From poop falling from the sky to neighbors battling a wild turkey, 2023 had no shortage of bizarre headlines that left us questioning reality. Whether it was strange wildlife encounters or unexpected airport seizures, these are some of the weirdest stories that came out of Minnesota and Wisconsin this year. Here are the top ten “Did I Read That Right?” headlines from 2023:
1. Wild Turkey Terrorizing Neighbors in Coon Rapids
Residents of a Coon Rapids mobile home park have been living in fear since a wild turkey showed up around Thanksgiving in 2021 and never left. The bird has become increasingly aggressive, with one resident, Rachael Gross, claiming the turkey has “taken over” her life.
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2. Thousands of Syringes Containing “Vaginal Tightening Gel” Seized at MSP Airport
Customs officers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport seized 2,536 syringes filled with an unregulated vaginal tightening gel from a shipment originating in Hong Kong. The delivery was headed to a residence in Woodbury.
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3. Cougar Spotted in Lowry Hills, Struck and Killed Days Later
A cougar roaming the Lowry Hill neighborhood of Minneapolis was struck and killed on a highway in Golden Valley just days after its initial sighting. Officials believe the young male traveled hundreds of miles before the incident.
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4. MRI Machine Causes Wisconsin Woman’s Gun to Fire, Shooting Her in Buttocks
A 57-year-old Wisconsin woman was shot in the buttocks after bringing her concealed handgun into an MRI room. The magnet from the MRI machine caused the gun to discharge.
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5. It’s July and There is Still a Pile of Snow at MSP Airport
Despite the blazing summer heat, a snow pile leftover from winter remained at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport well into July. Airport officials joked about the oddity on social media.
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6. NWS Twin Cities Issues “Worm Warning”
In a quirky announcement, the National Weather Service Twin Cities issued a “worm warning” for areas south of Interstate 94, cautioning residents to expect a slippery, slimy morning filled with earthworms.
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7. Amazon Driver Punches Man Over Missing Package Complaint
An Amazon delivery driver punched a St. Paul resident after a dispute about a missing package. The altercation escalated when the victim jumped onto the hood of the Amazon driver’s vehicle as he tried to flee.
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8. Neighborhood in a Pique After Preening Peacock Pinched by Eden Prairie Powers That Be
Eden Prairie residents are torn over a pair of wild peacocks that have become the loud and flamboyant stars of the neighborhood, with some loving their presence while others find them disruptive.
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9. Did an Airplane Drop Poop Over a Burnsville Neighborhood?
Residents in Burnsville were shocked when brown sludge suddenly rained down from the sky, with many suspecting it was airplane waste. Witnesses described the experience as surreal and foul-smelling.
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10. Massive Snow Pile Lovingly Named “Mt. Eden Prairie”
A massive snow pile in an Eden Prairie Target parking lot was dubbed “Mt. Eden Prairie” and became an unexpected local landmark, inspiring residents to embrace the quirkiness.
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From peacocks to poop, these headlines made 2023 a year to remember for their sheer strangeness!
