Abraham Lincoln Pardoned Biden's Great-Great-Grandfather; The Glowing Firefly Petunia: National Margarita Day; and MORE episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 21, 2024 · 28 MIN

Abraham Lincoln Pardoned Biden's Great-Great-Grandfather; The Glowing Firefly Petunia: National Margarita Day; and MORE

from The World Spins Fine On Her Own · host Larry Whitler and Robin MacBlane

President Biden's Oval Office includes a bust and portrait of Abraham Lincoln, whose legacy recently intersected with Biden's own family history. Documents from the National Archive revealed that Lincoln pardoned Biden's great-great-grandfather, Moses J. Robinette, a Union army civilian employee. A fight in 1864 led to Robinette's conviction for attempted murder, but Lincoln's pardon overturned part of his sentence, reducing it to hard labor. Robinette later returned to his family in Maryland, leaving behind a story that has now emerged after 160 years. In India, tragedy struck at the Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park when 34-year-old Prahlad Gurjar attempted to take a selfie with a 12-year-old Asiatic Lion named Dungpar. Despite warnings from a zoo employee and the enclosure's safety measures, Gurjar scaled a four-foot wall and a six-foot metal fence. The intoxicated man's actions proved fatal as the lion attacked him, resulting in his death. American Airlines now charges $40 for the first checked bag if not prepaid online, up from $30, and $35 if prepaid. The fee for a second bag increased from $40 to $45. Delta and United charge $30 for the first bag and $40 for the second. These changes are effective immediately. In New Mexico, the trial of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the set of "Rust," starts Wednesday. She faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering related to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Gutierrez-Reed pleads not guilty, as does actor Alec Baldwin, who is also charged in a separate case. Tragedy struck at a Florida beach as a 7-year-old girl died when a hole she was digging collapsed on her and an 8-year-old boy. The boy survived and is hospitalized in stable condition. A criminal trial in New York involves the alleged unauthorized possession and attempted sale of manuscripts of the Eagles' hit songs, including "Hotel California." The defendants deny the charges. National Margarita Day is celebrated on February 22, tracing the cocktail's history to the 1940s. Ready-to-serve margaritas, like the Astral Margarita, are gaining popularity, with deals available at various establishments. A West Virginia bill could hold librarians and teachers criminally liable if minors access "obscene material." Opponents fear it could lead to book bans, while supporters argue it protects children from explicit content. The Firefly Petunia, a genetically modified flower that glows in the dark, is now available for pre-order. Developed by Light Bio, it emits a soft glow similar to moonlight and aims to spark interest in biotechnology and nature among children.

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Abraham Lincoln Pardoned Biden's Great-Great-Grandfather; The Glowing Firefly Petunia: National Margarita Day; and MORE

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