Government in Action
Call in to the Washington state Department of Licensing, and you’ll have the option for Spanish language communication. At least that’s what you’d expect. But instead, the Associated Press reported, an automated AI voice just speaks English with a strong Spanish accent. Maya Edwards, whose husband pressed 2 for Spanish, said, “It was hilarious to us in the moment because it was so absurd. But at the same time, it has real accessibility issues for people who … need to speak in a different language.” The DOL apologized and said the glitch had been fixed as of Feb. 27, but calls to the service still resulted in the accented voice and using Spanish words only for numbers, as in, “Your estimated wait time is less than tres minutes.” Buena suerte!
Wait, What?
After being reported missing on Feb. 14, a 36-year-old Florida man was found on Feb. 26 up to his neck in mud, WCJB-TV reported. Andrew Giddens, who friends said had been depressed after a recent breakup, was found near the Vulcan Sand Plant in Melrose. A Vulcan employee discovered him and called authorities. Rescue crews from three counties spent more than two hours using ropes, ladders and other supplies to free him from the mud. After 12 days in the elements, without food or water, he was in critical condition at a local hospital.
News You Can Use
If you’re planning to fly through Tampa International Airport anytime soon, better put on your best duds. The airport announced on X on Feb. 26 that pajamas would no longer be tolerated at the facility, Fox News reported. “We’ve seen enough. We’ve had enough. It’s time to ban pajamas at Tampa International Airport,” the post read. As it turned out, however, Tampa was just kidding (or maybe testing the water?). An airport statement said they “regularly share lighthearted, satirical social media content” and called the post “another playful nod to day-of-travel fashion debates.” Mmm-hmmm.
Bright Idea
On Feb. 22, drivers on China’s congested highways encountered a determined fellow traveler, the South China Morning Post reported. Tan, 26, was headed to his girlfriend’s hometown 580 miles away from his home with a singular mission: to propose marriage. As such, he posted a sign on his car’s back window that read: “Brothers, let me go first. I am heading to Guizhou to propose to the love of my life.” His girlfriend had returned home for Chinese New Year, during which roadways become crowded with travellers. “At first, the journey felt endless, but the closer I got, the more excited I became,” he said. “The kindness I received made my happiness even greater.” Tan said his betrothed was surprised to see him after his 12 1/2-hour trip, and she happily accepted his proposal.
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