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My Minute of News with Jeff Caplan
Jeff Caplan, KSL Newsradio
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KSL Newsradio's Jeff Caplan offers his own unique spin on the fun, quirky things that happen alongside the news.
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Gluing yourself in Protest (Superglue)
6d ago
1 min
Gluing yourself in Protest (Superglue)
The art of peaceful protesting has been the same for years now. You make signs, you chant, maybe you stage a sit in, or you lock yourself to something with handcuffs. Same old Same old. But have you noticed the newest innovation in peaceful protesting. People have been gluing themselves to stuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6d ago
1 min
A Wordle Whoopsie
We’ve already explained that Josh Wardle invented Wordle as an act of love for his girlfriend. When the daily puzzle game went viral, he sold it to The New York Times for a couple million dollars or so. A sweet nest egg for a puzzle where you use clues to guess the daily five letter word. For millions of people it’s a fun escape from a world gone crazy. But there was no escape Monday. The five-letter answer to the Monday puzzle was loaded into the system last year, before The New York Times bought the game. Before Josh Wardle sold the game. So when you figure out the puzzle and feel that burst of pride that moment of escape - you pause for a second and say “what?” Monday's answer is straight outa Roe v Wade. It just so happens by coincidence Monday's word is “fetus.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 9 2022
1 min
KSL has to SHARE its birthday?!?
Hans Riegel was fed up with job. The German confectioner did what so many people are doing today, he quit his job to launch a start-up. In his home kitchen Hans cooked up batches of hard candy and sold them at street fairs. But back in 1920 there was nothing special about another guy peddling hard candy so he started noodling around in his kitchen. These days we’d call it a pivot as he mixed together fruit flavoring sugar and gelatin. He molded the soft candy mix into the shape of a dancing animal. People loved his soft candy and at the very same time KSL Radio was signing on the air for the very first time in 1922, Hans Riegel invented … the Gummi Bear. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 7 2022
1 min
The Question we ask Google the Most
Is Google robbing us of the ability to think for ourselves? Google is great when you need a fact. Like - which country exports the most octopus? China. How many pounds in a kilogram? 2.2. Whaddaya call a vet who specializes in salamanders? A herpetologist. Wonderful. Thank you Google. THE one question google is asked the most worldwide is this. Are you ready? What is my IP Address. Now computer trouble-shooting makes sense. But for the life of Jeff, he can’t figure out why you would ask google a question that begins with the words “Should I.” Because that means you’re entrusting your life to a machine. Yet millions and millions of times a day, people ask Google “Should I…” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 4 2022
1 min
Empty Plates in Garland (Salmon BBQ)
Now the food shortages are hitting a little too close to home. Specifically Garland Utah, where the fire department is typically getting ready for next months’ big Salmon BBQ. To host such an event you need bbq sauce, you need grills, you need utensils, you need volunteers and it’s all good. I’m happy to say heading toward summer, America is awash in Barbeque sauce. Garland has all the equipment and volunteers, but what they don’t have is salmon. Like none. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 4 2022
1 min
The Vegetable Wars (Garlic Festival)
It’s funny how people can go crazy … as soon as they join a committee. Perhaps you’ve heard of the annual Gilroy Garlic Festival e. The central California community is the epicenter of garlic production here in the U-S. And a generation ago they started this quirky festival that celebrated all things garlic. People flocked by the 10s of thousands for freshly harvested garlic cloves ...Garlic ice cream.. bubble gum… you name it. And now the festival is no more. There was a mass shooting a few years ago. A pandemic and new homes are encroaching on the open fields that served as the parking lots. The festival - this quirky piece of Americana is cancelled. But there’s hope. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 3 2022
1 min
Felony Inflation: Stealing ain't what it used to be
Thank goodness Utah lawmakers had the wisdom to create a penal code that anticipated inflation. Because if they weren’t so wise, these rising prices be terrible for all the criminals. Let Jeff explain. In Utah, theft law says that if you steal something worth $1,500, when you’re caught, you get charged with a felony. That’s serious business. But if you steal something worth $1,499, it’s a misdemeanor, and you’re in a whole lot less trouble. In other states around the country, lawmakers aren’t as wise as ours. Some states set the threshold at $200. Steal something worth a mere $201 dollars and you’re facing a deadly serious felony. Possible prison time. In New Jersey for instance, they’ve kept the felony threshold parked at $200 since 1978. It was fine for 43 years, but with this inflation we’ve been seeing, it’s not just eggs and milk going up. Sneakers are going up - and those coveted Air Jordans now easily top 200-bucks. Swipe a pair, in a handful of states, you’re now looking at prison time. When Nike’s were only $175, same shoes were a misdemeanor Yes, inflation is taking a toll on thievery. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 23 2022
1 min
Earth Day
It’s Earth Day. Jeff's already celebrated. Thursday, during the dust storm, he did the show outside Vivint Arena and the Jazz game. And for five solid hours he sat still in my little chair in our KSL booth and he talked on the radio. Which means his mouth was open. And he ate the earth. He could taste the grit on his teeth. Friday morning, he had to spend a half-hour washing the dust off the tech equipment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 23 2022
1 min
Ukraine Stamp
If you remember when the Russians invasion began - the first glimpse we got of Ukraine’s determination and grit - the first time we we realized they weren’t going to roll over was when a Russian ship transmitted a message to a tiny island off the coast of Ukraine ordering troops on the Island to surrender. One of the Ukranian soldiers radioed back “**** You Russian Ship.” Except he didn’t say the explicative. It was the real deal. An emphatic, profane declaration of resistance that was like a wake up call for the entire world. These guys are gonna fight back. And that they did. In fact two months later, that very Russian ship sits on the bottom of the Black Sea, sunk by a Ukranian missile. And now, in a blasphemous moment of pride, the Ukranian Postal Service has released a stamp that commemorates the moment of resistance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 23 2022
1 min
Lucky Charms WARNING
Long before healthful eating was a thing, long before healthful was even a word, Jeff's mom refused to buy Lucky Charms. Even back then, when a typical breakfast would mean cocoa krispies, sugar pops, apple jacks, or Cap’n Crunch…. mom drew the line at Lucky Charms. Even in 1966, she had a hunch that processed artificially colored dried up marshmallow bits were not breakfast food, and on this point she refused to budge. Which is why to this day, Jeff goes down the cereal aisle. He see the Lucky Charms, he grabs a box and he eat 'em all. But never for breakfast cause he was raised right. But now, he has to admit mom had a point. It took more than 50 years, but she was right. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 21 2022
1 min
The Chocolate Diet
Friends, Jeff has to tell you about an Amazing diet he's about to start. He has a lot to lose, so he's gonna start tomorrow - right after the egg salad is gone. All those expensive eggs the kids colored, he's not gonna waste them. He will slide his wfie’s creamy and dreamy chopped egg leftovers between two slices of bread for lunch. He's gonna start the Amazing and Ridiculously Delicious Jeff Caplan Diet. Here’s how it works and it’s really simple. You just eat chocolate. Nothing else. Ghiradelli for breakfast. Lindt Chocolate for lunch. Those little Ferrero chocolates in the foil wrapper for dinner. Three meals a day, just chocolate. Much as you want. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 19 2022
1 min
Ridiculous Congressional Word Games
I’m going to assume you already know how a bill becomes a law, thanks to the little scrolled-up fella from Schoolhouse Rock. That goes back to your childhood, but these days, there’s a new wrinkle. When they introduce a new bill members of Congress go acronym crazy. They make up a clunky name for the bill like the Sensible Oversight for Technology which Advances Regulatory Efficiency Act. Pure word salad. But take the first letter of each word and suddenly it’s the SOFTWARE act. And the genius politician who dreamed it up hopes you’ll sit around with the family playing a board game and say “so did you hear about the Software Act" You don’t. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 13 2022
1 min
Albert Pujols "A strange moment for a divorce"
Jeff's not here to judge. He will just report that baseball superstar Albert Pujols showed up at spring training a bit creaky, after all the 10-time all-star has been at it for two decades. Albert Pujols is a lock for the Hall of Fame, he’s fifth on the all-time home run list, and he’s wearing the Cardinal uniform the season, going back to where it all started. But it’s also a new chapter in his life. The whispers started last week, during the first day of spring training. For Pujols, it was another day at the office. He went 1-for-3 - showing he’s still got it. But at the same time, he was stepping up to the plate in Jupiter ,Florida, his wife was having brain surgery. His wife Dierdre was having a tumor removed, and Albert was in the batters box. He did not fly home to be at her side Monday as she’s recuperating. Pujols announced that after 22 years of marriage, he’s decided to file for divorce. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 5 2022
1 min
A Whale Story from Utah
Over the weekend, Jeff went to see the giant whale in Salt Lake City. In the middle of the round about at 9th South and 11th East, there’s a massive blue leviathan beast, breaching the the ground, shooting straight up in the air. This fiberglass humpback whale soars 23 feet up, his fins are 46 feet across. In the middle of Salt Lake City. But Why? This is the proverbial fish out of water. But before you shake your head and see the art piece as another example of ridiculous folly from the crazy people of Salt Lake, let’s consider Utah history for a moment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 5 2022
1 min
Are you a Salt "Laker"?
For a story Jeff was writing, he asked people: what do you call a person from Salt Lake? And they get this glazed over look, shrug their shoulders and say "I dunno … Salt Laker? Maybe. Yeah." I mean do you really say that? I haven’t heard it out of anyone’s mouth in 11 years. A Parisian is from Paris A Roman is from Rome But what do you call a personwho calls Salt Lake his home? Ogdenians and Heberites have names that both make sense Or maybe their Hebernians-‘bout this I’m on the fence. But surely all the Loganeers and most of the Duchayniards also West Jordanians are known by rather sane words. A spaniard is from Spain They have Eskimos in Nome But what do you call a person who calls Salt Lake his home? Some would say Salt Laker. But would that describve your Mom? A Laker shoots a basketball A Laker is LeBron It doesn’t seem appropriate it doesn’t feel quite right It makes about as much sense Salt Lakeian or ite. Some would say just call your friend a Utahn…but for fun… I’ll have to ask if Utahn's spelled with two “a"s. Or just one. But insist you’re a Salt Laker I’ll know just what you meant. But pardon me if I call you "A Salt Lake Resident" See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 5 2022
1 min
The Magic of Dune
They had me at the Rice Krispies. See, ever since Jeff learned that old time radio shows would use live sound effects in the shows, Jeff's been transfixed by this job that no longer exists. Sound effects guy. Did you know that to create the sound of eggs frying in the pan? They’d crumble up cellophane. So the Oscars are Sunday Night, and the only award Jeff cares about is the Best Sound Editing because of the movie Dune. Turns out they created a sci fi desert planet that doesn’t exist with the help of old timey sound effects. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 26 2022
2 mins
Was it Putin or a Punk? The Okta Hack
An unknown hacker claims he’s broken into Okta - which you’ve never heard of. It’s a computer system that manages logins for thousands of companies and hundreds of millions of users. This is huge because Okta is supposedly as secure as secure gets, and the passwords they manage are the keys to the American castle. So the obvious question is, was it the Russians? Well, it’s complicated. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 25 2022
1 min
St Peters Glass Slipper is a Moustache
March Madness continues with eight games Thursday, but all eyes are on Philadelphia, where this year's Cinderella team takes the court tomorrow night. The St. Peters’ Peacocks face Purdue at 5 o’clock and for some reason this Cinderella team has captured America’s imagination more so than most. Every year there’s a team that rises above humble roots, but St Peter’s is such a small forgotten school that this is the kind of run they make movies about. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 25 2022
1 min
Would you get aboard a Self Flying Plane?
Would you get on a plane with no pilot? Jeff's guessing your reflexive answer is “no” — but there’s a 7-billion dollar bet that your answer will eventually change to “yes.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 25 2022
1 min
How to Slide under an Iron Curtain
A recent survey shows the majority of Russians support the country’s war in Ukraine. But the war they support isn’t the one that’s actually happening. Russian media tells fairy tales about evil Ukranian Nazis and Mother Russia’s brave rescue of its neighbor. Truth gets blocked at the border. So there’s no easy way to find out about the bombs raining down on hospitals and children’s shelters and senior centers. About the failure of the ground assault. They have no idea that 10-thousand Russian soldiers have died in battle. And that’s a conservative estimate. How are they going to find out? Facebook, Twitter and Western Websites are all banned. And that’s when it's time get creative. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 25 2022
1 min
