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Cox adds six more HD channels to Kansas lineup
Although Topeka's CBS affiliate is about to be dropped by Cox Communications if it doesn't decide to pay up by midnight, the cable carrier is apparently trying to make up for said inconvenience by tossing in six new HD channels in the Kansas market. Exactly two months after these very folks were gifted with HGTV HD and Food Network HD -- and under three months after receiving CNN HD, TBS HD, Discovery HD and TLC HD -- along comes word that a half dozen newcomers have just stepped in. More specifically, a user report shows Travel Channel HD, Animal Planet HD, Science Channel HD, Versus / Golf HD, Cinemax HD, and NFL Network HD all showing up in the EPG and being available for viewing. We know, it would sting to lose CBS, but you folks definitely can't say you're starving for high-def.[Thanks, Cory T.]
Topeka, Kansas' CBS affiliate about to be dropped by Cox
As enthralled as we are to see new HD channels arrive in varying parts of the world, it's equally depressing to hear when any vanish. Nevertheless, we're looking at yet another classic battle between station and carrier in Topeka, Kansas, as the region's CBS affiliate (WIBW-TV) is threatening to remove its analog and digital HD signals from Cox unless it ponies up in a hurry. Needless to say, WIBW feels that it's not being compensated fairly from Cox for its retransmission of signals, and unless the two parties strike a deal before midnight on Friday, citizens in the area will have to bust out the antenna (or switch to satellite) to catch the looming March Madness. So, what exactly is WIBW asking for? A penny a day for each Cox subscriber.
Sprint packing up, moving HQ to Kansas
Unhappy with the lack of cultural integration between Sprint and Nextel since the companies' fateful merger several years ago, new CEO Dan Hesse -- who conveniently already lives in Kansas, having come from Embarq -- is moving corporate headquarters from Reston, Virginia back to Kansas City suburb Overland Park. While 4,400 peeps currently inhabit the Reston location (which it inherited as Nextel's former HQ), the Overland Park campus already employs a much larger base of 13,000. The chief says that Sprint will maintain a "significant" presence out in its Reston offices, but the big boys and girls in the boardroom are going to find themselves back in the land of Toto, tornadoes, and Garmin in the not-too-distant future.[Via mocoNews]
Kansas governor's son makes 'Don't Drop the Soap' game
Perhaps you remember in 2006, when Governor Kathleen Sebelius took a stand for gaming legislation that eventually failed to get off the ground, saying "video games and music lyrics promote violence ... Moms and dads shouldn't be alone in their fight to raise children the right way." Perhaps unwilling to learn from mom's example, her 23-year-old son John has created a board game called "Don't Drop the Soap" in which players "fight [their] way through 6 different exciting locations in hopes of being granted parole ... Escape prison riots in The Yard, slip glass into a mob boss' lasagna in the Cafeteria and steal painkillers from the nurse's desk in the Infirmary."But mom doesn't seem to be terribly outraged, with her spokesperson saying both parents "are very proud of their son John's creativity and talent." So, we're confused. Has she softened? Or are digital games the only ones that are posing a threat to kids?
Cox customers in Kansas get two more HD channels
Not even a fortnight after Cox Communications added four new HD options to its Kansas lineup, along comes news that two more channels have popped up sans warning. According to tipster Kevin, the provider has added HGTV HD and Food Network HD on channels 627 and 628, respectively. The more the merrier, right?[Thanks, Kevin O.]
Kansas researchers readying unmanned polar plane
It's been a long time coming, but the Meridian aircraft that Kansas researchers set out to build late last year is nearly complete. Reportedly, the unmanned polar plane is part of "a larger effort at the University of Kansas's Center for the Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets," and it will head to locales such as Greenland and areas of the Antarctic in order to "provide a detailed picture of ice layers and, in particular, the boundary between ice and ground." To withstand the chilly temperatures it's bound to face, designers have even equipped the wings with de-icing capabilities and heaters to keep the internal electronics from freezing up. If all goes as planned, Meridian will head out on its "maiden flight next summer," with another trip slated for later in 2008.
Kansas schools ban Pokemon. NOT!
This is your friendly neighborhood rumor debunker, letting you all know that, despite what you may have read presented as fact elsewhere, the Kansas school board has NOT banned Pokemon products for promoting evolution content, as was amusingly asserted in this Daily Gaming News article.Evidence to this effect (in rough ascending order of persuasiveness): The AP and other national news organizations failed to pick up the story, despite obvious newsworthiness and popular interest. National news outlets also failed to pick up the supposed church-led "Pokemon burnings" that supposedly led up to the decision. The "Calvary Glorious Christ Church Militant and Triumphant Baptist Temple" mentioned in the article turns up exactly one Google result -- the article itself. The Kansas School Board web site makes no mention of such an action. The ACLU web site makes no mention of the alleged lawsuit against the school board. The title bar on every page of Daily Gaming News includes the phrase "Seriously Satirical." Everything on the Daily Gaming News site is an obvious joke, from a preview of Dentist Dentist Revolution to Latin textbooks containing a guild naming chapter. Remember, just because April Fools Day is over doesn't mean we can let our guard down when it comes to picking out fake stories. Eternal vigilance is the price we pay for accurate game news.[Thanks, Keavin]
Talking on the phone + riding your bicycle in NJ = $250 ticket
Here at Engdaget we completely support laws that make the roads a safer place for everyone, but this is a little ridiculous. Legislators in New Jersey are trying to pass a law where it would be illegal to talk on your cellphone and ride your bike. No, not a motorcycle, a bicycle. (Yeah, we know what you're thinking.) The rider would get a ticket for doing such and the fine would range from $100 to $250. We guess it could be worse -- we could live somewhere like Lawrence, Kansas or Honolulu, Hawaii where your cell phone can get you a all all types of trouble with the law. [Via Textually]
Legendary Yule Log broadcast pits SD against HD
Anyone remotely familiar with history in New York or the holiday season in general can remember the ole Yule Log broadcast that showed a burning fireplace with soft, classic seasonal hits cycling through in the background. While it's not likely to be the most invigorating thing on television come Christmas morning, the folks at WPIX, who are restoring the classic log show for a three-hour broadcast, say that it allows families to reminisce and think back on the gatherings of yesteryear. However, Jason Patton -- vice president for business development on INHD -- feels that the new widescreen version of the heartwarming fireplace is the superior rendition. Shot by Ron Roy in high definition, the picture will clearly outshine the "30 year old" version looping on standard cable, but apparently some folks actually prefer the classic look to the new. Nevertheless, we HD freaks should be sure to catch the fiery new version on INHD starting at 7:00AM on Christmas morning and continuing on for 24 hours.
The REAL party is in my DS
We're not based in Kansas City, which isn't so much a bad thing, but it does keep us from receiving certain newspapers on a regular basis. One writer for the Kansas City Star had a few things to say about the DS Lite and a certain game for it known as Super Princess Peach. Stating that she "never thought I'd be one of those people who would choose a video game over a party," Jeneé Osterheldt has first-hand felt the fever we all so frequently fail from: Nintendo fever.So whether you want to consider her personal experience a downward spiral of self-loathing and disgust akin to how one gets hooked on, and subsequently dies from, drugs or a clever look at the appeal of gaming in the modern world, it's all an interesting read.[Via Go Nintendo]
Kansas guv wants gaming legislation
What's the matter with Kansas? Violent video games of course! Game Politics reports that Governor Kathleen Sebelius hinted at legislation during her State of the State address stating, "Video games and music lyrics promote violence... Moms and dads shouldn't be alone in their fight to raise children the right way... We can help parents by giving them access to tools... and limits on access to violent video games. In the coming days, I will make these tools available to parents across Kansas."Sounds more like a promise than a hint. She's just jealous 'cause she didn't make our roundup last week of ambitious politicians. Congratulations, now you will.
