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Residents of This Tiny Town are Changing Lives With $1 Million in Scholarships
On commencement night in Swanville, Minnesota, the school board fires up a picnic for graduates and their families. “This is our gift to them,” says board member Chris Kircher, flipping burgers on a gas grill. A bigger gift comes later. By the end of the evening, 21 of the school’s 24 graduates will head home with scholarships. Every student who applied gets one, from 2,500 to 8,000 dollars. When the last name is called, the town of 326 people will have awarded the Class of 2025 a total of 108,000 dollars. “To me, it’s just this community saying, go be great,” says graduate Zach Gapinski. “Go do something cool and make a difference in the world.” The idea dates to 1987, when former principal Chris Dunshee and local gas station owner Royal Loven brainstormed how to keep students from leaving for bigger districts. Dunshee remembers pitching a splashy move. “We’ll put a big billboard outside of town on the highway, says ‘Come to Swanville school, we give every student who graduates a scholarship,’” he says, laughing at the memory. The billboard never went up. “It didn’t have to,” laughs Loven. The scholarships did. Swanville started small, averaging 166 dollars per student that first year. The amounts grew as the town leaned in. Chili cookoffs, calendars, cheese curds, poinsettias, waffles, bingo, pull-tabs. Neighbors sold almost everything but the historic water tower to fill the fund. For recipients, the gesture matters as much as the cash. “It’s not even the money, it was just who it was coming from,” says Brittany Johnson, who received 500 dollars when she graduated in 2001, the same amount her husband, Brian, received the year before. “Swanville’s just a really special place,” she says. Now, Brittany and Brian donate to the fund that once helped them. The program runs through Swanville Dollars for Scholars, which President Teresa Giese describes in simple terms. “The goal is to support whatever’s next for kids,” she says. That includes students who take a gap year. “If you’re taking a break year and you apply, we’ll still allocate money to you,” Giese says. “If you go into the military, when you’re done with that, we’ll give you your money then.” This year’s awards average 5,142 dollars, with amounts based on GPA, school activities, work history, and goals. “This year, for the first time, we’re supporting someone with special needs going on to continued life skills,” Giese says. There is also a milestone tucked into the envelopes. “We’re awarding our one millionth dollar at graduation tonight,” Giese says, a benchmark almost four decades in the making. The mood on the football field is expectant and a little jittery. Students do not know their individual scholarship totals until they hear their names. “They really wait to surprise us,” says Gapinski, who plans to attend the University of Minnesota, Mankato. For senior Ingrid Mesa, bound for Southwest Minnesota State University, the night feels affirming. “Makes me feel special,” she says. Classmate Lily Peterson, headed to the University of Mary, hears a message from home in the checks and applause. “They want to support my dreams, and they want to see me go far, so one day maybe I can come back and give back also,” she says. The ceremony unfolds with familiar rituals. The high school band plays “Pomp and Circumstance” as seniors cross the field and climb the steps. One by one, scholarship recipients are called to the front to learn their awards while friends and families clap from rows of folding chairs. Some students will put their scholarships toward universities and technical schools. One plans for a school of hair design. A couple are undecided, knowing the support will be there when they are ready. The origin story still hangs close, shaped by a small town’s early response to open enrollment. Dunshee and Loven worried about losing students. Instead, they helped write a pitch that did not need roadside advertising. Swanville would invest in its kids and keep investing, one jar of donations and one chili pot at a time. The town kept showing up. The amounts grew. The habit stuck. For a place this size, the numbers are not small. A class of 24, with 21 applicants receiving awards, 108,000 dollars total, an average award north of five thousand, and a lifetime cumulative that hits one million tonight. Those figures only add up because people keep giving and keep fundraising, year after year. The message from the school is straightforward. Principal Sheryl Johnson tells the seniors, “Wherever you go, know that Swanville is always home.” It lands because the town has already shown what that looks like, from volunteers grilling burgers to committee members making calls to donors who once stood in the same line for their own envelopes. The scene ends like most graduations, with hugs, photos, and plans for what comes next. The difference is in the way those next steps are underwritten. The checks come from neighbors, alumni, and businesses that have built a tradition into a promise. The money will go to room deposits, tuition, toolkits, and books. The sentiment will travel with it.
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Miracle Reunion: Man Finds Class Ring Lost in Long Island Sound 56 Years Ago
When Alfred DiStefano received a package in the mail recently, he likely never expected it to contain a piece of his past. The package held his missing class ring, which had been lost for 56 years at Cedar Beach on Long Island Sound. Now Dr. Alfred DiStefano, the ring's return was a nostalgic reminder of a time when gasoline cost just 35 cents per gallon. The story of the ring's recovery started with David Orlowski, a hobbyist who has spent years scanning Long Island beaches with his metal detector. During one routine outing, Orlowski stumbled upon something extraordinary—DiStefano’s Fordham University class ring buried over 30 centimeters deep in the sand. Orlowski explained to ABC 7 how rings often end up lost at sea. "They go in the water, shrinks your hands, and off your ring goes," he said. His metal detector's loud ping led him to dig deeper than usual and uncover the white gold band inscribed with both the university's name and DiStefano’s own name. With these significant clues, Orlowski took to social media to find the rightful owner. He located a Facebook group for Fordham University's Class of 1969 reunion. There, Karen Manning, the group moderator, was moved by Orlowski's honesty and commitment to returning the ring. "He could have just sold it, and made some money on it," Manning told ABC News, adding that his actions restored her faith in humanity. Orlowski credits his wife for inspiring him to track down DiStefano. "She says, 'well, if you lost your ring, wouldn’t you want it returned?'" he recounted to Sonia Rincon from ABC 7. Once reunited with his long-lost treasure, Dr. DiStefano expressed his gratitude by sending Orlowski a thank-you gift using the return address from their correspondence.
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China Unveils World's Largest Solar Farm on Tibetan Plateau, Offering New Hope in Global Climate Fight
High on the Tibetan plateau, a vast expanse of gleaming solar panels now stretches as far as the eye can see. Chinese officials say it will be the world’s largest solar farm once complete, covering 610 square kilometres — roughly the size of Chicago — and generating enough power for five million households. The project is part of a solar boom that has propelled China to the top of global renewable energy charts. In the first six months of 2025 alone, China installed 212 gigawatts of new solar capacity — more than the entire U.S. solar fleet as of the end of last year. Solar has already overtaken hydropower and is expected to surpass wind this year as the country’s largest clean energy source. That rapid growth is starting to show up in climate data. A new study from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, published by *Carbon Brief*, found that China’s carbon emissions fell by 1 percent in the first half of 2025 compared to the year before, extending a downward trend that began in March 2024. For Lauri Myllyvirta, the Finland-based lead author, the development is striking. “We’re talking really for the first time about a structural declining trend in China’s emissions,” he said. Unlike previous dips linked to economic slowdowns, this one has come while electricity demand is rising — up 3.7 percent this year — because renewables are outpacing demand growth. Analysts say the shift could mark an early peak in China’s emissions, well ahead of the government’s target of doing so by 2030. Li Shuo, director of the China Climate Hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute, called it “a moment of global significance, offering a rare glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak climate landscape.” He said it proves a country can cut emissions while still growing economically. Still, coal remains the biggest obstacle. China continues to rely heavily on coal-fired power plants, and its electricity grid was designed for their steady output, not the variability of wind and solar. “This is an issue that the policymakers have recognised and are trying to manage,” Myllyvirta said, but it will require sweeping changes in grid operations and coal plant flexibility. Officials in Qinghai province, where the Tibetan plateau project is located, acknowledge another hurdle: geography. Much of China’s renewable energy is built in the sparsely populated west, while the country’s major industries and cities are concentrated in the east. Long-distance transmission lines are under construction to bridge that gap, including routes from Qinghai to Henan and eventually all the way to Guangdong. On the plateau itself, the solar farm is reshaping the landscape in unexpected ways. The panels act as windbreaks, slowing soil evaporation and allowing vegetation to return. Sheep graze beneath them, earning the nickname “photovoltaic sheep.” “In terms of production, enterprises generate electricity on the top level, and in terms of ecology, grass grows at the bottom under the solar panels, and villagers can herd sheep in between,” said Wang Anwei, head of the local energy administration. For now, China’s emissions are falling only modestly. To reach its carbon-neutral goal by 2060, they would need to decline by about 3 percent a year on average. “China needs to get to that 3 percent territory as soon as possible,” Myllyvirta said.
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Your Top Good News Stories From Around The World This Week
Here are some of the most impactful stories from around the world this week: Healthcare breakthroughs in the UK A new AI-assisted tool for stroke care is transforming patient outcomes in England. Already used on more than 60,000 brain scans, it speeds up diagnosis at a time when every minute counts. NHS director David Hargroves called it “revolutionising” for patients. Meanwhile, the NHS also rolled out Martha’s Rule, a new safeguard giving families the right to request a second medical opinion after the tragic death of 13-year-old Martha Mills. Doctors say the scheme ultimately improves patient care. Work and well-being in Scotland Scotland’s four-day workweek trial is showing promising results. Staff in two government agencies cut hours to 32 per week without losing pay, leading to big boosts in morale and mental health. Researchers say the findings echo similar successes in private sector pilots. Wildlife wins and environmental action Mexico’s jaguar population is up 30 percent since 2010, thanks to conservation programs and protected corridors, though threats from hunting and habitat loss remain. Scotland also announced a ban on bottom trawling in marine reserves spanning 60,000 square kilometers, a move hailed by conservationists as a major step for ocean health. Energy and climate shifts In the US, coal plant closures are accelerating, with more retirements expected in 2025 than any year yeT. Other nations, including Vietnam and Indonesia, continue their push to scale back coal power. Plastic waste and awareness campaigns South Australia is cracking down on single-use plastics, banning the tiny fish-shaped soy sauce containers often handed out with takeout meals. And in New Zealand, the government grabbed attention with a quirky but powerful campaign: revising its “population figure” upward to include native wildlife, reminding citizens of the urgent need for biodiversity protection.
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Meet The Teen Who Became One Of The UK's Youngest Train Drivers
Logan Smallwood has loved trains for as long as he can remember, and now, at just 18, he's one of the youngest licensed train drivers in the UK. Growing up in Lanchester, County Durham, Logan was surrounded by a family history linked to railways through his great-grandfather's work in the mines. This early connection sparked a passion that has only grown over time. "I’ve always loved trains," Logan told the BBC. "I’ve always said when I grow up, I want to be a train driver." His fascination was fueled further by a coal model of a Silver Link train gifted by his great-grandad—a pivotal moment that set him on track toward his dream career. After graduating from Newcastle College Rail Academy with honors and earning a diploma in Engineering Technologies, Logan began volunteering at the Weardale Railway Line last April. This heritage railway line features both steam locomotives and larger diesel engines, providing an ideal environment for Logan's interests. The young driver recently completed his first solo shift operating a Sentinel shunter locomotive on this picturesque 29-kilometer route. Logan’s role involves driving a 27-kilometer-per-hour Sentinel shunter—a type of locomotive used primarily for moving cargo cars around train yards but which also pulls passenger carriages along Weardale's scenic route. The region is recognized as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, similar to a US National Monument. The UK currently faces a shortage of train drivers. In response, legislation recently lowered the minimum age requirement from 20 to 18. Logan seized this opportunity and quickly obtained his driver's certificate for the Sentinel shunter. His mother expressed her pride when he achieved this milestone. When not working on full-sized trains, Logan dedicates time to another aspect of his passion—model trains. He maintains an extensive collection and participates actively at the Blackhill model club where he designs large railway layouts using wood and aluminum materials.
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Molly Picklum's Triumphant Return: Australia's New Surfing Sensation is Making Waves at Home
Australia is celebrating its newest surfing star, Molly Picklum, who returned to Sydney on Thursday after clinching her first world title. The 22-year-old from the Central Coast was met with a warm welcome from family and friends, all eager to congratulate her on this significant achievement. Picklum arrived home just two days after defeating American Caroline Marks in a thrilling showdown at the World Surf League (WSL) finals held in Fiji. Despite an impressive year on the waves, she had to win this final competition to secure her championship title. "I had all my school friends and friends that have seen me from young and just watched it all unfold," Picklum told ABC News upon her arrival. The journey to becoming the best in the sport didn't come easy. Picklum acknowledged that achieving victory under the WSL's competition structure is no small feat. "The way the system is, it's definitely a big mountain to climb at the end of the year," she said. Reflecting on her success, she noted how this triumph topped off a year filled with career highlights. This victory marks a significant moment for Australian surfing; it is the first time an Aussie has taken home the world champion title since Stephanie Gilmore earned her eighth crown in 2022. Following her win, both Gilmore and Layne Beachley reached out to offer their congratulations. "Those legends reached out straight away. They're all proud of me," Picklum shared. Being recognized by such iconic figures in Australian surfing made her achievement even more special. She expressed how joining this exclusive club of champions felt like coming full circle. "It's just such an honour," she said about being part of such esteemed company.
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NASA's New Handheld X-Ray Tech Could Revolutionize Astronaut Health on Moon and Mars Missions
NASA is preparing for missions that will take astronauts farther than ever before — to the Moon, Mars, and potentially beyond — and one of the biggest challenges isn’t just propulsion or power, but health care. With long communication delays and limited chances to return to Earth, astronauts will need to handle medical issues on their own, including diagnosing injuries like broken bones or dental problems. To help, scientists at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland are testing portable, handheld X-ray systems designed for spacecraft use. These mini devices could give astronauts the ability to immediately assess injuries or even pinpoint problems in equipment, all without the need for bulky hospital machines. “Technological innovations like that of the mini-X-ray will help keep our astronauts healthy as we endeavor farther into space than ever before,” said acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy. Testing the options NASA reviewed over 200 commercial systems, weighing factors like weight, size, image quality, ease of use, and safety. Three finalists — MinXray, Remedi, and Fujifilm — are now undergoing testing. “These X-rays could be used to detect both clinical and non-clinical diagnostics, meaning they can check an astronaut’s body or identify the location of a tear in an astronaut suit,” explained Dr. Chase Haddix, a senior biomedical engineering researcher working with the Universities Space Research Association at NASA Glenn. Because astronauts won’t have medical training, the system must be compact and easy to operate in cramped quarters. Data from current tests will help NASA decide which system can withstand the demands of space travel. Partnerships on Earth NASA Glenn is collaborating with Johnson Space Center in Houston, Langley Research Center in Virginia, and local Cleveland partners, including University Hospitals and Cuyahoga Community College. Cuyahoga students and faculty have contributed anatomical phantoms — lifelike body models — and shared expertise on patient positioning and image quality. Meanwhile, University Hospitals is running a study with real patients to compare the performance of the portable systems against hospital-grade machines. “Astronauts live and work in small quarters, much smaller spaces than in a hospital,” Haddix noted. “The system must be easy to use since astronauts may not be experienced in radiography.” Lessons from Earth to space Portable X-rays aren’t entirely new; they’ve already been used in hard-to-reach places such as Himalayan base camps and remote African villages. NASA researchers believe that if these devices perform well in extreme conditions on Earth, they may be durable enough for space. In fact, SpaceX has already helped test the idea. During its Fram2 mission in April, the crew captured the first-ever human X-ray images in space using a commercial portable system. What’s next NASA plans to select a device by late 2025. The chosen system will then be tested aboard the International Space Station in 2026 or early 2027, with the aim of becoming standard equipment for future exploration missions. For the teams at NASA Glenn, the work is about more than just machines. “Their knowledge and experience are invaluable as we work to test medical technologies that could significantly improve management of astronaut health on future missions to the Moon or Mars,” said Dr. Cy Peverill, project task lead. As NASA pushes outward into deep space, the hope is that these small, portable X-rays will give astronauts a critical edge: the ability to look inside the body — and inside their gear — wherever their mission takes them.
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Shaquille O’Neal Just Surprised This College Wrestler With a New Car So She Never Misses Practice Again
For most college athletes, getting to practice is just another part of the routine. However, for Tamara Humphries, better known as "The Firefly," this was a daily challenge. The 18-year-old wrestler at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown had the talent and a full-ride scholarship but lacked one crucial element: reliable transportation. Tamara’s determination shone through as she spent her summer working shifts at a local restaurant, saving up for her first car. Without it, she faced difficulties reaching practices and tournaments on time. Her story caught the attention of someone unexpected: NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. After coming across her story on social media, Shaq reached out to Tamara and her family. Instead of letting her continue struggling with transportation issues, he surprised her with a brand-new SUV. This generous gesture left Tamara in disbelief. “I’ve never had a car, ever,” she shared. “Unreal. That’s how it was. That’s amazing. Those are the only words I can use for it.” Shaq didn’t just stop at gifting a car; he also sent a video message filled with encouragement and some playful advice: “You keep body slamming people, you keep listening, and you keep your grades up. I love you. And no boys. Stay away from them boys.” Tamara’s wrestling career began in high school where she competed against boys and endured significant challenges early on. Her persistence paid off as she emerged as one of Pittsburgh's promising young wrestling talents with dreams of competing in the Olympics. Her gratitude extends beyond just receiving the vehicle; it's about what it represents for her future endeavors in wrestling. “I’m going to keep the journey going, live for everybody, and we’re all going to do this together and get some Olympic titles,” Tamara said. With Shaq’s support now propelling her forward, Tamara Humphries has one less obstacle on her path to success in wrestling.
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Firefighters Save Tangled Deer from Football Net in Daring Rescue
Firefighters in Essex were called out to an unusual rescue after a deer got itself tangled in a football net. The animal was discovered on the morning of September 4 in Brentwood, with netting wrapped tightly around its antlers and neck. Crews from Brentwood Fire Station lowered the goalpost before carefully untangling the deer. Fortunately, the animal was unharmed and bolted back into nearby woodland once freed. An Essex Fire and Rescue spokesperson couldn’t resist a few football puns when describing the callout. “Talk about a game of two halves,” they said. “Luckily, our team was on hand to tackle the situation, carefully freeing the deer so it could make a quick run up the wing back to safety. As you can see, it was soon off and running — a real hat-trick ending.” The RSPCA has repeatedly urged people to store football nets safely after use, warning that wildlife often becomes trapped in them with potentially fatal consequences.
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Why London's Iconic Big Ben Is Up For A Major Architecture Award
London’s most famous clocktower has a fresh claim to fame: its restoration has been shortlisted for Britain’s top architecture prize. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) announced Thursday that the five-year refurbishment of Big Ben — formally the Elizabeth Tower at Parliament — is a contender for the 2024 Stirling Prize. The jury called the project “a veritable masterclass in conservation and craftsmanship” that preserves “a defining symbol of British heritage.” The 96-metre tower, completed in 1859, houses the giant bell whose familiar chimes have marked the hours for more than 160 years. The bongs fell silent in 2017 when scaffolding went up for essential repairs. What was initially budgeted at £29 million (US\$39 million) more than doubled in cost, but the results unveiled in 2022 drew widespread praise. Work included repairing corroded cast-iron roofing, fixing damaged stonework, and carefully restoring the clock’s original Victorian blue and gold color scheme, which had been hidden for decades under layers of black paint. Craftspeople relied on traditional skills in stonemasonry, gilding, glass cutting, and clockmaking, while adding modern touches such as LED bulbs behind the clock faces and a new elevator to complement the 334-step climb to the belfry. The Stirling Prize, typically awarded to striking new buildings, has increasingly recognized infrastructure and conservation projects. Last year’s winner was the Elizabeth Line, London’s vast cross-city railway. Big Ben faces competition this year from AstraZeneca’s Discovery Center in Cambridge, the London College of Fashion’s new campus, and three housing developments. The winner will be revealed on October 16.
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How an 800-Pound Butter Sculpture Is Powering 600 Homes for a Year
For nearly six decades, the butter sculpture at the New York State Fair has been a must-see attraction. This year’s 800-pound creation, celebrating the 125th anniversary of *The Wonderful Wizard of Oz* and titled *“Dairy For Good: Nourish. Grow. Thrive,”* dazzled crowds for 13 days. But its story didn’t end when the fair closed. Instead, the butter block made a second transformation — into electricity. After being dismantled and packed into bags, the sculpture was sent less than 15 miles away to Noblehurst Farms, a working dairy farm in Western New York. There, co-owners Jack Klapper and Chris Noble recycled it using an anaerobic digester, a system that converts food waste and manure into renewable energy. “It goes into [an] anaerobic digester, and it sits in there for about 28 days,” Klapper told CNY Central. “Over that period of time it releases methane and the methane gets converted into electricity.” The process, which Noblehurst has used for a decade, combines the butter with cow manure and other food waste from local stores, cafeterias, and manufacturers. The mix creates enough energy to power the farm, its creamery, and more than 600 homes for a year. On its own, the sculpture generates enough electricity to power a single home for about three days. “We are extremely honored to be the 'official' recycler of the New York State Fair's butter sculpture,” Klapper said. “Recycling 800 pounds of butter is just another opportunity to showcase how we are sustainable by diverting food waste from landfills and creating renewable energy.” When Noblehurst first began its program, the farm processed about 500 tons of food waste each month. Today, it handles more than 100 tons every day. What once powered 300 homes now powers more than double that, with electricity also feeding into the local grid. Over the past 10 years, the farm has recycled four tons of State Fair butter and built a national reputation for sustainability. Its food recycling initiative, launched in 2015, has become a model for what the future of farming could look like. “It’s really important to focus on the whole life cycle of the cow and the products it’s making,” Noble said. “We’re not just producing milk. We’re also managing manure, recycling food waste from our communities, and generating renewable energy that’s used to power the farm and surrounding homes.” For Klapper, the butter’s afterlife represents something bigger than tradition. “What we’re able to do on farms today is incredible,” he said. “Over the last 20 years, there’s been a lot of technology introduced to the agricultural sector, and this is just one highlight of it. And we’re proud to be recyclers.” As he put it, once the 57th annual butter sculpture comes down, “the real transformation begins.” Ten years in, Noblehurst Farms says it’s only getting started.