Good News Roundup

With so much bad news dominating headlines, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by negativity. But amidst the chaos, there are plenty of inspiring and uplifting stories that don’t always get the attention they deserve. That’s why I’m starting a weekly good news recap—a roundup of heartwarming, positive stories that you may have missed. We will do one every week!

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From acts of kindness to scientific breakthroughs, here are six feel-good stories to brighten your week!

• Lenny, a 322-pound loggerhead sea turtle, has made a triumphant return to the ocean after being rescued near the Florida Keys with severe injuries likely caused by a shark attack. Thanks to quick action from an underwater photographer, a local rescue team, and the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Lenny received life-saving care and was safely released back into the wild—an inspiring win for sea turtle conservation.

• When 81-year-old waitress Betty shared she couldn’t afford to retire, a stranger stepped in—and changed her life. After overhearing Betty’s story, TikToker Tamie Konzier launched a viral fundraiser that raised over $300,000, giving the hardworking server the chance to finally rest after decades on her feet.

• Once known as “the dirtiest city in the U.S.,” Chattanooga, Tennessee has been named North America’s first national park city, thanks to decades of grassroots cleanup efforts and environmental revitalization. The designation, awarded by the UK-based National Park City Foundation, recognizes Chattanooga’s transformation into a greener, healthier, and more nature-connected urban space.

• Kermit the Frog will deliver the University of Maryland’s 2025 commencement address on May 21, returning to campus after a sold-out appearance last year. The beloved Muppet’s speech honors the legacy of UMD alum Jim Henson, the visionary creator of the Muppets.

• For the first time in its 150-year history, the Philadelphia Zoo has welcomed four critically endangered Galapagos tortoise hatchlings, born to a pair of 100-year-old Western Santa Cruz tortoises. The milestone marks a major win for species conservation, with more eggs expected to hatch and the baby tortoises set to make their public debut on April 23—exactly 93 years after their mother arrived at the zoo.

• A new report from think tank Ember reveals that over 40% of the world’s electricity came from clean energy sources last year—a record high driven largely by a rapid surge in solar power, which has doubled in just three years. However, heatwaves fueled higher electricity demand and a slight rise in fossil fuel use, pushing power sector emissions to a new peak and prompting urgent calls for governments to accelerate the energy transition.

• Researchers at Nagoya University in Japan have developed a sound-based technology that significantly reduces motion sickness by stimulating the inner ear with a specific 100 Hz frequency. Just one minute of exposure to this "sound spice" eased symptoms like nausea and dizziness, offering a safe, non-invasive potential remedy for those prone to motion sickness.

• Just 20 miles from downtown Detroit, a centuries-old forest in Humbug Marsh has been officially recognized by the Old-Growth Forest Network for its remarkable preservation. Home to 300-year-old oaks, the 32-acre grove now stands protected as a rare natural treasure near one of America’s largest metropolitan areas.

• A record-setting migration of over 750,000 sandhill cranes through Nebraska’s Platte River this spring sparked fears of a bird flu outbreak—but none emerged. Despite concerns over the spread of H5N1, the massive gathering ended without a single reported crane death, offering a rare moment of relief for wildlife officials and bird enthusiasts alike.

See you this evening for our evening rundown!

— Aaron