This Mom's Amazing Quest to Rescue Her Son's Pet Frog Has Made Her an Internet Star

A mom's unwavering dedication to rescuing her son's pet frog has turned into a heartwarming and relatable viral story on TikTok. Shelby Rideout's hilarious video captures her determined efforts to rescue the frog, named Kermit, after it hopped into a hole in the bathroom. Through her determination, patience, and comedic narration, Rideout showcases the incredible lengths parents go to for their children's happiness and the bonds they share, reminding us of the unique adventures that come with parenthood.

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3 Women in Their 80s and 90s Launched a Podcast from a Care Home, Share Fun Stories and Laughter

Three women in their eighties and nineties are proving it's never too late to try something new — especially if it involves microphones, lights, and a bit of banter. Doreen Lichfield, 92, Anne Borne, 92, and Maureen Ward, 88, have launched a podcast from their Birmingham care home, chatting about how life has changed across the decades. Titled Do You Remember the Time?, the monthly show is filmed at Sutton Rose Care Home and already has lights, cameras, microphones — and even a custom-made sign — to give it the full YouTube treatment. The idea started in a reminiscence group, where staff noticed the trio’s lively back-and-forth. Their conversations, full of wit and reflection, sparked a suggestion: why not turn this into a podcast? None of the three had heard of podcasts before. But that didn’t stop them. “I hadn't heard of [a podcast] either,” said Ms Ward, a former insurance worker. “It's much the same as we do with our families and our friends here when we're having a meal.” Ms Borne, who worked as a bank clerk, admitted they didn’t quite know what they were signing up for. Still, the project has taken off — and it’s just like dinner-table chat, only with a broader audience. Ms Lichfield, the eldest of the three, called it “like learning a new language.” She was born in Birmingham, fostered at age two, and evacuated twice during World War II to Staffordshire. A former financial agent, she says the podcast works well because all three of them are “mixed characters.” Their first episode explores their school days, with Lichfield recalling her time in a small village in Tamworth during the war. She contrasts the rigid formality of that era with today’s faster-paced world — and still thinks her generation may have had it better. “We all talked,” she said. “When did you last see people talking in the street? When did you last see people laughing in the street?” Each episode will feature open conversations on topics like relationships, aging, and how society has shifted over the years. Rosie Boshell, a customer relations executive at the care home, said the show has helped the women grow in confidence. “They have incredible stories and wisdom to share,” she said. “The podcast gives them a platform to be heard. It's been wonderful to see their confidence and laughter grow with each recording.” With a few mics and a lot of charm, these women are turning late-in-life curiosity into something that resonates well beyond their care home walls.

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Portland Approves Grants to Provide Free E-Bikes for Local Youth

Hundreds of teens in Portland, Oregon will soon have a faster, cheaper, and cleaner way to get around. The city has approved grants to give out free electric bikes to youth and community members through local nonprofits. The effort is backed by the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund, which helps pay for projects that reduce emissions and promote access to green technology. In this case, the goal is to cut transportation costs and air pollution while making it easier for young people to move through the city. Recipients will get more than just an e-bike. The grants also cover safety gear and training. The program is focused on underserved neighborhoods, where transit options can be limited and car ownership is often out of reach. Portland’s geography makes e-bikes a smart fit. Hills and traffic slow down traditional cyclists and drivers alike, but e-bikes allow riders to travel farther with less effort — and far less cost than owning a car. Commuters can save money on gas, parking, and maintenance, all while dodging some of the city’s infamous congestion. The program fits into Portland’s broader clean mobility push. In 2024, the city became the first in the country to pilot a zero-emissions delivery zone. It has long championed e-bikes and e-scooters as practical alternatives to gas-powered vehicles. Still, not everyone is on board. Some online commenters questioned how the grants are being spent, criticizing what they saw as high overhead and inefficiency from the nonprofits involved. Others asked whether the funds would be better used on road repairs or home energy upgrades. Concerns were also raised about the per-person cost of the grant awarded to The Street Trust, one of the nonprofits leading the program. There was debate about whether the initiative met the city's legal age rules for e-bike riders. Supporters pushed back. One commenter pointed out that secure home storage and charging should be part of the conversation, while another defended the process behind the grants. “These grants were carefully vetted and are exactly why PCEF exists,” they wrote. “I’m indirectly on the receiving end of one of them, and I guarantee you that it’s going to be transformative for its target population.” As cities look for ways to reduce carbon emissions and expand mobility access, e-bikes are gaining traction. They offer a flexible, low-cost alternative that’s well-suited to urban life — especially for younger riders who may not have access to a car. For Portland teens, that means the path to independence might now come with pedals, a motor, and a full battery.

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This Mother Duck was Just Rescued From a 'Life-Threatening Situation' on a Frozen Lake

A duck trapped on a frozen lake in Romania has been rescued by military firefighters, after what officials described as a "life-threatening situation." Video footage released by Tulcea Emergency Situations Inspectorate (ISU Tulcea) on January 14 shows firefighters using a boat to carefully reach the distressed duck on Lake Ciuperca, which had frozen over. According to the agency, the duck was found immobilized and “without the strength to stand.” Officials said ice had built up on her feathers, posing a severe threat to her survival. “Because the ice caught by her fur was life-threatening, our colleagues decided to bring her to the inspector’s headquarters, where she was kept in a shelter until she regained her strength,” ISU Tulcea said in a statement. The duck’s duckling had already freed itself before firefighters arrived. The animal was safely transported to a warm shelter, where it was monitored as it recovered.

Firefighters Save Overdosed Puppies In Washington, and Adoption Offers are Pouring In

Six puppies in rural Washington are on the mend after surviving a suspected fentanyl overdose — and the firefighters who saved them may soon be their new families. Three of the sick puppies were dropped off at Sky Valley Fire Station, about an hour northeast of Seattle, on Sunday. Firefighters jumped into action, spraying naloxone up their noses, administering oxygen, and even performing CPR. Within minutes, the puppies began to respond. “Their tails started wagging,” Battalion Chief Brandon Vargas said on Tuesday. Deputies later tracked down the people who had brought the puppies in. Authorities say they found three more animals in need of care and believe the puppies were likely exposed to fentanyl — either by inhaling or ingesting it. An investigation into possible animal cruelty or neglect is now underway. The individuals involved claimed they were only temporarily caring for the dogs. All six puppies are now healthy and recovering under the care of Snohomish County Animal Services and the Everett animal shelter. They’re expected to be cleared for adoption after a brief quarantine. The shelter says it has been overwhelmed with adoption offers and is asking the public not to call with questions. According to Vargas, several fire department staff have expressed interest in giving the pups a permanent home. This isn’t the first time pets have needed overdose treatment. Across the U.S., there have been multiple incidents of dogs being revived after exposure to opioids, especially fentanyl, which can be fatal even in very small amounts.

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County Launches 'Street Psychiatry' Program, Prescribes Medication to Homeless on the Spot

Albany County is trying a new approach to a familiar problem: helping unhoused residents get the mental health support they desperately need — without waiting for them to walk into a clinic. The county has launched a street psychiatry team made up of six professionals: a nurse, a mental health clinician, a case manager, a mental health care advocate, a certified substance abuse counselor, and a supervising clinician. Their job is simple — but not easy. They go to where people are: sidewalks, parks, encampments. And they provide care on the spot. “Basically, we’re going to give them their prescription right there, right on the street to go get filled, so they can really get the help that they need,” said Albany County Executive Dan McCoy. “We cannot address the homeless crisis without addressing the mental health crisis.” This kind of outreach isn’t just compassionate, it’s catching on. According to the American Psychiatric Association, more than a dozen street psychiatry teams were operating across the U.S. as of 2023, offering psychiatric care to people experiencing homelessness — no appointment required. It’s a model that aims to do more than improve health. It also reduces tension in communities. “Folks that are living on our streets … we need to meet them where they’re at,” said Brendan Cox, the county’s police chief. “If we don’t get that clinic to them, we’re just going to continue to see disorder.” By removing barriers to care and giving people the tools they need — before crisis hits — officials hope to improve lives and reduce strain on emergency services. “We can have this whole spectrum of responses that don’t always have to involve the police,” Cox added. “And start getting people the services they need and increase public health, increase public safety.”

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Couple Builds Beatles-Themed Yellow Submarine Airbnb

In a quiet corner of New Zealand farmland, a bright yellow submarine sits nestled in a sea of green. It’s not a hallucination or an art installation — it’s one of the quirkiest Airbnbs in the world. And yes, it’s inspired by that Yellow Submarine. Keith Lovelock and his wife Jen built the Beatles-themed accommodation in Marton, Manawatu-Wanganui, and turned it into a stopover that draws travellers from around the world — including relatives of John Lennon himself. “There was no design as such,” said Keith. “It was an interactive procedure. It is like suck it and see as you go.” What started as a spontaneous idea — blurted out at a yellow-themed restaurant years ago — ended up becoming a full-fledged submarine-shaped rental. Built from salvaged parts including a grain silo, an old spa bath, and a milking shed, the submarine took less than a year to complete and cost about $20,000. From the outside, it’s unmistakable. Painted a glowing yellow and placed intentionally in a green paddock, the submarine looks like it floated straight out of the Beatles' 1968 animated film. But it’s what’s inside that really hooks guests. The interior features a mash-up of nautical, Cold War, North Atlantic WWII, and steampunk themes. There’s a ship’s wheel, a bulkhead door, around 20 portholes, and a fully functioning kitchen and bathroom. It sleeps four people comfortably. There's even a John Lennon-inspired mannequin watching over the place. Since it first appeared on Airbnb in 2019 — at the urging of Keith and Jen’s kids — the Yellow Submarine has been designated one of Airbnb’s “OMG!” category listings. At one point, it even starred in a video that racked up more than 60 million views before being taken down. “It just took on a life of itself,” Keith said. “The weird thing is people come here and they return to their childhood because it's just make believe. And kids, they behave like adults. It's interesting.” Keith, a former radio technician, still lives near the property and oversees the changeovers. “We're just domestics washing on and cleaning and doing the changeover every day and hanging out the washing, ironing before we get the next crew in,” he said. Because of the submarine’s heavily decorated interior, guests frequently leave things behind. “It's so overdecorated in the sub that it's hard to discern one object from another,” Keith said. Most visitors stay just one night, ticking it off their bucket list before moving on. But one visit in particular stood out. “We have had some of John Lennon's relations turning up once. That was fascinating,” said Keith. “It was not long after it was built… they brought a lot of John's paraphernalia along with them.” The Yellow Submarine currently has a 4.93-star rating on Airbnb. Prices start at around $104 per night.

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Safari Park Welcomes Rare Southern White Rhino Calf

A safari park in northwest England is celebrating the birth of a rare Southern White Rhino calf — the third born there in five years. Seven-week-old Kamari, whose name means “moonlight” in Swahili, was born on November 20 at Knowsley Safari in Prescot, Merseyside. She’s the daughter of nine-year-old Bayami, who staff say is taking to motherhood with ease. “According to her keepers, she’s doing brilliantly, walking, feeding from mom and enjoying bursts of energy as she runs around her pen before settling down for naps,” said a park spokesperson. “Bayami is proving to be a gentle and attentive mom, guiding Kamari to feed, and keeping a watchful eye as her calf explores.” Weighing somewhere between 40 and 60 kilograms at birth — normal for the species — Kamari is said to be confident, curious, and already showing signs of a playful personality. Her arrival is more than just a cause for celebration; it’s a conservation milestone. The Southern White Rhino remains near-threatened, facing ongoing pressures from poaching and habitat loss. Knowsley’s rhino crash — the collective term for a group of rhinos — now numbers 10. Lindsay Banks, who leads the ungulates team at Knowsley Safari, said each birth has long-term significance. “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Kamari to our crash,” she said. “Every rhino birth is a huge achievement for conservation, and we’re proud to be contributing to the survival of this incredible species.”

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In Windy, Sun-Starved Sweden, a New Kind of Solar Panel is Taking Flight

On a winter afternoon in Sweden, Henrik Eskilsson and Anders Olsson found themselves once again sweeping shattered solar panels off a runway. It was their 47th prototype to explode in the wind — a moment that would’ve broken most startups. But for them, it was just part of the plan. The two inventors are behind Vaja, a new Swedish startup trying to crack a solar power problem that’s stumped the industry for years: how to make vertical solar tracking work in the windy, sun-starved north. In theory, the solution is obvious. When the sun sits low in the sky — as it does for much of the year in northern countries — traditional flat panels miss out. They’re designed to catch midday rays, not the grazing light of winter mornings and evenings. Vertical panels, mounted like signposts, can catch more of that oblique light. But they also act like sails, and when mounted on rotating posts, the wind doesn't just push — it twists. The result is torque, torsion, and a lot of broken gear. That’s where Vaja comes in. Named after the Swedish word for "sway," the company has spent the past year building solar trackers that, instead of fighting the wind, move with it. The idea came to Olsson years ago, watching trees flex in a storm. If nature could survive gale-force winds with minimal structure, why not solar panels? Turns out, physics had something to say about that. Starting in 2023, Olsson and Eskilsson began building and destroying prototypes at Lunda Airfield, 110 kilometres north of Stockholm. They bolted early test rigs to a trailer and hit the runway at over 100 km/h to simulate high wind. Again and again, the panels tore themselves apart. Everything broke, Eskilsson says — but they kept going. The breakthrough came with help from fluid dynamics expert Fredrik Lundell, who advised the team to stop resisting the wind and instead find the aerodynamic “pivot point” that would let the panels feather like weather vanes. By adjusting the mounting axis toward the front of the panel, they made the wind stabilize it, not shake it apart. The result is a vertical solar array that can rotate like a venetian blind and withstand gusts of up to 140 km/h — no concrete anchors, no multiple motors. Just one motor and a cable can rotate more than 100 panels at once. “When the wind hits from directly behind, you have virtually no torque at all,” Olsson says. Unlike traditional horizontal trackers, which tilt east to west during the day, Vaja’s vertical trackers rotate around an upright post — capturing more light when the sun hangs low, especially in latitudes north of the 30th parallel. That includes not just Sweden, but large parts of Europe, Canada, and the northern United States, where solar still struggles with efficiency in winter. Solar is already the fastest-growing energy source in the world. It made up 7 percent of global electricity in 2024, up from just 1 percent a decade earlier. But hitting the next milestone — 40 percent of global electricity by 2050 — will require smarter systems that work even in hard conditions. Eskilsson says static systems won’t cut it. “Somebody has to be able to do vertical tracking in a way that’s actually cost-efficient.” So far, Vaja has five test sites and four paying pilot customers. One of them is Swedish utility Rabbalshede Kraft, which is testing Vaja trackers side by side with conventional fixed panels. CEO Peter Wesslau says he expects not only more electricity production, but better profits. “There will also be more production because the panels will be moving across the day. Given that we will be able to produce in the more profitable hours, we also expect that we’ll be making more money.” Most of Vaja’s funding so far has come from a combined $3.2 million in grants and early investment, but the company will need significantly more capital to scale up. For now, the founders are still running field tests — and still checking weather forecasts daily, not for sunshine, but for wind. Today, when they take the SUV down the airstrip with a panel strapped to a mast, it holds steady. No flutter, no spinout, no shattered glass. Just a quiet feathering in the breeze. “We shifted the axis again, even further towards the front,” Eskilsson says. “Once you get rid of the instabilities, suddenly you can double the speed.” This time, the broom stays in the trunk.

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Tourists are Exploring an Ancient Roman Home Through Livestream Tours

One of ancient Rome’s most elegant homes is finally opening to the public — but don’t expect to walk through its frescoed halls anytime soon. You’ll need a reservation, a screen, and a guide with a smartphone strapped to their head. The House of the Griffins, buried beneath the ruins of Emperor Domitian’s palace on the Palatine Hill, is now available for livestreamed tours after more than a century off-limits to visitors. It’s one of the best-preserved Republican-era homes in Rome and one of the few that survived the imperial building boom that reshaped the city’s ancient skyline. First unearthed in the early 1900s, the house was hidden again — quite literally — when Domitian built his sprawling first-century palace directly on top of it. Thanks to recent restoration efforts, the House of the Griffins is now being reintroduced to the public, albeit virtually, through a new series of guided video tours. Visitors won’t be going underground themselves. Instead, they’ll gather at ground level on the Palatine Hill while a tour guide descends the steep staircase into the house’s interior, livestreaming the walkthrough using a head-mounted smartphone camera. The result is an intimate, real-time look at a Roman home that’s been closed off for centuries — all without putting the fragile artwork at risk. “This stylus is truly unique in the archaeological landscape of the time,” said project chief Federica Rinaldi. She called the home “an almost textbook reference” for upper-class Roman architecture. “Its location at the highest point of the hill, its distribution over several levels that take advantage of the slopes of the Palatine Hill itself, and its preservation make it today an almost textbook reference,” she said. The home gets its name from a richly painted arched lunette featuring two griffins — mythological creatures with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. But that’s just one of the many detailed frescoes inside. Others show faux marble paneling in deep reds and yellows, along with floor mosaics that give the illusion of 3D cubes. The decoration, Rinaldi noted, is on par with some of the most elegant homes found in Pompeii. Little is known about the family who lived there, but archaeologists say they were clearly wealthy, based on the craftsmanship and scale of the house. Set on the highest part of the Palatine Hill, the home sprawled across multiple levels, taking full advantage of the hill’s natural slope. The livestreamed tours officially begin on March 3 and will run weekly on Tuesdays, with one tour in Italian and another in English. Group sizes are capped at 12 people and require advance booking, along with a small additional fee on top of the regular ticket for the Colosseum and Palatine Hill. The initiative is part of a broader EU-funded effort to draw visitors beyond the usual tourist hotspots. The Colosseum and Roman Forum, which sit just next door, often attract overwhelming crowds. By showcasing lesser-known but equally rich corners of the ancient city, officials hope to both protect Rome’s most visited landmarks and shine a light on its hidden gems. “It’s a great occasion to value the full territory of the park,” said park director Simone Quilici. With thousands of years of history layered beneath Rome’s surface, the House of the Griffins is a reminder that there’s still plenty of the ancient city left to explore — even if you have to experience it from the other side of a screen.

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A Startup is Transforming the Sports Experience for Blind Fans with Haptic Devices

For decades, fans with disabilities were told they didn’t belong in the front row of the sports world. That’s starting to change — and fast. At Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers games this year, some of the most enthusiastic fans never even looked at the court. Thanks to startup OneCourt, blind and low-vision spectators could literally feel the action through their fingertips. The company introduced free-to-rent haptic tablets that buzz in real time with every pass, dribble, and shot, giving fans a tactile map of the basketball court. The devices turn each game into something fans can track by touch. “We believe that sports are for everyone and at OneCourt, we have created an intuitive tactile broadcast that makes sports more enjoyable for fans of any age, background, or visual ability,” said Jerred Mace, founder and CEO of OneCourt. Blind TikTok creator Ferraro was among the first to try the system at a Trail Blazers game. “Every team in every league should adapt this device,” he said. “I can’t explain how life-changing this is as a blind spectator.” Over in the NHL, a different kind of breakthrough brought another fan base closer to the game. On June 5, the Stanley Cup Final aired for the first time with live American Sign Language commentary — a milestone not just for the NHL but for televised sports more broadly. Deaf ESPN broadcasters Jason Altmann and Noah Blankenship signed live play-by-play and analysis while the game streamed on screen, with a crowd noise “intensity meter” showing the arena’s volume. It marked the league’s first official ASL broadcast, and it’s not stopping there — Altmann and Blankenship are continuing coverage throughout the season. “I watched it and I will tell you — fascinating, so fascinating, having it in ASL,” said longtime hockey fan Jerry Trayner in an interview with ABC News Detroit. “I am so happy the NHL did this.” Altmann put it simply: “This is about the Deaf community being validated, being seen, and what can we do to create a positive impact and change the Deaf community moving forward.” The push for more accessible experiences isn't limited to those watching from home or the stands. On the baseball diamond in Auburn Hills, Michigan, the Miracle League of Michigan is building a space where kids with disabilities don’t just watch — they play. The league’s rubberized fields, painted bases, and accessible dugouts create a safe, welcoming environment for athletes with mobility aids and a range of physical and intellectual disabilities. Every player gets to bat, and there’s no rush to round the bases. Coach Mason Kaiser, a wheelchair user who once played in the league as a kid, now helps mentor the next generation. “I get to help other kids or other young adults that are just like me,” Kaiser said. “I know that I can help these kids and these parents through some of their toughest times.” In 2004, the Miracle League of Michigan launched with just four teams and 40 players. Today, according to the Detroit Free Press, it supports over 400 players across four leagues. And while the field looks different than a typical ballpark, it’s the pace of play that makes the biggest difference. The league removes the pressure of a ticking clock, ensuring that every child, no matter their speed or ability, gets a full turn at bat and a chance to feel the joy of scoring. Back in Philadelphia, that same focus on dignity and comfort is shaping the stadium experience for football fans who find the noise and chaos overwhelming. Kylie Kelce, wife of recently retired Eagles star Jason Kelce and co-host of the New Heights podcast, helped launch a sensory-friendly mobile unit at Lincoln Financial Field. The collaboration with the Eagles Autism Foundation and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia offers a soothing retreat from the stadium’s roar. Inside the unit, fans will find soft lighting, cozy bean bags, textured wall art, and room to breathe. While designed with neurodivergent fans in mind, it also helps people with anxiety, PTSD, and even dementia enjoy the game on their own terms. "When you are in a stadium and the noise is so loud and so many things are happening, you really don't have any control over the way the sound or the stimulation is coming in,” Kelce told Good Morning America. “To be able to come into this space — it's quiet, it's calm. You have all of these distractions [and] you can just sort of send your brain somewhere else for a little bit.” Whether it’s through a vibrating tablet, a field built for wheelchairs, or a calm space away from the chaos, the message is clear: the sports world is getting more inclusive — not by accident, but by design.

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