– credit Unsplash In what is being called a major milestone in American cancer research and treatment, 5-year survival rates averaged across all cancers have never been higher, with 7-in-10 cancer patients living past 5 years post-diagnosis. This average was pumped up by large survival rate increases in leukemia (20%), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (18%), and ovarian … Read more
Langton Hughes, whose book Not Without Laughter, entered the public domain on Jan 1st 2026 January 1st isn’t just New Years Day; there’s another little holiday wrapped up inside. It’s Public Domain Day: the moment when a year’s worth of literature, music, film, television, pop culture, poetry, and science enters the public domain and becomes … Read more
You won’t find a more literate bunch of 4th graders anywhere in the nation than if you go and stand in a Mississippi elementary school. Over the last few years, the Magnolia state has risen from 49th in the country for 4th grade reading level to number 1 in both reading and math at the … Read more
Walk for Peace Journey – via Instagram A Texas small business owner donated a new car to a group of Buddhist monks crossing America on foot after their previous vehicle was destroyed in a collision. In October, almost 20 Buddhist monks set out from Fort Worth on a 2,300-mile walk toward Washington, DC with a … Read more
Kevin Nazemi interviewing President Clinton – CBS Mornings It was a bold request for an 11 year old. Kevin Nazemi wanted to interview the President of the United States. Kevin didn’t seem to care about his age or that he recently immigrated to America from Iran and his English skills were still developing. The boy, … Read more
Bridge site progress, Nov. 25 – credit, Gordie Howe International Bridge.com 20 years in the making, the Gordie Howe International Bridge is set to open in early 2026, providing the first new link between the US and Canada in many years. The impressive bridge with its graceful bending approaches is reminiscent of the signature ambidexterity … Read more
At 80, Betty became oldest woman to complete a thru-hike of Appalachian Trail -Courtesy of Betty Kellenberger The obstacles and excuses kept blocking Betty Kellenberger’s path, but she never stopped moving forward. Kellenberger, an 80-year-old retired schoolteacher from Carson City, Michigan, became interested in the Appalachian Trail in elementary school when she learned about it … Read more
A modern tatami room – credit, Filiz Elaerts on Unsplash Western admirers of Japanese aesthetic are keeping afloat tatami craftsmen in Japan, where modernity and maintenance requirements are driving down interest in this artisanal form of flooring. From Europe to the US and even in the Middle East, eager importers of tatami mats now account … Read more
Bingham Canyon Mine in Utah, one of the world’s largest mines, and supplier of half of US copper – Eric Prado Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Below the soil of a mining concession in Utah, a recent drill survey has discovered what might be North America’s largest-known deposit of so-called “critical minerals.” Turning up evidence … Read more
Tim with his daughter at their tiny home Village – Courtesy of Veterans Community Project When his 2-year-old daughter Majesty fell into the foster care system, a U.S. Navy veteran faced a significant barrier in his fight to assert custody: He didn’t have a permanent address. At that point, Tim had gotten his life back … Read more