The notorious tech giant Palantir may soon create history's most comprehensive -- and controversial -- database on all US residents. Why? Descendants of Walt Disney object to his animatronic likeness. Guinea pigs hate Adele. A bodyguard for New York mayor Eric Adams gets jammed up in shenanigans. Science shows insects are dying out at alarming rates. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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To some, the Freight Train Riders of America is a vast, secretive criminal network -- deadly ghosts, haunting the country's rails. To others, the FTRA is a loose collection of outcasts doing their best to help each other survive. To still others, the FTRA is nothing more than an urban legend, and never existed at all. In tonight's episode, Ben and Matt dive deep into the hidden world of trainhopping culture, searching for answers to these conspiratorial tales. Be advised this episode may not be appropriate for all audiences.

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On paper, non-governmental organizations often sound like something everyone can get behind: these institutions are often dedicated to addressing some of the most dangerous, long-running problems on the planet. It may be surprising, then, to learn that a growing number of nations are taking increasingly aggressive actions to ban NGOs, especially foreign ones. Supporters of NGOs argue these nations are attempting to fight progress in hopes of saving their own corrupt regimes -- but the opponents inside these countries claim many of those do-gooder NGOs are more sinister than they'd have you believe: instead of saving the world, critics argue, these insitutions are foreign-owned fronts for everything from illegal activities of intelligence agencies to acts of industrial espionage, forced regime change and more.

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We've all heard of Bigfoot, the Swamp Ape and so on. Western science largely dismisses the existence of these cryptids. Yet: Did you know there's another associated cryptid in China? Unlike Bigfoot, or the closely-associated Yeti, the Yeren became a subject of intense scientific scrutiny out in the hinterlands of interior China. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore China's multimillion dollar endeavor to prove the existence of their own Bigfoot.

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The last time you bought something, did you use a card, cash or something else? If you automatically thought "who uses cash nowadays", you're far from alone. More and more people are eschewing physical currency for digital dollars, and this move seems largely supported by big banks as well some countries. Proponents argue a cashless society has no shortage of benefits for everyone involved, but critics suspect there are more than a few dangerous possibilities at play -- and something sinister may be afoot.

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The United States may FINALLY ditch the inconvenient and terrible penny (Ben here -- can you tell I write the descriptions?). A popular food coloring turns the skin of mice transparent. Investigations verify the CIA's use of oddly updated websites to communicate with assets. A new ChatGPT model refuses to shut itself down. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

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While it may sound like science fiction, human militaries throughout history have always sought for an edge over their enemies -- and, in this search, ethics quickly go out the window. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the latest updates in the creation of a modern "super soldier," from technological breakthroughs to designer drugs... and levels of genetic modification that may leave a soldier less human than before.

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Beuford breaks down the mechanics of gas station casinos. Josie explores the science of cannabis and oil-based products. Kangaroo fight updates. FrostyCold1 puts the guys on the strange case of missing Fabergé eggs. Fatigued and Flying explains the issues with air traffic controllers. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

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