Bored Panda
87 Wild, Bizarre And Unhinged News Stories That Might Have You Thinking, “Only In America”
CuriositiesFEB 3, 2026

87 Wild, Bizarre And Unhinged News Stories That Might Have You Thinking, “Only In America”

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We live in a time when many of us have learned to expect the unexpected... especially when it comes to the news. But every now and again, a headline will pop up that defies logic, seems completely unrealistic, or appears to be clickbait masquerading as current affairs. Oddly, many of them come from America. And a disproportionate number can be traced back to the state of Florida.
"Florida man tries to avoid arrest by hiding underwater pond, gets caught when he comes up for air," "Florida man faces felony charges after riding lawnmower on highway drunk," and "Florida man tries to burrow into gopher tortoise nest to hide from police," are just a few featured on a page dedicated to offbeat and bizarre U.S. news stories.
The "Only in America" Instagram account is a wild wall of "you can't make this stuff up," and "the jokes write themselves." Bored Panda has had a blast going through all the posts to select only the best for you to scroll through when you need a break from the more serious goings-on in the land of the free. We also explore why The Sunshine State has earned a reputation for having so many weird news stories. You'll find that info between the images.

#21

Tweet from All Things FOX30 about a beef stick mistaken for dynamite on a car dashboard in unhinged news headlines in America.
14points

#22

Man wearing hover skates steals merchandise at Walmart in bizarre news headline from America captured on security camera.
13points

#23

Blurry photo of police car with flashing lights illustrating unhinged news headlines from America.
13points

#24

Mugshot of a man accused of stealing a truck with a samurai sword, linked to unhinged news headlines in America.
13points

#25

Tweet from 98.7 Kluv about a family damaging their home by trying to burn a Christmas tree in the fireplace, an unhinged news headline.
13points

#26

Swarm of thousands of bees unleashed after truck accident in Texas, highlighting unhinged news headlines in America.
13points

#27

Tweet from NBC2 about a man in underwear fleeing an ambulance and running from Fort Myers police in unhinged news headlines.
12points

#28

Mom discovers husband cheating in newspaper birth announcement featuring second baby in unhinged news headlines from America.
12points

#29

Tweet screenshot reporting a Florida man dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow missing after setting off on a paddle boat, unhinged news headlines.
12points

#30

Pet alligator found in Pennsylvania river, featured in unhinged news headlines that highlight bizarre events in America.
12points

#31

Tweet from All Things FOX30 about a Louisiana man using a kayak to pick up kids during a flood unhinged news headline.
12points

#32

Tweet from 98.7 KLUV about a Florida man arrested for crashing into a traffic sign, illustrating unhinged news headlines in America.
12points

#33

Tweet from Q13FOX showing two EMTs with unhinged news headlines about medical emergencies, highlighting unusual American news stories.
12points

#34

Mugshot of Texas man in custody after robbing bank to pay for ring day, illustrating unhinged news headlines in America.
12points

#35

Tweet from Newsweek about a Wisconsin woman calling police over a KFC order, illustrating unhinged news headlines in America.
12points

#36

Tweet showing an arrest after a minivan was driven into a Florida church and set on fire, illustrating unhinged news headlines in America.
11points

#37

Mugshot of young man arrested for fake McLovin ID at Iowa bar, illustrating unhinged news headlines in America.
11points

#38

Alligator walking through a deserted shopping center in South Carolina with unhinged news headlines in America.
11points

#39

Tweet from All Things FOX30 reporting a Texas woman accused of fraud with over 70 forms of ID in unhinged news headlines.
11points

#40

Tweet from FOX 12 Oregon about Florida county advising physical distancing with at least one alligator between people, unhinged news headlines.
11points
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