Combo Plate: What are they doing to that pizza? Plus, a tractor-fueled beer run and more

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

--I tripped over this video at that wonderfully snarky, acerbic and oh-so-smart site The Awl. Watch it. I guarantee you will find it interesting: It’s all about the ways commercials trick you into salivating over food on TV.

--A slice of discarded pizza gave police the DNA evidence they needed to build a case against a suspected serial killer dubbed the Grim Sleeper.

--Man, this guy must have really wanted a beer: Florida police arrested a man who they say stole a tractor so he could go on a beer run.

--Did you catch BBC America’s ‘Come Dine with Me,’ which started Wednesday night? I forgot to TiVo it, so I hope I can catch up. Here is a review by our TV columnist, Mary McNamara. If you read it, you will know why I am so eager to watch. It sounds so wonderful.

--Kudos: Kraft Foods is among companies that are greening it up: Its factories are now recycling or reusing 90% of production waste.

--The federal government has become serious about virginity -- at least when it comes to olive oil: The U.S. Department of Agriculture this fall will roll out new standards to help ensure that consumers buying ‘100% extra virgin’ olive oil get what they pay for.

--And here’s your chance to tell the federal government how you want the bad news about your fast food served up.

Have some linking news for Combo Plate? E-mail me at [email protected],

-- Rene Lynch
Twitter/renelynch