"I read the news today, oh boy..."

• In Bloomington, Illinois, a man tried to rob a local McDonald's. There he met his match in Donald Sacry, 71: "I used a lot of vulgarity. I cussed him out pretty good." Sacry then smacked the robber with a load of plastic trays. The robber fled.

• Why are so many people buying four-wheel and all-wheel drive cars, most of whom will never be used for severe- or off-road conditions? In a story from the Associated Press, the newer models are reported to benefit from "technology that's more compact and lighter weight than in the past." What's more, the 2004 model year will bring consumers more than 80 such models, up from 30 for the 1994 model year. (Note to son Paul: that Honda Element is looking better.)

• Opus is making a comeback! Berkeley Breathed is planning to resurrect the precocious penguin and former resident of "Bloom County" and "Outland," in a new Sunday-only series beginning in November. Breathed has also sold the rights to an Opus movie. And we don't mean Mr Holland's.