This week's stories remind us that kindness still exists everywhere – from Florida lakes to West Virginia driveways to Massachusetts pond bottoms. So, settle in for some serious heart-warming.

Let’s jump right in👇

Not a subscriber yet? Sign up here!

Happy Headlines 📰

It’s not all doom and gloom out there. Here’s some positive news items from publications around the world.

🏊‍♀️ Florida Woman Rushes To Save 11-Year-Old Girl From Lake — Without Knowing How To Swim When Bridgett Addison heard 11-year-old Mia Garcia crying for help after slipping into a lake at Lakes Park in Fort Myers, she didn't hesitate – despite not knowing how to swim herself. Mia had been collecting shells with her little sister when she lost her footing on the slimy embankment. Bridgett ran to the water and pulled Mia to safety. "I don't care who they are, what color, what their disability. If you can do it, go and help somebody," Bridgett said. (SunnySkyz)

🗑️ These "Old Ladies" Dive Into Massachusetts Ponds, Come Up Bearing Pounds of Garbage The "Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage," a 30-strong group of women ages 64 and older, have made cleaning up Cape Cod's nearly 900 freshwater ponds their mission. Founded by 85-year-old Susan Baur, the group has removed tires, golf balls, cell phones, and even a toilet from Massachusetts waterways. "We have discovered a way of repairing the planet, not based on guilt, not based on fear, but based on joy," Baur explains. (Nice News)

🏠 Boston is Transforming Abandoned Office Space Into Affordable Homes for 1,000+ Residents Boston's Office-to-Residential Conversion Program has welcomed its first residents to 281 Franklin Street, with 15 units completed and 126 more under construction. Mayor Michelle Wu announced that once all projects are complete, nearly 825 total units will house over 1,000 new downtown residents. The program offers tax deductions of up to 75% for 29 years to developers who convert underutilized office buildings into affordable housing. (Good Good Good)

🏊‍♂️ Chicago River Follows the Seine to Become Biodynamic and Swimmable Once Again The Chicago River is preparing to welcome swimmers for the first time in over a hundred years thanks to decades of cleanup efforts starting with the 1972 Clean Water Act. Fish species have increased from just 5 to 77, and non-profits like Urban Rivers have created the Wild Mile eco-park, providing habitat for snapping turtles and freshwater mussels. Real estate along the northern branch is booming as the river no longer stinks and offers a lovely place to walk and relax. (Good News Network)

👶 New Mexico Becomes First U.S. State to Offer Free Universal Child Care to All Families: 'It Can Be Done' Starting November 1st, New Mexico will guarantee free universal child care to all families regardless of income, making it the first state in the U.S. to do so. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham says this will save families an average of $12,000 per child every year. The initiative removes all income eligibility requirements from the state's child care assistance program. (KPLC)

🔧 Scientists Can Now Use Glue Gun To Repair Broken Bones Researchers have developed a tool made from a modified glue gun that can 3D-print bone grafts directly onto fractures during surgery. The device uses a filament made of hydroxyapatite (a natural bone component) and biocompatible plastic that liquifies at just 140°F – cool enough to prevent tissue damage. Tests showed superior bone healing compared to traditional bone cement, with no signs of infection after 12 weeks. (Newsweek)

🎰 Teachers at Elementary School Win $1 Million Powerball Prize Ten teachers from Crestview Elementary School in Ashland, Ohio won $1 million in the August 6th Powerball drawing. Each will receive $72,000 after taxes. The group has kept their lottery pool going even after colleague Mary Jo died of cancer, continuing to pay her share and giving her portion of the winnings to her children. "She's been our guardian angel," said pool organizer Karen. (Cleveland.com)

🩺 AI Stethoscope Could Detect Major Heart Conditions in Seconds AI-powered stethoscopes tested across 205 GP surgeries in London can detect heart failure, heart valve disease, and abnormal heart rhythms almost instantly. The device, about the size of a playing card, uses a microphone to analyze subtle differences the human ear cannot detect. Patients with heart failure were 2.33 times more likely to have it detected within 12 months, while abnormal heartbeat patterns were 3.5 times more detectable. (BBC)

🌳 Brazil Records 65 Percent Drop in Amazon Area Burned by Fire Satellite images showed 143,000 hectares of Amazon rainforest were lost to fires in July – a 65% drop from the same month last year and the smallest figure since monitoring began in 2019. Across Brazil, 748,000 hectares burned in July, down 40% from 2024. The improvement comes three months before President Lula hosts the COP30 UN climate conference in the Amazon city of Belem. (France 24)

👩‍⚕️ Global Maternal Mortality Rates Have Fallen by Almost 60% Since 1985 Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births have fallen by 57% since 1985, resulting in around 365,000 fewer maternal deaths each year. The progress was temporarily reversed during COVID-19 but rates have started falling again. Researchers estimate that closing remaining gaps between countries could save an additional 275,000 women each year. (Our World in Data)

Quick Lift ❤️

A feel good story from Happilynews.com guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Kindhearted Neighbors Captured On Security Camera Caring For Family’s Home While Kids Are In Hospital

When the Shriver family's toddler twins, Truett and Everett, needed to spend several days at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, the last thing they were thinking about was their yard back home in West Virginia. With all their energy focused on doctor visits, testing, and the unknowns of what lay ahead, home maintenance wasn't exactly a priority.

But their neighbors Tim and Wanda had other plans.

Without telling the Shrivers or being asked, Tim and Wanda decided they wanted to step in and help. They started mowing the family's lawn and power washing their entire house while the family was at the hospital.

The beautiful gesture was captured on the family's security camera in a series of clips that mom Tasha later downloaded and shared on social media to highlight their neighbors' selfless actions.

"When we pulled into our driveway after that long trip, we couldn't believe what we saw," Tasha said. "The yard was perfectly cared for, the house looked brand new, and all we could do was stand there in shock and gratitude."

The security footage shows Tim and Wanda carefully mowing the lawn and power washing the porch, among other chores they took on without any fanfare or expectation of recognition.

"It wasn't just about a clean yard or house — it was the love and sacrifice behind it that hit us so deeply," Tasha explained. "We knew based on our camera they were doing things around our house but seeing how much they did and took time to care for us in ways they could was so heartwarming. Honestly, it brought me to tears."

After days of worry and exhaustion at the hospital, coming home to discover that someone had thought of them and taken this burden off their shoulders felt like "a gift straight from God," Tasha said.

"It reminded us that we're not alone, and that sometimes the most powerful way to love people is simply to show up in the moments they need it most."

Bright Bits ☀️

Sharing some inspiring musings to keep your brain smiling.

🤗 Happiness Hack

Try the "Good Things Come in Threes" technique: at the end of each day, write down three good things that happened, no matter how small. Your brain will start actively looking for positive moments throughout the day.

❝Some inspiring words…

💡 Fun Fact

Scientists discovered that laughing for just 15 minutes burns the same number of calories as walking for 2 minutes. While that might not replace your gym membership, it's a pretty fun excuse to watch more comedy! Source: Vanderbilt University

🧠 Brain teaser

What common animal comes next in this sequence:

eel  cat  lion  ibex  panda  squirrel  {?}

Hint: look at the initial letters

(See end of newsletter for answer)

Support our mission to spread positive news worldwide while treating your loved ones (or yourself!) to some positive merch.

As a Smileworthy subscriber, unlock exclusive discounts with SMILE15 at checkout 👇

Snapshot 📸 

A unique, sometimes quirky, but always eye-catching photo feature each week.

The Koala Getting a Life-Saving Vaccine Shot 🐨

After 10 years of dedicated research, scientists have finally cracked the code on protecting koalas from chlamydia. Yes, you read that right – Australia's cuddliest marsupials have been dealing with the same awkward health issue that sends humans scurrying to the doctor.

Professor Peter Timms and his team at the University of the Sunshine Coast just got approval for the world's first koala chlamydia vaccine, and honestly, it's about time. This disease has been wreaking havoc on koala populations, with infection rates hitting 70% in some colonies. Talk about an epidemic nobody wants to discuss at dinner parties.

The best part? It's a one-shot deal – no awkward follow-up appointments for these fuzzy patients. After testing on hundreds of wild koalas (who presumably had no idea they were making medical history), the vaccine reduces chlamydia deaths by at least 65%.

"We knew a single-dose vaccine was the answer to reducing the rapid, devastating spread of this disease," Professor Timms explained, probably while trying not to chuckle at the absurdity of having to develop STD prevention for tree-dwelling marsupials.

So there you have it: koalas can now get better healthcare than most humans, and frankly, they deserve it after putting up with this mess for so long.

Before You Go…A Serotonin Booster* 📺

25 Years After She Was Adopted A Viral Video Changed Everything 

*Studies show that watching cute, heartwarming videos can boost your mood. So sit back and start your weekend positively!

🧠 Brain teaser

Answer

Elephant.

The initial letters form the word ECLIPSE, so any animal beginning with E will work.