, and brief navigation remain accessible.

▶ Listen at 0:18

#1Bear claims Colorado kiddie pool as its own

A Steamboat Springs woman found a black bear taking a leisurely dip in her backyard kiddie pool this week. Wildlife officials call it normal July bear behavior. Source: UPI — upi.com

#2Man plunges his way into the record books

A man in Germany set a Guinness World Record for popping balloons with a toilet plunger. The record is official; the balloons never stood a chance. Source: UPI — upi.com

#3Seattle's roundest raccoon achieves fame

A notably round raccoon named Jimothy has become a viral celebrity in Seattle, complete with fans and media coverage. Source: UPI — upi.com

Meanwhile, In Satire

"Man Resents Home Run For Making Him Pause Eating, Clap" — The Onion, theonion.com

"Idaho Builds Border Wall Out Of Potatoes To Keep Out Californians" — The Babylon Bee, babylonbee.com

"Quinoa Not Pronounced Like That, Say Experts" — NewsThump, newsthump.com

"Theater-Goer Shocked as Tiny Men Emerge From 'The Odyssey' Popcorn Bucket" — The Hard Times, thehardtimes.net

The Groaner

I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. It's impossible to put down.

Wildcard

#4Husband's "research" yields $500,000

A Maryland man who told lottery officials he'd been researching scratch-off odds won $500,000 — vindicating every husband who has ever described a questionable hobby as research. Source: UPI — upi.com

🗂 Edition Navigator