South Carolina is getting its only civil rights museum

South Carolina photographer Cecil Williams has spent years capturing powerful images of the civil rights movement, from sit-ins to protests and portraits of African Americans overcoming discrimination. Now, his millions of photographs are being digitized and categorized, and plans are underway to move his collection into a larger building in Orangeburg. Williams hopes that through his work, young people will recognize the everyday superheroes who fought for justice in their own neighborhoods.

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Canadian Farmers are Smashing Harvest Records Amid a Five-Year Drought

Against all odds, Canadian farmers have pulled off a record-breaking grain harvest in the middle of a relentless five-year drought. It’s a feat that defies expectations. In Wawanesa, Manitoba, farmer Simon Ellis watched as pounding rains gave way to searing drought—conditions that typically ruin crops. But when harvest time came, Ellis rolled out his combine to collect fields of plump, healthy wheat. That wheat is now part of a historic national yield, with spring wheat averaging 58.8 bushels per acre—up 77 percent compared to the three-year average from 30 years ago, according to newly released government data cited by Reuters. “We are constantly making little tweaks,” Ellis told Reuters. “That’s how we’re going to be able to keep fighting the changing climate.” Those tweaks include a mix of high-tech and low-till methods. On Ellis’s farm, underground drainage systems prevent flooding. He uses slow-release fertilizer and precise weed control to reduce runoff and chemical usage. But perhaps most important is his commitment to zero-till farming. Zero-till, or no-till farming, means leaving the soil undisturbed before planting. That allows existing plant cover—like clover or grasses—to stay in place, protecting the soil from erosion and extreme heat. It also keeps the soil’s microbiome intact, a hidden web of bacteria and fungi that supports plant health and strengthens immunity. Today, roughly 75 percent of farmers across Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Alberta use zero-till methods. The practice cuts down on fuel and pesticide use while helping fields hold moisture better during dry spells. These regenerative agriculture methods go a step further than sustainability. They aim to leave soil healthier and more fertile after each harvest, sometimes by running animal herds over the fields between seasons, or planting cover crops that protect and enrich the soil. Other strategies are making a difference too: intercropping (growing multiple crops in the same field), cover cropping, and the use of GPS-guided tractors and seeders are all helping boost yields in regions that once struggled to grow anything reliably. In places like the Western Canadian Prairie—where farming has never been easy—these innovations have become essential as climate shifts accelerate. According to Reuters, farmers in grain-growing regions of Australia are seeing similar gains thanks to a similar mix of tools and techniques. That progress doesn’t come cheap. High-speed tractors and precision combines can cost more than a million dollars. Tile drainage systems, which channel excess water into underground pipes instead of letting it sit on the surface, are expensive to install. But the long-term payoffs are real: lower annual spending on fuel, fertilizer, and pesticide use, along with healthier soil and more resilient crops. For Ellis, who’s sending most of his surplus grain abroad to developing countries, the message is simple. With the right mix of tradition and technology, even the harshest growing conditions can yield results.

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Drones and DNA Reveal Secrets of the Amazon Rainforest Canopy

What lives in the towering treetops of the Amazon? For decades, the answer has remained elusive. But scientists in Peru are now using drones and cutting-edge genetic tools to help fill in the blanks. A team from ETH Zürich’s Environmental Robotics Lab, in partnership with the nonprofit Wilderness International, has piloted a novel method combining drone flights with environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling to detect vertebrate species living high in the rainforest canopy. The results: 257 species detected, including many that traditional ground-based methods miss entirely. “It also matches with our traditional ground data of the species present in the area,” said Marie Schreiber, head of science communication at Wilderness International. “For us, that was important in order to understand the reliability of the data.” Environmental DNA refers to genetic material animals leave behind—through skin, hair, saliva, or droppings—which can linger in the environment. It’s been used widely in water sampling to detect species presence, but scientists say that approach tends to overlook animals that live in trees. “What is going on in the treetops is very difficult to understand and assess,” Schreiber told Mongabay. “We have researchers who cover the ground level when it comes to traditional biodiversity research.” To address that gap, the team flew drones over two protected rainforest areas near the Tambopata River in the Peruvian Amazon. At each location, the drone lowered a probe with a moist cloth pad into the canopy, brushing against leaves and branches to collect genetic material. The approach worked. One single canopy sample yielded DNA from up to 50 species. But when researchers compared these findings to water-based samples collected in the same regions, they found little overlap. Water samples identified more species overall, but the canopy samples revealed entirely different taxonomic groups, including species unlikely to be detected in rivers or streams. “This highlighted the importance of both techniques and the need to use them in a complementary manner,” said postdoctoral researcher Steffen Kirchgeorg, who helped design the drone system. He explained that because eDNA is “rather stochastic”—randomly scattered and uneven—it was important to maximize contact between the probe and the vegetation. Later flights were fully automated, allowing the drone to follow a pre-programmed path and boost collection efficiency. Beyond advancing science, the data could carry weight in conservation planning. “This is data with a lot of impact because it helps in justifying the establishing of new conservation areas and getting funding for them,” Schreiber said. The study comes at a time when the Peruvian Amazon is under mounting threat from deforestation, agriculture, mining, and road development. Many species remain poorly studied, and researchers say the number of individuals per species is often very low—making detection even more important. While the technology is promising, Kirchgeorg acknowledged that cost and logistical hurdles remain. “The political or general safety situation may not allow us to bring in drones for these kinds of purposes,” he said. Still, both Kirchgeorg and Schreiber are optimistic. As eDNA analysis becomes cheaper and more accessible, and as drones become more autonomous, this method could be scaled up to study hard-to-reach ecosystems around the world. For now, it’s giving scientists an unprecedented look at what’s living in one of the planet’s most biodiverse—and least explored—realms: the treetops.

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This Canadian Rower is Set to Cross the Atlantic in a Solo Challenge for Brain Tumour Research

Kyle Wills knows pain. Every stroke he takes in training comes with it, but he wears it as a badge of purpose. In 2024, Wills’ best friend of 30 years was diagnosed with an astrocytoma, a cancerous brain tumour. The diagnosis changed everything. “I just thought what better time to raise awareness and raise money for a cause like that,” said Wills. Now, the London, Ontario native is preparing for the World’s Toughest Row Atlantic Ocean Challenge, a grueling solo journey across 4,800 kilometers of open sea. He’ll launch from the Canary Islands and finish in Antigua, alone in a small rowing boat, navigating unpredictable swells and solitude for weeks on end. But Wills sees that uncertainty as symbolic. “A lot of our community members face overwhelming odds, and they have to demonstrate resilience and determination day to day,” said Nicole Farrell, CEO of the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, which will receive some of the funds Wills raises. His efforts will also benefit Toronto’s SickKids hospital. “Every child should have the opportunity to have a healthy, carefree childhood, have fun with their friends, explore the world in ways that I got to,” Wills said. Farrell added that the donations will help support research grants and educational initiatives aimed at finding a cure. “It allows us to find research grants and educational words that are really our goal... so that nobody needs to face this disease.” The race begins December 12, 2026, but the mission for Wills started long before that. “I just had that gut feeling of this is the next thing,” he said. “This is what you need to do.” It won’t be easy. Physically and mentally, it’s one of the toughest endurance feats in the world. But Wills says he’s not turning back. “I just took the leap and leapt into it.”

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‘DC Snow Heroes’ Brave Ice and Cold to Help Neighbors Dig Out

After a fierce winter storm swept across Washington, DC, dumping 25 centimeters of dry snow that quickly turned to ice, dozens of volunteers grabbed their shovels and hit the streets. They weren’t doing it for pay or praise—they were doing it for their neighbors. With city crews focused on clearing main roads, sidewalks in many residential areas remained blocked and dangerous, especially for seniors, people with disabilities, and young children. That’s when the “DC Snow Heroes” stepped in. Organized through Serve DC, a volunteer program run by Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office, the initiative brings together locals willing to shovel snow and chip away ice for anyone unable to do so themselves. “As a community, we have to stick together, we have to do what we can do for one another,” said David Ford, one of the volunteers, in an interview with DC News Now. “It’s a lot of people that [are] unable to do things, so that’s where we come in.” Another Snow Hero put it simply: “Service is the gateway to all success.” The winter storm that hit the region on Sunday blanketed sidewalks in thick snow. But it was the refreeze overnight that created a real hazard—solid sheets of ice that made even short walks risky. Residents like Shirley Thomas were grateful to see the volunteers show up. Thomas uses a crutch to get around and said it would have been impossible to clear the snow in front of her home alone. Watching the volunteers work, she said, “It’s not too many people in the world like that.” According to Serve DC, anyone in the area can sign up to join the effort, even for just one day. The program is part of a broader push by Mayor Bowser’s office to strengthen community bonds through service. “It is outstanding,” said Lamont Carey, Director of Community Affairs for the Mayor’s Office. “This is really neighbors helping your neighbors, showing the kind of community and love that the mayor thrives off—that we are building—and making sure that we sustain a district.” For those inspired to help, sign-ups are open through Serve DC’s website. All it takes is a little time, a warm jacket, and a shovel. And maybe a bit of heart.

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Philadelphia, The Karate Kid, and More Added To The National Film Registry

The Library of Congress has named 25 new additions to the National Film Registry, and two actors are getting double the recognition. Bing Crosby, the velvet-voiced star of Hollywood’s golden age, saw White Christmas (1954) and High Society (1956) inducted. Meanwhile, Denzel Washington’s performances in Glory (1989) and Philadelphia (1993) also earned a place on the prestigious list. All four titles are now part of what the Library calls “the country's most culturally significant films.” Created in 1988, the registry aims to spotlight films that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant,” and serves as a cornerstone of American film preservation. The registry accepts 25 films each year, typically announcing the picks in December. This time, the list for 2025 was released in early 2026, with no explanation for the delay. Among this year's selections are a record number of silent films—six in total—many of them newly discovered or restored. The earliest is The Tramp and the Dog (1896), an early example of comedic “pants humor” and likely the first commercial film made in Chicago. Another standout is The Oath of the Sword (1914), the earliest known Asian American film, which tells the story of a Japanese student in California longing for his love back home. The registry also included The Maid of McMillan (1916), believed to be the first student-made film in the United States, and Ten Nights in a Barroom (1926), a prohibition-era melodrama with an all-Black cast. It's one of only two surviving films from the Colored Players Film Corporation, a pioneering Black-led production company based in Philadelphia. On the documentary side, four titles were added, including Brooklyn Bridge (1981), Ken Burns’ first major film. It shares the spotlight with Say Amen, Somebody (1982), a powerful portrait of gospel music, and two more recent entries, The Hours (2002) and Frida (2002). For movie lovers of the Gen X era, the additions read like a greatest hits list. Clueless (1995), Before Sunrise (1995), The Karate Kid (1984), and The Big Chill (1983) all made the cut. Ralph Macchio, who played the underdog Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid, called the news a major honor. "I'm amazingly proud," Macchio told the Library of Congress. "The National Film Registry and film preservation are so important because it keeps the integrity of cinema alive for multiple generations." Also included is The Thing (1982), John Carpenter’s cult horror classic that was critically panned at release but later hailed as a genre-defining film. More contemporary titles include The Truman Show (1998), the prescient satire on reality TV and surveillance culture starring Jim Carrey, and The Incredibles (2004), Pixar’s beloved animated take on a dysfunctional superhero family. Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) rounds out the list. The film, set in a fictional Alpine resort during the 1930s, was inspired in part by Anderson’s time spent researching at the Library of Congress. “When we were first starting to try to figure out, how do we tell this story… the architecture and the landscapes… they don't exist anymore,” Anderson said in a statement. He explained that his team scoured the library’s massive “photocrom” collection—early colorized photographs—for visual references. “Much of what is in our film comes directly—with our little twist on it—from that collection, from the library, the Library of Congress.” Here’s the full list of films added to the National Film Registry for 2025, in chronological order: • The Tramp and the Dog (1896) • The Oath of the Sword (1914) • The Maid of McMillan (1916) • The Lady (1925) • Sparrows (1926) • Ten Nights in a Barroom (1926) • White Christmas (1954) • High Society (1956) • Brooklyn Bridge (1981) • Say Amen, Somebody (1982) • The Thing (1982) • The Big Chill (1983) • The Karate Kid (1984) • Glory (1989) • Philadelphia (1993) • Before Sunrise (1995) • Clueless (1995) • The Truman Show (1998) • Frida (2002) • The Hours (2002) • The Incredibles (2004) • The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) The registry now contains 875 films, and each new addition helps preserve the evolving story of American cinema.

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“I Feel Amazing”: Norfolk Man Walks Dog Days After Robotic Cancer Surgery

A UK man is back on his feet just days after undergoing pioneering robotic surgery to remove a cancerous tumour and rebuild his oesophagus — a procedure he describes as “incredible” and “life or death.” Nick Samiotis, 54, says the 12-hour operation at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) spared him weeks in hospital and a long recovery. Instead of the large scars and extended downtime that come with traditional open surgery, he walked his dog just nine days later. “I feel quite amazing… as soon as I’ve finished here, I’m off to take the dog for a walk,” he said. Samiotis, who designs props for computer games, was diagnosed with advanced oesophageal cancer in August after struggling to swallow and walk long distances with his border collie. He also experienced anaemia and persistent heartburn. After chemotherapy to shrink the tumour, he underwent a robotic-assisted oesophagectomy — the removal of part or all of the food pipe. His surgeon, Nicholas Penney, operated using one of the hospital’s four Da Vinci surgical robots. Penney explained that the robotic system allows for greater precision and less trauma to the body. “The movements we make are miniaturised and we can move the instruments like our hands… it’s all very stable,” he said. “We are seeing them leaving hospital quicker and getting back home and to normal life much sooner.” According to Penney, the robotic approach is more precise and results in fewer complications. “Patients are in a lot less pain,” he said. “We’re seeing fewer pneumonia cases because the damage to the chest and ribs is far less, so people can breathe better after surgery.” Samiotis was left with 15 small keyhole scars instead of a large incision. “It’s a lot less trauma to the body so your recovery period is much reduced,” he said. “Otherwise, you’d end up with this huge scar down the side… it takes a lot longer to recover.” While the small scars “don’t look pretty,” he added, “they’re far easier to recover from than lots of big incisions, and they just seal them up with medical-grade superglue.” NNUH has become the largest provider of multi-specialty robotic surgery at a single site in the East of England, doubling its number of Da Vinci robots from two to four. Two of the new machines were funded by £2.8 million in donations to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals Charity, which is now raising money for a fifth robot that could also be used in paediatric procedures. Penney said that prior to the expansion, around 25% of all oesophagectomies at the hospital were performed robotically. “We hope that will rise to all appropriate cases by the end of the year,” he said. Nick Hernon, associate clinical director at NNUH, said robotic-assisted surgery is “fast becoming the future of surgical practice” and that the hospital hopes to strengthen its training partnerships with the University of East Anglia. NHS England has projected that 9 in 10 keyhole surgeries will be robot-assisted within the next decade. That’s a significant jump from current levels, which stand at roughly 1 in 5. Samiotis is now facing additional chemotherapy and a strict post-surgery diet. His stomach is smaller, so he’ll transition from liquids to soft foods. Still, he’s grateful. “Without it, I wouldn’t be able to eat — and the cancer would have spread,” he said. “My family are massively relieved I’ve come through the operation and I’m standing 10 days later. You wouldn’t know I’d had an operation unless you were there.” His daughter Tabitha, 19, said she was nervous at first about robotic surgery but ultimately found comfort in how far the technology had come. “Three years ago this surgery wouldn’t even have happened,” she recalled a nurse saying. “But in the end, you just have to trust the professionals. The surgical team were remarkable people… you’ve got to be positive, he’s a fighter.” Looking back, Samiotis said he’d tell his past self not to worry. “The important thing is I’m hopefully cancer-free,” he said.

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LeBron James Gets Emotional During Return to Cleveland as Cavs Honor Him With Tribute

LeBron James’ return to Cleveland on Wednesday night was more than just another road game — it was a homecoming filled with reflection, family, and raw emotion. During a timeout in the Cavaliers’ 129-99 blowout win over the Los Angeles Lakers, the team honored James with a tribute video at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. As the highlights played — including his legendary 25-point scoring run against the Detroit Pistons in the 2007 playoffs — cameras caught James on the bench wiping away tears. “Obviously, with the moment they put up there with the Detroit game and looking up in the rafters and seeing our championship banner, it was a lot of reflecting for sure,” James said afterward. The video underscored James’ historic legacy in Cleveland, from his debut as the No. 1 overall pick in 2003 to leading the Cavaliers to their first and only NBA title in 2016. He called the emotional reaction a result of “being present.” James’ performance on the court was quiet by his standards — 11 points, five assists, three rebounds, and six turnovers in 27 minutes, shooting just 3-for-10 from the field — but the night was meaningful in other ways. One major highlight: his mother, Gloria James, was in attendance to watch both her son and grandson take the floor together. “My mom got to watch her son and her grandson play in the NBA at the same time,” James said. Bronny James, who joined the Lakers this season, finished with eight points in eight minutes, going 3-for-3 from the field and nailing both of his three-point attempts. He capped off the game with a late highlight dunk that brought the crowd — and his father — to their feet. James did not offer any updates on his future plans, but the night was a reminder of everything he's accomplished — and how much he still means to the city that watched him grow up.

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Man Takes Advantage of Icy Driveway to 'Slide Like a Penguin'

A playful man in Morgantown, West Virginia, took advantage of the weekend’s freezing conditions to slide down his icy driveway on his belly. Before filming the stunt, Luke Nesler tells the camera that it might be his only opportunity to ever slide down his driveway like “a penguin.” After capturing the attention of his neighbor, he ascends the mild incline and begins the slide. Posting the video to Instagram, Nesler said he “had to seize the moment”.

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A Manitoba Bakery Revived a Forgotten Bread Technique — and It’s Changing Lives

In a small kitchen in Niverville, Manitoba, an old-world bread-making method that nearly disappeared is making a quiet comeback — and it started with a love story. Chris Holbrow and Maria Syroezhko launched Forgotten Flavours in 2022, after Syroezhko revived a baking technique passed down from her great-grandmother in eastern Europe. The method, which predates modern sourdough, gave Holbrow something he hadn’t had in years: bread he could actually eat without pain. Holbrow had long struggled with chronic digestive issues. Traditional breads didn’t sit right. But once Syroezhko started experimenting with her great-grandmother’s techniques — through trial, error, and what she describes as “a thousand fails” — something changed. “I just rediscovered it,” she said. “Step by step, remembering and researching… we got where we are now.” That rediscovery turned into a full-fledged business. Today, Forgotten Flavours operates out of two locations — one in Niverville and one in Winnipeg — and has developed a loyal customer base drawn to its long-fermented, wild-yeast breads made from fresh-milled, local grains. Unlike sourdough, where bakers maintain a living starter, Holbrow and Syroezhko make their wild yeast fresh for every batch. The fermentation process for each loaf takes 48 hours, and from start to finish, every piece of bread takes three to four days to make. “Working with wild yeast is different each day,” Syroezhko said. “Every day, you're solving your puzzle. It's not always the same.” The yeast is cultivated from ingredients like fruit, vegetables, dairy, or grains. Syroezhko compares it to farming — invisible, but alive. Food scientist Maneka Malalgoda, an assistant professor at the University of Manitoba, says the method’s long fermentation time is one key factor that can make bread easier to digest. “It impacts the flavour development, textural properties — it’s part of the puzzle,” Malalgoda said. She added that the use of local grains and the way they’re milled also plays a big role. What’s less common, she noted, is the use of wild yeast in commercial baking, since it’s harder to control. But for Forgotten Flavours, that unpredictability is part of the process — and the appeal. Holbrow, who left a corporate job in Winnipeg to help run the bakery full time, said they made the leap after hearing stories from customers who, like him, had trouble with conventional bread. “It’s a high-quality product that tastes good,” Holbrow said. “But our bodies are telling us that whatever we’re eating is not working for us.” He believes this old method — one that requires bakers to start fresh each time, rather than rely on a permanent sourdough starter — may have once been more common than people realize. But over time, it was replaced by quicker, more convenient alternatives. “I suspect we have always found the route of least resistance,” Holbrow said. Now, the couple are proving there’s a different path — one that takes longer, demands more, but might offer something better. “Bread is something that has always been known to bring people together,” Holbrow said. “We need more togetherness. The whole philosophy of breaking bread with one another is a very, very important thing.” For Holbrow and Syroezhko, Forgotten Flavours is more than a bakery. It’s a way of life — and a way to reconnect with food, community, and each other.

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This Actor Is Taking His Mom to the Oscars — A Promise 13 Years in the Making

Jacob Elordi isn’t showing up to the Oscars with a glam date or entourage — he’s bringing his mom. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday, Jan. 27, the 28-year-old Frankenstein star revealed he’ll be taking his mother as his date to the 2026 Academy Awards, fulfilling a promise he made over a decade ago. “I’m going to take mom,” Elordi said. “I promised her when I was 15 that I would take her, so I have to honor that.” Elordi is nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as the Creature in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. It’s a role that has put him in the Oscar spotlight — and given him a chance to reflect on the people who believed in him early on. His mother, he said, has “fully believed in me the whole time” and was actually the first person to tell him he’d been nominated. Elordi admitted he was too nervous to sit and wait for the announcement himself. “I went to bed, and I was asleep comfortably,” he said. “And then I heard my mom’s phone ring at like 5 a.m., and then her little feet coming up the stairs. Her face sort of told me that I’ve been nominated. It was so beautiful.” His dad got in on the celebration too — from the other side of the world. “He actually knew they were announcing the nominations, and he put a bottle of champagne on ice, and he stayed up til about midnight in Australia, and he called me, and we popped it together on the phone.” For Elordi, the Oscar nomination is more than just career recognition — it’s the realization of a childhood dream, fueled by his admiration for fellow Australian Heath Ledger. “You’re supposed to say, you know, that it doesn’t mean anything and art is subjective and all these things,” he told Kimmel. “But it really was a dream of mine. Particularly because of Heath Ledger. He kind of showed me that it was possible.” In a full-circle moment, Elordi noted that his nomination came exactly 18 years to the day after Ledger’s passing. “I’d like to take this to say thank you to Heath Ledger and for that inspiration,” Elordi said. “It really, really means the world to me.” With his mom at his side and a long-held promise fulfilled, Elordi will walk into Oscar night not just as a nominee — but as a son who kept his word.

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