Chance Encounter Between 2 Indiana Graduates Rescues Former College Ball Star from Homelessness

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Sep 7, 2026

Steel making factory working Getty Images for Unsplash+ 7ab5Uizh_-E — Getty Images for Unsplash+

Quote of the Day: “By raising the living standards of millions, labor unions miraculously created a market for industry and lifted the whole nation to undreamed of levels of production…

(quote continues…) “Those who attack labor forget these simple truths, but history remembers them.” – Martin Luther King Jr. – HAPPY LABOR DAY in USA!

Photo by: Getty Images for Unsplash+

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Good News in History, September 7

This Day In History

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Sep 7, 2026

90 years ago today, Buddy Holly was born into poverty in a musical family in Lubbock, Texas. In just 18 months, from his first #1 hit song, That’ll Be The Day, to when he died in a tragic plane crash at age 22, the prolific singer-songwriter topped the charts with more than a dozen Top 40 hits worldwide. Unlike his hero, Elvis Presley, Holly was an innovator for writing his own material and experimenting with double tracking and orchestration. He also pioneered and popularized the now-standard use of two guitars, bass, and drums by rock bands. READ more, such as how he got his famous glasses… (1936)

Teen Discovers Coconut Fungi Can Filter Plastic and Sunscreen From Sea—And Wins Science Fair

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Sep 6, 2026

Coconut fungi experiment by Vera Wang wins awards at 2026 Hawaii State Science and Engineering Fair - Released by SOEST

Coconut fungi experiment by Vera Wang wins awards at 2026 Hawaii State Science and Engineering Fair – Released by SOEST

An East Honolulu high school student discovered a fungi in coconut husks that could clean up plastics and sunscreen from the ocean—and her won multiple awards at the Hawaiʻi State Science & Engineering Fair.

Vera Wang, a senior at Kaiser High School, won in multiple categories after conducting experiments in Anthony Amend’s lab at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. And she qualified for the International Science & Engineering Fair taking place next May in Arizona.

Her science fair success, including the discovery that the fungi may be a previously-uncharacterized species, all began during her sophomore year.

Ms. Wang designed and built an ocean filter that removed sunscreen and microplastics from the surface water which was inspired by traditional Polynesian weaving while incorporating modern environmental science.

It was not only scientifically effective, but was sustainably made entirely from coconut byproduct waste. Soon, Wang realized that removing the pollutants from water is only part of the problem. The next challenge she considered was how to dispose of them responsibly—and again found success.

“I learned that the pore structure of coconut fiber supports the movement of air and water, which can create a favorable environment for microbes,” Wang said. “That led me to wonder whether coconut husk could do more than physically capture pollutants. So this year, my research at the Amend Lab began exploring the fungal communities living in coconut husks and studying their growth and degradation abilities on sunscreen and plastic media.”

They discovered that fungi found naturally on coconut husks can biodegrade (decompose) sunscreen and plastic, and that a tannin compound can be used to identify sunscreen- and plastic-degrading fungi. The tannins present in the fibers might be encouraging growth of these complex degraders.

Additionally, their genetic testing showed that some of the fungal species did not have a match to anything in the world’s largest reference database of known genes and genomes, indicating that these may be previously uncharacterized species.

MORE SCIENCE FAIR WINS: Youth is Fighting Microplastic Pollution with Magnetic Liquid After Winning Google Science Fair

Among her awards, Wang’s project earned 1st place in the Microbiology category and a scholarship award from the McInerny Foundation.

“I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to pursue my project in the Amend Lab,” said Wang, who worked closely with Kaylee Christensen, a graduate student in the Marine Biology Graduate Program.

“My research would have never, ever, been possible without Anthony and Kaylee. This project has been part of a much longer journey, so having it recognized feels both surreal and deeply rewarding.”

“This work was made possible because of Vera’s vision, and it gives me such optimism about the future of science in Hawaiʻi,” said Amend, who is based in the Pacific Biosciences Research Center at School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST).

CHECK OUT: New Mexico Girl Wins $250,000 Top Prize in Teen Science Fair For Inventing Tool That Could Prevent Starvation in Africa

“Her success is a testament to our public school system which is doing a wonderful job supporting and training our next generation of students. I can’t wait to see what discoveries she makes in college.”

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Astronomers Create Gallery of 16 ‘Cosmic Gems’ to Show Variety of Shapes a Galaxy Can Be

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Sep 6, 2026

16 galaxy photos in gallery - SWNS NASA et al — Collection of 16 galactic images from Chandra and other telescopes – NASA-CXC-SAO via SWNS

Chandra Release - August 26, 2026: Gallery of Galaxies — The new collection of 16 galactic images from Chandra and other telescopes – NASA-CXC-SAO via SWNS

Space scientists have put together a photo gallery of ‘cosmic gems’ to showcase the variety of sizes, shapes, and high-energy features of distant galaxies.

Astronomers put galaxies into three main categories: spirals like our own Milky Way with arms emanating from their cores, ellipticals that are older and likely the results of mergers, and irregulars that can encompass a wide range of galactic phenomena.

Each one of the 16 new pictures contain X-ray telescope data from NASA’s Chandra Observatory collected across decades of operation. (See the gallery in full, here.)

That high-energy data has been combined with data from space telescopes like Webb and Hubble, as well as several other arrays both on the ground and in space—including the IXPE (Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer), Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, and NuSTAR (Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array).

NASA says that studying galaxies offers a way to learn about our own.

“Galaxies are like cosmic gems, each with characteristics including size and shape that make them distinct,” says Megan Watzke of the Chandra X-ray Center.

“Just as gems reveal the history of Earth through how they were forged over billions of years, these galactic gems are a way to study Earth’s place in our home galaxy of the Milky Way.

MORE SPACE PICS:
• Photographer Captures Incredible Luminous Event Over His Italian Town–For the Second Time
• Stunning Photo Captures Gaseous Wings of Butterfly Nebula from the Gemini Telescope

“By looking outward to other galaxies, we learn more about our own – including clues to its past and future.”

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Stuck in Debt, Single Mom Pays Off $25K in 5 Months by Decluttering 410 Items

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Sep 6, 2026

Ellie Titmus with some of her Vinted stock-SWNS — Ellie Titmus with some of her Vinted stock – SWNS

A British mom who racked up £23,000 in debt ($31K) has paid back $25,000 (£19,000) in just five months by decluttering and selling 410 household items on Vinted, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace.

32-year-old Ellie says her debt began to “snowball” after she became a single mom in 2022 and she took out a short-term loan of £15,000 and another loan of £8,000 to get by.

Over the next four years she found herself spending on “silly things” like take-out food and online shopping—£1,000 in one month using three credit cards, for instance.

Despite making some payments over the years, she’d still built up that much debt by April of this year.

“I felt sick, to be honest—and embarrassed that I’d let it get to that point.

“I work for a bank, so financially I’m very literate, and I understand how credit cards work, how loans work, and all of that.

“But I knew I had to deal with it regardless, and worked through it.”

Ellie combed through her house and sold off 410 household items, including toys, clothing, jewelry, kitchen gadgets, and room decor items online.

Through her job she took the opportunity to invest in stocks and bonds, and when they had matured last month, she cashed in £13,000 worth, putting £11,333 towards her debt.

Ellie estimates she has paid back £19,733 so far ($26K) by also saving on “random purchases”. She still has £8,700 of interest to pay off.

“I was so stressed about money I was finding ways to feel less stressed that cost more money, rather than focusing on the actual debt.

“The first thing I did was I broke down week-by-week what I was spending.

“I am a bit of a collector, and there was so much stuff in the house, and just got really strict and tough with it.

“I went through my wardrobe and said, ‘If I haven’t worn it in the past six months—weather depending, obviously—I’ll put on Vinted’.

“I got brutal and thought I don’t need all this stuff; I need the money more than I need a house full of things.”

When Ellie’s maternity leave was approaching, she realized her pay would be dropping, and began assessing her finances. Now in a new relationship and recently welcoming her third child with partner Lee, Ellie is taking sole responsibility for the debt.

She says her relationship has allowed her to contribute more to her debt as she’s splitting other costs, but it’s more the “emotional support” she has benefitted from.

“If I want to spend I can talk to him about it, rather than just spending.”

Ellie cuts costs where she can, by cooking at home more and avoiding buying expensive pre-prepared groceries.

“In the run up to having the baby, we spent a whole day batch-cooking four weeks’ worth of meals we could pop in the oven or the slow cooker if we are tired so we’re not tempted to get a takeaway.”

She started up her TikTok page documenting her journey.

“By posting online, people have shared the way they cope with curbing their spending habits and what they do to distract themselves.

“I’ve shared that there have been moments I’ve really wanted to spend money recklessly with really no reason other than a bit of dopamine chasing, I guess.

“It’s been a really nice way of community building, and it keeps me accountable, really.”

FOLLOW Ellie’s journey on TikTok@chaostocash4–And Share The Advice With Friends…

“Love is, above all, the gift of oneself.” – Jean Anouilh

Quote of the Day

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Sep 6, 2026

Quote of the Day: “Love is, above all, the gift of oneself.” – Jean Anouilh

Photo by: Sdf Rahbar

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Good News in History, September 6

This Day In History

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Sep 6, 2026

Cal_Ripken_Jr._in_1993-CC-Rdikeman — In 1993, by Rdikeman, CC license

31 years ago today, Cal Ripken Jr. broke Lou Gehrig’s baseball record when he played in his 2,131st consecutive game. Once considered a near-impossible feat, “the streak,” which continued for 2,632 games, earned Cal the nickname, Iron Man. The televised game, between the Orioles and the California Angels, still ranks as one of the most watched baseball events, with Cal’s kids throwing out the first pitch. In the fifth inning, as it was tallied a full game, the crowds in the stands, the opposing players, and the four umpires gave Ripken a standing ovation lasting more than 22 minutes, one of the longest ovations for any athlete. WATCH a series of interviews throughout this long streak… (1995)

Gym Installed For Homeless Improves Their Health And Habits–Without Leaving the Shelter

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Sep 5, 2026

Wilfried enjoying The Shelter Gym in Paris RELEASED BY Omnigym — Wilfried enjoying The Shelter Gym in Paris – Photo by Omnigym

Wilfried enjoying The Shelter Gym in Paris – Photo by Omnigym

A gym equipment company from Finland is bringing physical fitness to the homeless community of Paris.

Inactivity is a growing public health concern, but especially in lower income communities.

To address this challenge, Omnigym installed an outdoor gym at a homeless shelter in the French capital.

They tested whether easy access to exercise would improve physical and mental wellbeing.

The project collected anonymous data from residents as well as self-assessments to evaluate the impact.

Now, one month later, Omnigym reached out to GNN to share some of their findings.

The residents were asked to assess their physical health, mental well-being, sleep, mood, and energy levels—as well as answer a few questions.

Working out at The Shelter Gym in Paris – Omnigym

80% of respondents reported improved physical health, since the equipment arrived.

The new gym also delivered broader benefits. And respondents reported positive behavioral changes.

90% of respondents said it has helped them meet or talk to other people.

When asked what they appreciate most about the gym, one user said, “A change in behavior. I smoke less.”

Another resident simply described it as “a change” in their life, “even if only a little”.

MORE POSITIVE HOMELESS NEWS:
• Retired Cop Rehabs Bus into Mobile Laundry: He Now Washes Clothes for the Homeless
• How a Gift from Pope Francis Inspired a Restaurant Owner to Feed the Hungry for Years

Giovanni at The Shelter Gym in Paris (Omnigym)

Omnigym partnered with Emmaüs Solidarité, a French nonprofit that supports people experiencing homelessness, to pilot the courtyard fitness unit.

Kirsti Laasio, CEO of Omnigym, calls it The People’s Gym, and says the initiative addresses a need that is often overlooked.

“We want to democratize physical training and make it accessible to everyone.”

SHARE THE IDEA WITH GYM OWNERS By Posting the Story on Social Media…

Red Sea Coral Dying From Heat Stress is Being Revived With Probiotics

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Sep 5, 2026

Red Sea coral get probiotic treatment- Marine Microbiomes Lab – Credit: Morgan Bennett-Smith / SWNS

Coral dying from heat stress has been revived after scientists successfully applied probiotic and post-biotic treatments in open seas for the the first time.

Although probiotics have previously been shown to rehabilitate corals in South Florida and in aquarium environments, the research team explored whether this and other microbial therapy would work in the Red Sea.

The study was a success. It established that both live probiotic and inactivated post-biotic treatments improve coral health—even while it’s under thermal stress during a natural marine heatwave.

“We urgently need to understand both the natural mechanisms that allow some corals to tolerate heat and how we can safely enhance those mechanisms,” said co-lead author Dr. Erika Santoro.

She explained that corals host several beneficial bacteria, including types that help them adapt to their environment.

The aim of microbial therapy is to restore not just the corals themselves but also the microbiomes they sustain.

Probiotics are groups of living microbes obtained from healthy corals that may be applied to stressed corals.

Post-biotics, on the other hand, are inactivated probiotics and/or their bioactive components—and a major goal of this study, published in the journal Cell Reports, was to see whether post-biotics could also boost coral health.

“The possibility of using post-biotics is particularly exciting… potentially offer practical advantages, such as longer shelf life, easier storage and transportation, and reduced production costs,” explained Dr. Santoro, a postdoctoral fellow at KAUST University in Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Erika Santoro of the Marine Microbiomes Lab by Morgan Bennett-Smith / SWNS

The team treated Valid Acropora coral in the central Red Sea during a heatwave in 2022 when daily average seawater temperatures ranged from 87.6°F to 89.5°F (30.9°C to 31.9°C).

Throughout the 15-day field experiment, the researchers isolated beneficial bacterial strains from Red Sea corals to concoct two probiotic treatments and their post-biotic counterparts.

They then measured coral health by evaluating the animals’ colors – white or “bleached” hues indicate poor health – and the photosynthetic efficiency of the algae that live inside them.

After 15 days of treatment, one of the probiotic and one of the post-biotic formulas had “significantly improved” coral health.

“When an innovative idea like this actually works—particularly under field conditions—we are positively surprised,” said Santoro.

“The most exciting takeaway is that this study opens a new avenue for coral microbial therapies.”

MORE GOOD CORAL NEWS:
• Coral Reef Long Presumed Dead Is Rediscovered ‘Teeming with Life’ Off Coast of Africa
• Scientists Have Found Climate-Resistant Coral Reefs Around the World Totaling the Size of Wisconsin

Coral Montipora dilatata by NicoT (Creative Commons-SA 4.0)

The research team also ran genetic and metabolic tests on the treated corals, which revealed that the probiotic and post-biotic therapies had restructured their microbial and metabolic profiles in different ways.

Specifically, post-biotic-treated corals showed an increase in strains of Cobetia, a type of bacteria that helps corals tolerate heat stress.

And, that’s the overall goal for coral researchers no matter where in the world they’re working.

SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS to Divers and Ocean Lovers On Social Media…

12 Golden Puppies in One Litter Reunite With Mom On First Birthday: ‘It turned into a real extended family’

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Sep 5, 2026

Rhian Boxall watched 12 golden Labrador puppies born - SWNS — Tilly’s brood – SWNS

A litter of 12 unexpected puppies were reunited with their golden mom and dad to celebrate their first birthday as a family.

The humans, crucial to this dog family, were also there, reminiscing about when sister Rhian was babysitting her brother Meirion’s pregnant yellow Labrador, Tilly, while he was away on holiday last year.

Veterinarians assured them that Tilly would have six or seven puppies and were confident she was unlikely to go into labour while her owner was traveling.

But over the course of 15 hours, Rhian, her husband Steve and their two children helped deliver a staggering dozen puppies.

Rhian from Wales couldn’t bear to let the smallest female pup go, so she officially adopted her, while Meirion adopted one of the boys.

One year later, the proud parents Tilly and Lolo, were reunited with all 12 pups for a birthday celebration complete with party hats and dog-friendly cake.

“Looking back at that night, it was a complete rollercoaster of emotions—and pure panic,” Rhian told SWNS news service.

“We completely lost count of how many puppies were arriving.”

Yellow Labrador Tilly with birthday party hat by Rhian Boxall / SWNS

“Having all 12 pups back under one roof with Tilly and Lolo was beautifully chaotic, but it just shows how much love has come out of that one crazy night.”

And the night they were born was just the beginning. Meirion said they all set up a WhatsApp group to support each other through the puppy stages.

“It has turned into a real extended family.

“Our house is constantly full of dogs now, as we pet-sit for the other owners—it’s like running a dog hotel!

“Seeing the whole pack back together, healthy, happy, and turning one, is just wonderful.”

Litter of 12 unexpected pups reunited with their mum and dad to celebrate their first birthday – SWNS

The greatest dog-sitting adventure

Meirion was on holiday for two weeks in August 2025 when pregnant Tilly began hiding under the bed in the spare room, scratching the carpet.

Both Rhian and Steve sat at the kitchen table with their laptops on—facing the pen to watch Tilly.

The makeshift birth bed at Rhian Boxall’s home – SWNS

“We knew she wasn’t going to wait for my brother to return from holidays.”

AMAZING DOGS:
• Man Cajoles His 17 Dachshunds into Christmas Sweaters So They Can Pose for Best Family Photo in History
• Watch Family’s Dachshund and Speedy Tortoise Playing Football Together

Most of the litter stayed in Wales with close family and friends, while two headed over the border into England.

This summer, Rhian’s golden stayed with Meirion for her holidays, while Tilly and Lolo returned to the scene of last summer’s birth-palooza.

Thankfully, there were zero surprise deliveries this time.

SHARE A SWEET SURPRISE With Every Lab-Lover on Social Media…

Your Weekly Horoscope – ‘Free Will Astrology’ by Rob Brezsny

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Sep 5, 2026

Our partner Rob Brezsny, whose latest book is Astrology Is Real: Revelations from My Life as an Oracle, provides his weekly wisdom to enlighten our thinking and motivate our mood. Rob’s Free Will Astrology, is a syndicated weekly column appearing in over a hundred publications. He is also the author of Pronoia Is the Antidote for Paranoia: How All of Creation Is Conspiring To Shower You with Blessings. (A free preview of the book is available here.)

Here is your weekly horoscope…

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY – Week of September 5, 2026
Copyright by Rob Brezsny, FreeWillAstrology.com

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
You’ve been extra reasonable lately. How do you manage to be so responsible, measured, and composed? I’m not complaining. I admire your integrity. But now the cosmic omens are clear that’s it’s time to address your soul’s needs for more wonder and awe and reverence. So I will slip you a tantalizing prod: What’s the best, most healing trouble you could provoke right now? I’m not referring to recklessness and chaos, of course. I mean twists and tweaks that stir up inspiration and liberate creativity. Are you bold enough to follow the truth and beauty that thrills and intrigues you?

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
I am asking you to give yourself slack in situations where you sometimes treat yourself carelessly or unkindly. Instead of tightening, loosen. Instead of cornering yourself, offer an escape hatch. Ask: “What if I give myself 20% more mercy, 20% more time, or 20% less pressure?” Maybe you’ll get an extension on a deadline or allow yourself to be a learner instead of an expert. Rather than calling yourself a failure because you’re less than perfect, you’ll decide, “It’s good enough for now.” As you slip away from the traps you set for yourself, you’ll teach your nervous system a fresh truth: You can be gentle with yourself but still be responsible.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
Scorpio, you rarely need to be lighter and breezier. Your assignment is almost always to delve deeper and explore further. This is true now even more than usual. Other people might shiver and cower in the face of your intensity, but I celebrate it because it drives you to excavate the rich, messy truths and complicated feelings that really shouldn’t stay hidden. Regard this horoscope as your authorization to wield your emotional X-ray vision with precision, and to trust that the treasures you seek are often buried in places that scare others away.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
In classical music, composers often develop a simple motif into a complex symphony. A short sequence of notes becomes the foundation for an entire composition. A key passage gets rearranged and elaborated in multiple ways. You will have a comparable opportunity in the coming weeks, Sagittarius: a seed of potential that seems modest at first could expand into more substantial riches if you cultivate it patiently. Your visionary aplomb and optimism can transform a core cell into a full orchestration.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):
You seem to be wandering in a frontier for which there are no maps. You’re hovering in liminal zones, between worlds. So for now, I guess you will have to steer without your usual guidance. That’s a good thing! What I can do is name the gifts that are likely to come your way as you explore the unknown: 1) turbo-charged intuitions about your best possible future; 2) a talent for spotting surprising connections you didn’t even know you were looking for; and 3) a provocative unpredictability that magnetizes allies who can help tease out and illuminate your hidden and buried desires.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):
The placebo effect has a lesser-known counterpart called the nocebo effect: Negative expectations can create negative outcomes. If you’re told a harmless pill might cause headaches, you’re more likely to develop them. Your belief in harm creates actual harm. I bring this up, Aquarius, because I’m worried you may be nocebo-ing yourself right now. Your conviction that certain outcomes are inevitable is encouraging them to manifest. So here’s my counsel: Which negative expectations or predictions are you treating as facts? Consider the possibility that the problems you’re so skilled at identifying are being called into existence by your identification of them. And if you find that’s happening, STOP! Formulate some healing alternatives.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):
“Dear Rob: Your horoscopes delight me in a spooky way. They make me feel as if you’re watching me from afar, not like a stalker, but like an eccentric guardian angel who gives me a heads-up before I do something foolish, tells me about opportunities I haven’t noticed, and shakes awake the part of me that’s inclined to quit. Thanks a million times! —Deep Pisces.” Dear Deep: You have exquisite timing, because now is an ideal moment to pour out gratitude for the people who’ve lifted you up and helped you. Offering appreciation now will function as a potent prayer that will be far more effective than pleading for what you don’t have. It will set in motion an irresistible magic that draws even more blessings in your direction.

ARIES (March 21-April 19):
Most of us are surprisingly clueless about the inner workings of our own bodies. Do you know where your gallbladder and spleen actually live or what jobs they perform on your behalf? Can you trace the journey your breath takes after it slips into your lungs? Have you ever experimented to discover in detail which foods best suit your one‑of‑a‑kind system? Do you know, from experience rather than guesswork, how much sleep you require to stay vividly awake and emotionally balanced? The current astrological climate favors you becoming a curious apprentice of your body’s gorgeous mysteries.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20):
The English idiom “cut to the chase” comes from the silent films of the early 20th century. When the plot dragged, directors would literally switch to a chase scene to restore audience interest. Other languages have other ways to say “get to the point” or “skip to the crux.” Spanish: ir al grano. French: aller droit au but. Italian: venire al dunque. Japanese: hondai ni hairu. In accordance with astrological omens, Taurus, I suggest you do that in the coming days. Skip the boring parts. Jump to the action scenes. You can return later and fill in the story details, but for now you’re best served by moving toward the exciting essence or the crucial core of things.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20):
This is one of those unusual times when laziness and apathy work in your favor. Life is organizing a relaxing renewal on your behalf, and your main job is to not interfere. So I advise you to skip the hustle and enjoy the thrill of being still. Put a pause on doing and indulge in the fine art of simply being. Please, Gemini? Set aside your ambitions for now. Hide your to-do list. Inform your chattering monkey mind that it’s on temporary leave from its usual jumping and squawking. Feel guilt-free as you immerse yourself in the most relaxed versions of feeling good and welcome whatever fresh vitality wants to flow in.

CANCER (June 21-July 22):
In the 17th century, Dutch inventor Christiaan Huygens discovered that two pendulum clocks hanging on the same wall gradually synchronized their swings. Why? He eventually realized that tiny vibrations traveled through the wall and made the clocks influence each other. Scientists call this “entrainment.” Now is prime time for you to capitalize on this phenomenon, Cancerian. I urge you to be extra alert for how your moods, rhythms, and intentions subtly affect the people around you, and vice versa. If you cultivate qualities you’d like to predominate in your relationships, you will find others unconsciously aligning with your rhythm.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):
Now is an ideal time to have fun cultivating the art of receptivity. Have fun being as open to influence as you can imagine. Be innocent! Be amenable! Be willing and eager to be surprised! It doesn’t mean surrendering your drive or drifting aimlessly while life happens around you. I’m talking about an active, alert sensitivity that invites wonder and transformation. You think boldly, act with purpose, and radiate what’s uniquely yours, and yet you also remain humbly aware that learning never ends and that wisdom can arrive from unpredictable directions.

WANT MORE? Listen to Rob’s EXPANDED AUDIO HOROSCOPES, 4-5 minute meditations on the current state of your destiny — or subscribe to his unique daily text message service at: RealAstrology.com

(Zodiac images by Numerologysign.com, CC license)

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“Our life is what our thoughts make it.” – Marcus Aurelius

Quote of the Day

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Sep 5, 2026

Quote of the Day: “Our life is what our thoughts make it.” – Marcus Aurelius

Photo by: Jonathan Cosens Photography

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quotes page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

Good News in History, September 5

This Day In History

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Sep 5, 2026

The First Continental Congress mural in the Capitol building

252 years ago today, the First Continental Congress was organized in Carpenter’s Hall, Philadelphia, after the British Navy implemented a blockade of Boston Harbor and the Parliament of Great Britain passed the punitive Intolerable Acts in response to the Boston Tea Party. The result of the Congress was the drawing up of the Continental Association, a proposal for an embargo on British trade. They also drew up a Petition to the King pleading for redress of their grievances and repeal of the Intolerable Acts. READ more about this milestone marker in our history… (1774)

Endangered Salmon Return to California Rivers in Incredible Numbers: ‘Everybody’s just ecstatic’

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Sep 4, 2026

An adult male coho salmon - credit, Christie Hemm Klok Trout Unlimited

A record 30,000 coho salmon returned to central California rivers last season—up 10x from an average of 3,000 over the last decade—and double the total of last season.

Running up the rivers which empty into the Mendocino coast, the proliferation among the fish is something that scientists studying the animals thought they’d never see in their careers.

A March news release by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said they took it as a sign that targeted restoration efforts on private land can help move the needle for a species that was not long ago considered somewhere near the brink.

“I am overjoyed—everybody’s just ecstatic about how many coho there are,” said NOAA Marine Habitat Resource Specialist Joe Pecharich, who has been supporting restoration projects in the region for 20 years. “We have conducted intensive sampling since 2009 in these watersheds and many of us never thought we’d see something like this in our lifetime.”

“It’s very good news for all of us—communities, tribes, NGOs, NOAA, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and all our partners,” said Joshua Fuller, NOAA’s Coastal California Branch Supervisor.

“Recovering salmon is undeniably challenging, particularly for a species that must successfully navigate both freshwater and marine ecosystems during its lifetime. These numbers are very encouraging and demonstrate that recovery is possible when management, habitat, ocean, and hydrologic conditions are aligned.”

Life is precarious for the central California coast coho salmon, (CCCC salmon for short) the most endangered subset of the coho salmon species. In many waterways, their existence had become a mere memory.

Stretching back before the new millennium, NOAA gathered together a wide-ranging coalition of local stakeholders, some already mentioned, but which also included timber companies and the fishing-focused nonprofit Trout Unlimited, to work on over 100 small improvement projects to the Mendocino coast river systems to give the coho the best chance of reclaiming its former territory.

These have included removing or altering fish-unfriendly modifications to streams and rivers, like widening undersized road culverts, removing barriers like log jams, and returning previously-straightened waterways to their natural, meandering state.

Such amendments have been made in the North Fork Navarro, Noyo, Garcia, and Big river watersheds. Last summer, the NOAA and The Nature Conservancy constructed the largest-ever habitat restoration project in the Ten Mile watershed.

AMERICAN FISH STOCKS:

“It’s been amazing to see how quickly coho will occupy new habitat. Just days after the excavators roll out, the fish will start to swim in,” said Peter van de Burgt, The Nature Conservancy’s North Coast Restoration project manager.

It’s not only the rapidity with which the coho seem to be returning up these various rivers and brooks that catches the eye, but the breadth. Usal Creek hadn’t seen a live coho in 10 years; the Gualala River watershed hadn’t recorded any in 2 decades. Both are now witnessing adults migrate upstream and juveniles downstream.

As to the size of the migratory population from this year, the count was conducted through spring, with early indications suggesting similarly robust numbers, such as a reported 400 coho on the North Fork Navarro River so far—far beyond normal estimates.

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Neighbors Get Swept Up in Man’s Viral Journey to Clean a NYC Street Block Every Day for 100 Days

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Sep 4, 2026

In New York City, something magical has happened along the sidewalk in Washington Heights that can best be described in a metaphor.

In the East, the lotus is not only a food source, an ornamental, and a religious symbol, it also serves as a convenient allegory—because it grows best in the dirtiest water.

So it was with David, a young New Yorker who felt “powerless” to change the circumstances on his block at 171st between Broadway and Fort Washington. Everywhere a piece of litter could be, it was. Whether wrapped around the bolts securing a fire hydrant or choking the tree plots on the sidewalk, litter was everywhere.

So David bought some bags and a grabber stick and announced on his TikTok account that he was going to clean the litter off of a single NYC block every day for 100 days.

The project, like the lotus blooming out of sludge, revealed a caring community hungry for change, just waiting for someone to show that it was possible to do something.

@trashtalk_nyc DAY 100! Thank you for all your support during this incredible and challenging time. When I started this account, I had no expectations. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to help our communities through kindness and hard work. I am so excited for this fall, as we transition to education and beautification for New York families #newyork #communitycleanup #trashtalk ♬ original sound - Your Neighbor David

“When this account went viral, I learned that litter was correlated with pride and a sense of community,” David wrote in his 100th day montage video. “I could have picked up trash my whole life, but instead I want to give people a reason not to litter.”

The reason was simple: that littering would spoil the beauty that David and an ever-proliferating number of local volunteer comrades worked to bring about along this special neighborhood in the Big Apple.

What started as a solo cleanup has grown into a broader community effort, with local businesses donating plants, lumber, and equipment to help improve neighborhood spaces. It wasn’t long before many of his neighbors were there right beside him, picking up litter, badgering city officials to make more of an effort to keep streets clean, and cultivating beds of flowers and plants where the city’s trees grow on the sidewalk.

@trashtalk_nyc Day 44 of Cleaning New York: let's clean our own blocks, but let's also call out problems where we see them. The organizations responsible for cleaning and protecting this city should lead by example. Please comment and share to grow this mission #trashtalk #communitycleanup #newyork #bronx #CapCut ♬ original sound - Your Neighbor David

For this was the ultimate culmination of David’s good work. As much as his videos went viral, so too did his idea of fencing off little flower beds under the trees, laying down soil and mulch, and planting flowers to encourage neighbors and passersby to keep the streets clean.

His new green thumbs have pulled him as far afield as the mountains upstate looking for native plants to put into the beds along the streets.

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“Litter can kill plants, but plants can also teach people not to litter,” David says. “People don’t notice a dying tree, but when flowers magically appear for the first time in decades, people notice when they die.”

He’s so far spent some $2,000 buying fence and gardening supplies to beautify the tree plots along his own block, enriched by giving hands inspired by his creative solutions to litter control.

@trashtalk_nyc Day 108 of Cleaning New York: when you build in public, you create a mirror for the community to understand itself. I have loved watching my neighbors sit on these fences and enjoy the flowers, and I'm excited to replace our stolen plants soon. Please consider contributing to my GoFundMe to support this mission #newyork #communitycleanup #trashtalk #washingtonheights #gardening ♬ original sound - Your Neighbor David

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A Terrier Rescued After Spending 2 Days Underground Lost in a Badger Warren

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Sep 4, 2026

- credit, Notts Lost Dog, supplied to the BBC

A very English story of peril and rescue comes to us now from Nottinghamshire, where a man’s terrier was stuck underground for 2 days after getting lost in a badger warren.

Cello is a 6-year-old parson Russell terrier, and he was out walking with his owner Stephen Smith, the BBC reports, when he decided, as he’d often done before, to let the curious pooch off his leash to explore a field.

This time, however, Cello became overly-interested in the network of tunnels dug by these large mustelids. Venturing within, Cello quickly got turned around, lost, and stuck, leaving Smith to call for help.

“I took him and one of his friends out for a walk and they disappeared. After a while, the other dog came back, but Cello didn’t, so I went searching for him. The other dog helped me locate where he was,” Smith told the BBC.

Volunteers from Notts Lost Dog (short for Nottinghamshire) were on the case, as were the local fire department, but they first had to obtain a license from the government-sponsored public welfare organization Natural England to dig into the badger warren.

For American readers raising an eyebrow at this last sentence, badgers are a protected species in the UK and disturbing their burrows without a permit is punishable at about half the severity of an American who hunts a bald eagle: up to 6 months in prison and a fine with no ceiling.

Notts Lost Dog’s Kim Jefcott said she was anxious that a permit might not be secured in time.

“It was very worrying because we didn’t know whether it was an active badger [warren],” she told the BBC. “Lots of things go through your mind. Badgers are very protective and can be aggressive if they feel threatened, so we were concerned for Cello’s safety.”

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The permit was issued just in time for the rescue team, along with assistance from Natural England, to locate Cello using a camera and dig a shaft 2 feet down into the network of tunnels to extract him.

Jefcott said he was clearly stressed, and his eyes were sore from getting dirt in them, and from staring into the dark.

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It wasn’t long after breathing the free air again that Cello perked up, and showed the rescue team what a well-behaved and “lovely, friendly little dog” he is.

Smith added that after eating and drinking—and sleeping 24 hours straight—Cello is back to his normal self again. He still enjoys walks in the fields off his leash, but will hopefully have learned from his ordeal to steer well clear of the smell of badgers.

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After 30 Years of Estranged Trains, Sweden and Finland Re-Connect Their Railway Lines

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Sep 4, 2026

- credit, Aapo Riihimäki, Prime Minister's Office

Early on a Monday morning in early August, a train rumbled across a thawed out Arctic landscape in Finland before screeching to a halt at its final destination at a border crossing with Sweden.

It may sound ordinary for rail-loving European societies, but it was actually the first time these neighbors had the option to travel across the border by train in 30 years.

Now they can thanks to a twice-daily service from the Finnish town of Oulu to the Swedish town of Haparanda, an investment that’s aimed at improving tourism and business conditions for these remoter regions of the two semi-Arctic nations.

The agreement to connect the railway line was made between the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency and the Finnish railway company VR, as well as its subsidiary, VR Sweden, which operates in the northern counties of that country.

“By linking Swedish and Finnish train services, we are creating new opportunities for people to travel, work, study and visit one another across the border. At the same time, we are strengthening conditions for business and tourism throughout the region,” said Joakim Berg CEO of one of VR’s suppliers, called Norrtåg, which operates in the north.

He spoke with the outlet SwediJärnväger to mark the occasion, while the paper added that much of the Finnish network has been electrified, allowing the trains to run from the capital of Helsinki all the way to Haparanda without diesel.

Though either country uses a different rail track gauge, a divided railroad bridge will allow trains to arrive and depart Haparanda on each format. At Haparanda, passengers can embark on a series of regional trains to destinations such as the university town of Luleå to the south, or Gällivare, camp town for the world’s most efficient copper mine run by Boliden Mining, around 160 miles to the north.

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“When the new timetable period begins in December, the connections will improve even further,” Hannukainen at VR told the Arctic outlet High North News.

“The Finnish government and the municipalities in the region made the decision to launch and fund the service only last winter, by which time the Swedish timetables had already been finalized. We are working closely with Norrtåg, and as early as this autumn, passengers will have more transfer options available.”

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“One day an army of gray-haired women may quietly take over the Earth.” – Gloria Steinem (1934-2026)

Quote of the Day

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Sep 4, 2026

Quote of the Day: “One day an army of gray-haired women may quietly take over the Earth!” – Gloria Steinem (1934-2026)

Photo by: Bradley Andrews

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quotes page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

Good News in History, September 4

This Day In History

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Sep 4, 2026

Happy 64th Birthday to the Japanese Nobel laureate, Sinya Yamanaka, whose pioneering work in the science of stem cells led him to identify the “Yamanaka Factors”— 4 different genetic transcription factors that he used to turn any adult human cell into a stem cell. He shared the prize jointly with Sir John Gordon of England, and his discovery was described as world-changing. READ a bit more about his work… (1962)