Mark and Toddcast

Mark is out for a second week with a continuing mystery respiratory/vocal ailment and can't speak, so no new show this week. Instead, enjoy this short compilation of sports announcers shredding their vocal cords, cracking voices, and goats screaming.

this week's episode we take a look into the beginings -- and ending -- of the fabled Library of Alexandria. Why was it special? And just what happened to it? Find out on this week's show. Also: Pepsi sues Indian farmers over potatoes, Daimler to build electric semis in Portland, chalking tires unconstitutional, Oregon Zoo train track won't be rebuilt, a baby T-Rex on eBay, and the Stroopwaffel McFlurry may be coming to a town near you. Think you're not going to listen? But YA ARE, BLANCHE, YA ARE!

The first photograph of a black hole was gigantic news in both the scientific community and the world at large. This week we take a look at how the picture was captured, what it means, and how we got here. In the news: Amazon is listening, Julian Assange is separated from his cat, the Willamette Falls project is a go, Republicans crush Net Neutrality again, Molalla woman's reversed organs, and the heartwarming story of one woman and the four bees that live in her eyes. All this, plus bell's palsy! Enjoy!

This week we celebrate the work of James West, an African-American inventor, who has over 200 patents, including the condenser technology found in over 85% of microphones that are still being sold. This week in the news: Google ends AI ethics council a week after it was formed, McDonald's AI changes menu based on your car license plate, Oregon votes for permanent Daylight Saving(s) Time, 51 facts you thought were correct are wrong, and the Loony Toons-esque ways the CIA tried to get rid of Fidel Castro in the 60s. Enjoy!

For the 40th anniversary of the Three Mile Island nuclear meltdown, we take a look at the details and timeline of what happened, and the aftermath of the incident. Also, Todd makes one giant leap towards his inevitability. News: Lawmakers address "Internet of Things," 4,000 mile American bike trail, electromagnetic weapons, Herpes.....In.....Spaaaaaceee, a library on the moon, man-of-the-week puts naked mannequins in yard to protest fence removal, and LOTS MORE! Grab a plate of tasteless carbs and join us!

We're back with a super-sized episode as we catch up with two weeks' worth of news, more Chinese presents for Todd's birthday, and Mark's recent trip. And that's before we get to the current state of 3D printing! In the news: Polar Vortex kills stinkbugs (hopefully), the Navy's room-temperature superconductor, YouTube demonetizes anti-vaxx channels, humpback whale in the Amazon jungle, a llama on the MAX, the science of "Dad Jokes," and the world's quietest room will drive you crazy in just 45 minutes. Enjoy!

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About 90% of all media in America is owned by just 5 companies. Who are they, and how did we get here? And join us for the best show-and-tell we've had in a long time! News stories: Portland's "Big Pipe" a success, Amazon pays $0 taxes (again), the Opportunity Rover dies, Eastern Washington storm kills 1,500 cows, Bridgeport Brewing closes, and "Acquired Savant Syndrome. Give us a spin!

Waiting is the hardest part, but sometimes it can be the best part. Brian "The Unipiper" joins Todd to talk bout the pop culture milestones of anticipation they remember throughout their lives. In the news: Dwarf tossing ban, $190M in crytocurrency lost, Verizon throttles the fire department, DNA testing companies and the FBI, and Bruce Wayne is born at the Portland zoo!

We're back with a boatload of news stories, and Round #3 of "WikiWar," where Mark and Todd go head-to-head to see who pulled the most interesting short articles from Wikipedia - with special guest judge Nick! Also: No Sweetheart Hearts, Anti-Vaccination and measles breakout, earth's magnetic field going crazy, dwarf tossing ban in Washington State, and a good boy runs a half marathon. Enjoy!

We're finally back! And we recorded an extra long, extra fantastic, extra perfect episode...........that Todd lost the second half of because he pressed the wrong button on the recorder, so now there's only 45 minutes of the show still in tact. But that 45 minutes is a great catch-up of stories from the past month that we've been away. It's great to be back behind the mics again - and we're looking forward to another great year! Thanks for listening!