The Ebone Zone

When you think of wildlife trafficking, you probably picture ivory, exotic animals, or illegal poaching rings—not thousands of live ants packed into test tubes. But that’s exactly what landed one man in a Kenyan courtroom. In this episode of The Ebone Zone , Ethan dives into the bizarre yet eye-opening case of a Chinese national caught attempting to smuggle over 2,000 live ants out of Kenya—an ope...

When a candy empire gets called out by its own legacy, people pay attention. This week on The Ebone Zone , we break down the controversy surrounding The Hershey Company and its iconic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups after the grandson of the original inventor accused the company of quietly cutting corners. Are your favorite sweets really the same as they used to be—or have corporate decisions changed t...

A story straight out of science fiction has landed in the middle of American politics—and it involves disaster response, a diner chain, and a claim that’s left a lot of people scratching their heads. A story straight out of science fiction has landed in the middle of American politics—and it involves disaster response, a diner chain, and a claim that’s left a lot of people scratching their heads....

In this episode, Ethan dives into the story of a soccer superfan willing to make a massive personal sacrifice for the love of the game. One devoted England supporter is putting his second home on the market so he can afford to follow his team across North America during the 2026 World Cup.  The retired teacher plans to spend roughly seven weeks traveling across the United States, Mexico, and Canad...

Part two continues last week's conversation with Aaron Swain, shifting into the experiences that have come along the way. From favorite songs that have left a lasting impact to stories from the road, Aaron gives insight into life as a traveling Gospel singer. The conversation blends reflection and real-life moments, offering a look at the highs, challenges, and unforgettable encounters that c...

 In part one of this two-part conversation, Aaron Swain of The Justified Quartet goes beyond the music and into what defines him at his core. From his beginnings in Gospel music to the moments that shaped his calling, Aaron shares how his path has been guided by faith from the very start. He opens up about his personal relationship with Christ and delivers a powerful testimony that reveals the fou...

In this episode of The Ebone Zone, Ethan dives into one of the strangest crime stories making headlines this year — a robbery attempt that relied on an unlikely accomplice: a translation app. Police say a man walked into an Ecuadorian restaurant in Newark, New Jersey, ordered a cup of coffee, then used Google Translate on his phone to announce a robbery and threaten the cashier. When the employee...

In this episode of The Ebone Zone , we dive into what may be one of the most surreal crime stories of the year: two British tourists allegedly staged a fake kidnapping in the Spanish resort city of Benidorm in an effort to extort £725 from a relative — reportedly to prolong their holiday. What began with chilling videos and threats spiraled into a full-scale police mobilization involving Interpol...

Public service isn’t a job you clock in and out of—it’s a life you grow into. In this episode of The Ebone Zone , Ethan sits down with Brandon Absher—former Sheriff’s Deputy, longtime volunteer firefighter, and candidate for Wilkes County Commissioner—for a conversation rooted in duty, family, and community. Brandon reflects on his upbringing in Wilkes County and the values that shaped him long be...

In this episode of The Ebone Zone , we break down one of the strangest crime stories to come out of Florida this year — a case that begins with thousands of dollars in stolen meat and ends with heartbreak, impulse, and a decision that made the entire crime meaningless. Authorities say a 30-year-old man stole nearly $4,000 worth of beef, lamb, pork, and other items from two grocery stores in a matt...

What does it take for a cold case to go from crime scene to confession? In this week’s Ebone Zone , we unravel one of the most surreal crime stories of the year: a Milwaukee man allegedly committed a murder — then calmly went home, finished doing his taxes, and only after that turned himself in to authorities. Tune in for a deep dive into a case where “death and taxes” collided in the most unexpec...

In this episode, we explore one of the most bizarre cultural flashpoints of 2026: a University of Alaska Fairbanks student who literally ate another student’s AI-generated artwork as an act of protest — and was subsequently arrested. We’ll break down what happened on January 13 when film and performing arts major Graham Granger tore down and chewed up dozens of images from an AI-assisted art insta...

In this episode, we unpack the bizarre case of a man who legally registered a potato as a firearm suppressor with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. We explore how changes to the National Firearms Act registration process made this possible, what it says about regulatory boundaries, and why this seemingly absurd stunt — complete with the serial number “TATE001” — raises seri...

In this episode we tell the unusual story of an 86-year-old man in Skegness, England, who was fined by local enforcement officers after he spat out a leaf that had blown into his mouth while he was sitting outside. What seemed like a natural reaction to a gust of wind became a £250 littering penalty — later reduced to £150 on appeal — leaving the man to pay a fine for what he insists was a reflexi...

On December 6, GameStop threw out the usual rules and invited people to bring in whatever they wanted for $5 in store credit — no games required. The result was a chaotic mix of the expected and the absurd: over 80,000 items traded nationwide, including things like a Wii Netflix disc, a taxidermized bobcat, a stuffed goose, speed-limit signs, and more bizarre curios that ended up on counters and s...

In this episode, we dive into a controversial appeal from Aalborg Zoo in Denmark, where keepers publicly invited local pet owners to donate small animals — including chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs — to be humanely euthanized and fed to the zoo’s carnivores such as the European lynx. The zoo says the practice helps mimic natural diets and supports animal welfare, while critics view the policy as...

This episode unpacks the surprising decision by infomercial personality Offer Vince Shlomi — best known nationwide as the “ShamWow guy” — to run for Congress in Texas’ 31st District. We explore how his past fame, controversial moments, and bold campaign message have reshaped his public identity and what this kind of candidacy means in today’s political climate. This Week’s Featured Hashtag #IDoThe...

A San Francisco woman on her way to the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center unexpectedly gave birth inside a Waymo autonomous taxi after it detected “unusual activity” and contacted emergency services. The robotaxi continued to the hospital, arriving before first responders, and both mother and baby were safely brought inside. In this episode, we explore this rare real-world mom...

A drone flying over the Lee Correctional Institution in South Carolina was intercepted by prison staff after dropping a package of contraband that included raw steak, crab legs, Old Bay seasoning, marijuana and cigarettes. Officials seized the drone and are investigating the incident, which highlights how unmanned aerial vehicles are being used in attempts to smuggle contraband into prisons and th...

In this episode, we bring you one of the most unexpected and awe-inspiring moments in recent skating history. On July 25, 2025, at a rink in Sun Valley, Idaho, Hungarian national-champion figure skater Eszter Szombathelyi pulled off a feat nobody thought possible: she jumped rope on ice skates — not just a few times, but 136 times in 60 seconds, smashing the previous record of 45. This Week’s Feat...

In this episode, we dig into the recent scandal at Campbell’s — how a high-ranking executive was secretly recorded mocking the company’s own products as “food for poor people,” disparaging customers and employees, and claiming the chicken was “bioengineered.” We unpack the lawsuit filed by former employee Robert Garza, who says he was fired after reporting the comments, and examine the broader iss...

In this episode, we explore the unlikely legal battle of Andre McKechnie, a life-sentenced prisoner at Port Phillip maximum-security prison in Victoria, Australia, who is suing the state over a ban on Vegemite behind bars. McKechnie argues that withholding this iconic, salty spread violates his cultural rights under Victoria’s Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities. Corrections Victoria defe...

In this episode, we dive into the viral controversy around TikToker and DoorDash driver Olivia Henderson. After arriving at a customer’s house for a routine delivery, she says she found him passed out—naked—on his couch. She filmed the moment, posted it to TikTok, and claimed she was sexually harassed. But police say her story doesn’t hold up, and she’s now facing felony charges for unlawful surve...

In this episode, we unpack how an Australian Catholic University used AI-powered software to flag nearly 6,000 students for alleged cheating in 2024 — about 90% of the referrals related to AI use.   We hear the story of a student named Madeleine, a final-year nursing student who was wrongly accused, had her transcript marked “results withheld,” and waited six months for clearance — meanwhile missi...

In this episode we dig into a jaw-dropping mix-up in Queensland, Australia — where for years students in Year 12 across the state had been studying the Roman emperor Augustus Caesar… only to discover, just days before their final ancient-history exam, that the real topic for 2025 was his great-uncle Julius Caesar. The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) says the change was commun...