Good morning, everyone, and happy Sunday. No matter what is happening in the world, we have a tradition here, and today is no exception. Every Sunday begins with good news because there is still so much worth celebrating.
This Sunday is especially exciting. I have an exclusive interview with Reynold Hoover, CEO of the LA Olympics. During a recent trip to Los Angeles, I visited the Olympic headquarters and got a firsthand look at the work behind the Games. As a longtime fan of the Olympics and the athletes who make them unforgettable, I am thrilled to share an inside look at the excitement, preparation, and sheer scale of it all.
A quick note: My Instagram account was temporarily restricted this morning, so I am currently unable to post there. I am also preparing for a major week of reporting, including significant news about Epstein and more. I will not stop. If you believe independent journalism matters and want reporting that is not filtered, softened, or sold, please consider subscribing and helping us continue to build this together.
Here’s the news:
Eleven-year-old Avory Woolery rescued an unconscious man from an apartment swimming pool in Kentucky. When he noticed that no one else was responding, Avory put on his goggles, dove underwater, and pulled the man to safety. He said he acted because he could not stand by and allow another human being to die. Once the man was out of the pool, another person performed CPR until emergency responders arrived and transported him to a hospital, where he remained in critical condition. Avory’s father expressed great pride in his son’s courage, compassion, and ability to act decisively during the emergency.
Four-year-old Roman, living in Concord, North Carolina, became lonely after his parents divorced and his father moved away. Every morning, he stood near his door and cheerfully waved to neighbors, delivery drivers, and anyone else passing his home. A retired neighbor named Wade Folger eventually responded by visiting Roman and inviting him to spend time together, inspiring other neighbors to do the same. Roman began inviting his new friends to his sports practices, swim meets, preschool events, bike races, and birthday celebration. Through his simple acts of friendliness, Roman overcame his loneliness and united neighbors who had barely known one another before.
South Carolina restaurant owner Sak Yiengjuntuek discovered $12,000 in cash while clearing out old cabinets left behind by the previous owner of his Myrtle Beach restaurant. The money, consisting of $100 bills, was hidden inside a sunglasses case in one of the unwanted tool chests. Yiengjuntuek immediately recognized that the cash was not his and tried to contact the former owner, but the telephone number he had was disconnected. While sharing the story during a live television appearance, he remembered another saved number, called it on air, and finally reached the man to arrange the money’s return. After learning that the former owner was experiencing a serious health problem, Yiengjuntuek’s honesty earned widespread praise and inspired his community to follow his message: always do the right thing.
Southlake Police Corporal Joshua Swisher rescued a driver from a burning car on a Texas highway. While completing a nearby traffic stop, he noticed thick smoke coming from the vehicle and immediately ran toward it. Swisher tried to open the driver’s door, but its exterior handle broke off. He then smashed the window and pulled the trapped driver from the car. His rapid response brought the driver to safety just before the situation became even more dangerous.
Grace Rombach noticed a handsome airport maintenance worker while rushing to board a flight at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Although they smiled and made eye contact, he walked away before she could introduce herself. Hoping to find him, Rombach posted a Reddit “Missed Connection” message addressed to the dark-haired worker. The post went viral with help from the airport and online supporters, eventually reaching the man, whose name is Simon. When Rombach returned to Cleveland, the two met in person, and she thanked the strangers who helped bring them together.
Scottish Rite for Children in Dallas hosts Rite Moves, an adaptive therapeutic dance camp for patients ages 8 to 16 with physical or neurological conditions. The program allows children who may be excluded from traditional dance camps to exercise, have fun, form friendships, and feel accepted. Eight-year-old Maddison Goolsby, who has anophthalmia and microphthalmia, tried new movements and discovered a love of dancing. After practicing throughout the week, the campers performed for their families, hospital employees, and other patients on the final day. Organizers say giving the children a chance to become the stars of the show helps strengthen their confidence and encourages them to remain active.
Jimothy, a Seattle raccoon with an unusually short neck, became an internet sensation after Kiana Hall posted a video of him that received more than seven million views. Other residents revealed that he had lived in the neighborhood for months and was patiently cared for by his mother and siblings when he was younger. His popularity led local organizations to embrace him as an unofficial city mascot, while a Seattle councilmember announced plans for a proclamation commemorating “Jimothy Summer.” A veterinary professor said his appearance likely results from a congenital spinal deformity, but his survival suggests that he has adapted well to life in the wild. Although people should observe Jimothy from a safe distance, Hall hopes his story inspires them to explore their neighborhoods and appreciate the unexpected wildlife around them.
Thirty beluga whales stranded for years at the closed Marineland theme park in Ontario are finally expected to be transferred to new aquariums. U.S. and Canadian authorities have approved permits to move 28 of the whales to the Georgia Aquarium, Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, and SeaWorld facilities in San Diego and San Antonio. The remaining two are expected to go to Oceanogràfic València in Spain once Spanish authorities approve the necessary permits. Before traveling, each whale must be examined and cleared by Canadian veterinarians, while specialists finalize the complicated transportation arrangements. Aquarium representatives say the whales will receive nutritious food, clean and carefully maintained habitats, and continuous medical care in their new homes.
Four orphaned bobcat kittens were rescued from different parts of California within a single week after their mothers died, disappeared, or abandoned them. Two were discovered in Kern County after their mother died in a fall, while the others were found separately in Carmel and Concord. The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA brought all four to the Saratoga Wildlife Care Center, where they were treated for parasites and placed on a natural meat diet. In a large enclosure, the kittens are strengthening their muscles, practicing pouncing, and receiving enrichment while caregivers carefully limit human contact so they remain wary of people. If rehabilitation continues successfully, the bobcats will be released into the wild as semi-adults in October.
A Cedars-Sinai analysis of data from roughly 500,000 UK Biobank participants found that coffee consumption was associated with better liver-health outcomes. Compared with non-coffee drinkers, coffee drinkers had a 32% lower risk of cirrhosis, a 47% lower risk of liver cancer, and a 42% lower risk of death related to liver disease. They also had higher levels of blood proteins associated with healthy liver function, supporting the observed connection. Similar benefits appeared among decaffeinated-coffee drinkers, suggesting that compounds such as flavonoids and phenols—not only caffeine—may contribute to the effect. However, because the study identified an association rather than proving causation, researchers do not recommend beginning to drink coffee solely for liver protection and emphasize healthy weight, exercise, limited alcohol, and proper management of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
Brazil’s humpback whale population has made a remarkable recovery since commercial whaling ended, rising from about 2,000 whales in 1986 to roughly 35,000 today. Between June and November, the whales migrate from their Antarctic feeding grounds to Brazil’s warmer waters to breed. Many travel past Rio de Janeiro and Guanabara Bay on their way to Abrolhos Bank, a biodiverse coral reef region along the coasts of Bahia and Espírito Santo. Their growing numbers have made whale-watching excursions increasingly popular and created new opportunities for conservation groups, tourists, and photographers. Supporters believe responsible tourism can help protect humpback whales by allowing people to witness their recovery and develop a stronger appreciation for the species.
Maine’s alewife population has made a dramatic recovery, with more than 20 million fish migrating upriver to spawn in 2025—the highest number recorded in decades. Alewives had declined for centuries because dams blocked their migration routes, pollution damaged rivers, and commercial fishing reduced offshore populations. Restoration efforts beginning in 1999 removed several major dams, created channels around those that remained, and introduced a moratorium on offshore harvesting. The recovery has been especially impressive on the Penobscot River, where the removal of two dams restored migrations much faster than conservationists expected. Often called “the fish that feeds all,” alewives carry ocean nutrients inland and provide food for numerous animals, making their return important to both Maine’s ecosystems and local communities.
India plans to begin phased passenger service on its first bullet-train line on August 15, 2027, starting with the section between Surat and Vapi. Built with Japanese engineering expertise and financing, the Mumbai–Ahmedabad railway will eventually cover about 300 miles and reduce travel time by more than four hours. The earthquake-resistant trains will be based on Japan’s highly reliable Shinkansen technology and travel at speeds of up to 164 miles per hour. Construction has required major engineering achievements, including India’s first undersea tunnel and its longest conventional tunnel, although land acquisition and permitting problems have delayed the project by four years. If the new railway operates safely and successfully, India may develop additional high-speed connections to major technology centers such as Pune and Chennai during the 2030s.
Donkeys are helping prevent wildfires in Spain by grazing on grasses, shrubs, and other vegetation that could become dry fuel. In Doñana National Park, the animals maintain long firebreaks for seven hours a day from March through November, and the park has reportedly avoided wildfires for nine years. Donkeys are particularly effective because they eat much more than goats and their heavier bodies break up vegetation as they move. Similar “donkey brigades” have now been introduced in several other Spanish regions, including Catalonia, Galicia, Navarre, and the Basque Country. This natural, low-impact approach protects fire-prone landscapes while also supporting important wildlife habitats and restoring the traditional role of grazing animals in Spain.
Rachid Lazraq’s vintage Italian shoe shop in East London was struggling after more than 30 years in business because of online shopping and its aging customer base. His 25-year-old daughter, Zineb, was inspired to promote the store after discovering that a French influencer had described it as a hidden gem. She posted a TikTok video featuring the shop’s Y2K-style kitten heels, and it received 300,000 views overnight. Within days, crowds of young customers began lining up outside for as long as two hours, forcing the small store to limit how many people could enter at once. The remarkable turnaround allowed Rachid to tear down his “Closing Sale” sign, and the family is now considering expanding into online sales to serve its new generation of customers.
Chinese and Russian environmental authorities recently worked together to release hundreds of thousands of young sturgeon into the Amur River, which forms part of the border between the two countries. The effort included 200 juvenile Amur sturgeon, 485,000 young kaluga, and approximately 5.2 million other commercially valuable fish such as silver and grass carp. Many sturgeon were given fluorescent markers so researchers can track their movement, survival, and reproduction throughout their lives. Although similar breeding and release programs have not always restored the critically endangered populations, recent monitoring has found sturgeon surviving long enough to approach reproductive maturity. Conservationists and local fishermen hope the continuing releases will protect these ancient fish while preserving the river and supporting future fishing livelihoods.
Researchers at King’s College London found that KCL-286, a drug originally developed for spinal cord injuries, reduced several features associated with Alzheimer’s disease in a laboratory mouse model. Unlike treatments focused mainly on amyloid-beta and tau proteins, KCL-286 targets DNA damage and inflammation, which can occur during the disease’s earliest stages. The drug activates a protein in the retinoic acid pathway and helps repair serious DNA double-strand breaks while reducing inflammation. Researchers believe this broader approach could potentially slow the disease itself instead of merely treating its symptoms, although its effectiveness in people with Alzheimer’s has not yet been established. Because KCL-286 has already passed an initial Phase 1 human safety and tolerability trial, researchers may be able to move more quickly toward further clinical testing.
New research suggests that Egyptian princesses living 4,000 years ago were skilled archers and hunters. Scans of six royal mummies revealed strong muscle attachments, healed fractures, and other skeletal evidence of regular, physically demanding activity. Researchers concluded that the bows, arrows, daggers, and other weapons buried with the women were likely tools they actually used rather than symbolic gifts. The well-healed injuries also indicate that the princesses had access to advanced medical care for their time. Researchers hope to preserve the remains and create respectful 3D models and virtual exhibitions for education.
Welsh and Ugandan researchers found that a lotion made from locally grown catnip could repel mosquitoes as effectively as DEET in laboratory tests. The lotion uses nepetalactone, a chemical in catnip essential oil that appears to disrupt mosquitoes’ sense of smell. A formula containing 6% nepetalactone performed as well as DEET, while a 2% version was only slightly less effective. Because catnip is easy to grow and its oil is simple to extract, the lotion could provide an affordable option for rural Ugandan farmers who cannot easily purchase commercial repellents. Researchers hope local production and sales will create a self-sustaining system while helping prevent mosquito bites, reduce malaria transmission, and limit dependence on medicines to which the parasite may develop resistance.
See you soon.
— Aaron
