If there were a ranking of holidays by how official they are, Stationery Store Dayprobably wouldn’t be very high up on the list — but it’s still something we thought you Nice News readers would enjoy (plus it has a super cute poster). Founded by Massachusetts stationery store owner and self-described “paper addict” Kristina Burkey, the day is celebrating five years of getting people to go out and visit their local paper and pen purveyors. If you don’t already have a fave, check out Burkey’s vetted list of independent stationery shops.
The Women’s Pro Baseball League Launches Today — And It Has Something to Prove
Hannah Foslien—MLB Photos/Getty Images
The Women’s Pro Baseball League, which launches today at a neutral host stadium in Springfield, Illinois, is not the first baseball league for women. That would be the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, the World War II-era project immortalized in Penny Marshall’s 1992 flick, A League of Their Own. But that league folded barely a decade after it started — a fate that WPBL’s advocates are working hard to avoid. Commissioner Justine Siegel said baseball fans looking for something beyond the MLB will find more of the sport they love in the WPBL, but also something a little different. “Women play with a passion that comes from having to prove themselves their whole lives, that they belong,” she told Front Office Sports. “That passion is really addicting to watch. … I think that the fans are really going to enjoy seeing how hard they play.” You can tune in to today’s sold-out game (between Los Angeles and New York) on YouTube at 6 p.m. ET. In the meantime, read our article to learn the stories behind the team names — each honoring a pioneering woman in U.S. history.
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Denver’s “Mile Long Table” Invites Thousands of Strangers to Break Bread Together
Mile Long Table
This evening in Denver, thousands of strangers will sit down and dig into a dinner of barbecue chicken and jackfruit, potato salad, sweet corn succatash, and cornbread. Now in its second year, the “Mile Long Table” seats 5,280 people at a 5,280-foot-long table in an effort to foster community in the Mile High City. “When we eat together, the table reveals our shared humanity and fundamental sameness and holds the explosive potential to increase our sense of belonging, cultivate understanding, and honor our differences,” a description on the event website reads. Behind the heartwarming gathering is Longer Tables, a Denver-based nonprofit devoted to connecting people over shared meals. This year’s dinner, which costs participants just $5.28 to attend, is celebrating the 150th anniversary of Colorado’s statehood and will include birthday cake, music, dancing, art, and other festivities. Watch footage from last year’s Mile Long Table.
Environment
Jimothy Survived Against the Odds, a Testament to Sophisticated Brains and Devoted Mothers
Kiana Hall
This article was written by Kelly Lambert, a professor of behavioral neuroscience at the University of Richmond, for The Conversation. As a neuroscientist who studies raccoon and rats, I see the viral story of Jimothy the raccoon as a compelling tale of an animal overcoming disability and surviving in the wild. Jimothy, the unique-looking raccoon living in Seattle, became an internet celebrity over the course of a week in July 2026, thanks to a viral Instagram post that has amassed millions of views and thousands of comments cheering for the proverbial underdog. Jimothy has even been honored with a city proclamation. Something about him was obviously different. His body and tail were unusually short, and his back was curved. Although Jimothy hasn’t been officially examined by a veterinarian, he’s thought to have a form of a rare cervical vertebral malformation called short spine syndrome. A handful of cases have been seen in dogs. These animals are born with a condition that prevents their vertebrae from fully developing. With less physical space in the body, organs are crowded into a smaller space than usual and can lead to mobility issues. Adaptations are necessary for these animals to navigate their environments and secure the necessary resources for survival. How did Jimothy overcome the odds and emerge as a survivor?
In Other News
The FDA approved the first freeze-dried plasma product amid a national blood supply shortage (read more)
For the second time ever, Venus and the International Space Station were photographed in the same frame (read more)
“The Brady Experience” is back: Fans can explore each room of the iconic Brady Bunch house in Los Angeles (read more)
Three white storks were released in the English Midlands after the species’ 600-year absence — see the trio (read more)
CVS is now filling pet prescriptions at more than 9,000 pharmacy locations nationwide (read more)
Inspiring Story
A lasso hero
In a scene straight out of Yellowstone, 14-year-old Jory Thomas put his rodeo skills into action to rescue a drowning man over Fourth of July weekend. The Montana teen was on a family camping trip near Yellowstone River when he heard shouts for help and saw someone clinging onto a cooler to stay afloat. With the current traveling fast, Jory — who got into roping cattle this year — threw his 12-foot lariat toward the man, catching him on the first try and pulling him to safety. “The whole community is proud of him,” said his grandma. “We’ve had a lot of feedback, but that’s Jory. He's always there to help somebody else.”
Photo of the Day
Liao Pan/China News Service—VCG/Getty Images
Two years after its debut, a 65-foot-long hot dog sculpture by New York artists Jen Catron and Paul Outlaw returned to the heart of Times Square to commemorate the nation’s 250th birthday. On view through Aug. 8, the free public art installation ascends each day at noon via hydraulic pumps and showers the crowd below with a celebratory burst of confetti. Watch it in action.
Ozlo’s Award-Winning Sleep Earbuds Just Got Even Better
Upgrade your nighttime routine with the new and improved Ozlo Sleepbuds 2. Designed specifically for sleep, the new generation of these ultra-small sleepbuds offers all-night comfort and noise-masking technology to reduce disruptions like snoring and city noise. You can stream your favorite podcast, audiobook, or playlist — or doze off to one of Ozlo’s soothing soundscapes. Order now to get a free sleep mask and travel case.
