Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean, made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday before making its way to Cuba, Haiti, and other Caribbean nations, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. As always, the helpers are coming out of the woodwork to support those affected by the storm: Read about some of the organizations poised to help and learn how you can support them.
A New Story You Say? Long Unseen Dr. Seuss Manuscript Will Hit Shelves Next Summer
James L. Amos/Corbis via Getty Images
Dr. Seuss (aka Theodor Geisel) brought us over 60 tales covering topics like cats in hats, green eggs and ham, and elephants who can hear a Who. And soon, more than three decades after his death, we'll be getting something new from the prolific children's author: One of his long-unseen manuscripts will be published for the first time by Random House Children's Books. Titled Sing the 50 United States!, the story helps readers learn the names of the 50 states in true Dr. Seuss fashion — with lots of rhyming and wordplay. The story will feature some familiar faces, including the iconic Cat in the Hat, as well as excerpts and sketches from Dr. Seuss' original manuscript and a map of the U.S. beneath the book jacket. The states-themed story was discovered earlier this year in the archives of UC San Diego's Geisel Library and will hit shelves June 2, just in time to celebrate the U.S.'s 250th birthday. "Uncovering a new work from Ted is like finding a time capsule of his imagination," Susan Brandt, the president and CEO of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, said in a press release. "Sing the 50 United States! celebrates his boundless creativity, genius with words, and enduring ability to inspire young readers everywhere." See some of Dr. Seuss' manuscript, including a cover sketch he drew.
Together With Surf Lakes
Final Day to Catch America's Next $65 Billion Sports Boom
There are up to 35 million surfers worldwide, and millions more want to learn. There's just one problem: 99% of people don't live near an ocean. That's where Surf Lakes comes in. Their patented technology can create up to 2,000 ocean-quality rides per hour in a lake, tailored for everyone — from first-timers to pros. It's a $65 billion opportunity in the surf tourism market. Surf Lakes has already sold eight licenses for the tech, with its own surf parks in development. That's why investors, including surf legends Tom Curren and Mark Occhilupo, have committed $27 million. The company has also engaged U.S. Capital Global Partners for a $140 million growth initiative to accelerate commercial rollout. Today's the final day to join: Invest in Surf Lakes before 11:59 p.m. PT tonight.
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Environment
Meet the 6-Year-Old Whose Birthday Wish Was to Save Endangered Tigers
Panthera
The Global Tiger Forum estimates that there are only about 5,500 wild tigers left worldwide — but the endangered species has a new advocate, and he's only 6 years old. Tigers are Oliver Thaxton's favorite animal, but when the Michigan resident learned about their endangered status, he had trouble sleeping. Mom Aliza Thaxton told a local news outlet he would come to her saying, "I'm going to fly there and I'm going to protect them … I'm going to watch them and make sure nobody hurts them." Naturally, Oliver wished to help save tigers for his sixth birthday in August, so he and Thaxton set up a GoFundMe, with all donations going straight to the global wildcat conservation organization Panthera. They initially set a goal of raising $100, but ended up accumulating nearly $400 in just a few days. "Watching Oliver's simple birthday wish grow into something that can truly make a difference has been incredible," Thaxton shared with Nice News via email. "We're so grateful to everyone who helped make his dream come to life." According to Panthera, Oliver's efforts will help protect tigers in Malaysia, Thailand, and Southeast Asia — and when the nonprofit's team noticed the fundraiser, they sent him a tiger T-shirt, seen here, for his birthday. Oliver, who wants to be a zoologist when he grows up, said: "I can't believe how many people helped me save the tigers! It makes me so happy that so many people care about them just like I do."
Health
Dungeons & Dragons Is Good for Mental Health, Study Finds
Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
If you've ever watched someone play Dungeons & Dragons (or played yourself), you know it's quite an immersive, imaginative experience. Worlds are built, spells are cast, and characters are developed in "campaigns" that can last months or even years. Those many hours of playing are far from a waste of time. Rather, recent research qualified the game as "serious leisure," meaning it requires skill, commitment, and social interaction. Another benefit? D&D provides players with "the sense of a safe space and a place to create their own identity," study author Emily Messina said in a statement. "Players were comfortable being themselves by engaging in the game pursuit," she explained, "but at the same time were building personas in line with, or in contrast to, their normal personality. They described it as a way to take charge, or lead an effort in ways that their normal personality would allow for, but they wouldn't be inclined to do." These benefits can serve anyone, but they're especially valuable for people in need of structure — whether retired, transitioning to a new job, managing mental health challenges, or simply weathering a difficult period. The takeaway: Leisure isn't frivolous; rather, it helps "give us those wins we really need from time to time when life isn't giving us wins in other ways," Messina said when she first embarked on the research.
In Other News
In more bookish news, a new fund will distribute "at least" $50 million to literary orgs across the country (read more)
Crisis averted: A Picasso painting was found in Madrid after going missing for about three weeks (read more)
Neewollah (Halloween spelled backward) is conjuring lots of excitement in a small Kansas town (read more)
The Married… With Children cast is reuniting to raise funds for multiple sclerosis research and treatment (read more)
Swans descended from a pair gifted to Florida by Queen Elizabeth II received their annual health checkup (read more)
Something We Love
Abe Books There's nothing like a crisp, brand-new book, but there's also something special about one that's lived many lives. And when you're buying in bulk (like me when I realized my new favorite author has over 15 novels), Abe Books is where to head. The platform lists used books from independent sellers, and shipping is often free, meaning you get a whole haul of reading material for a very low price. The site also has rare books, as well as art and collectibles. – Rebekah Brandes, Assistant Editor
Just over 10 years ago, Wivine Kavira Mukata was making soup at her home in eastern Congo when she lost her leg in a bombing. After receiving medical care and a prosthetic, she channeled the life-altering experience into a new career and became a certified ortho-prosthetist, designing artificial limbs, braces, and splints for those with injuries similar to hers. "I have to do this, to put smiles back on the faces of people with disabilities and victims of everything that is happening in Congo," she said. Follow her journey.
Photo of the Day
Dustin Satloff/Getty Images
The countdown is on! We're officially 99 days away from the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy. And there's a lot to look forward to — including hopefully seeing legendary skier Lindsey Vonn compete in her first Games since coming out of retirement. "I'm gonna ski very freely because I have nothing left to prove, and this is going to be an amazing journey no matter the outcome," she said at a Team USA press event this week.
A Kinder Season Starts With You — And BetterHelp
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Odds & Ends
🌯 Halloween meal deals to fuel up for trick-or-treating 🐯 Why are some animals striped and spotted? 💬 Marisa Tomei reveals why collagen alone might not work* 🥕 How to up the veg content in your meals *Indicates a Nice News brand partnership or affiliate
Quote of the Day
"Let us not go back in anger or forward in fear, but around in awareness."
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