Must Reads

• Pixar dropped the first teaser trailer for Toy Story 5 — and it seems Woody and Buzz have some stiff (and tech-savvy) competition

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• Do as I do: The secret to getting kids to spend less time on screens

Humanity

Unique Ambassador Program Gamifies Kindness While Engaging Communities

Kayla Lamoreaux genuinely enjoys giving back. “I’m one of those people who always felt happy seeing other people happy,” she tells Nice News. She’s also someone who’s struggled in her relationship with alcohol. So when Lamoreaux found herself newly sober during the pandemic, when much of America was running up their BevMo! bills, she decided to channel the energy and money she would have otherwise spent on the habit into something else: kindness.
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“We would go out and pay for strangers’ groceries, or we would go volunteer and pick up trash or just do these different kinds of community service projects and random acts of kindness,” Lamoreaux says of herself and her now-husband. “I would leave little notes in places for people and things like that. And that’s just kind of how it got started.”
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The “it” she’s referring to is Wildly Kind, the Portland, Oregon-based nonprofit Lamoreaux launched in 2022 — and the natural evolution of her passion project. Here’s how it works: Interested parties join the program by signing up to contribute $20 a month. With their first donation, they’re sent a welcome kit stocked with kindness cards, tags, a badge, branded merchandise, and more — “everything you need to feel empowered to take action in your community,” the website states.
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In addition, ambassadors receive access to the Wildly Kind Ambassador app, where they can log their acts of kindness and connect with other community members. Read our full article on the organization and learn how to get involved.​

Together With Elf Labs

‘This Fairytale is Real’: Midnight Deadline to Invest for 20% Bonus Shares

​Elf Labs is redefining a $2 trillion market with over 100 historic trademarks to powerhouse characters like Cinderella, Snow White, and dozens more. The company’s idea? Merge iconic IP with AI, AR, and patented tech to build the world’s first connected entertainment ecosystem — where content, toys, devices, and holograms all interact in real time.
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And it’s working. In just 12 months, Elf Labs has built a rapidly scaling media empire: It secured a T-Mobile-backed telecom deal, raised $8 million from 2,200 investors, and signed a $200 million TV deal for its interactive content. Led by a $6 billion team, it’s already generated more than $15 million in royalties, and it’s scaling fast.
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​Now’s your last chance to invest at $2.25/share — the 20% bonus expires at midnight.​

This is a paid advertisement for Elf Lab’s Regulation CF offering. Please read the offering circular at https://www.elflabs.com/.

Culture

These Underrated US Destinations Made Nat Geo’s “Best of the World” List for 2026

The best destinations aren’t always the most famous ones — at least according to National Geographic’s 2026 “Best of the World” list. Four spots in the U.S. made the cut, and most of them aren’t tourist giants like New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago, but rather more underrated locales.
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Among the list is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, celebrated for its “thriving cultural scene,” “cool public art,” and “great restaurants.” Nat Geo noted that next year will be an especially good time to visit, as the Steel City is hosting the 59th Carnegie International exhibition, one of the world’s most prestigious contemporary art events.
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​North Dakota’s Badlands was also listed as a must-visit destination for 2026. Beyond soaking in the surreal and beautifully sparse landscape, travelers can witness the grand opening of the 93,000-square-foot Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library on July 4, America’s 250th birthday. Rounding out the U.S. spots are Oklahoma’s stretch of Route 66 (which turns 100 in 2026) and Maui — see the rest of the list.

Health

Nonprofit Gives Black Trans People the “Tools to Thrive, Not Just Survive”

In addition to World Kindness Day, today is also the start of Transgender Awareness Week, and we’re spotlighting an organization that’s bringing holistic support to Black transgender people across the U.S. In Black culinary traditions, okra is often symbolic of “health, prosperity, and community,” according to The Okra Project — and that’s exactly what the nonprofit seeks to provide.
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Okra’s mission is focused on food security, housing security, and mental wellness, Executive Director Gabrielle Inès Souza tells Nice News, to “directly support Black trans people through mutual aid.”
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This past September, it expanded its mental health services, launching a partnership with online therapy platform BetterHelp to offer up to three months of free or low-cost therapy to Black trans people in the U.S. “[It’s] making sure Black trans folks have the tools to thrive, not just survive,” Souza explained to GLAAD. And amid the suspension of SNAP benefits, Okra recently launched its 2025 Holiday Grocery Fund, which is doubling assistance and increasing the number of recipients by 50%.
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For Souza, her work is deeply personal. “I’m driven by my own personal journey as a Black trans woman,” she says. “I grew up through mutual aid and that is what has shaped who I am today. I’m the product of community care, and that lived experience grounds me, not as a badge of representation, but as a responsibility to lead with integrity.”

In Other News

1. This top secret animal sanctuary in New Jersey offers trafficked and abandoned turtles a fresh start (read more)
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2. Researchers developed a new blood test that may be able to determine the severity of concussions in teens (read more)
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3. 80 years later, a coalition is advocating for all WWII nurses to receive Congressional Gold Medals (read more)
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4. A 9.51-carat blue diamond fetched $25.6 million at a Christie’s auction — see the “gem of gems” (read more)
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5. Where some see a stack of LEGOs, this teen saw an opportunity to make a functioning robotic hand (read more)

Inspiring Story

One foot in front of the other

Earlier this year, Jessica Guo walked away from her corporate job — and just kept on walking. She became the first woman to continuously hike both the Continental Divide Trail and the Great Divide Trail in a single season, covering more than 3,500 miles across North America. Her advice to others? “If there’s something out there that calls to you, I hope you listen. Give yourself permission to do the thing.”

Photo of the Day

Yesterday, 374 bagpipers gathered in Melbourne, Australia, to break the world record for the largest bagpipe ensemble. Their choice of song: AC/DC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top.” Listen to the unique rendition, played ahead of the band’s first Aussie concert in a decade.

Preview Nike’s Black Friday Sale

Early access to Nike’s Black Friday sale starts Sunday, but you can get a sneak peak at the items now. Whether you’re shopping for sneakers, technical sports gear, or comfy athleisure, Nike has something for the whole family — which means you could get most of your holiday shopping done this weekend.

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Odds & Ends

📸 Snapshots from the Queen of Country’s early career
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🎃 Growing record-setting pumpkins is no cheap affair
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☀️ Discover your path to better habits — take Noom’s quiz today*
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😋 It’s almost McRib season​
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​*Indicates a Nice News brand partnership or affiliate

Quote of the Day

“Sometimes you simply needed someone kind to sit with you while you dealt with things.”

– GAIL HONEYMAN, ELEANOR OLIPHANT IS COMPLETELY FINE