Reader staffers share stories that fascinate, amuse, or inspire us.

Hey, did you read:

• That Republican leaders have concluded their party platform doesn't need to change after all? —Mick Dumke

• That New York City is "scrapping plans to privatize management of its street-parking system, the latest sign of growing wariness in U.S. cities of initiatives to address budget woes by selling off the rights to run meters and lots"? —John Dunlevy

• That Chicago's Kenwood-Oakwood Community Organization is among groups from 18 cities pressing civil rights complaints against the U.S. Department of Education, arguing that school closings disproportionately affect minority students? —Kate Schmidt

• That, according to a University of Minnesota breakdown, Sarah Palin was paid $15.85 per word in her three years working as a Fox News "analyst"? —Sam Worley

• That Facebook cofounder Chris Hughes launched a revamped New Republic today? —Tal Rosenberg

• About an out-of-work grammar teacher, "dangling like some lonely participle"? —Sam Worley

• That beloved local dance producer and DJ Chrissy Murderbot is moving to Brooklyn? —Leor Galil