It's state fair season across the U.S., which means it's butter sculpture season. In Minnesota, the annual state fair kicks off with the crowning of the latest "Princess Kay of the Milky Way" — and then the carving of her likeness out of a 90-pound block of butter. This year, the princess is 20-year-old Malorie Thorson, who bundled up in a coat and gloves to pose for her butter sculpture in a studio set to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. See pics of the process.
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Commute smarter: A roundup of the best free public transit apps
Sunken City Brought to Surface: 2,000-Year-Old Treasures Pulled From Egyptian Waters
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So much of the world exists under our feet — in this case, we're talking about a sunken city dating back more than 2,000 years. Last Thursday, Egyptian authorities uncovered a trove of statues, Roman coins, pieces of limestone buildings, and harbor remnants off the coast of Abu Qir Bay, near Alexandria. The artifacts are believed to be part of ancient Canopus, a once-prominent hub during the Ptolemaic and Roman eras. Rising sea levelsand aseries of earthquakes submerged the city and nearby port, fortuitously preserving a wealth of archaeological remains — some of which are seeing the light of day for the first time in centuries, while others will stay right where they are. "There's a lot underwater, but what we're able to bring up is limited, it's only specific material according to strict criteria," Egyptian Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathi said, per CBS News. "The rest will remain part of our sunken heritage."See more photos of the pieces brought to the surface.
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Virtual Fences Help Cows and Hikers Coexist at a California National Monument
Jim Pickering/ Bureau of Land Management
There's a lot of talk about the importance of sharing the great outdoors, but central California's Cotoni-Coast Dairies is also walking the walk. The 5,800-acre national monument, which opened to the public this month, introduced a cutting-edge pilot program that's changing the way hikers, mountain bikers, and cattle coexist. Rather than relying on traditional fencing to separate cows and humans, Cotoni-Coast Dairies is employing a virtual fencing system that allows both species to roam together safely. Cows wear solar-powered smart collars connected to GPS, allowing farmers to set virtual boundaries and monitor the herd in real-time via a mobile app. If an animal crosses a boundary, the collar emits a beep to nudge it to turn back, followed by vibrations and, if necessary, an electrical pulse — all of which are signals the cows have been trained to understand, Smithsonian Magazine reports. This tech lets cows roam more freely while still keeping them away from busy biking and hiking trails and ecologically sensitive areas. It also cuts back on the costs and labor associated with installing and maintaining physical barriers (such as barbed-wire fences), which can be painful, pricey, and not necessarily the prettiest. "It's just kind of unrivaled, in my opinion, and offers something completely new to visitors of the area and residents of the area," Katy Peterson, spokesperson for a local nonprofit that worked on the trails, told Lookout Santa Cruz of the site. "And I just hope everyone has as much fun out on the trails as we had bringing them together."
Health
How Tinted Sunscreen Fights Against Hyperpigmentation
Iana Kunitsa/Getty Images
These days, there are plenty of different sunscreen options — creams, lotions, sprays, sticks, powders, you name it. But if you're concerned about hyperpigmentation, there's another important consideration: Is your sun protection tinted? Unlike regular sunscreens that only block UV rays, tinted formulas also block visible light, an often overlooked factor that can cause dark spots or patches, per NPR. Hyperpigmentation and melasma, a skin condition characterized by brown or blue-gray patches, are particularly common in those with darker skin tones. And while they don't pose dangers to physical health, they can certainly affect self-esteem and quality of life. "We can't underestimate the psychosocial emotional impact," Dr. Adam Friedman, Chair of Dermatology at George Washington University, told the outlet. And yet, a 2024 survey of U.S. dermatologists found that while over 90% of providers reported talking to patients about visible light protection, only about 10% offered evidence-based recommendations. This could shift soon, with more research emphasizing the benefits of tinted sunscreens, particularly those containing iron oxides that block visible light and provide subtle coverage. Learn more about what to look for when choosing a product.
In Other News
Kenya is free of "sleeping sickness," a deadly parasitic disease transmitted through the bite of a fly (read more)
A league of her own: A women's professional baseball league is launching next year (read more)
Three countries are teaming up to create a "tri-national nature reserve" to protect the Mayan jungle (read more)
NYC's first hybrid-electric ferry, the Harbor Charger, is taking passengers to and from Governors Island (read more)
A new-to-science amphibian with diamond-shaped eyes was discovered in China — see the quirky frog (read more)
Inspiring Story
Beyond Sesame Street
A beloved Sesame Street icon — known as Maria on the show — recently published a bilingual children's book called Alma's Great Idea. Written in both English and Spanish, the story is all about showing kids that "everybody has a brain and everybody can think," said author Sonia Manzano, adding that all the characters are based on loved ones in her life.
Photo of the Day
Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images
Over the weekend, the 2025 Notting Hill Carnival dazzled west London with colorful costumes, lively Caribbean music, and joyful dancing, drawing about 2 million people together. The event was established more than six decades ago to foster community and celebrate Caribbean culture — see more photos of the festivities.
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