Paul Cropper "Down Under" revisits a flurry of poltergeist cases from 2024 and 2025, many from India but also from the Philippines, Zimbabwe, Indonesia, and Thailand. Some involved physical manifestations such as doors closing on their own and physical assaults on children by unseen forces. But most report mysterious stone throwing phenomenon inside of homes, described by some as "intermittent stone rains" or “hails of stones." Five cases describe mysterious fires that broke out in various parts of the home. One such fire poltergeist occurred just this month in India: Mystery Fires Force Gayaji Family Out of Home. The family "claims that their house has been catching fire repeatedly for the past seven days." The fires start suddenly and without warning. Sometimes clothes catch fire. There is no clear reason for the fires, as the house has no electrical connection. (PH)

The author of Charlie Red Star and many other works converses with Jeffrey Mishlove about Grant's 2022 book UFO Sky Pilots: Pilots of Peace and Oneness. Its content rather prefigured many current tales of intelligent UFOs communicating telepathically with human "psionic assets." Enthusiastic, "rapid-fire" Grant is fun to listen to, and his constructions of What's Going On are challenging. (H/T to a good friend for this lead.) Grant avers it's necessary to talk to the "experiencers" of UFO-related encounters—not the Government—to find out What's Going On. We next turn to the UFO Talker's Interview: A Woman From Northern Maine Talks About Multiple Ufo Encounters With Her Sister, Including One Night When The Ufo Lit Up Their House Like It Was Daytime/ The Encounters Involved Missing Time. Tabby Rideout relates a series of disturbing UFO and other events, including a strangely-garbed nighttime figure that disappeared when struck by automobile lights, and a house haunted by different spirits. And a researcher trying to understanding all the preceding is the subject of Martin Willis' Chrissy Newton Interview. One of the most talented communicators in the "UFOverse," Newton chats with Martin on how her father's interest and even encounters with UFOs led to her wide-ranging career in a field full of wonders that can overwhelm oneself, but that both she and Martin hope to pursue as long as breath remains. Brain-Computer Interfaces, David Marler's National UFO Historical Records Center, and some future projects add to a thoroughly enjoyable and informative discussion. (WM)

Crisnel Longino has a nicely-titled piece about possible natural UFOs. In some ways, they're stranger than the nuts-and-bolts variety so many ufologists favor. This research compares with other group efforts, and does give scientists further reason to study the total UFO phenomenon. Yet many characteristics attributed to UFOs don't resolve so easily into plasma (orb-like?) categories, and Chris Melore says a Mysterious 'Vehicle of Unknown Origin' Hidden At US Navy Base Raises Questions About Secret UFO Program, as well it should—if true. Melore has picked up on the story Chris Sharp covered in Liberation Times, but adds that Luis Elizondo's written testimony to Congress with information about an alien technology transfer plan was given "Under oath," while reminding of others' statements and that the "drone dilemma" is still unsolved. Now Carroll [IA] Times Herald Regional Editor Dan Marsh, like many of us, says he's Still Waiting on My First UFO Sighting. Dan "sorta/kinda" wishes he'd see something and almost bemoaned that on a particular 14-hour-plus trip he hadn't had an "abduction or incident." Be careful what you wish for Dan, 'cuz Amy Harris has the Alien Abduction Odds Index 2026: Where Reports Cluster Across the U.S. and Canada. Well, upon scrutiny, looks like Dan's comparatively safe from a really close encounter in Iowa, according to Canada Sports Betting. (WM)

A pair of teens stopped at Kettle Moraine State Forest in Wisconsin to set off some fireworks in the parking lot. And while fireworks may typically scare the wildlife, they had the opposite effect on an apparent Bigfoot who seemed drawn to the excitement. The Bigfoot almost got run over by the terrified young men as they abandoned their fun and drove out of there as quickly as possible. Next, there was a Bigfoot Sighting Reported at British Forest Infamous for Incidents of High Strangeness. A couple was walking their dog along Cannock Chase when they briefly encountered a large, hair-covered biped dashing across a ditch and quickly disappearing into the woods. Oddly, only one of the couple noticed the incident while the other and the dog remained oblivious. And if you can't get enough of these reports, George Knapp Investigates Bigfoot Claims on the most recent episode of his video series Mystery Wire. In this 28-minute episode Knapp and his co-host Ron Futrell discuss the research of Mireya Mayor for the Expedition Bigfoot television series,  Dave Paulides' newspaper article collection from the 1800s,  and "strange tracks found in rocks at the grounds of the Nevada State Prison." (CM)

It's good to know that John Keel website manager Doug Skinner is back to regular weekly posts, but this one makes for hard reading. This is an important record of the December 15, 1967, collapse of the Silver Bridge that connected Point Pleasant, West Virginia, to Gallipolis and Kanauga, Ohio. The horror, chaotic confusion, and heroism of the people involved in the event and its impacts stand out. The reporting of local journalist Mary Hyre is featured. Elsewhere, Kevin Randle offers three installments on a most controversial event, beginning here with Gilles Fernandez, Project Mogul and More Roswell Minutia. Kevin (and David Rudiak) pit their much more extensive knowledge and direct personal interview experience against two more skeptical commenters (whose personal involvement and amount of investigation I admittedly don't know) on the matter of material-switching in General Ramey office photos. Kevin is soon back with A Mogul Response to Gilles and Bamm Bamm Bahama. This is basically "Engagement No. 2" in the give-and-take between the two sides. But wait, there's More Information and Discussion about Mogul. Bottom line: Commenter "Spartacus01" is probably right that such discussion between two diametrically-opposing convinced camps is a waste of Kevin and David's time. (WM)

Filmmaker Janes Fox' conference at Washington DC's National Press Club aimed to make the January 20, 1996, alleged crash and "alien" retrieval case "come alive" through first-hand testimony plus supporting statements from highly-placed individuals. This accompanies Fox' release of an update documentary on the case. The ultimate purpose was to help awaken Congress to force the US Government to release what it knew about non-human presence without loss of security, to promote international cooperation for understanding the overall UFO phenomenon, and to inform the US and world public that We Are Not Alone. An underlying theme was that "courage is contagious" and there's strength in numbers, so witnesses should feel more comfortable in coming forward. To that end, former longtime legislative staffer Kirk McConnell explained some of the legalities that should support whistleblowing and what further needs to be done, including allowing whistleblowers to go directly to Congress and to be supported by a dedicated restitution fund, for there are more ways to "punish" the numerous information providers than just legal measures. McConnell underscored that actions taken by US military and government personnel constituted wrongdoing, which raises the significance of what transpired. The witnesses, personally present and/or by video testimony, took those assembled at the presser and online through the Varghina events, from visual sighting and presence at the crash site through purported contacts with ETs and later testing of a soldier's remains after he touched one of the craft occupants. Those testifying were in some cases still emotional as they recounted the 1996 events and how they were affected by them. We heard of money-toting MIBs, other, more frightening means of information suppression, and US government involvement with "cleaning up" the mess. Representative Eric Burlison was present and strongly supported enacting the long-needed UAP Disclosure Act and additional whistleblower protection, attached to or separate from the UAPDA. Failure of the current Administration and its officials to make good on previous proclamations was emphasized by Ross Coulthart, who along with onsite Meagan Medick covered and commented upon the event. It was a moving, powerful event. A background summary posted before the conference is available at James Fox Hosts UAP (UFO) Press Conference with Statement from Jacques Vallée and Moment of Contact Full 10 Testimonies. Initial reactions to the press event range from the positive, Aliens Captured in 1996 UFO Crash, to the (predictively) dismissive, James Fox Holds UFO News Conference in DC to Promote New Film. (WM)

The town of West Haven in Connecticut has been plagued by an irritating hum for the past four years. Residents being driven mad by the relentless sound describe it as similar to a shop vac. Town council has approved (finally) a $16,000 study to get to the bottom of the sound's source and hopefully bring its citizens some peace. Then in Bensalem Township, Mystery Blasts Concern Pennsylvania Community. Sounding like a vehicle exploding on the street, and followed by flashes of light, the noise has been disconcerting residents for the past few years. Oddly enough, the Township has launched no investigation and the local police insist they have had no reports about the cacophony whatsoever. (CM)

Today (January 20th) James Fox is holding "a landmark" presser at Washington, D.C.'s National Press Club. Fox promises "new evidence related to alleged non-human encounters and crash-retrieval programs" from the usual expert sources, with the expected credible evidence and praiseworthy purposes. Could be a newsmaker. Fox filmmaking colleagues Dan Farah and Mark Christopher Lee get Rob Waugh's attention as Top UFO Experts Reveal 'Whistleblower Activity' Will Finally Bring Disclosure In 2026: 'The Evidence Is Aligning'. We're told that betting on a major US cryptocurrency-based market "recently skyrocketed," and both the venerable UK The Times and Newsweek have taken note. The latter's Marni Rose McFall writes Warning Issued That Alien Revelations Could Spark Financial Crisis. The "Enigmatically"-illustrated article notes a long-time expert's considered worry and explains Why It Matters, invoking Farah's work and Steven Spielberg's upcoming film, plus some startled online commentary. And if that weren't enough, UFO Whistleblowers Claim Earth Is a Cosmic Farm Where Aliens Harvest Human Misery. Crisnel Longino's article regarding "loosh energy" on the metaphysical peripheries of UFO-interest is indeed interesting—and scary. (WM)

Mike Patterson takes viewers on a tour of an area near Creemore where enormous, wolf-like beings have been encountered. Described as the size of grizzly bears with the speed of race cars, these creatures were generally menacing, staying just outside the periphery of viewing and apparently quelled by the power of prayer. Other Fearsome Cryptid Creatures are described in this article by Sharon Hill, specifically those invented by pop culture. This is largely due to there being "no “sharp line” between mythical creatures, fantastical beasts, folklore creatures, and modern cryptids." The more fanciful beings can be referred to as Fearsome Creatures, and as ridiculous as many of them seem, it's a cultural revolution that we cannot stop. We can, however, at least be grateful that they have pushed the study of cryptids into a slightly more respectable area. (CM)

The "strictly-scientific" side to the ufological conundrum has researchers "rethinking how and where to look for physical traces of alien technology," according to Becky Ferreira's well-written and reasoned article on that recent history. Dr. Beatriz Villarroel's work is well-described in Ferreira's piece, and Liberation Times gives the Swedish astronomer the full podium in We Were Told There Is No Scientific Evidence for UFOs. Our Research Says Otherwise. It's a powerful response to criticisms of her and an international group pf colleagues' scientific work, and requires more than merely instant dismissal or, one would think, mere suggestion of alternatives without some explanation of their processes. Enter Michael Shermer and The Hardest UFO Cases to Dismiss: Something Is Flying Around and We Don’t Know What It Is. Interestingly, Shermer's guest is filmmaker James Fox. Skeptic's Shermer has apparently "mellowed" over the years and is an "Affiliated Professional" of Harvard's The Galileo Project. Fox is fresh off his "Moment of Contact: New Revelations of Alien Encounters" update of the 2022 documentary on the Varginha, Brazil, UFO crash/survivor sensation. The two cover many of the usual points of ufological contention in a totally civil, even comfortable exchange, and at conversation's conclusion Fox asks Shermer what would convince him of ET UFO-backing. Shermer's interesting answer alludes to his bet with Avi Loeb on that subject, and he asks James what's next for him. Fox' answer is "an event," which is upcoming and will include a press release. Sound familiar? (WM)

Major Donald Keyhoe is the early force in Daniel Tobias Flint’s chronicle of ufological development, and Keyhoe’s interview with Mike Wallace offers an important piece of that history as well as a strong defense of Keyhoe's positions—especially when viewed from the present. (The advertising forms its own historical lesson, also.) The premier work on this pioneer's life and role is Anomalist News Editor Linda Powell's Against the Odds: Major Donald E. Keyhoe and His Battle to End UFO Secrecy (Anomalist Books), highly lauded by researchers from multiple differing viewpoints. Flint’s second veteran is Luis Elizondo, whose efforts within and outside the government are described, along with AARO and "the Impact of Skinwalker Ranch." In that last section, Brandon Fugal's work is seen as playing "a cultural role similar to that once filled by Keyhoe’s books and Elizondo’s disclosures," all contributing to "a profound shift" in raising UAP study "from secrecy and stigma to structure and science." Elizondo's 2024 bestselling book Imminent: Inside the Pentagon’s Hunt for UFOs has certainly gotten Malcolm Smith's attention, generating "Our Friends from Out of Town". Smith has an interesting reading of Elizondo's role, complementary to Flint's treatment of the man. (WM)

Loren Coleman has been busy giving interviews, allowing us a glimpse into his personal experience of cryptozoology where he describes himself as "hopeful" that certain animals exist. Coleman also gives us a peek into the future when renovations are completed this year at the new location of the International Cryptozoology Museum in Bangor, Maine. (Check out the photo of a very, very young Loren posing with Bigfoot!) In this next interview, Loren discusses the Best Evidence of Bigfoot: Cryptozoologist Loren Coleman is 98% Sure the ‘Patterson-Gimlin’ Film is Real. Topics include the evolution of crytozoology, the roles of social media and AI in that evolution, and Bigfoot's cultural relevance. Loren's interviews are always a treat. (CM)

Billy Cox takes us Back to a Past some of us even remember, and asks how we got to this "interesting" Present. Some of the early theories, which later evolved, of recently-passed Erich von Däniken and his consistent theme of questioning of "generally received reality," are featured, as is his belief "You cannot kill the idea anymore, never." Jason Colavito's Review of The UnXplained S08E01 “Impossible Ancient Structures” seems as successful as it is a total attack on this episode of a current TV series trying to emulate von Däniken's general theme. Now to stark and documented reality as George Knapp and Caroline Bleakley offer that Russian UFO Files Reveal Chilling Encounters, Near-Miss Nuclear Launch. They present the original materials George rather spirited out of the former USSR in the 1990s, and English-translations backing the disturbing headline. There is some duplication in the Reports/Explanations, but the data are indeed troubling. And for another viewpoint on UFO history and evidence we have Paola Harris: The Real Disclosure Includes Colonel Philip Corso. Besides Corso, Harris is promising her “takes” on others who’ve advanced UFO sources and thinking. (WM)

While not quite declaring the end of traditional cryptozoology, Sharon Hill clearly thinks that it too may be teetering on the brink of extinction. Or perhaps, it is no longer fit (in the Darwinian sense); it is in the process of succumbing to environmental pressure as the particular niche it occupied has all but vanished. Although Hill argues its progeny, a knowingly post-modern, meta-analysis of the "what" and "why" of cryptid narratives is alive and well, and indeed the way forward. Hill suggests this is the field’s future. It lies in embracing folklore, indigenous narratives, tourism economics, and monster studies, rather than chasing one more blurry photo in the woods. Traditionalists, however, are less than happy to be consigned to the dustbin of evolutionary history. Talking of blurry photos, in a second piece Hill looks at the possible impact of AI generated images on cryptozoology in Effects of AI on Cryptozoology.This piece surveys an already hoax-prone field now joyfully supercharged by AI image and video tools, where “evidence” of cryptids can be fabricated faster than Bigfoot can flee a trail cam. If as Hill suggests, modern cryptozoology no longer involves actually trying to track down flesh and blood cryptids, then might AI inadvertently provide a map for cultural fears and desires? Does this mean, in Hill’s "Modern Cryptozoology," that would-be cryptozoologists don’t need to venture from their screens? Is this a second-order effect of enshitification? As we circle the cultural plughole of AI pap, should we be alive to the possibility that in cryptozoology, boots on the ground may still be needed? And that people still actually experience weird shit? (JS)

Heriton covers a recent "series of unsettling events" that builds upon Avi Loeb's surmising and a John Greenewald puzzling FOIA result. Heriton suggests a "chilling coincidence" in the January 22nd positioning of 3I/ATLAS that has one saying "WOW"! And his concluding summary statement doesn't lighten up: "March 16–17, 2026 may decide everything." Loeb hasn't been slack on the comet recently either, per his last Medium entry we saw: SPHEREx Images and a New Anomaly Regarding the Gas Plume Around 3I/ATLAS After Perihelion, though here Loeb just accentuates the "new anomaly concerning 3I/ATLAS." Over at VICE, Ashley Fiske lists 7 Truly Bizarre UFO Sightings the Government Can’t (or Won’t) Explain. A good lineup. If the United States Government (and others) won't talk, SUAPs is doing something about it, as The Society For UAP Studies Reframes the UAP Debate. Greg Bishop's fantastic summary and discussion of the second annual SUAPS conference is redolent of ground-breaking ideas, thoughtful discussion, memorable statements, and mouth-watering references to yummy food! And Interdisciplinarity in Contemporary UAP Studies is a helpful guide to minds overwhelmed by Greg's wonderful article, though absent the Epicurean references. Ufology is truly in a promising position, no matter the "D/disclosure" or "transparency debate! (WM)

After years of careful and rational observation of Loch Ness, one of Roland Watson's (aka, Glasgow Boy) webcams has captured "something unusual" that somewhat fits the expected profile of Nessie. Three images show a hump that "seems to be a body" and perhaps a head "moving left to right." He admits however, It's "not definitive" and is likely a "large fish." And to remind us all of his good work, he gives us his Nessie Review of 2025, complete with photos and his usual sensible thoughts on the elusive critter. (LP)

Christopher Sharp's dramatic theme has an accompaniment including sources unnamed (and Luis Elizondo, written to Congress); historical information about the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland site's organizational operations; the surprising patent filings by that somewhat-enigmatic inventor Salvatore Pais; and the late 2024/early 2025 East Coast "drone dilemma." Somehow it all blends together into a proposition worth considering. Sharp notes some key figures and a particular agency in that arrangement, while Cristina Gomez says that David Grusch Exposes The Big Names and Hidden Hands. Gomez also tags that agency (The CIA) and adds General James Clapper, who in fairness has argued for more transparency and once instanced a retired Navy admiral he knew who had an anomalous aerial experience. David Grusch apparently feels Clapper could have done much more on the openness score. And Seven Days newspaper political reporter Kevin McCallum alerts that a Vermont Lawmaker Proposes Establishing a UFO Panel. Representative Troy Headrick isn't saying whether he would actually support the bill—he's acting for an interested constituent. The Panel's makeup looks reasonable, the Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies' technical assistance would be laudable, but reporter McCallum's points about the arrangement "mirroring" federal efforts will be noted by potential voters—and their representatives. Headrick is looking for introduction to Vermont's House Government Operations Committee this Friday. (WM)

Spiritualism in the 1800s was a field flush with money-making possibilities, perhaps none so flush as materialization mediumship, where mediums "conjured all manner of matter from the ether." And perhaps none of these matters were as strange as the writing that could appear on the medium's skin, i.e. Blush Writing. Claiming that the marks upon their bodies were induced by spirit wanting to communicate, certain mediums could manifest the phenomenon that ranged from a few light pink, barely decipherable, marks to fully red markings all over their body. Is it spirit writing or psychokinesis (PK)? British clinical psychologist Kenneth Batcheldor worked with regular people, believing that anyone could be taught to manifest PK abilities in Paranormal Group Dynamics. In fact, he believed that PK skills grew and multiplied when these people were placed in groups. Batcheldor also published tips for those who were interested in trying out his theories. The possibilities are endless to the thoughtful, empathetic mind. (CM)

With the crucial help of ufology icon Bernie O'Connor's archives and good service, Bernie and UFO Talker host Michael Ryan conduct and comment on a two-episode "Allagash Four" member Jack Weiner interview that was done in 2008. Weiner's extremely well-told story in Part 1 covers the 1976 experience by Jack, twin brother Jim, and friends Charlie Foltz and Chuck Rak. Their canoe trip on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway in Maine's North Woods produced a frightening sighting, whose central content defied immediate recollections, only to be unearthed in 1988 when they met and were hypnotized under the oversight of UFO researcher Ray Fowler. Part 2 recounts their recovered memories of a common abduction and separate examinations, and subsequent support by polygraph tests and even a letter in about 2006 from a logger who'd been in the area that very night and experienced a shorter yet still harrowing corroborative incident. In 2016 Chuck Rak would recant his story, but the others have remained steadfast. UFO Talker Commentator Christine Scott gives top marks to Raymond Fowler's The Allagash Abductions: Undeniable Evidence of Alien Intervention. Note: Michael Ryan and Christine also cover upcoming UFO events, including the Michigan MUFON "Swamp Gas Conference 2026," the 60th-year commemoration of the cases causing a pivotal point in American ufology. The Golden Anniversary observance was emcee'd by Dr. Linda Murphy and included my presentation on Congressman Gerald Ford's related archives and role in subsequent events. (WM)