How California Tribes Are Using Traditional Methods to Restore Forests

The Karuk Tribe in California is using traditional burning methods to help restore forests in the Klamath Mountains. The four-year-old project, which is a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and other stakeholders, aims to prevent wildfires and make overgrown forests look more like they did thousands of years ago when the Tribe stewarded them. So far, the project’s successes have been encouraging. The project hopes to make burning a seasonal and sustainable part of ecosystem management.

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Saalumarada Thimmakka's Son Vows To Continue Her Environmental Legacy

Saalumarada Thimmakka may be gone, but her life’s work is far from over. The celebrated Indian environmentalist, who rose to global fame for planting hundreds of trees along a dusty highway in Karnataka, now has someone to carry her mission forward: her adopted son, Umesh B N. “She has achieved a great feat in her lifetime,” Umesh told Deccan Herald. “She has asked me to carry forward her mission and always look after the environment, and that is what I’ll do.” That mission began decades ago, when Thimmakka, with no formal education and no government support, began planting banyan saplings alongside her husband. The couple didn’t have children of their own, but they poured their love into nurturing trees. Today, their efforts have transformed a 45-kilometre stretch between the villages of Hulikal and Kudur into a living green corridor, home to hundreds of mature banyan trees and an entire ecosystem of birds and animals. Veteran environmentalist and retired Indian Forest Service officer Yellapa Reddy first learned of Thimmakka’s work while serving as environment secretary in the early 1990s. He credits Dr Balakrishna Gowda for helping bring her story to light. “He was mighty impressed. He gave me an official report on her, and I had recommended her for the Indira Priyadarshini Award, which she won,” Reddy said. Her legacy, Reddy added, is proof that individual action can ripple outward. “A small gesture is good enough to make a global impact,” he said. “You don’t need to be part of any big organisation or have huge funding. All you need is good intent.” With that intent, Thimmakka created more than a row of trees—she cultivated a refuge for birds, animals, and future generations. She chose species that would help wildlife thrive, a detail that continues to inspire conservationists today. “She was never focused on solely taking care of plants,” said Akshay Heblikar, director of the environmental group Eco Watch. “But also on what species are most essential to aid wildlife and birds. That’s a great outlook to have about environmental conservation.” Her commitment ran deep. B K Singh, retired Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force in Karnataka, recalled just how determined she was to protect her trees. “Watering trees as far as 10 km from her house and protecting them is not an easy task,” he said. “But she has made it possible. She would not hesitate to quarrel with people who damage trees... It requires passion and dedication in an individual, and she has exactly demonstrated it.” Thimmakka received global recognition during her lifetime, including praise from the United Nations and a place in countless environmental textbooks. But for those who knew her, the heart of her story wasn’t fame—it was persistence. A refusal to give up on the land, the animals, or the belief that small actions, done with care, could change the future. Now, that future rests with Umesh, who’s vowed to keep planting, protecting, and teaching—just like his mother.

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Fans Sing Their Way To National Women's Soccer League Finals

When the Washington Spirit and Gotham FC face off in the National Women's Soccer League final on Saturday in San Jose, it won't just be a clash of elite athletes — it'll be a showdown of songbooks. Supporters of both clubs are arriving with more than team scarves and painted faces. They're packing months of preparation in the form of chants, drumbeats, and reworked anthems that have become as central to the NWSL atmosphere as the players themselves. In Washington D.C., the Spirit Squadron has been fine-tuning their game-day repertoire all season. Meredith Bartley, the group’s president, says each chant serves a purpose, from celebrating goals to rallying energy during slower moments. “We have a chant just for when we score,” Bartley said, referencing a raucous cheer set to the tune of “The Animals Went in Two by Two.” Another, more lighthearted one simply proclaims, “You’re my favorite soccer team!” Not all of the chants are purely about the sport. One, shouted in the 51st minute of every match, is a direct nod to local politics. “This season, we’ve started in the 51st minute a ‘Free D.C.’ chant,” Bartley said, referencing the city’s long fight for statehood and local autonomy. That chant took on new urgency after federal authorities deployed troops to the capital during recent protests. Much of the supporters’ energy draws from global soccer traditions. When things get quiet, the Spirit crowd sometimes breaks into a cheeky chant borrowed from English Premier League fans: “Let’s pretend we scored a goal,” they sing, turning dead air into shared laughter. On the other side of the field, Gotham FC fans are bringing their own soundscape, inspired by Manchester United’s adaptation of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” But this version has a twist. “To use ‘Country Roads’ was actually my idea,” said Marge Liguori, who leads Cloud 9, one of Gotham’s largest supporters’ groups. A Manchester United fan herself, Liguori helped rework the song into “Gotham Roads,” a tribute to both the club and the tri-state region. For her, the lyrics hit a deeper note. “I think that’s what we find in our arena and in our community with our team,” she said. “A sense of home.” That sense of belonging is what makes these chants stick. It’s not just about noise — it’s about identity. “Really, the team is more of just a metaphor for the community,” said Max Jack, an ethnomusicologist and anthropologist at Indiana University. Jack studies how music shapes collective experiences at sports events. “It creates a sense of stranger intimacy that is incredibly deep and fulfilling,” he said. “It offers something that most people won’t access in their day-to-day life.” That intimacy can be felt not just between fans, but between fans and players too. After Gotham FC’s championship win in 2023, defender Mandy Freeman walked toward the stands. Supporters serenaded her. She cried, hugged fans across the railings, and stood there soaking it in. Moments like that are part of what drives the players. “When we hear them chanting, we know that they are at our backs pushing us to victory,” said Jeff Greer, Gotham FC’s vice president of communications. In Washington, it’s the same story. “Our players regularly credit ‘Rowdy Audi’ for being the 12th player on the field,” said Ben Kessler, communications director for the Spirit. “And a lot of that is because of how creative their chants and cheers are.” As the final kicks off, the scoreboard will tell part of the story. But in the stands, the voices will tell the rest.

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Retired Maryland Officer Turns From Fighting Crime To Doing Free Laundry For The Homeless

In Frederick, Maryland, a retired police officer has found a new way to serve his community — by doing laundry. Wade Milyard, 45, used to work as a canine officer with the Frederick Police Department. These days, he spends his time driving around in a converted bus packed with washing machines, offering clean clothes to people experiencing homelessness — free of charge. "This is just something that they don't have, you know?" he told CBS News. The idea for what’s now called Fresh Step Laundry came to him in 2024, months before his retirement. Milyard had responded to a domestic dispute at a local homeless camp when, as he puts it, a voice told him to "ask them about their laundry." He did — and the couple told him they washed their clothes in a nearby creek. "I just kind of took it from there," Milyard said. Using a combination of personal savings and donations, he built out the bus himself and launched the mobile laundry service. He now does dozens of loads a week, helping people get clean and feel human again. "If you're clean, you just feel better," said Chris Washington, one of the people who relies on the service. "You feel a little bit more proud of yourself." Milyard agrees. "That’s the thing — you’re doing it to maybe give them a little bit of boost," he said. The work isn’t glamorous, but he says that doesn’t matter. "If having clean clothes can help them just a little bit, then my mission is fulfilled."

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Kids Reunite With Firefighters Who Rescued Them From an Elevator

Two young cousins trapped in an elevator for three hours got the chance to thank the firefighters who rescued them in an emotional reunion on Thursday in Atlanta. Johnny Jones and his cousin Malai Moore had been heading down to get lunch at Peachtree Center, a busy office and shopping complex in downtown Atlanta, when the elevator suddenly stopped between floors. "We were going down to get lunch. Suddenly the elevator stopped and we were confused," Moore recalled. "I didn’t know what was going to happen." Inside the stalled elevator, the kids tried every button, but nothing worked. "We called my auntie and his stepdad. They called the firefighters," said Jones. While they waited, his stepdad tried to reassure them. "He said they were coming to get you guys and they’re coming down from the steps on the roof." Moore said the hardest part was not knowing how long they’d be stuck. "I didn’t know how long we were going to be stuck in there and if they were going to be able to get us out," she said. According to Battalion Chief Lem Mullins, the rescue wasn’t simple. Once the crew figured out where the elevator had stopped, they had to build a custom rope system to reach the children. "We had to build a rope system to actually go on top and send one person down," Mullins explained. "We were able to see exactly where they were located and used the equipment that we actually needed and sent a rescuer down." Jones admitted he was scared at first. "But then I became brave as we were coming up," he said. Once out, he added, "I’m thanking God it was over." Asked whether he’d ever ride that elevator again, Jones hesitated, then said, "In that elevator? Maybe. If it’s fixed."

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Justin Bieber Stopped to Help a Stranded Driver, but the Real Impact Was Personal

Sometimes, life throws unexpected challenges our way. A man found himself on the side of a busy road with a broken-down car, feeling at his wit's end. In a twist of fate, pop superstar Justin Bieber happened to spot him and decided to lend a helping hand. The incident was captured in a video that has since gone viral. The stranded man is seen venting about his struggles and expressing frustration over trying to make it in a new city. His red car sat idle on the shoulder with its hood open, as vehicles sped by. Details about the location and timing remain unclear, though the video surfaced online six days ago. As if straight out of a movie scene, Bieber pulled over upon noticing the distressed motorist. The man couldn't believe his eyes when he realized who had come to assist him. "I think Justin Bieber just stopped to help me," he exclaimed in amazement. Approaching the vehicle, Bieber confirmed his identity when asked, introducing himself before exchanging pleasantries with the man. The two expressed mutual appreciation by saying "I love you" and shared a hug. Bieber then inquired about the car's issues while the man began explaining his predicament: "My life is f*****." At this point, the recording cut off but what followed left an indelible impact on the stranded driver. The encounter left him in shock yet grateful for Bieber's gesture of kindness. He later thanked the singer for providing "prayer and good energy" during such a trying moment. For many fans and onlookers alike, this small act of goodwill resonated deeply—showcasing that empathy can emerge even from those least expected amidst everyday chaos.

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World's Oldest Pygmy Hippo in Managed Care Celebrates 52nd Birthday

The world’s oldest living pygmy hippo in managed care proved that age is just a number as she celebrated her 52nd birthday at the San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center. The San Diego Humane Society said that Hannah Shirley the pygmy hippo marked the occasion with a “Hungry Hungry Hippos–themed party complete with floating fruit treats and colorful decorations.” Hannah Shirley was rescued from a private backyard in Escondido in 2002, and has been living her best life ever since. “Her days are filled with spa-like back rubs, sprinkler showers and carefully prepared meals that support her advanced age,” the San Diego Humane Society said.

Startups Create Drinkable Water... From Air

n the Star Wars universe, moisture vaporators dot the desert landscape of Tatooine, extracting life-saving water from thin air. It might sound like science fiction, but that technology is already a reality here on Earth — and it’s helping communities with no reliable access to safe drinking water. At the heart of this effort are atmospheric water generators (AWGs), machines that condense water vapor in the air and purify it for human use. As freshwater supplies dwindle and extreme heat fuels global drought, companies and social enterprises are racing to deploy these systems, from high-tech homes in the U.S. to remote communities in Australia. “This reality is here. We’re already making that happen,” says Brian Sheng, co-founder of Aquaria Technologies, a U.S.-based company producing compact AWG units for household use. Aquaria’s machines, like its Hydropixel model, can generate up to 10 gallons of drinking water per day by pulling in air, cooling it to extract moisture, and filtering the resulting water. The larger home-scale units can produce up to 200 gallons daily — enough to cover the average American’s needs, according to EPA estimates. But that water doesn’t come cheap. The Hydropixel costs around $3,800. To make it more accessible, Aquaria offers payment plans and allows homeowners to connect units to solar panels to reduce energy costs. In Australia, where an estimated 2 million people lack access to safe water, Shannon Lemanski has taken the same idea and turned it into a mission. After seeing people in Papua New Guinea reusing plastic bottles to collect rainwater instead of drinking from contaminated creeks, the former army officer co-founded Aqua Ubique in 2023. His company leases AWG water coolers to offices, and for every five leased, one is donated to a community in need through their Drop 4 Drop program. “Returning to Australia, I discovered the issue wasn’t restricted to PNG,” he says. One such community is Cherbourg, a First Nations town in Queensland that faced a nine-month boil water alert in 2024 due to E. coli contamination. The distrust in local tap water runs so deep, Lemanski says, “it’s not uncommon to see babies drinking Coke from bottles because soft drink is cheaper than bottled water at the only store.” In May 2025, Aqua Ubique installed two AWG units in Cherbourg — one at a daycare and another at an elders village. Dozens of children and seniors now have access to safe drinking water, straight from the air. In the U.S., the Moses West Foundation is doing the same on a larger scale. The organization’s founder, a former Army Ranger turned engineer, built and patented industrial-scale AWGs capable of supplying water to thousands. When Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017, Moses West deployed a massive unit that operated for six months, providing free water to 15,000 families. “We saved the island about $300 million in bottled water costs,” said Colin Hultz, the foundation’s chief business officer. The units are portable, solar-compatible, and effective in disaster zones or remote communities with no grid access. Still, both Hultz and Lemanski caution that AWGs are not a silver bullet. Their output depends on local climate — warmer, more humid areas yield more water. In cold or arid regions, production drops, making them best suited as part of a broader system that includes rainwater harvesting, desalination, or greywater reuse. “The hybrid approach is where AWGs really shine,” Lemanski says. “Safe drinking water, complemented by other sources for washing, irrigation and bulk use.” Perhaps the biggest challenge isn’t technology — it’s awareness. “It’s frustrating sitting there with a real solution people still haven’t picked up on,” Hultz says. “Water scarcity is increasing. The best time to have started to use AWGs was yesterday — the second-best time is today.” On a planet where only 2.5 percent of water is freshwater, and even less is readily accessible, solutions that once seemed sci-fi are becoming increasingly essential. Whether it’s a remote village or a drought-stricken city, AWGs offer a powerful reminder that the water we need is already all around us — we just need to catch it.

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Alabama Man Sends Apology Check After Mistaking Canadian Burger Joint for Local Eatery

A Nova Scotia couple running a local burger truck was stunned to receive an unexpected letter — and $40 cash — from a complete stranger more than 1,600 kilometers away in Alabama. Darcy and Laura Clarke, owners of Bentley’s Burgers and Fries in West Chezzetcook, were left “gobsmacked” after the handwritten apology showed up in their mailbox. The note came from a man in Alabama who had unknowingly placed a takeout order with the wrong Bentley’s — theirs — thinking it was a local joint in his own state. Darcy had taken the order over the phone on October 1 and noticed the caller had a southern accent, but thought nothing of it. “No big deal because we get tourists coming through all the time,” he told CBC’s As It Happens. But after an hour passed and no one came to collect the two burgers, staff gave them away and chalked it up to a no-show. What they didn’t expect was the letter that arrived a week later. “I was unable to pick up the food because I live in Alabama,” the note read. “Obviously I called the wrong restaurant. I hope that the amount enclosed is enough to cover the cost of my embarrassing mistake.” Tucked inside the envelope was $40 in cash — double the cost of the original order — along with the writer’s sincere apology. Instead of sending an email or simply moving on, the Alabama man chose a thoughtful, old-fashioned way to make things right. “My jaw hit the floor,” Darcy said. “Hope for humanity yet.” The Clarkes posted a photo of the letter on their food truck’s Facebook page, where it quickly gained traction, racking up more than 80,000 views and hundreds of comments praising the writer’s honesty. Many called the gesture “heartwarming” and “proof there’s still good in the world.” Despite the mix-up, there’s no connection between the Bentley’s in Alabama and the Clarkes’ truck — which they named after their dog and opened three years ago. It was just a case of two businesses sharing a name and one kindhearted customer determined to do the right thing. In a follow-up post, the Clarkes shared that they’d prepared a Christmas gift box to send back to the man in Alabama, complete with their house-made fry seasoning and some Bentley’s swag to say thank you. It’s a small mix-up that turned into something much bigger — a moment of generosity, humility, and cross-border kindness that struck a chord with thousands.

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Workers Used These Clever Tactics To Rescue a Kitten at a Waste Facility

Staff at a massive waste processing plant in Gloucestershire pulled off a clever and heartwarming rescue — by playing kitten sounds over the loudspeakers to help lure a real kitten to safety. The tortoiseshell kitten, now named Callie, was spotted darting around the tipping hall at the Gloucestershire Energy from Waste Facility, a huge recycling and incineration site near the M5 motorway at Javelin Park. Unsure where she was hiding, workers got creative. They blasted recorded kitten noises through the loudspeakers in that part of the facility and cleared a safe path to guide her out. The plan worked — she eventually made her way into the reception area, where she was safely contained. After a trip to the vet confirmed she was healthy, staff put out a social media appeal to locate her owners. When no one came forward, one of the facility’s employees and his partner stepped in and adopted her. “We're glad to hear she is doing well in a very comfy home,” said Rob Hayward, general manager at the site. “We don’t expect to find kittens at our facility, but due to our vigilant processes and procedures we were able to spot and rescue the cat.” The facility, which opened in 2019 at a cost of £600 million, handles around 190,000 tonnes of non-recyclable household waste each year. But this week, among the mountains of rubbish, it also found a new feline resident — and gave her a fresh start.

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Mural Transforms 94-Year-Old's Home Into a "Dream Garden"

Muriel Baker never let go of her love for gardens — even if she can’t tend one herself anymore. The 94-year-old, who lives in the village of Meare near Glastonbury in Somerset, now enjoys a vibrant garden full of flowers, birds, and butterflies — all without ever lifting a trowel. It’s not in her backyard, but on the side of her house, thanks to a mural painted by local artist Jon Minshull. “I've not got any garden myself, I can't do any gardening,” she told BBC Radio Somerset. “And I thought, wouldn't it be nice to have a garden on the wall?” That idea became reality with a sprawling countryside scene that now covers her wall, bringing colour and life to her home for a cost of £2,000. It’s her second mural — and it’s been turning heads. “I've had a lot of people come and look at it and they really enjoy it,” she said. “It attracts people from all over.” For Baker, the mural isn’t just decoration. It’s a way to reconnect with something she misses. “It lets me feel as though I'm sitting in a garden while enjoying a coffee or tea,” she said. And best of all, she adds, it’s a garden she “doesn't need to look after.” The artist behind the work, Jon Minshull, is no stranger to large-scale public art. He’s painted nearly 30 murals across the area — including one of a giant giraffe. “That one required four stages of scaffolding,” he said. A house-sized mural like Baker’s typically takes him about a week to finish. Another wall of her house features one of Minshull’s earlier works: a detailed farmhouse scene, adding another layer of charm to her home. Thanks to some paint, vision, and a bit of scaffolding, one woman’s dream of a garden — low-maintenance and full of life — now welcomes visitors from near and far.

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