It’s Erica with your new dose of Feel Good News — stories to remind us the world’s not so bad after all.
1. NPR receives $113 million in charitable gifts - two of the largest donations it has ever received
NPR has received two large donations totaling $113 million to help it invest in digital technology, strengthen ties with public radio stations, and ensure the viability of public media after the elimination of all federal funding. The gifts, from philanthropist Connie Ballmer and an anonymous donor, will allow NPR to collaborate more effectively with stations, analyze audience consumption, and raise money more effectively. These "catalytic investments" come at a time of great financial strain for public media, with the loss of over $1 billion in federal funding leading to widespread layoffs. While the donations are not intended to replace federal funding or expand news coverage, they aim to help set up NPR and its stations for the next 50 years as they adapt to changing audience behaviors and funding challenges.
2. Steve Guttenberg broke into elderly couple's home and carried them out during Palisades fire: 'They hated me'
Steve Guttenberg, the star of the "Police Academy" movies, recounts a heroic story from the 2025 Palisades fire in Los Angeles. Guttenberg says he had to break into an elderly couple's home and physically carry them out to safety as the fire approached, despite their resistance and claims that they "hated" him for the rescue. Guttenberg had to force his way into the home, unlock the door, and pick up the couple to get them outside before their house burned down. The Palisades fire was one of the twin blazes that caused over $164 billion in property damage in the Los Angeles area, with many celebrities losing their homes, but Guttenberg and other residents looked out for their neighbors during the crisis.
3. Stop Killing Games delivers "absolutely incredible" hearing in European Parliament: "There was no [parliament member] that wasn't responding positively. Even the commission was pretty positive. There's a long road ahead, but the momentum is real."
The Stop Killing Games campaign, founded by Ross Scott and Moritz Katzner, has made significant progress in its efforts to address the issue of video game shutdowns. After a long-shot campaign, the group appeared before the European Parliament's committee to present their case, which was met with a largely positive response from the members of parliament. The hearing highlighted the group's reasonable approach, seeking requirements to prevent future game shutdowns rather than demanding eternal online support or retro reactivation. The commission and the relevant committees expressed broad support for the initiative, with the chair of the committees congratulating the speakers on their great work. The mood following the hearing was upbeat, with Katzner describing the experience as "absolutely incredible" and noting the lack of negative responses from the members of parliament. The group sees this as an important first step in the legislative process, and they are optimistic about the momentum gained from the successful hearing.
4. 'It's incredible, like science fiction': How a new wave of immunotherapy is eliminating cancers
Immunotherapy, a treatment that boosts the body's immune system to fight cancer, is transforming cancer care and saving lives. After decades of development, immunotherapies like CAR T-cell therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors are becoming more effective and accessible. While these treatments have limitations, researchers are exploring ways to improve response rates, such as combining immunotherapy with other treatments, personalizing therapy based on a patient's genetic profile, and developing cancer vaccines. The future of cancer care looks promising, with the potential for less invasive and more effective treatments that can put cancer into long-term remission for many patients.
5. Fluoride in drinking water has no negative effect on IQ or cognitive function, study says
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found that fluoride exposure from drinking water during childhood has no impact on IQ in adolescence or adulthood. Researchers from the University of Minnesota, the University of Wisconsin, and the University of Michigan looked at community water fluorination levels in Wisconsin in the 1940s and 1950s and tracked over 10,000 residents' test scores throughout their school years, as well as results from multiple cognitive tests administered between ages 53 and 80. The team found no difference in IQ between those exposed to fluoride in drinking water versus those who were not, contradicting claims linking fluoride in drinking water to low IQ. The study comes as some states have enacted bans on fluoride in public drinking water, despite evidence that fluoride is beneficial for dental health and can prevent cavities, especially for children and adults who may not practice regular dental hygiene.
6. Police were called for a welfare check on a 91 year old woman only to find her playing video games (she was trying to beat her record!)
A 91-year-old woman in Westlake, Ohio, who was part of the city's "Are You Okay?" program, missed several welfare check calls because she was engrossed in trying to beat her video game record. When officers went to check on her, they found her playing video games in her bedroom, unaware of the missed calls. The police were relieved to find the woman safe and sound, and the incident served as a reminder of the importance of the "Are You Okay?" program for Westlake residents.
That's it for last week :)
This newsletter will always be free. If you liked this post you can support me with a small kofi donation here:
Also don’t forget to share this post with your friends.
