This Mail Carrier Saved a Dog on Her Route After It Was Bitten by a Snake

A mail carrier, Holle Prigmore, went above and beyond to rescue a family's beagle mix, Ginger, when she noticed the dog limping by the side of the road during her mail delivery rounds. Prigmore discovered that Ginger had been bitten by a copperhead snake and immediately took action. She removed Ginger's collar to prevent swelling, left a message for the dog's owners via their doorbell camera, and rushed the dog to the emergency vet, ultimately saving Ginger's life. Thanks to Prigmore's quick thinking and compassion, Ginger is on the road to recovery.

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Hospital Crochets Octopuses To Comfort Premature Babies

At Cleveland Clinic Children’s NICU, some of the tiniest patients are getting a surprising new source of comfort — hand-crocheted octopuses. The soft, colorful toys aren’t just cute. Their coiled tentacles are designed to resemble umbilical cords, helping premature babies feel more secure during their hospital stay. The idea, which started in Denmark in 2013, has since made its way to hospitals around the world, and now, to Cleveland. Jaclyn Thaxton, a registered nurse at the Cleveland Clinic NICU, said the team took time to carefully review safety standards before introducing the crochet companions. “We found that not only are the crocheted animals safe, but their tentacles can help stabilize a baby’s vitals during painful procedures,” she said. The octopuses are made entirely by volunteers, who follow strict guidelines: they must use 100 percent cotton yarn, avoid any attachments or decorations, and wash the toys at high heat to ensure they’re safe for newborns. Once completed, each one is given a name — often by the baby’s family or siblings. “At each bedside, we have a naming card,” Jaclyn explained. “A lot of times our siblings aren’t able to be very involved with the care of their new sibling, so we encourage families to let them name the octopuses. If there aren’t siblings, it’s also something fun for the respiratory therapists, nurses, and caregivers to get together and name a baby’s octopus.” So far, more than 500 of the handmade toys have been crafted for babies in the unit. And for families navigating the stress and uncertainty of a NICU stay, it’s a small, joyful way to feel more connected — one tentacle at a time.

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Dog Finds Purpose And Wins 'Superdog' Award After Rejection From Five Homes

Once labeled “too much to handle,” a high-energy rescue dog is now helping crack down on wildlife crime across the UK — and earning global recognition for it. Henry, a 10-year-old Springer Spaniel, was rejected by five different homes before finding his footing — and his calling — with Louise Wilson, founder of Conservation K9 Consultancy. Today, he’s a certified wildlife detection dog working alongside the UK’s National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU). “He’s got so much energy and drive — once we gave him focus, he found his purpose,” Wilson told the BBC. That purpose? Putting his powerful nose to work. Henry can detect seven specific wildlife scents, including protected birds of prey and endangered hedgehogs. His ability to sniff out feathers, droppings, and nesting materials is now a vital part of police investigations into wildlife trafficking and habitat destruction. “If we don’t recover anything, the investigation grinds to a halt,” said Detective Inspector Mark Harrison of the NWCU. Henry’s work often provides the evidence needed to move forward. In October, his efforts earned him the title of Animal of the Year from the International Fund for Animal Welfare, which honored him at its 25th Animal Action Awards in London. Dogs like Henry are part of a growing movement in conservation science, where highly trained detection dogs help researchers locate elusive species in the wild. Because they find biological traces instead of the animals themselves, the process is non-invasive and far less disruptive to delicate ecosystems. Their work isn’t just about data collection — it’s about keeping ecosystems intact. Illegal wildlife crime can have ripple effects, leading to population collapse, biodiversity loss, and even food insecurity. The United Nations has warned that climate change and habitat destruction are accelerating the decline of endangered species, making work like Henry’s even more urgent. Wilson is one of several trainers across the UK working to expand the use of detection dogs in conservation and anti-poaching efforts. Similar programs have seen dogs sniff out everything from invasive plant species to plastic pollution. “We need creative tools to meet today’s environmental challenges,” Wilson said. Henry is living proof of how a second chance can make a life-changing — and planet-saving — difference.

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Timothée Chalamet Earns Grammy Nomination For A Complete Unknown Bob Dylan Soundtrack

Timothée Chalamet can now add Grammy nominee to his growing list of accolades. The 29-year-old actor was officially nominated in the Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media category for his work on A Complete Unknown, the 2024 biopic where he played a young Bob Dylan. The nominations were announced Friday, ahead of the 68th Grammy Awards, set for February 1, 2026, at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena. Chalamet didn’t just portray the legendary singer-songwriter onscreen — he also sang Dylan’s songs himself, often recording vocals live during filming. His performance earned widespread acclaim, including an Oscar nomination, a Golden Globe nod, and a Screen Actors Guild Award win. Directed by James Mangold, A Complete Unknown follows Dylan’s rise through the American folk scene in the 1960s. Alongside Chalamet, the film featured Edward Norton as Pete Seeger and Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, with both actors also performing their own vocals for the soundtrack. Other nominees in the same soundtrack category include albums from F1® The Album, KPop Demon Hunters, Sinners, and Wicked. This isn’t Chalamet’s first musical venture. He sang as Willy Wonka in 2023’s Wonka and famously rapped as “Lil Timmy Tim” in a viral high school video. Earlier this year, he hosted Saturday Night Live, where he performed a Dylan-inspired medley of “Outlaw Blues,” “Three Angels,” and “Tomorrow Is a Long Time.” Chalamet also stars in the upcoming Marty Supreme, directed by Josh Safdie and set for release on Christmas Day, and is set to return in Dune: Part Three, currently in development. This year’s top Grammy nominee is Kendrick Lamar with nine nods, followed by Lady Gaga and producers Cirkut and Jack Antonoff with seven each. Bad Bunny, Leon Thomas, and Sabrina Carpenter earned six nominations apiece. For Chalamet, the Grammy nod marks a new chapter — and one more genre he’s managed to master.

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Rescue Team Saves Dog 7 Days After Car Crash Ejection

In an incredible tale of survival and luck, a dachshund named Chewie is back with his family after spending seven days alone in the Wyoming wilderness. The drama unfolded after a serious car accident sent him flying from the vehicle. Chewie's owner, Amanda Lohr, 33, was driving with her boyfriend from Kokomo, Indiana, to Portland, Oregon. Their journey took a devastating turn on Interstate 80 near Rawlins when a semi-truck collided with their 2005 Buick Century. The crash caused the car to roll multiple times before landing in a ditch. Lohr suffered minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital. Her boyfriend sustained a neck fracture and required airlifting to Casper for more extensive care. Sadly, their cat Newt did not survive the crash. Initially, they believed Chewie had also perished after being thrown from the car. But just as Lohr began coming to terms with her losses, she received unexpected news: Chewie was alive. "I was really happy because I had been mourning for more than a week," Lohr shared with Cowboy State Daily. Her daughter cried tears of joy upon hearing that their beloved pet had survived. Chewie’s rescue story involves some good-hearted strangers who went out of their way to help. Kenny Coomes, a FedEx driver who first spotted Chewie along the highway, set up a live trap hoping to catch him safely but had no success initially. Days later, Scott and Kodi Allred were traveling through Wyoming to visit their son at the University of Northern Colorado when they saw Chewie running along the same road near Elk Mountain. They managed to catch him after pulling over and giving chase. With no tags on Chewie, the Allreds drove an hour to Laramie where staff at a Humane Society scanned his microchip and identified him as Lohr's dog. Coomes followed updates on Facebook and described the reunion as “a miracle.” "This is a miracle and I am so happy he was found," Lohr wrote in a Facebook update expressing her relief and gratitude. "That puppy is my best friend and I can’t wait to have him back with me." To ensure Chewie's safe return home, Coomes coordinated with another FedEx driver who volunteered to bring him back to Indiana. Reflecting on how everything came together perfectly for Chewie’s rescue and return, Coomes remarked that it felt like divine intervention played a role. The story of how this little dachshund defied all odds serves as both heartwarming news for animal lovers and testament to human kindness across stranger lines—showing how compassion can lead to extraordinary outcomes even in dire situations like these.

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Brave Boy Saves Kids From Burning ATV, Three Years After Rescuing Brother From Drowning

A 12-year-old boy from Oklahoma is being hailed as a hero after rescuing three children from a burning ATV just moments before it exploded. Roman Goodnight was driving his younger siblings and a family friend to their bus stop in Coweta, Oklahoma, on the morning of October 27 when their ATV suddenly caught fire, according to the Wagoner County Sheriff's Office. Despite recovering from a broken foot, Roman didn’t hesitate. “He began shouting for everyone to get out,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. One of the children — a 6-year-old family friend — was struggling to open the rear door. Roman immediately rushed to help her. “I had to crawl through it to the back, to open the door, open for her and to get her out,” Roman told CBS affiliate KOTV. “It was really hard to get her out because her bag was stuck on the thing.” After helping the younger kids out of the ATV, Roman told them to run. His brother and the family friend made it to a nearby barn, but his sister froze in place near the back of the vehicle, where the fuel tank and engine were located. That’s when Roman turned back toward the flames. According to officials, he ran to his sister and urged her to flee to a nearby house for safety. He didn’t leave the scene himself until all three children were clear of the ATV. Moments later, explosions erupted from the burning vehicle. “Roman’s quick thinking and selfless actions ensured that every child made it out safely before the ATV was fully engulfed,” the sheriff’s office said. “His bravery and composure under extreme pressure prevented what could have been a devastating tragedy.” Wagoner County Sheriff Chris Elliott praised Roman’s courage, saying, “We are incredibly proud of him and thankful for the safe outcome of that morning. His actions will not be forgotten, and he stands as a true example of what it means to be a hero.” Authorities also noted that this wasn’t Roman’s first rescue. Three years earlier, when he was just 9, Roman saved his younger brother from drowning after the child fell into a pool at a family gathering. “Roman’s heroic instincts, calm under pressure, and unwavering concern for others’ safety are remarkable for someone his age,” the sheriff’s office said. Speaking with KOTV after the fire, Roman said it took a moment for everything to sink in. “I felt really, really proud of myself for getting everyone out and getting them to safety and inside the house,” he said. All four children escaped without injury. The ATV was destroyed. But thanks to Roman’s fast response, a terrifying morning ended without tragedy.

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Scientists Celebrate Stunning Recovery Of Endangered Creature, Urge Further Conservation Efforts

The green turtle is making a comeback. Once hunted to the brink of extinction for their meat, eggs, and shells, green turtles are now listed as a species of "least concern" — a major upgrade from their previous "endangered" status. The shift comes after decades of global conservation efforts. Countries around the world stepped in to protect turtle nesting sites, regulate hunting, and prevent turtles from being accidentally caught in fishing nets. The result? A 28 percent rise in green turtle numbers since the 1970s, according to Mongabay. “It underlines that marine conservation can work, there is hope, and we should rightly celebrate it,” Brendan Godley, a conservation scientist at the University of Exeter, told Mongabay. “Sharing some ocean optimism,” he added. Dr. Nicolas Pilcher from Malaysia's Marine Research Foundation told the BBC that this milestone should be seen as motivation to push even harder for species recovery. “We must use this win as a catalyst to achieve numerous other wins,” he said. Green turtles are among the few large plant-eating animals in the ocean, helping to maintain healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs. Their recovery doesn’t just benefit marine biodiversity; it helps entire ecosystems — and by extension, people — thrive. As climate anxiety and biodiversity loss dominate headlines, the resurgence of the green turtle is a reminder that conservation works. It's not just turtles either: the elusive vaquita porpoise has been spotted in Mexico’s Gulf of California, Partula snails have reappeared in French Polynesia, and even gray wolves are showing up in parts of California. More than 170,000 species have been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature for its Red List of threatened species. While many are still in danger, experts say this latest development is a reason to keep going. And for anyone looking for a symbol of hope, you could do worse than Crush, the easygoing green turtle from Finding Nemo, riding the currents once again — this time, buoyed by science and human effort.

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8-Year-Old Boy Climbs El Capitan, Following His Brother's Legacy

Three years after Sam Evermore made headlines as the youngest person to ascend Yosemite’s iconic El Capitan, his younger brother Sylvan has now followed him up the same 3,000-foot wall — at the exact same age. On October 24, Sylvan Evermore and his father, Joe Evermore, reached the top of El Capitan after a seven-day climb along the Freerider route. The pair, along with two other climbers and a film crew, used a technique known as rope ascent or “jugging,” in which a climber uses handheld devices to ascend a fixed rope already placed by a lead climber higher up the wall. “It was 100 percent his choice,” Joe wrote on Instagram. “And he did keep going. Step by step, move by move, he pushed through fear and found something deeper.” The Evermores — formerly known as the Baker family — live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Their latest climb follows Sam’s 2022 ascent of El Capitan, which made global headlines and sparked debate in the climbing community over what should count as a “climb.” In both cases, the boys used jugging rather than traditional free or aid climbing. Jugging doesn’t require placing protection or navigating the rock face by hand and foot, but as many climbers have pointed out, it’s still an intense physical and mental challenge — especially for a child. “I’ve jugged the whole thing many times—it’s crazy-hard for an adult,” said Hans Florine, the unofficial record-keeper of El Capitan speed climbs, in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle. “If [the Evermores] are being honest about what they’re doing, I think it’s great.” Joe Evermore addressed some of the criticism the family received after Sam’s climb in 2022. “So far, there are only two kids who’ve climbed El Capitan at the age of 8,” he wrote on Instagram. “Of course, they did it the safest way possible by rope ascent, but that doesn’t make it any less extraordinary.” He added, “These ‘El Cap Kids’ have huge dreams ahead … and something tells me they’ll both be back on that big wall before long.” During the recent climb, Sylvan hit some rough patches. At times, he cried and questioned whether he could keep going. But ultimately, he did — with the help of his father, a small team, and a lot of grit. Joe described the experience not just as a climbing feat, but as a lesson in parenting and resilience. The family hopes to create a documentary about both boys’ climbs, and about Joe’s philosophy as a father. Earlier this year, Sam — now 11 — climbed the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps, continuing what’s becoming a string of high-altitude accomplishments for the Evermore brothers. “I’m hoping that my story inspires fathers and sons to get out and do something that seems impossible,” Joe said during an interview with ABC’s World News Tonight in August. Whether or not everyone agrees with the definition of “climbing,” it’s clear that for the Evermore family, the view from the top is only part of the story.

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Teens Refurbish 80,000 Bicycles To Aid Community And Beyond

In Boston, a nonprofit called Bikes Not Bombs is using bicycles to drive social change. Founded in 1984 by a group of passionate cyclists, the organization has grown its mission significantly over the decades. It now focuses on providing international aid while fostering economic resilience among marginalized youth in Boston. The Bikes Not Bombs shop isn't your average bike repair spot. Here, teenagers participate in a 10-week program where they learn how to maintain and operate a used bicycle, which becomes theirs upon completing the course. But the opportunities don't end there. Graduates can work at the shop, joining about 200 young people who repair and refurbish thousands of bikes annually. Globally, Bikes Not Bombs has shipped over 80,000 bicycles to developing countries in the past forty years. The nonprofit also sells secondhand bikes directly out of its Boston shop to local cyclists. But their efforts extend far beyond shipping bikes; they’ve helped set up self-supporting bike shops in places like Nicaragua, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and El Salvador. These shops train local technicians to build community resilience and sustainability. The organization's mission emphasizes transportation without reliance on fossil fuels. "Our roots are in shipping bikes across the world," said Sara Gonzalez, donation coordinator at Bikes Not Bombs, as quoted by The Dorchester Reporter. She added that as they've evolved, members see the "not bombs" aspect as cultivating opportunities for prosperity in developing regions. Back home in Boston, Bikes Not Bombs hosts communal rides and safety seminars and holds an annual three-day Youth Bike Summit for young mechanics and activists interested in making an impact through cycling. Antonio Venus Reeves is one such individual who feels connected to this mission. "It's like my second home," he shared about his experience with Bikes Not Bombs. A decade ago, he brought a bike for repair; today he works there as an associate. "I'm always learning something new every day," he said.

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Scientists Uncover Massive New Map Showing 300,000 Km Of Ancient Roman Roads

Turns out, not all roads led to Rome — and many more Roman roads existed than we ever realized. A new map compiled by researchers at Aarhus University has expanded the known length of ancient Roman land routes from 190,000 to nearly 300,000 kilometers. That’s roughly seven times the circumference of the Earth. But even that staggering number represents just 3 percent of the vast network the Romans are believed to have built. “This was a huge surprise and a sobering realization,” said archaeologist Tom Brughmans, who led the Itiner-e project. “Roads are one of the most enigmatic topics in Roman archaeology and history. How can it be that we only know the location of 3 percent with certainty?” The map, now publicly available, is the first open dataset to consolidate information about Roman roads across the entire empire, which at its peak spanned 5 million square kilometers and 40 modern-day countries. Each of the 14,769 road segments in the database is linked to specific sources and includes a rating of how certain the route’s location is. “This is the first open dataset that combines research about the location of all Roman roads across the entire empire,” said Brughmans. “They have been studied for over 200 years, and we should have a reliable resource that makes these scholarships available to everyone.” Researchers used a combination of archaeological evidence, ancient Roman itineraries, milestone data, topographic maps from the 19th and 20th centuries, and satellite imagery to piece together the updated network. In some cases, they even used old satellite photos to find roads now submerged under modern dam reservoirs. One of the most striking findings? Rome wasn’t actually the main hub of the land-based road network. While the ancient capital gave rise to the famous phrase “all roads lead to Rome,” the new map shows that overland transportation actually concentrated in the Po Valley and Alpine corridor in northern Italy. With Rome sitting on a peninsula, it functioned more like a cul-de-sac — connected to the wider empire primarily via river and maritime routes, rather than by land. “This period fundamentally restructured transport infrastructure in the region, on a scale unseen until the industrial revolution in the 19th century,” Brughmans said. “And we now have the dataset that allows us to study how terrestrial mobility changed over 2,000 years.” The Itiner-e project builds on earlier resources like the Digital Atlas of Roman and Medieval Civilizations (DARMC), itself based on the 2000 Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World. That earlier effort recorded about 188,000 kilometers of Roman roads; Itiner-e now puts the total at just over 299,000 kilometers. But researchers emphasize this is still just the beginning. “Three hundred thousand kilometers is really only the tip of the iceberg,” said Brughmans. “We hope to stimulate future work to improve the open knowledge of where all Roman roads are.” The legacy of Rome’s roadwork is still visible today. Many modern highways and transport corridors follow the same paths laid down by Roman engineers thousands of years ago. In some parts of Europe and the Middle East, Roman roads remain in use or have been repurposed into local routes. Understanding where and how these ancient roads were built helps scholars trace the spread of people, goods, ideas, and even diseases across the Roman Empire. It also shows how the empire maintained its grip on such a vast territory long before modern infrastructure existed. With the Itiner-e map now available to researchers and the public, the hope is that more discoveries will follow — and that eventually, we’ll get a clearer picture of the ancient world’s most legendary road system.

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Pittsburgh Dad And Sons Create Viral Front-Yard Food Pantry, Receive Anonymous Note and Cash For Help

In a quiet Pittsburgh suburb, what began as a weekend lesson for two young boys has grown into a food pantry movement watched by millions. AJ Owen, a father of two in Whitehall, started a front-yard food pantry with his sons after hearing about delays to SNAP benefits caused by the government shutdown. The idea was simple: fill a few coolers with food and let anyone in the neighborhood take what they needed. “We literally started with one tote that we had and two hand coolers out of the garage,” Owen told People. “You don’t need a permanent building to get something to go, just a tote and two coolers, and look where it can get you.” That was on October 26. Just over a week later, the project has exploded into something far bigger — fueled by a viral TikTok video, a mysterious envelope full of cash, and a steady stream of support from across the country. Owen had explained the SNAP situation to his sons, aged 7 and 9, wanting them to understand why some neighbors might soon be struggling even more to buy groceries. Their response: “How can we help people?” That question launched what has now become a daily effort. Owen and his boys stock bins with nonperishables, diapers, formula, and whatever else is donated. Neighbors drop off home-cooked meals. Strangers swing by with grocery hauls. Even the Pittsburgh Steelers joined in — defensive lineman Yahya Black personally delivered food and supplies on behalf of the team. But the moment that changed everything came quietly. Owen found an envelope in his mailbox. It was thick, unmarked, and contained thousands of dollars in cash, along with a handwritten note: “May God prosper and bless your food pantry.” “I opened it up and just — hundred-dollar bills, a stack of hundred-dollar bills,” he said. “I truly didn’t know how to react. I froze. I started shaking and I started crying.” Owen posted a video of the discovery to TikTok, and it blew up — nearly 18 million views and counting. In it, he’s visibly stunned, holding back tears as he reads the note aloud. The emotional clip not only catapulted his food pantry into national attention, it inspired others to follow suit. Across the U.S., people have started tagging Owen in their own versions of neighborhood food stands and community pantries, citing his video as the spark. “Every day continues to evolve in a great way,” Owen said. “Every challenge that comes up, we just tackle head-on and keep feeding people.” The shelves he and his sons set up are restocked constantly. He says some visitors take what they need, others return later with extra to share. It’s become more than just a source of groceries. For many, it’s a symbol of hope and community. The proud dad said he doesn’t know how long the pantry will last, but he’s committed for as long as people need it. “People deserve food, people deserve to be fed,” he said. “As long as there’s a need in our community, we will keep this out.” He’s quick to point out the heart of the effort: hospitality. “Making a food pantry is no different than me inviting you over to my house for dinner,” he said. “Come grab a meal. Come grab a drink. Come grab what you need. I’m happy to have you.” It’s that kind of openness that’s kept people coming back — and brought in support from places Owen never expected. “My youngest son said, ‘Dad, what if nobody comes?’” he recalled. “And I said, ‘Buddy, if we help one person, then this was all worth it.’ And here we are helping a heck of a lot more than one person.”

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