Governor Names Controversial Figure to Head New Education Department
OLYMPIA — Peeps around Washington were talking yesterday when Governor Christine Gregoire announced her choice to run what would be the new Department of Education. (Learn more about the proposed education department.)
State budget balanced, Capitol littered with sugar
After state lawmakers retired for the night, a group of bipartisan Peeps worked until dawn, not only managing to balance the state budget, but also creating a surplus.
Since they are technically a taxable item, the Peeps weren't constrained by the voter-approved initiative that requires lawmakers to have a 2/3rds vote to raise taxes.
The sleepy group of Peeps enacted a 200% tax increase on candy sales, claiming the tax hike will not only bring in more money but save Peeps' lives as well.
The increase was unanimously approved by the Peeps, even though they had promised voters they would make government do it on the cheep.
No word from the governor's office on whether she'll approve the compromise. (Learn more about the state budget.)
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Breaking News...
Teacher organization restructuring
To attract even more interest in Teach for America, chief executive officer Wendy Kopp announced this week that she is replacing teachers with Peeps because they are better tasting. LEV welcomes Peeps for America to the Puget Sound. Yum. (Learn more about Teach for America.)
Celebrities flock to LEV speaker series
Major players have signed on to speak at LEV's upcoming speaker series events. (Learn more about our speaker series.)
- Michelle Obama: "Waiving Nutritional Guidelines to Bring in Peeps in the Lunchroom"
- Oprah Winfrey and Her Favorite Things: "You Get a Peep! And You Get a Peep! And You Get a Peep!"
- Steve Jobs: "Unveiling the First Ever iPeep"
New bill to eliminate PIPO
A surprising coalition of Republicans and Democrats introduced a bill in to the Washington State Senate that would eliminate the "Last Peep In, First Peep Out" rule in layoffs. "We want the most effective Peeps working with our kids," said the bill sponsor, Sen. Peeps Peeperson. (Learn more about RIFing.)
Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn gave a resident a ride to work on Thursday. McGinn has encouraged commuters to double up on their bikes to reduce traffic congestion.
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Did You Know...
Peeps are sometimes jokingly described as "indestructible". In 1999, scientists at Emory University performed experiments on batches of Peeps to see how easily they could be dissolved, burned or otherwise disintegrated, using such agents as cigarette smoke, boiling water and liquid nitrogen. They claimed that the eyes of the confectionery "wouldn't dissolve in anything".
Some people try to microwave their Peeps to a disastrous end.
Many try to destroy them in other creative ways.
Still others perform surgery on them.
In 1953, it took 27 hours to create one Marshmallow Peep. Today, it takes six minutes.
The first Peeps were squeezed one at a time out of a pastry tube and the eyes were painted on by hand. Now, machines create 3,500 Peeps' eyes per minute.
Just Born's Bethlehem, Pa., factory makes more than 1 billion Peeps a year -- that's 4 million Peeps a day.
Americans will eat more than 600 million Marshmallow Peeps and Bunnies this Easter.
Popular ways to eat Peeps: stale, microwaved, frozen, roasted, or served as toppings on pizza.
Until 1995, when lavender was added, Peeps only came in three colors: yellow, pink and white. Blue Peeps were hatched for Easter in 1998.
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LEV: "Put a great peep in every classroom"
SEATTLE — LEV announced a new voter initiative to ensure that a great Peep is in every classroom.
"Research shows the impact a strong, effective peep has on student achievement," said LEV CEO Chris Korsmallow. "This is the kind of 21st century innovation our schools need."
LEV worked closely with the Washington Peeps Association on the drafting of the initiative's language.
The campaign ties in with the WaPEEPS bill making its way through the state legislature.
If passed by voters, Korsmallow believes Washington state will see a reduction in the numbers in the Peeps-to-prison pipeline and an increase in enrollment in the state's universities.
Peeps in prison: It's not a good scene.
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In other news...
Mayor Mike McGinn announces retrofitting of Alaska Way viaduct with leftover Peeps, cites the near indestructible nature of the candy; Safeway and QFC to donate leftovers.
Ballard residents warned to be aware of Peeper in the neighborhood; residents armed with knives and forks.
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Now on DVD...
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