Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Group to investigate crop circle LAWTON, Mich., Aug. 24 (UPI) -- While some have suggested it's a prank, Michigan farmer John Polomcak wants to know why a patch of corn has turned into a crop circle. Advertisement Polomcak of Lawton, Mich., says he has been farming his whole life and he's never seen corn lay down flat, all in an easterly direction, reported the Kalamazoo Gazette Tuesday. "No way I could see that any one could drive up and back and up and back without bending ... stalks both ways," he said. Detroit high school biology teacher Charles Lietzau a member of the International Independent Crop Circles Researchers' Association, said he and two other association members will investigate the crop circle. The researchers will examine the corn for evidence of ruptured stalks, swollen nodes, patterns of discoloration and evidence of magnetic and radioactive fields. Advertisement Lawmaker threatens sex film industry LOS ANGELES, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- A California lawmaker has threatened the sex film industry, telling producers unless actors wear condoms, he will write a law mandating it. Paul Koretz, a Democrat representing various Los Angeles districts, sent a letter last week to 185 producers and publishers of pornographic material, urging adult film actors use "harm reduction procedures" or face the possibility the California Legislature will "exercise its authority to mandate more stringent actions," the New York Times reported Tuesday. Legislating condom use on film would be detrimental to the industry, some sex film sources said. "A lot of people would go out of business," said Graham Travis, whose company releases up to eight adult films monthly. Travis added, however, he doesn't believe actors or producers are willing to comply with the request. "In any sexual interaction where condoms are used, consumers tend to drift from that," Travis said. Los Angeles' sex film industry has been plagued in recent months with an HIV infection outbreak, prompting the lawmaker's threat. Foreign cars increase satisfaction gap DETROIT, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- American automakers can learn from Asian and European brands when it comes to keeping customers satisfied, a University of Michigan study said. Advertisement Japanese and German carmakers outscored Ford, General Motors and Chrysler models in customer satisfaction in the university's American Customer Satisfaction Index. "U.S. nameplates use much more discounting that the Japanese, but it's backfiring. It conveys, perhaps, less quality so people somehow don't quite perceive the value there," Claes Fornell, the study's director, told the Detroit News. The U-M survey conflicts with other recent surveys that showed domestic U.S. vehicles improving in reliability, quality and satisfaction. Lincoln Mercury had an index score of 86, higher than Honda, Toyota and BMW, but Ford's score was 76. The overall industry average was 79 of a possible 100 points. The study is based on questions asked 20,000 namebrand vehicle owners nationwide. Appeals court says Bible stays in place HOUSTON, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- A federal appeals court has ruled a Bible must remain displayed in a monument at a Houston courthouse, at least temporarily, the Houston Chronicle reported. Tuesday's appellate court order overturned a ruling issued Aug. 10 by Houston U.S. District Judge Sim Lake that the Bible in the 50-year-old monument represents an unconstitutional promotion of religion. He ordered it removed by Tuesday and rejected a Monday request to extend his deadline. Advertisement Harris County Attorney Mike Stafford said the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans temporarily stayed Lake's order while the county files an appeal, the Chronicle reported. The monument, owned by the Star of Hope mission, honors one of its benefactors, William Mosher. Kay Staley, a Houston lawyer and real estate agent, filed the lawsuit. She alleges the display violates the First Amendment, which prohibits government promotion of religion.
