United States Highlights
Montana High School Softball Player Discovered Long-Lost Sister on Opposing Team
Montana softball player Samantha Rensvold, who was adopted as an infant, discovered that her long-lost biological sister was playing for the opposing team during an August game. The unexpected meeting turned a softball match into a heartwarming family reunion.
Retired Couple Surprised With New HVAC System Worth $16k in a ‘Feel the Love’ Program That’s Aided 3100 Folks
Retired Oregon couple Diane and Brian Johnsen received a new $16,000 heating and cooling system at no cost, helping them face winter with greater comfort and peace of mind. The installation was part of the “Feel the Love” program, which has helped more than 3,100 people.
North America’s Largest Wildlife Overpass Is Working: Animal Collisions on I-25 Down 91%
North America’s largest wildlife overpass, built over Interstate 25 near Larkspur, Colorado, has cut animal-vehicle collisions by 91% in its first 10 months. The 200-foot crossing gives bears, elk, moose, and other wildlife a safer way across the busy highway, protecting animals and drivers alike.
Nike Founder Phil Knight Gives Away a Billion Dollars – the Largest Single Donation to a Public University
Nike co-founder Phil Knight has donated $1 billion to the University of Oregon, his alma mater, in what is described as the largest single gift to a public university. The historic contribution will support the school and its future, extending Knight’s longstanding connection to the institution where he and coach Bill Bowerman helped launch Nike.
165-Mile Bike Trail Through Minnesota Finally Completed After 30 years, One of the Longest in America
After more than 30 years of planning, construction, and fundraising, Minnesota’s 165-mile Mesabi Trail is complete, creating one of America’s longest paved cycling routes. Stretching from the Mississippi River toward the Boundary Waters, it offers more people the chance to enjoy the state’s beautiful landscapes by bike.
Unprecedented Collab Between China and The Met Uncovers Secrets of Huge Chinese Mural in NYC
A landmark collaboration between Chinese heritage experts and New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art has uncovered new insights into the museum’s 50-foot-long Medicine Buddha mural. The project is helping deepen understanding of this remarkable artwork and support the preservation of cultural heritage across borders.
Nonprofit Puts Ex-Cons to Work with Paid Apprenticeships as Machinists in California
Rise Up Industries in San Diego helps formerly incarcerated men build new lives through paid machinist apprenticeships, trade training, and therapy. The program turns hard-won experience into valuable skills and certifications, opening pathways to stable work and a fresh start.
Historic Philanthropic Gift Will Expand Veterinary Care Access to Millions of Americans and Their Pets
A philanthropic organization has pledged $250 million over five years to expand nonprofit community veterinary care across the United States. The historic investment aims to help millions of pet owners afford essential care, improving health and well-being for pets and the families who love them.
Global Good News
Texas Man Finds More Than $128,000 on Top of a Bank’s ATM–and Returns Every Dollar
A Texas man found a bag containing more than $128,000 on top of a bank ATM and immediately contacted police rather than keeping the money. A clue suggested the cash may have come from a neighboring Chick-fil-A, and his honesty gave the owners a chance to recover every dollar.
Strangers Help 86-Year-Old Who’s Been Building a 62-foot Boat in his Yard Since 1987 (WATCH)
At 86, Dale has spent nearly four decades building a 62-foot steel boat in his Texas front yard, pursuing a dream he began in 1987. Now, strangers are stepping in to help bring that long-held goal within reach.
Student Plays Truly Epic Birthday Prank on High School Principal Who Changed His Life (WATCH)
Georgia students staged a memorable birthday prank for Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School principal Bobby Davis, starting with a report of a cafeteria fight. The viral surprise was a joyful tribute from a student to a principal who had made a meaningful difference in his life.
10-Year-Old Dog Found After a Month Lost in Yellowstone
Luna, a 10-year-old Jack Russell terrier, was joyfully reunited with her owners after surviving more than a month alone in Yellowstone National Park. The happy reunion followed a remarkable ordeal that began when she escaped from a locked cabin in September.
Brazil Ends Long Tradition of 6-Day Workweek via Constitutional Amendment
Brazil’s Senate voted 75–1 to approve a constitutional amendment ending the country’s long-standing six-day workweek tradition. The change moves Brazil away from its customary 44-hour full-time schedule, a welcome step toward giving workers more time outside work.
Mozambique Protects the ‘Butterfly Forest’ of Mount Mabu, Home to 200 Species
Mozambique has designated 23,000 acres of Mount Mabu as a community conservation area, protecting one of southern Africa’s wettest forests. The new status will help safeguard the “butterfly forest” and its more than 200 butterfly species, a welcome boost for local biodiversity.
Volunteers became salmon, deer and earthworms. Then they set out to save their river
Somerset volunteers took on the perspectives of salmon, deer and earthworms to better understand how wildlife experiences their landscape. The experiment is helping the community shape a 30-year plan to restore and protect its river.
What went right this week: the good news that matters
This week’s uplifting news includes a sharp drop in Indonesia’s poverty rate, the opening of America’s largest wildlife bridge, and signs of a new era for the River Thames. Together, these developments offer reasons for optimism about communities, wildlife, and the environment.
Samoan Island Witnesses Explosion of Native Wildlife Following Removal of Invasive Rats and Pigs
Just one year after invasive rats and pigs were removed from Samoa’s Nu’utele Island, its forests, native wildlife, and food resources are showing remarkable signs of recovery. The turnaround is a hopeful boost for one of Samoa’s most important biodiversity areas and its native species.
Wildlife photographer of the year 2026, the winning images
The 2026 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition has showcased its winning images, celebrating remarkable moments from the natural world. A record-breaking number of entries made this year’s contest especially vibrant, reflecting widespread creativity and passion for wildlife photography.