New York Governor Steps in to Save Resident’s Vanity Plate

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has stepped in to help a Long Island grandfather win his battle over a vanity plate reading “PB4WEGO.” The Department of Motor Vehicles told Seth Bykofsky that his vanity plate — which he admits stands for “pee before we go” — had been found to be in violation of the department’s regulations. The DMV’s rules prohibit vanity plates bearing messages that could be construed as “derogatory, contemptuous, degrading, disrespectful, or inflammatory.” Bykofsky argued that his plate is none of that. “In all my years as a parent, and now as a  grandparent, the worst I’ve gotten has been a gentle roll of the eyes from my kids and grandkids,” Bykofsky wrote on social media. He joked that he was going to run for governor as an independent. "My campaign pledge, quite simply, is 'A P On Every Plate’, knowing that if the state can come for my license plate, they can come for yours," he said. The controversy grabbed the attention of Governor Kathy Hochul, who praised the license plate as an important lesson. "We'll get it back for you," Hochul told Bykofsky. "I think everybody should be reminded to pee before you go," she said. "I have kids and grandkids, and I support the effort wholeheartedly.” In light of Hochul’s promise to get his license plate back, Bykofsky said he was officially suspending his campaign for governor.

 

Seth Bykofsky and his grandchildren

 

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How a “Flying Ferry” is Transforming Stockholm’s Waterways

Commuters in Stockholm have gained a novel way to cross the Swedish capital — a flying electric ferry. Built across 14 islands, Stockholm is naturally suited to waterborne transportation. Yet, relatively slow journeys and infrequent departures led many to navigate via the city’s more than 50 bridges instead. Diesel-run ferries accounted for nearly half of the region’s total public transportation emissions. Then came the introduction of the hydro foiling Candela P-12 Shuttle, described by its manufacturer as the world’s fastest electric passenger vessel. Operating between the suburb of Ekerö and central Stockholm, the ferry has cut travel times from an hour to just 30 minutes. Carbon dioxide emissions have also been slashed by around 94% compared with diesel vehicles. Wing-like carbon fiber foils mounted beneath the hull generate lift as the boat gains speed, raising it above the water’s surface. By reducing contact with the water, drag drops dramatically, enabling higher speeds, smoother travel, and significantly lower energy consumption. This enables long-range and high speed on battery power alone. An onboard computer system constantly adjusts the angle of the foils in real time, using sensors to keep the vessel stable as it “flies" above the water. Noise levels decrease, too, with sound measurements showing the ferry to be as quiet as a car traveling at 27mph, and barely audible from 82 feet away. Germany, India, the Maldives and Thailand are among the countries who have announced plans to order similar vessels in 2026.

 

 

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Psychology Professor Travels With an Emotional Support Chicken

A Canadian psychology professor who studies how relationships with pets support healthy development has her own unusual therapy animal: an emotional support chicken. Professor Sonia Kong (inset) said she named the 11-month old bird Saturday for the day she adopted it from a farm. She even crafted a special diaper for the feathered baby so it can travel with her around the city. Kong, who teaches at the University of Northern British Columbia, is currently researching how pets impact the social and emotional development of teens through an online survey. “We want to see whether there are cultural differences and how spending time with pets may influence adolescents in different cultural backgrounds,” said Kong. Kong’s parents are still getting used to the idea of their daughter’s new pet, and jokingly asked if she planned to eat it. Needless to say, social media has exploded with their own opinions, including one commenter who wrote, "This farce has gone on long enough at work, in stores, in restaurants, and on public transportation. People who can't function without some animal have issues that no furry, feathered, or scaly friend can fix."

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Samsung’s New Phone Stops Screen Snoopers in Their Tracks

Screen snoopers are people who read over your shoulder, but Samsung has unveiled a new phone that will stop them in their tracks. The newly released Galaxy S26 Ultra blurs your screen when seen from the side, while keeping the display crystal clear for you. Users can block out their entire screen from prying eyes or choose to hide only select information and apps. For example, Privacy Display can kick in when you’re entering your PIN, password, or to hide key information like pop-up notifications. Unlike commonly available stick–on privacy filters, Samsung's integrated solution obscures the screen from all angles rather than just from the sides. That means your private information can remain hidden, even when you're switching from portrait to landscape mode. The Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at $1,190, with the S26+ selling for $1,488.

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