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It's the lead in toys controversy. Jackie Parks did a great piece this week titled,  "Parents Overloaded On Lead Recalls Get Advice," about the controversy and now admits she may have scared a few moms out there as she explored the topic...

Jackie writes in her ABC23 blog:

As the mother of two young children I am well aware of the many dangers that threaten them on an almost daily basis. If it’s not a fall from the top of a jungle gym, it’s the small choking hazard accidentally left on the floor. No matter how many hazards I try to protect my children from, they always manage to find a new one. But I have drawn the line at worrying about common everyday toys that may or may not be “embedded” with lead.

I did a report this week analyzing the results of a toy test done by our sister station in Denver. The reporter had a lead expert use an electronic testing tool to test lead content in toys everyone has in their house. He didn’t just test for surface lead; he tested for “embedded” lead – that means lead that can’t be peeled off the toy but is actually part of the product. The results came back shockingly high. Even the common rubber ducky kids use in the bathtub had more than the allowable limit of 600 parts per million.

Now, when I first saw this report, I automatically thought, “well, geez, if that’s the case then obviously everything has lead in it and I’m not going to worry about it.” Apparently, not everybody thinks like I do...

She then goes on to explain her personal opinion of the controversy...

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OK, I get into the hockey trash talk a little too much. Or maybe not enough? I have a blog rivalry going on with a Fresno Falcons fan that now includes a Victoria Salmon Kings fan blogger... it's all in good fun. Check out the latest, leave a comment, talk some trash....

Also, enjoy the video I posted here and watch the announcer of the Condors wrestle a bear!

- Nick, ABC23

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Are people going overboard with comic book superhero worship? Read my article, "Book Claims Superheroes New Gods" about the new book, "Our Gods Wear Spandex."

Now, the article is different than the video I shot and edited which you can see here on YouTube. The article is commentary and an interview with author Chris Knowles. The video is an interview with three local comic book afficionados. I think you will be amazed at what they have to say.

- Nick, ABC23

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This story just really gets to me. A WWII veteran of the Big Red One who survived Omaha Beach, rescuing others from the surf under the crosshairs of German guns, was beaten over a few dollars, and has now died. I included a YouTube video.

ABC23's Mike Hart reports:

A World War II veteran who lived through the D-Day invasion of Normandy was laid to rest on Tuesday, one month after he was allegedly attacked and robbed.

Frank Magana, 83, was an Army medic, described by family as a soft-spoken individual who never raised his voice.

That's why they can't understand why anyone would want to hurt him.

PFC Frank Magana was drafted in January 1943 and saw his first action of WWII on Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion of Normandy.

Magana was a member of the Army's 1st Infantry, the infamous "Big Red One."

Magana's nephew, Carlos Gonzalez, said he talked with his uncle Frank for years about that day.

His landing craft was hit by machine gun fire as soldiers dove over the side to avoid being shot.

(Read the full article and see slideshow of original WWII photos)

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Any comic book fans out there? Sunday night there were all kinds of ghouls and one superhero creeping around the Brock's Alley for a local Batman film.

Check out my story "Batman Fan Film Shot In Downtown Bakersfield: Brock’s Alley Used For Its Gotham City Vibe In Local Filming," There's also pics and video. Yeah, I've joined the video realm, though I have a long way to go to be a decent video editor. It's only my 3rd or 4th try.

Here's an excerpt:

Amateur filmmakers Rickey Bird and Jason Sanders of Hectic films create short films guerrilla style. They don’t have budgets, big name actors and don’t use storyboards when filming. They often choreograph scenes as they film, based on notes, loose scripts and on-the-spot creativity.

They also lean on others in the Central Valley filmmaker community for creative support, various filmmaking equipment and acting talent.

Sunday night was no exception as amateur filmmakers Hectic Films and Dark Knight Productions, both from Bakersfield, joined forces to shoot the Batman short film, “Batman Darkness” in downtown Bakersfield.

(Read the full version, see pics and video on ABC23)