Happy 63rd Birthday to Mike Rowe, one of America’s great informational television presenters. Known for his rich baritone voice and approachability, Rowe has hosted or narrated a variety of television programs that went on long runs on channels like Discovery and Nat Geo, including Dirty Jobs, Deadliest Catch, How the Universe Works, and Shark Week. READ more about Rowe… (1962)
3-year-old is Hero for Braving the Dark to Help Great-Grandma After Bloody Fall: ‘Yay, I did it!’
From Colorado comes the story of a little boy conquering his fear of the dark to help a family member in an emergency.
Sharon Lewis, a 77-year-old great-grandmother with mobility problems, fell on a concrete step, suffering a serious concussion. She knew she needed to call 911, but had left her phone in the car.
All alone that evening with her little 3-year-old great-grandson Bridger, he was her only hope. Bridger came and found his “G.G.” (short for great-grandmother) lying on the ground bleeding from her head.
“I said, ‘So Bridger, you’re going to have to be a big boy and go out to the car and get G.G.’s phone,’ And he said, ‘It’s really dark, G.G.,'” Lewis recounted. “I said, ‘It’ll be OK. Jesus will help you. Don’t be afraid.'”
Home security footage shows Bridger walking determinedly into the garage, saying to himself “Don’t be scared, don’t be scared,” before opening the car door and finding the phone.
“I went out—right there—and I was so scared!” Bridger said in a video message shared with Good Morning America, reporting on the story.
YOU’LL LOVE THIS: 4-Year-old Brit Taught Himself All 195 World Flags And Knows Every Country on the Map (WATCH)
Despite his fears, he celebrated finding the phone, with the camera picking him up saying “Yay, I did it!”
Bridger later said he wanted to be brave like the puppies on his favorite show Paw Patrol.
MORE HEROIC CHILDREN: 10-Year-old Paramedic Teaches Adults Lifesaving Skills and CPR as ‘The Mini Medic’
Lewis would end up needing 23 medical staples in her head from the fall. She says she stared to call him “hero” but he just reminds her that his name is Bridger.
“[H]e doesn’t get it but he really is a hero to me,” she said.
WATCH the heartwarming video from ABC…
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SpaceX Capsule Arrives to Finally Relieve Stranded Crew on ISS Space Station
The pair of astronauts stranded aboard the International Space System will finally be coming home after an unforeseen 9 additional months in space.
They are being taken home by SpaceX Crew 10 Mission, which also delivered their replacements to the ISS.
Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams arrived at the ISS in June 2024 on the test flight of the Boeing Starliner capsule, but technical problems with the Starliner left them stranded. Instead, their ride home was decided to be the SpaceX Crew 9 capsule, docked at the ISS since September.
But they couldn’t leave until Crew 10 arrived to relieve Crew 9, which just happened after they blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.
To fill the time, the pair were integrated into the work rotation of the entire ISS crew.
Their replacements are made up of Russian Cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and NASA astronauts Nichole Ayers and Misson Commander Anne McClain.
WATCH the arrival, the reunion, and the recap, from NBC…
SHARE In The National Relief That These Two Great Americans Will Be Coming Home…
Strange Wood Found on Beach by Fisherman Turns Out to Be Polynesian Canoe of Great Significance
On New Zealand’s Chatham Islands, the complete remains of a wooden boat used by the islands’ indigenous Polynesians—perhaps even to arrive there, have been found.
This monumental and unprecedented discovery will yield fascinating insights about the settlement of the island, the dates it would have occurred, and maybe even about other islands in the Pacific.
Starting 3,000 years ago, but particularly in the 13th century CE, Polynesians struck out across the Pacific and settled a huge number of the islands in the vast ocean. They sailed by the stars and other open ocean indicators like birds on large boats called ‘wakas.’
The Chatham Islands’ original inhabitants are the Moriori, and it was a father and son who first found the splinters of wood on the main island of Rekohu that led to the discovery, which one archaeologist said will go down as one of the most important finds in Polynesian history.
“My son and I were just loading the boat up and taking the dogs for a run up the beach… just after a big rain,” Vincent Dix, a local fisherman, tells Radio New Zealand. Then, he says, his son Nikau saw pieces of timber in the river. The wood sported strange holes, and it appeared to be well preserved. Taking some of the pieces home, they began to see if they could fit some of them together.
A waka is a rare but not unheard of discovery in Polynesian archaeology, however they tend to be found in fragments, with no other material from the sails or rigging left over.
Another storm came and went, and the two men returned to the site where the remains of the whole boat had been unearthed. They immediately called the relevant authorities who came and secured the site.
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“Before we started this project, the holy grail would have been to find some of the sail, or some of the twine that held things together, or some of the rope or the corking,” Justin Maxwell, the archaeologist leading the investigation, told the Guardian. “We found all of that. It’s completely blown our minds.”
In a statement, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage of New Zealand explained that pieces were individually recovered and placed into holding units to preserve the old wood.
MORE POLYNESIAN ARCHAEOLOGY: Archaeologists Uncover Ancient City in Kingdom of Tonga That Rewrites History: ‘First City of the Pacific’
“The local community were instrumental in leading the on-island support during the excavation,” the statement read. “Community interns and volunteers travelled across the island to the site, providing precious cultural advice, supplying meals and taking up the opportunity to add new skills to their impressive resumes.”
At the time of publishing, no estimated dating of the wood has been carried out, but the Smithsonian Magazine reports that some pieces clearly came from mainland New Zealand, suggesting a journey was made between the two, a distance of hundreds of miles.
One major aspect of this waka is that it was built with individual boards rather than out of a single tree, as others found in the past have suggested was the norm. Maxwell said this is going to help them learn so much about Polynesian waka technology.
SHARE This Discovery And What It Means To The People Of The Island…
GNN’s Award-Winning Short Film ‘Water Ways’ Shines Light on Sustainability Success of Niagara Cares
At Good News Network, we believe in celebrating stories that inspire action, and our latest project is no exception. Water Ways, our award-winning short film created in collaboration with Niagara Cares, is making waves by spotlighting the critical importance of water stewardship.
This beautifully crafted documentary takes viewers on a journey through the efforts being made to protect and restore one of our planet’s most vital resources—water.
From the first frame, Water Ways showcases the power of collaboration in creating a more sustainable future. Through breathtaking visuals and heartfelt storytelling, the film highlights real-world solutions that are helping communities thrive while safeguarding freshwater ecosystems. (Watch the film below…)
At the heart of it all is Niagara Cares, the philanthropic arm of Niagara Bottling, whose dedication to responsible water use is driving real change.
Protecting Rivers And Planting Trees
Niagara Bottling, a family-run beverage company hydrating America since 1963, has long been committed to sustainability. Through Niagara Cares, they’ve partnered with leading conservation organizations like the Arbor Day Foundation, the National Forest Foundation, and Colorado Water Trust to plant nearly 200,000 trees, restore watersheds, and support healthy water ecosystems in the West and Southwest regions of the United States.
Their mission is clear: protect and revitalize the natural ecosystems that feed the Colorado River and Rio Grande—two lifelines that supply fresh water to millions of people. These regions face increasing environmental challenges, from droughts to wildfires, making their restoration efforts more urgent than ever.
By planting trees to filter runoff, restoring streams to replenish drought-prone areas, and mobilizing volunteers for hands-on conservation work, Niagara Cares is making a measurable impact on the future of these waterways.
“At Niagara, we are dedicated to protecting water as a vital resource and creating healthy, hydrated communities,” said Ann Canela, Director of Corporate Giving at Niagara Bottling. “These rivers are essential to multiple states in the West and Southwest, and through our partnerships, we’re taking meaningful steps toward improving river flow and creating a greener, more biodiverse future.”
More Than a Film—A Movement
What makes Water Ways truly special is its focus on the people behind the progress. From dedicated Niagara volunteers to environmental experts on the frontlines of conservation, the film is a testament to the power of community action. Their passion and commitment remind us that even small efforts can lead to profound change.
Beyond the documentary, we explore their mission in greater depth in the latest episode of our Good News Gurus podcast, Hydrating Hope, sharing the stories of their partners and the innovative ways they’re addressing water sustainability.
The journey toward a more sustainable world starts with awareness, and we invite you to be part of it. See firsthand how small actions can lead to a ripple effect of positive change.
Watch Water Ways below—and listen to Hydrating Hope—to join the movement protecting our vital resources.
MAKE A SPLASH By Sharing The Award-Winning Water Success On Social Media…
“St. Patrick’s Day is all about being Irish and celebrating life as only the Irish know how.” – Anthony T. Hincks
Quote of the Day: “St. Patrick’s Day is all about being Irish and celebrating life as only the Irish know how.” – Anthony T. Hincks Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Photo by: Marco ten Donkelaar (The Temple Bar in Dublin, Ireland)
With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quote of the Day page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?
Good News in History, March 17
125 years ago today, Isadora Duncan, the first modern dancer, made her debut as a solo interpretive dancer in London to crowds who marveled at her daring. Here, writes the Daily Telegraph at the turn of the millennium, was a very young woman, barefoot and underdressed, performing alone and without scenery—not some romantic fairy-tale of virtuous suffering, but a disconcertingly direct and spontaneous expression of her feelings about the music she was dancing to. She used Chopin’s piano preludes and Mendelssohn’s Spring Song. Her movements were extremely simple, improvisatory, and while the first instinct was to find it hyper erotic, almost everyone knew it was more than that. READ about the unexpected history of dance following this landmark performance… (1900)
8-Year-old Boy Who Taught Himself to Paint was Invited to Hold an Exhibition–And Counted His First Sales
An eight-year-old artist was invited to present his watercolors in a local exhibition—where he has now sold his first paintings.
Kevin Kovacs is self-taught and started drawing when he was a toddler. He was invited to put together his own solo art exhibit at the Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre in Taunton, England, after his mother started sharing his creations on social media.
The young artist from Somerset even set his own prices for the artwork, which will be displayed until April 29.
“I am happy that people can see my art on the walls—and I hope for another exhibition in London.”
Kevin has been exposed to creativity and art his whole life, as both his mom and dad are keen photographers.
“My husband photographs nature, wildlife, and landscapes, so Kevin was around cameras all the time and we loved to draw with him when he was a toddler.
“We bought him all kinds of mediums—paints, watercolors, and all kinds of art supplies—and I could see he was enjoying it when he was around two.”
When Kevin turned five he started sketching, and he took inspiration from all the trips with his family to coastal towns around South West England, his mother Natalia told the SWNS news agency.
He loved sketching buildings and whenever they would be sitting down in one of the villages he would be drawing. Afterward, Kevin would use Natalia’s phone to take photos of his surroundings and begin drawing the images he’d captured.
He then began using color when Natalia showed him winning artwork from competitions around the world. There was one winning piece from India that was very colorful—and that was the point he started adding color.
ANOTHER SELF-STARTER: 11-Year-old Boy Determined to Be a Farmer: Rents His Own Land, Breeds Sheep, and Spins Wool (LOOK)
Once people started to take an interest in Kevin’s work, Natalia decided to create an Instagram page for her son, so she could post all of his art in one place: “People were asking me all the time about his art.”
A volunteer from the Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre then reached out, showing an interest in hosting an exhibition of Kevin’s work, and he ‘happily’ agreed.
LOOK: Woman Lets Her Baby Scribble on the Walls–Now He’s A Talented Young Artist
“He is obviously very happy. We went on the first day the exhibition opened and a couple of people wanted to buy his art.
“He’s a natural. You can see he’s now really into boats, and he tells me it comes very easily to him.
“I remember being told by other artists boats are very hard to do – but for him, it’s easy!”
INSPIRE THE NEXT WINSLOW HOMER By Sharing This With Families on Social Media…
New Method Can Recycle All Parts of a Modern Solar Cell with Water: ‘We Can Recycle Everything’
Solar is one of the best solutions to the growing demand for renewable green energy. However, while conventional solar panels contribute to clean energy production, their disposal presents several environmental challenges.
Now, a groundbreaking innovation may change that: researchers have developed a method to fully recycle modern solar panels using water as the main solvent, which would make it a truly sustainable energy.
The method from scientists at Linköping University in Sweden can recycle all parts of a modern solar cell repeatedly without environmentally hazardous solvents—and the recycled solar cell has the same efficiency as the original one.
The method works with one of the most promising technologies for next-generation solar cells: perovskite.
Perovskite solar cells are not only relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture but also lightweight, flexible, and transparent. Thanks to these properties, they can be placed on many different surfaces, like windows. Also, they can convert up to 25 percent of the solar energy into electricity—comparable to today’s silicon solar cells.
However, silicon panels are at the end of their life cycle, which has created a landfill problem.
“There is currently no efficient technology to deal with the waste of silicon panels. That’s why old solar panels end up in the landfill,” says Xun Xiao, in the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology at Linköping University.
“We need to take recycling into consideration when developing emerging solar cell technologies,” said Feng Gao, a professor of optoelectronics at the same Swedish college.
“There are many companies that want to get perovskite solar cells on the market right now, but we’d like to avoid another landfill,” adds Niansheng Xu, postdoc at LiU. “In this project, we’ve developed a method where all parts can be reused in a new perovskite solar cell without compromising performance in the new one.”
SOLAR-ICIOUS! Another Study Shows Incredible Results of Pairing Solar Panels With Agriculture: ‘Getting more from the land’
Given that perovskite solar cells currently have a shorter life span than silicon solar cells, it is important that perovskite solar cell recycling is efficient and environmentally friendly. They also contain a small amount of lead, necessary for high efficiency, so this also must be addressed in a functioning recycling process.
Water as the solvent
There are already methods for dismantling perovskite solar cells. This mostly involves using a substance called dimethylformamide, a common ingredient in paint solvents. It is toxic, environmentally hazardous, and potentially carcinogenic. What the LiU team has done instead is develop a technology where water can be used as a solvent in dismantling the degraded perovskites.
And more importantly, high-quality perovskites can be recycled from the water solution used.
“We can recycle everything—covering glasses, electrodes, perovskite layers, and also the charge transport layer,” said Xun Xiao.
The next step for the researchers is to develop the method for larger scale use in an industrial process.
SOLAR FOR SNOWY REGIONS: Ingenious Snow-Proof Solar Panels Can Work in All Weather: ‘Game-Changing Tech’
Researchers have published their study in the journal Nature, and have applied for patents on their technology.
SHARE THE HOPE-FILLED SCIENCE With Clean Energy Fans on Social Media…
Natural Compound in Grapes and Berries May Aid in Fertility, Resveratrol Study Shows
New research indicates that a natural compound found in the skin of grapes, blueberries and raspberries has the potential to improve female fertility, by improving the quantity and quality of egg cells.
The systematic review into resveratrol, which is a polyphenolic compound known for its anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, is published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), alongside colleagues from Italy, South Korea, and a Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation Trust, examined all previously published research on resveratrol’s effect on female reproductive health.
By collating and reviewing results from 24 in vitro and in vivo studies involving a total of 9,563 human participants, they found evidence to suggest resveratrol can improve the quantity and quality of egg cells, which are called oocytes.
Two of the studies specifically assessed the quality of matured oocytes and both reported an improvement among the women who took resveratrol. Four studies investigated resveratrol in connection with the quantity of matured oocytes, and two reported a notable increase in the number of egg cells, while the other two found no increase.
A possible explanation is that resveratrol reduces oxidative stress, helping to protect mitochondrial DNA from damage and enhance telomerase activity, to reduce cellular aging. Resveratrol also activates the molecule sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), which is typically reduced in aged oocytes, therefore the resveratrol may be slowing cell aging and extending ovarian lifespan.
WHEN YOU’RE PREGNANT: Playing Classical Music to Babies in the Womb Can Stimulate Development, Affect Heart Rate and Nervous system
The review also found evidence that resveratrol could potentially treat infertility associated with endometriosis, and have positive effects on polycystic ovary syndrome and obesity-related infertility, by inhibiting pathways involved in androgen production and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
“Our systematic review on resveratrol and female fertility is a comprehensive overview of all current research, and it highlights the compound’s potential to improve reproductive outcomes and possibly pave the way for new, less invasive treatments, using natural substances,” said Lee Smith, Professor of Public Health at ARU and senior author of the paper.
Resveratrol is generally considered safe when consumed in moderate amounts through diet and through supplements, in doses up to five grams per day for a month, but the safety of higher doses, particularly over long periods, remains untested.
There were mixed results from studies that looked at pregnancy rates among those taking resveratrol. Of the five studies, two reported an increase, two found no difference, and one indicated a decrease.
ALSO: Probiotics Improve Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy, Study Shows
Although Prof. Smith characterized them as “promising results”, the team’s findings are based on a limited number of human studies, so they’re calling for further clinical trials to gather more robust data on dosage and side effects.
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‘Hero’ Delivery Driver Saves Woman’s Life After A ‘Feeling’ Made him go Back to Her Window to Look Again
A British grocery store delivery driver saved a woman’s life after she didn’t answer the door and he got the feeling that “something was wrong”.
Leandro Pinto Dantas sensed there was a problem and decided to go back for another look in the window—and only then spotted her lying unconscious on the floor.
It was around 9:00pm in the coastal town of Poole in southern England when the driver for an Asda store arrived at his next delivery.
“Everything seemed normal,” said the 36-year-old. “The light was on and the TV was on. I knocked on the door but didn’t get an answer, so I called the contact number we had for the delivery but got no reply.
“I thought at first they must have gone out, so I looked in the window, but no one was coming.
He turned to go, but “something didn’t feel right.
“I believe God made me go back to the window. I pushed some branches away, so I could get a better look, and that’s when I saw the lady face down on the floor.”
He quickly called for an ambulance and paramedics were soon on the scene and gave the diabetic woman some glucose to raise her blood sugar.
ANOTHER INTUITIVE SAVE: Hero Post Office Worker Saves Senior From Sending Thousands of Dollars to a Scammer
Leandro wasn’t even scheduled to work that night, but he swapped shifts with another driver at the last minute.
“I think it was fate that I was called there that day,” Leandro told SWNS news agency. “I’m just happy that I was there and saved her.”
While she was being examined by emergency workers, Leandro put the lady’s groceries away. And a few days later he visited her home to see how she was doing and brought her some flowers.
The woman, in her 60s, was taken to the hospital with low blood pressure, but was discharged the next day. She was so grateful to Leandro that she wrote a letter to the local newspaper, the Bournemouth Daily Echo, to thank him.
“Leandro is such a wonderful chap,” she said. “I can’t thank him enough.
“He did a marvelous job… certainly going above and beyond what I would expect supermarket delivery drivers to do. He even came round later with flowers for me.”
STRANGER KINDNESS: When Tearful Man Sees Bald Lady Alone in Car, He Returns to Buy Her Flowers (Watch)
The delivery driver has now been nominated for an Asda ‘Service Superstar’ award.
“We are so very proud of the way he handled the delivery,” said Heidi Mallinson, the store’s online trading manager. “And his instinct that something was amiss.”
“He truly is a hero and went totally above and beyond, which in turn probably saved the customer’s life.”
TELL FRIENDS TO LISTEN TO THEIR INSTINCTS By Sharing This Story on Social Media…
Merely Watching Scenes of Nature Can Reduce Pain, Says New Study
A new neuroimaging report says merely looking at nature can help ease how people experience pain by reducing the brain activity linked to pain perception.
It is well known to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression as well, and the report serves as a reminder of how much good the great outdoors can do for the heavily-medicated US population.
Published in the journal Nature Communications and led by a team from the University of Vienna and University of Exeter, the research offers a “promising foundation for new types of non-pharmacological pain treatments”.
“This study highlights how virtual encounters can bring the healing potential of nature to people when they can’t get outside,” Dr. Alex Smalley, a coauthor from the University of Exeter, explained at the release of the study.
“But we hope our results also serve as renewed evidence for the importance of protecting healthy and functioning natural environments, encouraging people to spend time in nature for the benefit of both the planet and people.”
“The fact that this pain-relieving effect can be achieved through a virtual nature exposure which is easy to administer has important practical implications for non-drug treatments, and opens new avenues for research to better understand how nature impacts our minds.”
In the study, researchers monitored the brain activity of 49 participants in Austria, using an fMRI scanner, as they received pain delivered through a series of small electric shocks.
When they were watching videos of a natural scene compared to a city or an indoor office, participants not only reported feeling less pain, but scans showed the specific brain responses associated with processing pain changed too.
The study used advanced machine-learning to analyse the brain networks which are related to pain processing.
The team discovered that the raw sensory signals the brain receives when something hurts were reduced when watching a carefully designed, high quality, 5-minute, virtual nature scene. What’s more, when shown the five-minute video of the urban scene, it was also rated as a highly beautiful space, as it included (like the nature scene) a body of water disturbed by wind ripples, only surrounded by man-made elements like walls, chairs, and pathways rather than trees and hills.
This finding suggests that beauty or orderliness (the third, indoor scene was a perfectly ordered office space with the soundtrack of a fan and far away traffic) wasn’t a key factor in the pain reduction effect observed.
The study confirmed previous findings that suggest nature can reduce subjective reports of pain, and also marks the first clear demonstration of how natural environments influence the brain, helping to buffer against unpleasant experiences.
“Numerous studies have shown that people consistently report feeling less pain when exposed to nature,” said University of Vienna PhD student Max Steininger, the lead author of the study. “Yet until now, the underlying reasons for this effect were unclear.
HOW NATURE CAN HEAL: ‘Nature Prescriptions’ Improve Both Physical and Mental Health –28 Studies to Date
“Our study is the first to provide evidence from brain scans that this isn’t just a placebo effect—driven by people’s beliefs and expectations that nature is good for them—instead, the brain is reacting less to information about where the pain is coming from and how intense it feels.”
“Our findings suggest that the pain-relieving effect of nature is genuine.”
LETTING NATURE INTO OUR LIVES: Vertical Greening Brings Nature to Urban ‘Heat Islands’ Quickly and Easily (LOOK)
The paper also helps shed light on a longstanding mystery of the healing potential of natural settings.
Over forty years ago, a seminal study from pioneering American researcher, Roger Ulrich, showed how hospital patients used fewer painkillers and recovered faster when their windows overlooked a green space instead of a brick wall.
MORE STORIES LIKE THIS: Stressed? This Study Says You Simply Need a 20-Minute ‘Nature Pill’
Yet following decades of research, the mechanisms underlying this effect remained unknown.
The new findings provide the first “robust” explanation of why Ulrich’s patients might have experienced less pain, and demonstrate how virtual nature encounters could bring these benefits to anyone, anywhere—providing a non-invasive, accessible pathway to pain management.
SHARE This Remarkable Finding With Your Friends On Social Media…
“When you can’t control what’s happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to it. That’s where your power is.” – Lisa Nichols
Quote of the Day: “When you can’t control what’s happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to it. That’s where your power is.” – Lisa Nichols
Photo by: Federica Giacomazzi for Unsplash+
With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quote of the Day page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?
Good News in History, March 16
99 years ago today, Dr. Robert Goddard launched the world’s first liquid-fueled rocket, after building it himself. The New England physics professor, engineer, and inventor is credited with ushering in the era of space flight, but after he asserted in 1920 that rockets could be used to send payloads to the Moon, he was thought to be absurd and mocked by the press, which called him “Moon Man.” LEARN more… (1926)
Lowe’s Invests $9M to Address Skilled Trades Shortage as Wages Rise Amid Worker Shortage
$9 million in grants from Lowe’s is going to support 15 nonprofits dedicated to training the next generation of tradespeople to meet the growing demand for workers—fueled by rising wages and expanding job opportunities.
The grants support training programs focusing on carpentry and construction, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and appliance repair.
From Alaska to Mississippi, each organization is helping prepare new tradespeople to fill the dearth in the US workforce.
In construction alone, average hourly earnings have risen 4.4% over the past 12 months, according to Associated Builders and Contractors.
“We listen closely to contractors and know that many candidates don’t have the necessary skills to fill the wide range of open trades positions,” said Janice Dupré, a Lowe’s executive vice president and chair of the Lowe’s Foundation in a press release.
“Through modern training methods, these nonprofits are unlocking the workforce’s potential while building an economy that rewards skills, not just titles or four-year degrees.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs of America is one of the 15 nonprofits and will enhance their job readiness programs for youth ages 16-24 at three club locations—Hobe Sound, Florida, Madison, Wisconsin, and Seattle.
CHECK OUT THIS TRAINING: Gen Z Stonemason Restores Iconic European Landmarks Damaged in WWII –And Shares Amazing Videos (WATCH)
“This funding will directly bolster their efforts to equip young people with the skills needed to enter the workforce, particularly in the skilled trades,” said Jennifer Bateman, Senior Vice President of Youth Development from Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “It’s an investment in their future and the future of our community.”
The National Association of Home Builders says the grants are playing “a pivotal role in helping to strengthen the residential construction workforce”.
The Lowe’s Foundation Gable Grants have invested over $34 Million since 2023, backing scalable training programs in dozens of states.
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The other 14 nonprofits include ReBuild Detroit, the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh, Uncommon Construction (in New Orleans), Hope Renovations (in Raleigh-Durham NC, the Latino Academy of Workforce Development (in Madison, Wisconsin), Next Step of West Michigan (in Grand Rapids), Nontraditional Employment for Women (in New York), the North Alabama Homebuilding Academy (in Huntsville), Alaska Works (in Anchorage), Moore Community House (in Biloxi, Mississippi).
PASS THE OPPORTUNITY to Youth Looking for Careers By Sharing On Social Media…
Gen Z Stonemason Restores Iconic European Landmarks Damaged in WWII –And Shares Amazing Videos (WATCH)
Meet the Gen Z stonemason who restores historical landmarks in Europe damaged during World War II.
Charlie Gee has followed in the footsteps of his father who is also a stonemason.
The 22-year-old specializes in cathedral masonry and has worked on iconic buildings, including the Cologne Cathedral in Germany and the Palace of Justice in Brussels, Belgium.
At the Cologne Cathedral, Charlie oversaw the completion of restoration on the final eight pinnacles atop one of the church’s spires.
He says it’s an “honor and privilege” to work on the historical sites, some of which date back as far as the 13th century.
“I feel incredibly lucky to be able to work on a building that is hopefully going to be there for centuries,” said the Englishman from Bath.
“Cologne Cathedral specifically has been on my bucket list and it’s been a great one to tick off. I was only there for two months but I hope to be returning for a longer period of work soon.
“It’s truly incredible,” Charlie told SWNS news agency. “I really feel the fact that I’m working on a piece of history when I’m at a cathedral like that.”
Watching his father Matthew Gee restore historic landmarks inspired him to follow in his footsteps and become a stonemason.
“When I was five years old, we actually moved from Bath to Tuscany for six years for my dad’s work.
“Living in Italy and seeing my dad work on churches out there inspired me to get involved in the same trade.”
The youth began his studies at Weymouth College at age 15 where he did a three-year stonemasonry course.
After that, he was accepted for a four-year apprenticeship at York Minster where apprentices work alongside masters while taking part-time classes at York College.
“It was a big deal for me. York Minster has the best cathedral stonemasonry training—as opposed to commercial stonemasonry—in England, and it’s really competitive to get an apprenticeship.
“The difference between commercial and cathedral stonemasonry is that commercial stonemasons use a lot more power tools and usually want to get the job done as quickly as possible.
“You can see in my videos that I’m always using a mallet and chisel, which is a lot more traditional.” (Watch below…)
Finishing his apprenticeship in late 2023, he has been self-employed ever since. Thanks to his training, he gained access to a global network of cathedrals seeking stonemasons.
ALSO CHECK OUT: Masterpieces Saved from Notre Dame Fire Now Restored and Back on View: It’s ‘Miraculous’
He has also worked on the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy, and the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York—also known as York Minster.
LOOK: Tuscany’s New Airport Terminal Will Have a Vineyard on the Roof, Obviously
Stonemasons all have a mark which they leave on stones they’ve crafted and Charlie’s is his initials CG. “It’s so special to think your mark is on such an important landmark.
“I hope to bring my future kids one day and be able to point up and tell them that’s my work up there—just like I had with my dad growing up.”
Charlie hopes his videos can get younger people interested in the trade again, like his sister is now. Check out his in-spire-ing work on Instagram and on his YouTube channel.
“There doesn’t seem to be much interest from the younger generation in stonemasonry. I can understand why, because it’s a lot of hard work and training, and each job takes a lot of time and care.
“But I hope that if people see how amazing it is to be working on these sites, they’re more likely to consider it.” (WATCH his videos below via SWNS…)
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Number of Monarch Butterflies Wintering in Mexico is Way Up–Doubling the Forest Acreage Over Last Year
The number of monarch butterflies overwintering this year in Mexico has nearly doubled, according to the annual census released last week by the World Wildlife Fund in Mexico and their partners.
During the last few months in 2025, the population of eastern monarchs occupied 4.42 acres of central Mexico’s forests—up from 2.22 acres during the previous winter.
The encouraging survey was conducted with help from Mexico’s National Commission of Protected Natural Areas and local communities, and it serves as an important indicator of the health of a monarch population that has been clawing its way back from dangerously low levels this century.
“It’s now time to turn this year’s increase into a lasting trend with an all-hands approach where governments, landowners, conservationists, and citizens continue to safeguard critical habitats along the monarch’s North American migratory route,” said Jorge Rickards, director general of WWF Mexico, who recognized the key role of local communities and the government of Mexico in conserving the forest that provides an annual respite to this iconic species.
Scientists attribute much of this year’s population growth to better weather conditions in 2024—with less severe drought than in previous years along their migration route from the U.S. and Canada to Mexico.
Forest protections are also improving
A second report shows that forest degradation in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve where they overwinter has improved by 10%. Between April 2023 and February 2024, nine acres of forest were damaged, down from 10 acres reported the previous year. The causes of habitat degradation were either illegal logging (6 acres); natural causes or drought (2.5 acres); or the removal of trees to prevent disease spread (.5 acre).
“If we want these butterflies to recover, they need more habitat restoration and better protection from pesticides,” said Emma Pelton, the western monarch lead for the Xerces Society. “They were proposed to be listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act last December, and this listing urgently needs to be finalized.”
The numbers of these hardy yet delicate flyers have jumped and dipped—both up and down—in the last three decades. For instance, the Western migration of monarchs in California bounced back in a big way in 2021, 2022 and 2023, but are dipping again this year.
Come to the rescue: plant the only food monarch babies eat
There are many ways you can help this species thrive in North America, but one of the best is to plant milkweed. The milkweed plant is essential to the monarch: It is the only plant on which they lay their eggs and the only source of food for baby monarch caterpillars. As spring arrives, the butterflies start their migration back north, seeking out milkweed to lay their eggs. They also need nectar plants to eat themselves.
Your small action can make a big difference, but different species of milkweed grow better in different parts of the country. Use this milkweed map to find the one that thrives in your region of the United States.
GET INVOLVED: Help the Monarch Population by Raising Them Yourself
Every year, monarch butterflies make an extraordinary journey: at summer’s end, they migrate from southern Canada and the northern United States to mountain forests in Mexico, with some traveling nearly 3,000 miles. After winter, these same butterflies fly an additional 600 miles north to the United States. There they lay eggs on milkweed plants, completing their unique eight-month life cycle.
The next three to five generations, each living only three to five weeks, continue the migration northward. Eventually, they reach breeding sites in the northern United States and southern Canada, completing the annual migration cycle.
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Your Weekly Horoscope from ‘Free Will Astrology’ by Rob Brezsny
Our partner Rob Brezsny, who has a new book out, Astrology Is Real: Revelations from My Life as an Oracle, provides his weekly wisdom to enlighten our thinking and motivate our mood. Rob’s Free Will Astrology, is a syndicated weekly column appearing in over a hundred publications. He is also the author of Pronoia Is the Antidote for Paranoia: How All of Creation Is Conspiring To Shower You with Blessings. (A free preview of the book is available here.)
Here is your weekly horoscope…
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY – Week of March 15, 2025
Copyright by Rob Brezsny, FreeWillAstrology.com
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):
I’m not exactly sure where you are going, Pisces, but I’m certain you are headed in the right direction. Your instincts for self-love are at a peak. Your ability to see your best possible future is lucid and strong. Your commitment to gracefully serving all that gracefully serves you is passionate and rigorous. I will congratulate you in advance for locating the exact, robust resources you need, not mediocre resources that are only half-interesting.
ARIES (March 21-April 19):
What can you do to show how much you care about everyone and everything that deserves your love? Now is a fantastic time to unleash a flood of gratitude and appreciation that takes very practical forms. Don’t just beam warm and fuzzy feelings toward your favorite people and animals, in other words. Offer tangible blessings that will actually enhance their lives. Find your own personally meaningful ways to nourish all that nourishes you.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20):
Ancient Egyptians loved the color blue. The mineral azurite and the semiprecious stones turquoise and lapis lazuli satisfied their fascination to some degree, but were rare and difficult to work with. So the Egyptians decided to fabricate their own pigment. After extensive experimentation, using copper, silica, and lime, they succeeded. The hue they made is known as Egyptian blue. I heartily endorse a comparable process for you in the coming weeks, Taurus. Identify the experience, substance, or feeling you really, really want more of, and then resolve to get as much of it as you really, really want.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20):
Dandelions germinate quickly and grow fast. Because of their deep taproots, they are hardy. Once they establish their presence in a place, they persist. Dandelions are adaptable, too, able to grow anywhere their seeds land, even from cracks in concrete. Their efficient dispersal is legendary. They produce large quantities of lightweight seeds that are easily carried by the wind. Bees love dandelions in the spring when there are few other flowers yet to provide them with nectar. I propose we make the dandelion your symbol of power in the coming weeks, Gemini. Be like them! (PS: They are also beautiful in an unostentatious way.)
CANCER (June 21-July 22):
About 36,000 years ago, humans created remarkable drawings and paintings in the Cave of Altamira, located in what we now call Spain. When an early discoverer of the art published his findings in 1880, he was met with derision. Experts accused him of forgery, saying such beautiful and technically proficient works could not have been made by ancient people, who just weren’t that smart. Eventually, though, the art was proved to be genuine. I propose we meditate on this as a metaphor for your life. It’s possible that your abilities may be underestimated, even by you. Hidden potentials and unexpressed capacities may be close to ripening, but they will need your full confidence and boldness. Don’t let skepticism, either from your inner critic or others, hold you back.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):
In 1977, NASA launched two Voyager probes to study our solar system’s outer planets. Their original mission was designed to last a few years. But in 2025, they still continue to send back useful information from the great beyond, far past Uranus and Neptune, and into interstellar space. I suspect that now is also a good time for you Leos to seek valuable information from adventures you began years ago. Even if those past experiences have not yielded relevant revelations recently, they may soon do so. Be alert for ways to harvest new riches from old memories.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
About 3,775 years ago, a Babylonian man named Nanni wrote a crabby letter to Ea-nasir, a merchant who had sold him substandard copper ingots. Nanni was also upset that his servant was treated rudely. It is the oldest customer complaint in history. With this as our touchstone, I remind you that maintaining high standards is always crucial for your long-term success. Others may be tempted to cut corners, but your natural integrity is one of your superpowers. Please redouble your commitment to providing highest value, Virgo. And ask for it from others, too.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
Blogger Yukiko Kisaki writes about the Japanese concept of ma. She says it’s “the emptiness full of possibilities, like a promise yet to be fulfilled. It’s the purposeful pauses in a speech that make words stand out; the quiet time we all need to make our busy lives meaningful; the silence between the notes that make the music.” According to my analysis, Libra, you will be wise to make ma a central theme in the coming weeks. I invite you to research the power of pauses. Rather than filling up every gap, allow space for pregnant blankness. Trust that in being open to vacancy, you will make room for unexpected riches.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
The literal meaning of the Japanese word yohen is “kiln mutation.” It refers to a type of glaze that undergoes unpredictable variations in color when baked in a kiln. The finished pottery that emerges displays patterns and hues that are blends of the artist’s intention and accidental effects created by the heat. I would love to see you carry out metaphorical versions of yohen in the coming weeks, Scorpio. Suggested meditations: 1. Collaborate to create beauty with energies that aren’t entirely manageable. 2. Undertake projects that require both careful preparation and a willingness to adapt to shifting conditions. 3. Engage with opportunities that will have the best outcomes if you relinquish some control.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
A big party is underway in your astrological House of Self-Understanding and Self-Definition. The near future will be a favorable time to discover yourself in greater depth and bring your identity into clearer focus. I see this mostly as a task for you to carry out in intimate conversation with yourself. It’s also fine to solicit the feedback of allies who have insight into your nature, but I urge you to rely heavily on your private investigations. How can you deepen your knowledge of the reasons you are here on earth? Can you learn more about your dormant potentials? Who are you, exactly?
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):
Ethiopian marathon runner Abebe Bikila was selected by his country to compete in the 1960 Rome Olympics. But the honor was offered shortly before the games began, and he had to scramble to get there in time. When he arrived for the main event, he couldn’t find any running shoes in local stores that fit comfortably. So he decided to go barefoot for the 26.2-mile race. Success! He won, setting a new world-record time. I propose we make him your role model, Capricorn. May he inspire you to respond to an apparent scarcity or deficiency by calling on earthy alternatives. May you adjust to a problem by deepening your reliance on your natural self.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):
After being part of two journeys to Antarctica, Aquarian explorer Ernest Shackleton (1874–1922) assembled a team to try what no one had ever done: crossing the entire continent on foot with pack dogs and motorized sledges. But the proposed 1,800-mile expedition failed soon after it began. That’s when Shackleton did what he is most famous for. His leadership during the harrowing struggle to survive became legendary. I don’t think you will face anything remotely resembling his challenges in the coming weeks. But I suspect that your response to tests and trials will define your success. As you encounter obstacles, you will treat them as opportunities to showcase your resourcefulness and adaptability. You will inspire others to summon resiliency, and you will bring out their best as together you engage in creative problem-solving. Trials will become triumphs.
WANT MORE? Listen to Rob’s EXPANDED AUDIO HOROSCOPES, 4-5 minute meditations on the current state of your destiny — or subscribe to his unique daily text message service at: RealAstrology.com
(Zodiac images by Numerologysign.com, CC license)
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“I have learned to pay attention to right now. The precise moment I am in is always the only safe place for me.” – Julia Cameron
Quote of the Day: “I have learned to pay attention to right now. The precise moment I am in is always the only safe place for me.” – Julia Cameron
Photo by: Ray Hennessy (Yellow warbler)
With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quote of the Day page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?
Good News in History, March 15
Happy 50th Birthday to singer–songwriter, record producer, actor, fashion entrepreneur, and NASA enthusiast Will.i.am (pronounced Will I am).
Legally named William James Adams Jr., he was best known as a rapper in the group Black Eyed Peas, which has released nine studio albums. He also became a coach on The Voice UK, and a prolific producer, recording artists like Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, U2, Rihanna, Usher, Lady Gaga, and Justin Timberlake. WATCH a Bio and Learn About His Humble Roots And Stargazing Heights… (1975)