Teachers share their sweetest gifts from students and it's a moving lesson in generosity

Some of the most precious gifts come straight from the heart. A former teacher shared an incredible story of a student's selflessness, generosity and thoughtfulness. Nine years ago, the student didn't have a Christmas gift for her, so he opened up a pack of crayons, gave her the purple one, and said "I hope you love it, I know it's your favorite color." Flex those love muscles; share stories that show you care and recognize heartfelt gestures with admiration 😊

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John Oliver Sells Bob Ross Painting, Raises Record $1.5 Million For Public Television

What started as a record-breaking art sale turned into a full-blown fundraising spectacle for public media—thanks to a “happy little” painting and a comedy host with a flair for the absurd. Following the recent auction of three Bob Ross originals that raised over $600,000 for public TV and radio, Last Week Tonight host John Oliver stepped in with a fundraising twist of his own: auctioning off an original Ross painting from the show’s own archives. The painting, Cabin at Sunset, featured in Season 10 of The Joy of Painting, headlined a quirky auction dubbed John Oliver’s Junk and went on to set a new record for a Bob Ross piece—selling for $1,035,000 after 35 bids. But that was just the start. The auction, which included 34 other items from the Last Week Tonight studio, ultimately raised a total of $1.5 million. All proceeds were donated to the Public Media Bridge Fund, which supports financially struggling public broadcasting stations and programs. “We’ve actually accumulated a bunch of weird artifacts on this show over the years that we could definitely auction off to raise some much-needed money,” Oliver said in the final episode of the season. “I am proud to announce Last Week Tonight’s first ever auction in aid of public media.” Among the oddities up for bid: a pair of golden sneakers Oliver once promised to wear if disgraced FIFA president Sepp Blatter resigned, a cabbage he once “married” during a segment on AI art, and a jockstrap worn by actor Russell Crowe. A pair of VIP tickets to a live taping of the show alone fetched over $110,000. The idea for the Ross-centered auction came from Bob Ross Inc., the company that manages the late painter’s work and legacy. Ross, who died in 1995, was a longtime supporter of public television, where his gentle voice and landscape tutorials became staples of PBS programming. “I think this actually would have been Bob’s idea,” said Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Inc. “And when I think about that, it makes me very proud.” The original Ross auction, handled by Bonhams in Los Angeles, featured three of the artist’s works: Home in the Valley (1993), Cliffside (1990), and Winter’s Peace (1993). Each was initially expected to go for between $25,000 and $30,000—but bidders had other plans. Home in the Valley brought in $229,100, Cliffside sold for $114,800, and Winter’s Peace went for a whopping $318,000. While the Corporation for Public Broadcasting receives more than $1 billion annually in federal funding, stations across the country rely heavily on additional fundraising—including pledge drives and philanthropic campaigns—to stay operational. The Public Media Bridge Fund was created to support smaller, at-risk stations and keep diverse programming alive. In typical fashion, Oliver turned a highbrow fundraiser into a strange and hilarious spectacle—and helped public media in the process. The only question now is what he’ll dig out of storage for next year’s auction.

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How the Wild Turkeys Staged a Remarkable Comeback from Near Extinction

For millions of Americans, Thanksgiving isn’t complete without turkey on the table. But not long ago, spotting one in the wild was next to impossible. In the early 20th century, wild turkey populations across the United States plummeted due to overhunting and large-scale deforestation. By the 1930s, their numbers may have dipped as low as 30,000 nationwide. Today, there are more than six million. “It’s one of the greatest conservation success stories we have,” said Michael Chamberlain, National Wild Turkey Federation Distinguished Professor at the University of Georgia, in an interview with Scientific American’s Science Quickly. Turkeys aren’t just back—they’re everywhere. In some places, maybe too everywhere. From suburban New England towns where they strut across intersections and block mail carriers, to places like Staten Island where they’ve carved out a place in urban parks, wild turkeys have made an unlikely return to the spotlight. But that success story came from decades of effort. Starting in the 1950s and ‘60s, conservationists, wildlife agencies, and nonprofits worked together to trap and relocate wild turkeys from remnant populations to places where they had disappeared. That “trap and transfer” method sparked a population boom that lasted through the 1990s. Chamberlain, who has spent his entire career studying wild turkeys, said their comeback reflects just how adaptable they are. “As long as they can sleep off the ground, find adequate food, and avoid predators, they can do really well,” he said. “Even in suburbs and cities.” Their intelligence and strong social systems also play a role. Turkeys live in structured dominance hierarchies—every group has a pecking order from top to bottom, and birds spend much of their time reinforcing their rank. “They’re constantly testing each other,” Chamberlain said. “It’s a complex, social world.” That structure has survival advantages. Dominant birds eat first, nest first, and reproduce more successfully. Earlier nests produce more viable chicks, known as poults. Still, while turkeys are thriving in many parts of the country—including in states like Massachusetts, where they were considered “functionally extinct” by the 1950s—the story isn’t all rosy. In their historical strongholds like the Southeast and Midwest, populations are once again declining. “Predator populations have rebounded, habitat is being lost or degraded, and disease is becoming a concern,” Chamberlain said. “The challenges facing turkeys now are very different than they were 40 or 50 years ago.” And while they’ve become suburban icons in some towns—Brookline, Massachusetts even unofficially adopted the turkey as its mascot—they can be a handful. With no natural predators in urban areas and hunting off the table, turkeys sometimes behave like they own the block. “They’re doing that because there’s no risk involved,” Chamberlain said. “You won’t see turkeys attacking a mailman in rural Georgia where I live. But in cities, they know they’re safe.” That difference creates challenges for wildlife managers, who must balance turkey conservation with nuisance complaints, all within vastly different environments—sometimes within the same state. Despite the mixed bag, Chamberlain remains hopeful. He believes the best way to support wild turkeys is to pay attention to them outside of Thanksgiving. “Try to think about turkeys more than just on that one day a year when you eat them,” he said. “If you do, you’ll gain a greater appreciation for what incredible birds they really are.” For those curious to learn more, Chamberlain runs a website called WildTurkeyLab.com , where he shares updates on turkey science and conservation efforts. So while millions of Americans are slicing into a roasted bird this holiday, it’s worth remembering that the wild version of that species nearly disappeared—and that their survival today is due to decades of hard work, scientific dedication, and a surprising amount of street smarts.

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Still in Her Wedding Dress, Off-Duty Nurse Stops to Save a Crash Victim on Her Wedding Night

Heather Schubert had just said "I do" when she found herself running toward a crash scene instead of a honeymoon suite. The off-duty nurse was still wearing her wedding dress and on her way home with her new husband late on Saturday, Nov. 22, when they spotted a badly damaged car and a man lying in the middle of the road on I-10 in New Orleans. Without hesitation, she pulled over and rushed to help. “When you’re a nurse and you always put other people first, that’s always my first instinct,” Schubert told WDSU. The man was critically injured, with airbags deployed and no clear signs of consciousness. Schubert immediately began checking for trauma responses and pupil reactivity. “His pupils were not reactive to light,” she recalled. “He, in fact, did have trauma.” Schubert, who works at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, stayed by his side until emergency crews arrived. The man’s current condition hasn’t been publicly shared. Despite having just gotten married and being on her way to celebrate, Schubert said stopping to help wasn’t even a decision. “There’s never a question. There’s never a hesitation,” she said. “I would hope that anybody, whether they’re a nurse or not, would run and do the same thing.” Steven Tafoya, a critical care paramedic, told WDSU that what Schubert did reflects the deeper instincts many healthcare workers carry, regardless of whether they’re on the clock. “Just because we're off the clock doesn’t mean that instinct stops,” he said. “What this lady did—on her wedding day no less—is just remarkable and shows her commitment to health care in general.” The moment may not have been part of the plan, but it was one her husband, and likely everyone who witnessed it, won’t forget. In the end, it was a wedding night that turned into a life-saving mission. And Schubert says she wouldn’t have done it any other way.

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School Bus Driver Saves Missing 4-Year-Old From Lake Despite Never Having Swum

Mebal Kaanyi had just wrapped up her afternoon school route in Roseville, Minnesota, when she saw something that didn’t sit right. A young boy, dressed only in underwear and a short-sleeve shirt, was running barefoot down Chandler and Owasso Boulevard in the cold. He was crying, clearly upset—and clearly alone. Kaanyi didn’t know it yet, but the child had just been reported missing. His aunt had called 911, and deputies were already en route. From behind the wheel of her Schmitty & Sons school bus, Kaanyi watched as the boy ran toward the nearby lake. She called out from her window, trying to get his attention. He didn’t stop. Then the gate by the lake swung open. “My heart skipped,” Kaanyi said. Without hesitating, she secured the bus, got out, and ran after him. By the time she reached the shore, the boy had stepped into the water. It was a deep section, and he immediately began to struggle. Here’s what makes what happened next even more remarkable: Kaanyi is terrified of water. She’s never learned how to swim. “I get goosebumps just looking at the water,” she said. “I’m so afraid of water, but that day, I was determined to do anything possible to save that kid.” As the boy flailed, he managed to push himself toward her. Kaanyi reached out, grabbed his hand, and pulled him to safety. She then carried him back to her bus and wrapped him in towels until first responders arrived. Ramsey County Sgt. Matt Marson was among the deputies who responded. He later credited Kaanyi with preventing what could have been a tragic outcome. “She was integral in saving that child’s life,” he said. “She’s a hero, plain and simple.” Kaanyi, now being hailed for her bravery, isn’t looking for praise. She insists she simply did what anyone should do. “We need to live in a society whereby we care for one another,” she said. Local officials say she will be formally honored with a life-saving award.

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Post Malone Just Treated Nashville First Responders to Free Thanksgiving Meals

Post Malone is making sure Nashville’s first responders don’t miss out on a good Thanksgiving meal—even if they’re stuck on duty. The music star and entrepreneur is offering free meals to uniformed first responders this week at his new Nashville restaurant, Posty’s. The offer runs from Wednesday, November 26, through Friday, November 28, and aims to give a little gratitude to those keeping the city safe during the holiday season. “To the ladies and gentlemen who keep Nashville safe each day, we’d love to thank you for your service!” the restaurant announced on Instagram. “On-duty, uniformed first responders are invited to please join us…to enjoy a complimentary meal at Posty’s!” The gesture quickly won praise from fans—many of whom know firsthand how tough working holidays can be. “Being a retired first responder, this means so much to those away from their families during the holidays,” one commenter wrote. “At least they can eat with their work families. THANK YOU.” Others chimed in with support, calling it “fantastic” and “exactly the kind of respect and acknowledgment they deserve.” Located in the heart of Nashville, Posty’s is one of Malone’s latest ventures outside of music. While fans have already been loving the food, this latest move is giving people even more reason to show up—and show appreciation. For anyone who can’t make it to the restaurant this week, Posty’s also released new holiday merch just in time for Christmas. As one fan put it, “Just returned from NASH and LOVED your new joint!” It’s a reminder that beneath the tattoos and flashy style, Post Malone continues to show up in real ways for people—and this Thanksgiving, it’s the city’s first responders who get a taste of that generosity.

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Gemini South Telescope Captures Stunning New Image Of The Butterfly Nebula

The Gemini South telescope is turning 25, and to mark the occasion, astronomers have released a stunning new image of the Butterfly Nebula, a swirling, colorful cloud of gas shaped like wings and glowing with the remnants of a dying star. Also known as NGC 6302, the nebula sits in the constellation Scorpius, between 2,500 and 3,800 light-years from Earth. At its heart is a white dwarf blazing at 250,000 degrees Celsius—the burnt-out core of a star that once resembled our own sun, only slightly bigger. That now-dead star reached the end of its life by expanding into a red giant, shedding its outer layers in a final burst of stellar drama. What was left behind became this cosmic butterfly: slower material ejected along its equator formed a dusty dark band in its center, while faster gas flowed out along the poles, creating the wings. A hot stellar wind gave those wings their final sculpting. Today, the material in the nebula glows at about 20,000 degrees Celsius, ionized by the radiation from the white dwarf. In the new image, ionized hydrogen appears red, while ionized oxygen glows blue. It’s not just beautiful—it’s also a preview. Astronomers say our own sun will meet the same fate in about 5 billion years. The anniversary image was selected as part of a student competition in Chile, where Gemini South is located. Schoolchildren picked the Butterfly Nebula to be imaged in high detail using the observatory’s 8.1-meter-wide mirror. Perched atop Cerro Pachón in the Chilean Andes, Gemini South is one half of the International Gemini Observatory. Its twin, Gemini North, sits atop Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Together, they give astronomers a nearly complete view of the night sky from both hemispheres. Operated by the U.S. National Science Foundation’s NOIRLab, the project is funded by a partnership between the United States, Brazil, Canada, Chile, and the United Kingdom. The Gemini telescopes were the vision of astronomer Fred Gillett, who died shortly after Gemini South's first light in 2000. The northern telescope now bears his name—the Frederick C. Gillett Gemini Telescope. Both observatories are equipped with advanced tools like adaptive optics and infrared cameras, allowing astronomers to peer deep into dusty regions of space and capture sharp, wide-field images of objects like the Butterfly Nebula. As Gemini South enters its second quarter-century, its team is already looking forward to even more discoveries—and more views of the universe as dramatic as this one.

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Jug Older Than Christianity to Be Returned to Cyprus After UK Auction Discovery

A tiny ceramic jug believed to be nearly 2,800 years old is being returned to Cyprus, after it was spotted at a UK auction and identified as a significant antiquity. The 7cm-tall artefact, dated to around 750 BC, was discovered during a sale at The Cotswold Auction Company in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. Once experts recognised its cultural value, the item was quickly withdrawn from auction. Marios Theocharous from the Cypriot government collected the piece—known as a "juglet" due to its small size—earlier this month as part of an ongoing repatriation effort. “This jug is significant,” said Theocharous. “It’s a piece of our collective memory.” The jug is currently being kept at the Cypriot High Commission in London, where it will remain until its return to Cyprus, where officials expect it will eventually go on display in a museum. Its return is part of a broader campaign by the Cypriot government to reclaim items that were “illegally removed” from the island in the 1960s and 70s. Many cultural artefacts were taken during a time of political unrest, and the government has spent years trying to trace and recover them. In a statement on December 3, 2024, Cypriot authorities announced that more than 100 objects had been repatriated from the UK. These included Neolithic stone stools dating as far back as the seventh millennium BC, and pottery from the Early Bronze Age, around 2,000 BC. The Cotswold Auction House said it was committed to respecting cultural heritage and fully supported the return of the jug. “As a company, we are committed to respecting the cultural heritage of other countries, as well as our own, and fully support the Cypriot government in its efforts to repatriate antiquities,” said Niall Fry, saleroom manager at the auction house. He also noted that there was no suggestion of wrongdoing on the part of the seller. “The jug may have been in the UK for decades or centuries, and they would not have been aware of its legal status in Cyprus,” he said. For Cyprus, efforts to reclaim lost heritage items continue, with authorities pursuing artefacts that represent the island’s deep and layered history—from Neolithic tools to Bronze Age ceramics and beyond.

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She’s Back: World’s Oldest Wild Bird Returns to Nest at 75

Wisdom, the world’s oldest known wild bird, is alive and nesting once again. The 75-year-old Laysan albatross has been spotted at the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, located about 2,100 kilometres northwest of Honolulu. Her arrival marks another successful return to the same site where she’s been coming for decades. “The queen returns!” the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) said in a post celebrating her return. Wisdom was first banded in 1956, during the Eisenhower administration, after laying an egg. Biologists estimate she was at least five years old at the time—the minimum breeding age for her species—making her at least 75 now. Since then, she’s returned almost every year to nest, likely producing between 50 to 60 eggs over her lifetime and successfully raising as many as 30 chicks. Last year, Wisdom laid an egg for the first time in four years and was seen feeding the chick in February. This year, she arrived slightly earlier than usual. Her current mate, a new partner she was first seen with last season, hasn’t been spotted yet. Laysan albatrosses, called mōlī in Hawaiian, typically reunite with the same mate at the same nesting site each year and lay one egg if they’re able. The species is known for its long-term pair bonds and loyalty to nesting grounds. Wisdom is one of millions of seabirds that migrate to Midway Atoll annually to breed. The refuge, part of the larger Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, is a vital habitat for over 70 percent of the world’s Laysan albatross population. Her story has become a symbol of endurance and resilience, especially for conservationists. Despite the odds of survival in the open ocean, and through threats like marine pollution and habitat loss, Wisdom continues to beat the odds year after year. “Wisdom, specifically, has been doing this since the Eisenhower administration,” USFWS noted. Her continued presence is being celebrated not just as a scientific curiosity but as a hopeful reminder of what’s possible when wildlife is protected.

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This NFL Superstar Just Lifted the Spirits of a Young Cancer Patient With a Heartwarming Sideline Meeting

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry spent part of their Thanksgiving week rolling up their sleeves — and brought their kids along to help. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles (OBKLA) for a day of community service, with Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, by their side. The family joined volunteers in preparing and packaging meals for Angelenos facing food insecurity. Photos released by their Archewell Foundation on November 26 show the two young royals helping out on the packaging line, with Archie and Lili shaping dough balls alongside their parents. Meghan captioned the moment on Instagram: "Show up, do good." Harry, 41, was seen scooping bell peppers over containers of meat and rice, while Meghan, 44, held Lili’s hand nearby. Both wore matching Archewell hats for the occasion, with Meghan in a custom apron and Harry donning an OBKLA smock. The day of service was part of Archewell’s collaboration with OBKLA, a community-run nonprofit kitchen that produces more than 70,000 meals annually for local shelters and organizations. The team’s efforts this week supported groups including Mercy Housing, the Pico Union Project, and PATH (People Assisting the Homeless). For Meghan and Harry, bringing their children along wasn’t just about helping out — it’s part of how they’re raising Archie and Lilibet to understand the value of giving back. In a June episode of the Aspire with Emma Grede podcast, Meghan talked about using their vegetable garden in Montecito as a teaching tool. “We grow a lot of veggies,” she said, “and part of what I want them to learn is — and gardening is really so great for children, ’cause it teaches them patience, teaches them to value and appreciate their food.” She said the kids start from seed and learn to watch their food grow, then decide whether they want to sell the harvest or share it. “I think that’s key for children to understand that, especially children who are very lucky to have a home that has privilege,” she said. “You need to know that, just like manners, and taking care of the things around you, there is a value on things.” Meghan has often talked about how important community is during the holidays, especially for those who don’t have family nearby. Last year, she told Marie Claire that Thanksgiving at their home is usually a low-key gathering, with her mother, Doria Ragland, often joining and the door always open for friends in need of a place to go. “I think you always make sure there’s room at the table for your friends who don’t have family, which is really key,” she said. The Duchess added that the holidays have taken on new meaning now that Archie and Lilibet are old enough to remember and participate. “Now we’re at the age where I just can’t wait to see it through their lens every year,” she said. “We’re always making sure we have something fun to do.” This week’s visit to OBKLA seems to fit that vision — a hands-on moment that’s equal parts family bonding and public service.

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Stargazers Prepare To Watch The Northern Lights In 10 States This Thanksgiving

The northern lights could make a surprise appearance this week across parts of the U.S., with forecasters predicting a moderate burst of aurora activity Wednesday and Thursday night — just in time for the holiday rush. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says a Kp index of four is expected both evenings, enough to trigger minor geomagnetic storm conditions and give skywatchers in northern states a solid shot at catching the aurora borealis. If conditions hold, people in up to ten states — including Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, and Alaska — may be treated to glowing streaks of green and pink across the night sky. The best viewing window is expected between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. The Kp index measures the strength of geomagnetic activity on a scale from zero to nine. A level four isn’t extreme, but it can still produce visible auroras when skies are dark and clear — especially in more northerly regions. “The aurora forecast is looking promising,” NOAA said, noting that brighter displays with more “motion and formations” could show up if the solar wind continues to interact with Earth’s magnetic field. The aurora borealis forms when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth’s upper atmosphere, triggering bursts of light that ripple across the sky. The process is set off by geomagnetic storms, which are often fueled by solar flares or coronal mass ejections. In this case, a stream of solar wind is expected to graze Earth’s magnetosphere, just enough to stir up minor G1-level storm activity. These are the lowest level on NOAA’s geomagnetic storm scale but can still produce visible auroras under the right conditions. To see them, experts say it’s all about location and timing. You’ll want to head somewhere far from city lights, preferably on high ground with a clear view facing north. A quiet field or hilltop away from buildings and streetlights works best. Then, be patient. Auroras can appear suddenly and vanish just as quickly, so staying out for at least an hour or two improves your chances. And if you’re hoping to snap a photo? Modern smartphones can do the job surprisingly well. On iPhones, switch to Night Mode. On Androids, look for Pro Mode or adjust the exposure manually. Turn off the flash, keep the camera steady — a tripod helps — and take several shots. Some newer phones will even auto-adjust settings to highlight low-light skies. Those using a DSLR or mirrorless camera should opt for a wide-angle lens, use longer exposure times (between 5 and 30 seconds), and set ISO to somewhere between 800 and 3200, depending on how dark it is. A tripod is a must for crisp shots. For many, this week’s possible aurora show is a rare opportunity to see one of nature’s most mesmerizing phenomena without having to travel to the Arctic Circle. And with Thanksgiving travel in full swing, it could offer a quiet moment of awe before the holiday bustle kicks in. Cloud cover and light pollution will be the main obstacles. As always, clear skies are key, and conditions can change rapidly. NOAA offers real-time aurora forecasts through its Space Weather Prediction Center , where skywatchers can track live updates and check their odds of seeing the northern lights as the evening progresses. So if you’re in one of the lucky states — and willing to bundle up — it might be worth stepping outside after dark and looking up.

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