oddly enough

oddly enough

Bill would allow Texans to catch fish by hand

AUSTIN, Texas

Texans who want to catch catfish using only their bare hands would be able to do so legally under legislation approved by the state Senate.

While budget negotiations were teetering on the brink of collapse Thursday, state senators took action to legalize hand fishing, called noodling, in Texas. Right now, the fine is $500 for noodling in Texas.

The bill would require “noodlers” to have a fishing license and freshwater-fishing stamp.

Enduring joking questions from fellow senators, bill sponsor Sen. Bob Deuell said he’s never noodled but that the bill needed to be passed for the “noodlers of Texas.”

The measure already was passed by the House and is headed for Gov. Rick Perry’s desk, where his signature would make it law.

California beach city says ‘surfing Madonna’ must go

ENCINITAS, Calif.

The “surfing Madonna” of San Diego County may have made her last ride on public property.

The Encinitas City Council on Wednesday voted to remove the stained-glass mosaic that portrays Our Lady of Guadalupe surfing a wave next to the slogan, “Save the Ocean.” Guerrilla artists installed the 10-by-10-foot mosaic under a train bridge before Easter.

The San Diego Union-Tribune says the council also approved a $2,000 study to determine how the piece can be removed without damage.

Encinitas is a well-known surfing spot.

Because it didn’t have a public review process, under the law, the mosaic is considered graffiti. Council members say they personally like the piece but that allowing it to remain on public property sets a bad precedent.

Some local businesses have offered to give the Madonna a home.

FBI: Ohio bank suspect lowers hood when told

COLUMBUS

The FBI says an obedient Ohio bank-robbery suspect left authorities with good surveillance photos because he lowered his hood when told.

FBI Special Agent Harry Trombitas says the man in his mid-20s entered a Columbus PNC Bank on Wednesday with his dark hood up, covering most of his face. Trombitas says in a statement that the bank has a “no hats, no hoods” policy, so a bank employee told the man to pull his hood down, and he complied.

The FBI says when the suspect got to the counter, he handed the teller a note saying he had a gun and to give him money or he would shoot. He fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Columbus police had not announced an arrest by Thursday morning.

Associated Press