Good morning and happy Sunday, everyone! As always, today’s update is devoted entirely to good news. After a whirlwind week, let’s take a moment to quiet the noise and start our day with something uplifting, because there truly was plenty of good news to celebrate.
On a personal note, I’m beyond proud to share some incredible news of our own. Thanks to you, this newsletter has ranked as the #1 news Substack in the world for more than four months, and in the past month, we’ve even surpassed major outlets like ABC and CNN in impressions.
While others may try to soften or sanitize the news to suit executives or political interests, I never will. We cannot afford to normalize what is happening in America.
This work is my full-time mission, and your support makes it possible. In a time when some would prefer independent voices to disappear, this community continues to grow stronger because of you. If you haven’t yet, please consider subscribing today. Then take a deep breath, scroll down, and enjoy the good news you’ve earned this morning.
Let’s get into it.
A stray dog named Rico, rescued from euthanasia in Portugal by trainer Rachel Rodgers, became an expert pet detective, using his remarkable scent-tracking skills to locate over 20 missing animals—including a runaway capybara—and now inspires global training programs for other dogs before his planned retirement after nearly 10 years of rescue work.
Florida cook Donnell Stallworth from the Shrimp Basket restaurant saved the life of a 78-year-old regular customer after noticing his unusual absence, visiting his home, and finding him injured and stranded on the floor for days—proving that genuine care and friendship can be as lifesaving as any heroic act.
Over 1.2 billion birds migrated south in a single night on September 25, 2025, marking the largest bird migration ever recorded by Cornell Lab’s BirdCast radar project—thanks to ideal weather conditions that created a “perfect storm” for flight and highlighting the importance of turning off nighttime lights to protect migrating birds.
UNESCO added 26 new Biosphere Reserves—an area the size of Bolivia—bringing the global network to 785 sites across 142 countries that now protect 5% of Earth’s land, advancing conservation goals while balancing biodiversity protection with sustainable human livelihoods.
Freedom Speakers International, a US-founded nonprofit in Seoul, has helped over 600 North Korean refugees gain English and public speaking skills, giving them platforms to share their stories, heal trauma, and advocate for change, while publishing books and hosting speech contests that amplify their voices worldwide.
Archaeologists uncovered 12,000-year-old life-sized camel and animal carvings in northern Saudi Arabia, likely serving as markers for seasonal water sources and cultural identity, revealing how ancient Arabian tribes signposted survival routes in the desert during wet seasons.
Craig Campbell’s 10-year-old Doberman, Night, saved him from a grizzly bear attack in Cochrane, Alberta, by standing between him and the bear until it retreated; the heroic act earned Night induction into Purina’s Animal Hall of Fame 2025, Canada’s longest-running pet recognition award.
Two UK cousins and an American couple from Kansas City, all descended from Anthony Smith, met by chance at his grave in Raunds, England, on September 22, discovering they were fourth cousins in a 12-billion-to-one coincidence that left them “absolutely thrilled” and led to a new family bond.
Emilia D’Albero from Philadelphia made history as the first American and first U.S. woman to win gold at the Cheesemonger Olympics in France, triumphing over European cheese powerhouses through events like blind tasting and cheese sculpting—bringing prestige to her craft and highlighting the skill and artistry of American cheesemongers.
A captivating underwater photo of an Atlantic sturgeon’s release in Sweden, taken by Jon Juárez, won the Rewilding Europe Award, celebrating the species’ comeback from functional extinction and showcasing how active restoration and natural resilience can revive Europe’s wild ecosystems.
A decade after the Paris Agreement, global carbon emissions growth has slowed fivefold—from 1.7% to 0.32% per year—according to the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit, showing that international climate cooperation has significantly curbed emissions despite continued economic growth, though stronger action is still needed to meet global targets.
One year after invasive black rats were eradicated from Bikar Atoll and Jemo Islet in the Marshall Islands, seabirds and native forests are thriving again, with 2,000 sooty terns feeding chicks and thousands of Pisonia seedlings returning—part of Island Conservation’s global efforts that have restored ecosystems on 65 islands to benefit both nature and local communities.
The Holgate Windmill in York, England — Britain’s oldest brick tower windmill and the only working 5-sailed, double-shuttered windmill in the country — is still grinding flour more than 250 years after it was built in 1770, thanks to restoration by volunteers who now sell its flour locally to keep the tradition alive.
Camden, New Jersey marked its first summer without a homicide in 50 years, a milestone officials credit to a restructured county-run police department focused on community relationships and real-time surveillance, with homicides down 75% and other cities now studying its model.
After Typhoon Ragasa triggered severe flooding and mudslides in Taiwan’s Hualien County, thousands of volunteers—including locals, foreign residents, and visitors—mobilized with shovels and kitchens to aid displaced families, with relief efforts coordinated by the Buddhist charity Tzu Chi and supported by government stipends and housing assistance.
Archaeologists discovered over 170 life-sized animal engravings in Saudi Arabia, dating back 12,000 years, which likely served as cultural markers for seasonal water sources, highlighting early Arabian tribes’ adaptation and symbolic expression in the desert.
See you this evening.
— Aaron
