It’s one of our (and your) favorite stories of the year: The trend report is in for the predicted popular baby names of 2025. Nameberry released its forecast last week, laying out a few different buckets that next year’s monikers will fall into, including “global Americana” (Xochitl, Ewan, Eleni), “country rebrand” (Mabel, Polly, Huck), and “landscape names” (Acre, Cloud, Ridge). Read the full report.
Must Reads
The “comet of the century” is visible this week — find out when and where to look up
Fat Bear Week Is on: Who Will Be the 2024 Heavyweight Champ?
Iain Tall/ iStock
It’s that time of year again: Fat Bear Week is back for its 10th season. In case you’re new to the quirky festivities, Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve puts on an annual competition for its particularly burly bears after they’ve spent the summer bulking up in preparation for winter hibernation. The popular event also celebrates “the nourishing ecosystem in which the bears thrive,” per the National Park Service. Interested players can fill out a bracket (much like March Madness) andvote in a series of matchups to find the bear who “best exemplifies fatness and success.” The winning bears in each matchup move on to the next round, and the last one standing is crowned the chunkiest of them all. Participants can watch their favorites on Explore.org’s wildlife cams. The national park is also honoring bear number 402 this year, who sadly died in a fight with another bear two days before the start of the competition. “We love the bears, but it’s a clear reminder of how big and strong and powerful these animals actually are,” said resident naturalist and Fat Bear Week founder Mike Fitz, per USA Today. Ready to weigh in? Meet the contenders and download your beary cute bracket.
Together With Wise Bread
Not All Travel Cards Are Created Equal
With holiday travel coming up, you might be considering getting a travel credit card to save some money and earn rewards. But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the card that’s right for you? One hassle-free travel card offers unlimited 1.5 points for every dollar spent on all of your purchases. From habitual grocery runs to the “treat yourself” moments, you’ll earn points every time. And with no annual fee or foreign transaction fees, this card ticks off all the boxes and then some — click below to learn more at Wise Bread.
Couple Wins “America’s Nobel” for Lifesaving HIV Research
PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP via Getty Images
Couple goals in every sense, researchers Salim and Quarraisha Abdool Karim have been awarded the Lasker Prize, commonly known as “America’s Nobel,” for their efforts to help stop the spread of HIV and increase understanding of the disease. The husband and wife duo, who grew up in South Africa, will receive a $250,000 award alongside the honor. Salim and Quarraisha’s work is twofold: part research and part education. Back at the start of the HIV crisis in the 1980s, they noticed that young women in their country had high rates of the virus, often getting infected by older men. So they spent nearly two decades seeking a solution that put power directly in women’s hands, eventually trialing a drug that when used as a vaginal gel can help prevent HIV transmission to women. In South Africa, new infections have dropped from a peak of around half a million in 2000 to 150,000 in 2023, NPR reports. The Lasker Foundation attributes some of this success to the work of the Abdool Karims, noting that “they have saved lives through innovative research, evidence-based policy proposals, public education, and courage to speak truth to power.”
Humanity
“Coffee With a Cop” Program Brews Good Community Vibes
fizkes/ iStock
If you notice more police officers sitting at coffee shops today, it’s not your imagination. Today is Coffee With a Cop Day, when many law enforcement officials make themselves available at cafes so community members can pull up a chair and chat over a good ol’ cup of joe. Started by two officers in Hawthorne, California, Coffee With a Cop seeks “to break down the barriers between police officers and the citizens they serve.” The neutral space of a coffee shop is core to the mission, as the program wants to open the door for interactions with police outside of crisis scenarios. “Coffee With a Cop humanizes both officers and the citizens,” Sgt. Chris Cognac, co-founder of the nonprofit, told NBC News back in 2017. “Sometimes like the uniform’s a barrier, that can be intimidating, but if I sit down with a cup of coffee, we just talk.” Since 2011, the program has hosted thousands of events in every U.S. state and expanded internationally, with programs in Canada, Europe, Australia, and Africa — all centered on building relationships, one cup at a time.
California approved a measure to install speed cameras along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, an iconic yet notoriously dangerous stretch of road.
Love for the Lynx: The Minnesota team’s Cheryl Reeve was named WNBA Coach of the Year and Napheesa Collier was selected as the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year.
Three rare Lamborghinis discovered in a junkyard are expected to fetch six figures at a Sotheby’s auction. Check out the vintage vehicles.
“Wands up for Professor McGonagall.” Guests at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter gathered for a magical tribute to Maggie Smith.
Something We Love
Crosley Cruiser Plus Record Player This is an ideal record player for vinyl listeners who aren’t ready to splurge on an intricate audio setup. The vintage-inspired suitcase design evokes that retro vibe, but modern upgrades — like Bluetooth functionality and built-in stereo speakers — bring it into the present. I have the record player in the “white sand” color, but there are plenty of other options to choose from. — Natalie Stone, Managing Editor
You can’t miss the Halloween decorations at Bill Pyles’ house in Oxford, Ohio. This year, he had considered toning down his display before receiving a note in his mailbox from Tammy Weihe, a bypasser with breast cancer. She shared that the delightfully spooky view brightens her drive to her radiation appointments, writing: “The bone family and what they are up to … [is] a highlight of my journey.” After getting the letter, Pyles arranged his skeleton squad to cheer her on — and made the call to keep the display up year-round.
Photo of the Day
Town of Conception Bay South/ Facebook
In the running world, a bib bandit is someone who joins a race without registering or paying for it, and that’s exactly how you could describe Joshua the goat. The animal, who lives on a pumpkin patch in the Canadian town of Conception Bay South, saw people running by for a half-marathon over the weekend and broke free of his collar to join in on the fun. Unlike most bandits, though, Joshua was well-received at the finish line and even got his own medal. Read The Washington Post’s article on the hilarious story.
Get the Details on an Amazing Travel Card at Wise Bread
Whether you’re heading home for the holidays or fantasizing about a sunny vacation to escape the upcoming winter, a travel card can turn your dreams into reality. And one great card really stands out: There’s no annual fee or foreign transaction fees, points that don’t expire, no blackout dates, a bonus worth $250, and flexibility to travel on any airline. Get the details from Wise Bread below.
