Remembering Jean Kuczka, The Hero Teacher Who Gave Her Own Life to Protect Her Students

Jean Kuczka was a physical education teacher at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School who was killed on Monday after risking her life to save her students. When a gunman entered Jean's classroom, she didn't hesitate to put herself between him and her students. Jean is remembered by her family and students as a passionate and loving educator who was always encouraging her students to make a positive difference.

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Good News You Might Have Missed This Week

It’s been a big week for good news around the world — from billionaires quietly giving away fortunes to kids dodging peanut allergies and sea turtles escaping fishing nets. Here are the standout stories worth celebrating. MacKenzie Scott’s silent giving spree keeps breaking records Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has cut her stake in Amazon by 42% in the last year — offloading about $12.6 billion worth of stock — while continuing her habit of quietly giving away massive sums. Scott, who signed the Giving Pledge in 2020, has now donated more than $19 billion to over 2,000 nonprofits. Her gifts are unrestricted, which means recipients can spend the money however they believe it will help most. Just in recent months, she’s donated $42 million to help low-income students access college, $70 million to HBCU scholarships, and $50 million to scholarships for Native students. From fishing nets to 3D printers — and sunglasses On the coast of Cornwall, UK fisherman Ian Falconer was tired of seeing discarded nylon fishing nets piling up and harming marine life. So he invented a better way. Using a recycling method he developed in his kitchen, Falconer now turns these nets into plastic pellets used in 3D printing. His startup, OrCA, has already raised over £1 million and is producing items like eyeglasses and razor handles — all with a fraction of the carbon impact of creating new plastic. A heat-sensing patch could save outdoor workers' lives Roxana Chicas, a nurse and scientist who immigrated from El Salvador, has designed a wearable patch to protect people who work outdoors. The biopatch monitors hydration, skin temperature, oxygen levels, and more — using AI to detect early signs of heat strain. Chicas developed the idea after hearing about the conditions her family members faced in construction and landscaping. The patch could help prevent life-threatening situations by alerting workers to seek help before symptoms become severe. Volunteers charter a rescue flight for dogs left behind in Alaska flood After a typhoon caused massive flooding in parts of Alaska, hundreds of residents were forced to evacuate — but military evacuation flights didn’t allow pets. That left up to 100 dogs stranded in remote villages. A local nonprofit, Bethel Friends of Canines, stepped in, chartering a private plane to save the animals. With $22,000 raised in donations, they’ve already reunited several dogs with their owners and continue to care for the rest. Bon Jovi’s Soul Kitchen serves free meals to furloughed federal workers In response to the latest U.S. government shutdown, Jon Bon Jovi’s pay-it-forward restaurant, JBJ Soul Kitchen, is now offering free three-course meals to federal workers in need. With roughly 1.4 million government employees affected, including tens of thousands in New Jersey, the restaurant’s gesture is more than symbolic. It’s also not the first time: the Bongiovis did the same thing back in 2019. A 3D-printed bridge inspired by bones traps more CO₂ than regular concrete A new 3D-printed bridge designed using the internal structure of human bones is drawing attention for more than just its architecture. The bridge, built using a special formula of concrete, absorbs 142% more carbon dioxide than conventional versions. FarmVille returns — and this time it’s helping endangered animals Yes, that FarmVille. The digital farming game, once a Facebook staple, has been revived — and it now partners with real-world conservation efforts. In-game actions now help fund actual conservation programs, including those protecting endangered species. Peanut allergies in kids are down, thanks to early exposure guidelines A major public health shift is paying off. Since 2015, doctors have advised parents to introduce peanut products to babies early — as young as 4 months — to help prevent allergies. Now, researchers estimate that around 60,000 children have avoided developing peanut allergies as a result. The Savannah Bananas revive the legendary Indianapolis Clowns The Savannah Bananas — baseball’s showmen known for their trick plays and showmanship — have revived a piece of history. They’ve partnered with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to bring back the Indianapolis Clowns, known as the “Harlem Globetrotters of baseball.” Before he became an MLB legend, Hank Aaron got his start with the Clowns. Their legacy is now being introduced to new generations of fans through Banana Ball. And there’s more: • Scientists in the UK successfully transplanted a kidney modified to be blood type O — a universal donor — into a human. • A vintage otter T-shirt worn by Taylor Swift helped raise $2 million for ocean conservation. • North Atlantic right whale numbers rose for the first time in years, sparking cautious optimism among scientists. • The U.K. approved its biggest solar farm yet, which will power 300,000 homes. • Oregon became the first U.S. state verified as an “accessible travel” destination. • A new robotic fish eats plastic pollution and uses it as fuel to keep swimming. • A new law in California boosts fire safety standards for grid battery installations. • A U.S. developer is building housing for 2,000 Ukrainians displaced by war. • A 1960s motel in Atlanta was converted into affordable housing honoring civil rights leaders. • Austria is turning transmission towers into public art — massive sculptures of animals. • Scientists found a way to grow leather from living cow cells — and the cow is still alive. • A new wetsuit design offers real protection from shark bites. • The Boy Scouts introduced AI and cybersecurity merit badges. • Public Montessori programs showed strong results for early learning at lower cost. • A “Think Like a Scientist” program is inspiring incarcerated people to pursue higher education. • Billionaires in Houston pledged 95% of their $11 billion fortune to local charities. • Chappell Roan’s new LGBTQ+ initiative raised $400,000 for youth organizations. • A new statue outside a London hospital honors postpartum mothers. And in case you missed it: Even though many people feel the world is getting worse, most are still optimistic that their own lives will get better. In study after study, hope proves stubborn — and that’s something worth holding onto.

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What Makes a “Super Ager” Brain Different? New Study Reveals Key Clues

**What makes a “superager” brain different? New study reveals key clues** A rare group of older adults known as "superagers" are challenging the common assumption that cognitive decline is an inevitable part of aging. These individuals, well into their 80s and beyond, maintain memory abilities comparable to people in their 50s — and now, after 25 years of study, researchers are beginning to understand why. “It’s really what we’ve found in their brains that’s been so earth-shattering for us,” said Sandra Weintraub, a clinical neuropsychologist at Northwestern University. Weintraub and her colleagues have spent more than two decades studying nearly 300 people aged 80 and older. Through long-term observation and post-mortem brain donations from 79 participants, the team uncovered a distinct neurological profile that sets superagers apart. One of the most striking findings: superagers’ brains are remarkably resistant to the buildup of plaques and tangles associated with Alzheimer’s disease. These are the protein clumps that typically accumulate in aging brains and are closely linked to cognitive decline. But that’s not all. Superagers also show less inflammation in their brain’s white matter, retain more thickness in key outer brain layers, and have a higher concentration of specific types of neurons in critical brain regions. In particular, the study points to two biological mechanisms at play: resistance and resilience. “One is resistance: they don’t make the plaques and tangles. Two is resilience: they make them, but they don’t do anything to their brains,” Weintraub said. Cells called entorhinal neurons — which help relay information to the hippocampus, the brain’s memory center — were found to be larger in superagers. That may play a role in how their brains process and retain information so effectively. The team also identified a higher density of von Economo neurons in superagers, particularly in a part of the brain called the anterior cingulate gyrus. This region is involved in attention, emotion, and decision-making, and it tends to shrink with age in most people. Not so for superagers — theirs remained thicker, even when compared to much younger adults. To qualify as a superager in the study, participants had to remember at least nine words from a list of 15 — a performance typical of someone in their 50s. Fewer than 5 percent of people tested reached that level. Interestingly, superagers didn’t necessarily follow healthier lifestyles. Some smoked or drank alcohol regularly, suggesting that biology — not just behavior — plays a big role in their cognitive strength. One trait many of them did share, however, was high extroversion. Whether that’s a contributing factor or simply a common personality feature remains unclear. “Many of the findings from this paper stem from the examination of brain specimens of generous, dedicated superagers who were followed for decades,” said Tamar Gefen, another neuropsychologist at Northwestern. The research, published in the journal *Alzheimer’s & Dementia*, adds to a growing body of evidence that the aging brain is more malleable and diverse than once believed. It also opens up potential new pathways for Alzheimer’s research and brain health. The team is now investigating specific genes that could influence cognitive longevity. If scientists can pinpoint the genetic switches that keep superager brains functioning so well, it may be possible to develop therapies that mimic those effects in the wider population. The findings not only redefine what's possible in old age — they offer hope for a future where mental sharpness doesn’t have to fade with time.

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Rescued as a Newborn, ‘Little Miss Walrus’ Finds Her Forever Family — and a Second Chance at Life

When a baby walrus was found stranded and alone on a remote Alaskan beach in July 2024, she was barely a week old and near death. Severely dehydrated, underweight, and covered in puncture wounds, she had little chance of surviving on her own. Locals in Utqiagvik, Alaska — the northernmost town in the US — quickly alerted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who coordinated her emergency rescue. She was flown to the Alaska SeaLife Center, the only facility in the state authorized to care for live-stranded marine mammals. No one knew if she would make it through the night. But months later, after nonstop care and a team of veterinarians flying in from across the country, that fragile calf has made a full transformation. She now has a name, Ukiaq — which means “autumn” in the Iñupiaq language — and a permanent home at SeaWorld Orlando, surrounded by a new walrus family. “As just the eleventh orphaned Pacific walrus calf to come through our doors since our opening 25 years ago, we recognize how incredibly special she is,” said Dr. Wei Ying Wong, President and CEO of the Alaska SeaLife Center. “Success stories like Ukiaq is what inspires us.” Ukiaq, affectionately called “Uki” by staff, arrived at the center in rough shape. Experts believe she had either been separated from her herd or moved inland by humans before trying to escape. Either way, by the time she was found, she was in critical condition. Responders wasted no time. Veterinarians from the Indianapolis Zoo, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, and SeaWorld Orlando flew to Alaska to assist in her care. For months, they worked in shifts around the clock to rehydrate, feed, and heal her. It worked. Slowly, Uki regained her strength, began socializing, and even learned to backflip into her pool — a favorite move that made her an instant star when PBS Newshour visited the center during her recovery. Their segment, Walrus: Life on Thin Ice, captured her transformation one month in, from “a shaking leaf of trauma” to a confident, curious calf. Due to her early reliance on human feeding and care, Uki can’t be reintroduced into the wild. But she hasn’t been alone for long. She now lives at SeaWorld Orlando, alongside some of the same veterinarians who helped save her life. She’s part of a new walrus group that includes Garfield, Kora, and her surrogate mother, Kaboodle. “Her story of survival is a testament to the importance of partnerships and rapid response in wildlife rescue,” said Dr. Claire Erlacher-Reid, a senior vet at SeaWorld Orlando who was part of the original rescue team. “And we are committed to providing her with the highest level of care as she continues her journey here.” For the Alaska SeaLife Center, Ukiaq’s story is a rare one. In 25 years, only ten other orphaned Pacific walrus calves have come through their doors. Most never get a second chance. That’s part of why Ukiaq’s name — meaning “autumn,” the season of change — feels so fitting. What started as a story of abandonment has become one of belonging. From near-death on a beach to backflipping into a pool, she now has a herd of her own.

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Scientists Develop Breakthrough Treatment That Kills Cancer Cells With Light

A team of US researchers has developed a new light-based cancer treatment that could one day offer a gentler, less invasive alternative to chemotherapy and radiotherapy — using something as simple as an LED. Their technique, tested in lab studies, uses near-infrared LED light combined with microscopic flakes of tin oxide, or SnOx nanoflakes, to kill cancer cells while sparing healthy ones. In early results, it destroyed up to 92 percent of skin cancer cells within half an hour, without damaging surrounding tissue. The approach builds on a growing body of research into photothermal therapy — a treatment that uses light to heat and destroy tumors. But unlike traditional versions that rely on powerful and expensive lasers, this method swaps them out for affordable, portable LEDs. The real breakthrough, researchers say, is how they’ve engineered the nanoflakes to absorb light efficiently and convert it into heat. That heat is then used to destroy cancer cells from the inside out. “We’re seeing extremely high selectivity,” the team said in a summary of the research. “Healthy human skin cells were unaffected.” Photothermal therapy isn’t new, but previous versions often lacked precision and came with side effects. Lasers can penetrate deep into tissue but can also burn or damage healthy areas. They require specialized facilities and are rarely used outside major hospitals. LEDs, by contrast, emit a gentler, broader spectrum of light. They’re safer, cheaper and easier to use — which could make this kind of cancer treatment far more accessible. In practice, the system would work like this: patients would receive the SnOx nanoflakes, which naturally seek out and attach to cancer cells. Then, a small LED device — even something as simple as a patch — could be applied to the skin. The LED light activates the nanoflakes, heating them up just enough to rupture cancer cells, leaving healthy tissue intact. This makes it particularly promising for surface-level cancers like melanoma or basal cell carcinoma. After surgical removal, doctors could use LED therapy to target any cancer cells left behind, reducing the chance of recurrence — all without drugs or additional hospital stays. What makes the tin oxide nanoflakes special is how they’re made. Researchers started with tin disulfide, a compound often used in electronics, and converted it into oxygenated tin oxide. That transformation significantly improves its ability to absorb near-infrared light, making it a better “heater” under LED exposure. And because the process uses water-based, non-toxic methods, it’s safe, low-cost, and scalable. The team believes this kind of system could one day be used in outpatient clinics — or even at home. They’re also exploring how it might work in combination with other cancer treatments. Heating up tumor cells makes them more vulnerable to immunotherapy or targeted drugs. It also appears to trigger immune responses that help the body fight off cancer more effectively. “This opens the door to combination therapies,” the researchers said. There’s still a long way to go. So far, the treatment has only been tested in lab conditions. Human trials are years away. But the early results are promising enough that researchers are now experimenting with how the nanoflakes behave under different wavelengths of light, how long the exposure should be, and whether similar materials could be used to reach deeper cancers, like breast or colorectal tumors. They’re even looking into implantable devices that could deliver ongoing photothermal treatment from inside the body. But perhaps the most exciting part is how accessible this could be. LED technology is already cheap and widespread. With a treatment like this, doctors in low-resource regions — or even patients at home — could someday fight early-stage cancers without relying on complex hospital infrastructure. That accessibility, combined with the treatment’s safety profile, could change the game. Unlike chemo, which affects the whole body, or radiation, which can scar and fatigue healthy tissue, this method affects only what it touches. There’s no systemic toxicity, no immune suppression, and far fewer side effects. Cancer cells also tend to be more sensitive to heat than healthy ones. Their fast-growing nature and chaotic metabolism make them vulnerable to thermal stress, meaning even small increases in heat can cause them to break down. The result is a precise, targeted attack — one that doesn’t come at the cost of damaging the rest of the body. The next step will be moving from lab to clinic. But the idea is clear: a future where cancer treatment is simpler, safer, and maybe even as easy as turning on a light.

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Edinburgh Zoo Shares Incredible Video of Giraffe Anesthesia Procedure

Edinburgh Zoo released some fascinating footage showing just how much work goes into anesthetizing a giraffe. The video on X captures the process of examining Gilbert, a giraffe with mysterious swelling on his face. The animal-care team at the zoo put in some serious effort to keep things running smoothly. They massaged Gilbert's long legs and used elastic bands to promote blood flow during the procedure, according to a comment from the zoo under their post. After the examination, the team carefully folded his legs and guided him into a seated position before quickly exiting the enclosure. It was no small feat and took weeks of planning and coordination by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), as stated in the zoo’s press release. Despite all this effort, they didn't find out what caused Gilbert's facial swelling. However, vet Harry Winrow offered an interesting thought; he suggested lifestyle might be to blame since Gilbert “quickly refilled his cheek pouch with food right after it was emptied!” Gilbert thankfully made a full recovery after the procedure.

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Colorado Deputies Just Rescued This Deer That Got Stuck in a Tomato Cage

Animal control officers in Colorado responded to a unique call when homeowners spotted a doe stuck in a structure that had been supporting their tomato plants. According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, an adult female mule deer had “decided to explore the latest in suburban fashion: a 4-panel wire tomato tower” and found herself trapped in the metal garden structure, trying to flee from officers with it still around her neck. Officers managed to carefully free her from the trellis before she got too far, “hopefully to rethink her gardening decisions,” the sheriff’s office said on Facebook. They added: “Reminder: Tomato towers are for tomatoes, not deer couture. Secure your garden gear and call us if animals need help.” Body-worn camera footage shows Officers McMullen and Bennett responding to the scene in Littleton, south of Denver, on September 15. High-fiving each other after the exhausting work of chasing down and freeing the deer, one officer is heard telling the other, “We don’t need deputies!”

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This Teenager is Being Hailed as a Hero After Pulling His Neighbor from a Burning Home in Pennsylvania

A 15-year-old boy from North Braddock, Pennsylvania is being celebrated as a hometown hero after rescuing his elderly neighbor from a house fire. Xaiveyon McMillan Taylor had just stepped off his school bus when he heard screams nearby. Without hesitation, he ran toward the sound — and found his neighbor’s home on fire. The woman, known in the community as “Ms. Evelyn,” is in her 80s and has dementia. “She’s everybody’s family. Everybody’s grandmother,” said Xaiveyon’s mother, Tallula Thompson, in an interview with KDKA. Thompson said her son, who is autistic, didn’t panic. “He’s very intelligent, but he’s never experienced anything like this before. So, he tried to put it out, and when he couldn’t, he pulled her out of the house.” “When I got to the kitchen, I saw the engulfing flames,” Xaiveyon told the station. “They were small, and I was like, ‘Oh my God.’ I had to grab her by the hand and pull her out.” Neighbors say Ms. Evelyn tried to go back inside several times before finally being convinced to stay out. Her home was a total loss, but thanks to Xaiveyon’s quick actions, she made it out safely. “Evelyn threw her arms around him and thanked him so graciously for saving her,” said neighbor Tracy Musilek. “Xaiveyon is our hero.” The teen admitted he was “a bit” scared, but said he feels like a hero because he got to “help other people.” His mother agreed. “I’m very proud of what he’s done,” Thompson said. “Who knows, if she didn’t call him up there, she might have still been in there trying to do it herself — and we might have lost her.”

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Scientists Discover Life's Building Blocks Frozen Beyond The Milky Way

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have made a major discovery: the frozen ingredients for life—complex organic molecules—have been detected in another galaxy for the first time. Led by Marta Sewiło of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and the University of Maryland, a team of researchers identified several prebiotic compounds trapped in ice around a young star in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a dwarf galaxy located about 160,000 light-years from Earth. Among the molecules found were ethanol, acetaldehyde, and methyl formate—each detected in ice form for the first time beyond the Milky Way. The team also identified acetic acid, a key compound that, until now, had never been conclusively spotted in ice anywhere in space. “With this discovery,” Sewiło said, “we've made significant advancements in understanding how complex chemistry emerges in the Universe and opening new possibilities for research into how life came to be.” These molecules, known as complex organic molecules or COMs, are significant because they serve as precursors to life-forming compounds such as amino acids and nucleobases. COMs contain at least six atoms, including at least one carbon atom, and are considered essential ingredients in the chemistry that may one day lead to life. Finding them outside the Milky Way is not just a novelty—it’s a sign that the conditions needed to form life’s basic building blocks exist in vastly different parts of the Universe. The star at the center of the study is known as ST6. It’s located in a region of the LMC called N158, near the well-known Tarantula Nebula. Using JWST’s mid-infrared capabilities, the team examined the light passing through the icy material surrounding ST6 and searched for patterns that matched known molecular fingerprints. Each molecule absorbs light at specific wavelengths, leaving distinct imprints on the light spectrum. By comparing those patterns with lab-based databases, the team was able to identify the molecular mix within the ice. The data revealed methanol, ethanol, acetaldehyde, methyl formate, and acetic acid, confirming that these compounds form not only in our metal-rich, dust-heavy galaxy but also in harsher, less forgiving environments like the LMC. That’s especially intriguing because the LMC is different from the Milky Way in several key ways. It has only about a third to half the abundance of heavy elements—what astronomers call “metals”—and far less dust. It also has intense star formation activity, which bathes its clouds in high levels of ultraviolet radiation. Despite those challenges, grain-surface chemistry—the process believed to create these complex molecules—is still active. In this process, tiny dust particles in space become coated in ice. Within that ice, atoms and simple molecules can move and interact, forming more complex compounds when energized by cosmic radiation. Until now, acetic acid had only been detected in vapor form in space. Seeing it frozen supports earlier models that predicted it would form on ice-coated dust grains and play a role in assembling life’s precursors. The findings also raise broader questions. Is ST6 unique, or are such chemical reactions widespread across the LMC? To find out, the team plans to look at more young stars in the dwarf galaxy to see if the same molecular patterns appear elsewhere. “We currently only have one source in the Large Magellanic Cloud and only four sources with detection of these complex organic molecules in ices in the Milky Way,” Sewiło said. “We need larger samples from both to confirm our initial results that indicate differences in COM abundances between these two galaxies.” If those patterns hold, the implications could be vast: life’s building blocks may not just be common in our galaxy—they could be a universal feature of star and planet formation, even in places with very different chemistry. The research was published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

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Columbus Zoo Welcomes Second Asian Elephant Calf This Year

For the first time in its nearly 100-year history, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has welcomed a second baby elephant in a single calendar year — and zoo officials are calling it a major win for conservation. Late Tuesday night, 38-year-old Phoebe gave birth to a 222-pound (100-kilogram) male Asian elephant calf at 10:41 p.m. The zoo says both mother and baby are doing well, though they’re not yet on public display. For now, they’ll remain behind the scenes to allow for uninterrupted bonding time and close monitoring by the zoo’s animal care and conservation medicine teams. Staff will watch as the calf begins to stand, nurse, and get used to his surroundings in these first critical days. The newborn’s father, Sabu, lives at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. His pairing with Phoebe was part of a nationwide effort to support healthy, genetically diverse populations of endangered species, including Asian elephants, in professional care. Although conservation efforts have made some progress in protecting wild Asian elephants, they remain endangered due to ongoing habitat loss and limited genetic diversity. This latest birth adds to Phoebe’s growing family, which already includes three other offspring — two females and one male. One of them, 16-year-old Sunny, gave birth to her own calf, Rita Jean, just four months ago. With two calves born in the same year, the zoo is celebrating a rare and hopeful milestone for a species facing serious threats in the wild. The Columbus Zoo says it will continue to share updates about the new baby, including when the public can meet him and what his name will be. Until then, all eyes are on mom and baby as they begin their journey together.

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Local Boys Hailed As Heroes After Foiling Burglary At Ice Cream Shop

Just weeks after opening Aunt Jamie’s Frozen Custard & Waffles in St. Louis, Aaron Roesch has already built a tight bond with the local kids — a bond that may have saved his shop from a break-in. One afternoon, regular customers Adonis, 9, and 10-year-old Jayceon “JC” walked over hoping to grab a treat. But something felt off. “We came out here to try to buy some ice cream, and his window was just shattered,” Adonis told Fox 2. “So we just started hearing noise, and I said, ‘Who’s in here?’” The boys spotted a broken window and realized someone was inside. They tried calling Aaron but couldn’t reach him — so Adonis did the next best thing: he called the police. The boys waited nearby, keeping an eye on the situation until officers arrived and arrested the suspect. No one was hurt, and thanks to their quick thinking, nothing else was taken or damaged. “If I didn’t have a friendship with these kids, that guy would have walked away scot-free,” Aaron said. For JC, it was personal. “I don’t know why people do this to him… he is a nice guy, he shouldn’t be treated how people treat him,” he said. The story quickly gained traction online, with dozens of viewers praising the boys’ courage and the parenting behind it. “Awesome job boys, stepping up and doing the right thing,” one commenter wrote. “Good to know there are parents still trying to bring their children up right.” Another added: “I hope the police made sure the boys got their ice cream. Heroes they are!” Aaron agrees. His shop may serve waffles and frozen custard, but its heart is in the relationships being built — and protected — one scoop at a time.

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