It’s fall marathon season, with races taking place all over North America (in fact, our own Associate Editor Ally Mauch will be participating in Chicago’s next weekend), but one quirky iteration has especially caught our fancy: the Hot Chocolate Run. With the tagline “will run for chocolate,” the multi-city event is hosted by USA Today and ideal for the “cocoa-crazy.” There are 5K, 10K, and 15K distances (as well as a virtual option), and all registrants are rewarded with the sweet drink and other goodies. The first race takes place today in Denver, with 15 more scheduled across the U.S. through April.Learn how to join — and if you’re already hankering for hot cocoa, check out our fave recipe. — Rebekah, Ally, and Natalie
Featured Story
How to Be Kind to People You Disagree With During an Election Year: Advice From Experts
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As the 2024 presidential election approaches, it may feel like Americans are more divided than ever, despite recent evidence suggesting we’re surprisingly aligned on a vast number of issues. Differences in opinions are important: They’re part of what makes democracies successful. But being kind to those we disagree with during particularly polarizing periods is also essential to our country’s collective well-being. It’s easy to let emotions run amok when we feel strongly about high-stakes issues, so Nice News interviewed experts to offer readers suggestions on how to respect and empathize with individuals who hold opposing political views.
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Device Enables Improved Breast Cancer Detection, Minus the Discomfort of Mammograms
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In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re highlighting a groundbreaking imaging device that’sfacilitating better detection of the disease in its early stages. Developed by Georgia-based imaging technology company Koning Health, the Koning Vera Breast CT delivers high-resolution, 3D photos in 7 seconds and doesn’t compress the breasts the way a mammogram does — making for a more comfortable patient experience and allowing providers to identify tumors with greater accuracy. This July, the Breast CT was installed at the Bedford Breast Center in Beverly Hills, California, and in April, it made its New York City debut at Community Radiology NY in Manhattan. It’s also currently available for clinical use in Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and in parts of Europe and Asia, with installations planned for Texas, Illinois, Florida, and Ohio in the coming months. See how it works and learn if there’s a location near you.
Humanity
The Helpers Emerge Amid Hurricane Helene Devastation
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You’ve likely seen the heartwrenching photos and videos showing the widespread destruction of infrastructure and displacement of people — you won’t find more of that here. At Nice News, we look for the helpers, and plenty have emerged in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in the American Southeast. We’ll start with Dan Murphy, pictured above hugging his colleague after using his canoe to rescue them from a flooded home near Peachtree Creek in Georgia. Then there’s the U.S. Coast Guard crew that saved a man and his dog after his sailboat started taking on water off of Florida’s Sanibel Island. Among the more heartwarming stories is that of Sam Perkins, who decided to hike to his parents’ remote North Carolina home after being unable to contact them and unable to drive due to the destroyed roads. After 11 miles and 2,200 feet of elevation, he found them trapped but unscathed. “I have never been so relieved to see anyone OK,” Perkins told CNN. “I just hugged them, cried, filled them in on all the news they were missing.” Our neighbors to the north are also pitching in to help — more than 700 Canadian linemen traveled to North and South Carolina to restore power there. Displaying true Southern hospitality, people have put up Canadian flags as a show of thanks. And we bet that doesn’t even scratch the surface of the good Samaritans and community support surfacing during this time of need. Learn how you can help the victims of the storm.
Health
Mentally Resilient People Live Longer, Study Suggests
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When faced with a challenging circumstance, there are two ways to respond: smile serenely and say, “bring it on,” or throw your hands up and yell, “I can’t cope!” All right, so maybe a middle ground exists, but unless you’re a zen master, you’ve probably experienced that second reaction at some point in time. Thankfully, taking things in stride is a skill that can be developed and improved — and a new large-scale study is highlighting just how beneficial it is for overall health. Published in the journal BMJ Mental Health, the research found that being better able to cope with difficult life circumstances was linked to a lower risk of death from all causes in older adults. The findings were derived by analyzing data from the Health and Retirement Study, a long-term survey of Americans ages 50 and over. Resilience scores were determined through a self-assessment of qualities like perseverance, calmness, a sense of purpose, self-reliance, and the recognition that certain experiences must be faced alone. Those who scored higher on the scale had a lower risk of all-cause mortality by as much as 38% compared to those who scored the lowest. Try these tips to boost your coping skills.
Sunday Selections
Deep Dives
Did you know penicillin was once referred to as “mold juice”? Read a 1943 article about the medical marvel
There’s a certain undeniable allure to life in a small town, but there’s also considerable misunderstanding as to what it’s really like — particularly if you’re a city mouse. In this “photographic ode” to the rich culture, diverse communities, and idyllic settings these locales offer, author Erin Austen Abbott interviews Americans about the joys of “living small,” and includes helpful information for readers considering making a move.
Whether you’ve been a fan since the ’60s or got turned on to the legendary artist following her recent resurgence, now’s your chance to add some more Joni Mitchell to your life. The Asylum Years (1976-1980) is the fourth volume in a recent line of box sets and features unreleased studio sessions, alternate song versions, live recordings, rarities, and a 36-page book with photos. Click the image above to listen to one of the tracks, and order the full set here.
This Week in History
Malala Yousafzai Becomes Youngest Person to Win Nobel Peace Prize
October 10, 2014
CORNELIUS POPPE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
At just 11 years old, following the Taliban seizing control of the Swat Valley in her native Pakistan, Malala Yousafzai began ardently advocating for women’s and girls’ right to education. Her vocal protestations made her a target, and in 2012, she was shot point blank by Taliban fighters. Miraculously, she survived, continuing to tirelessly campaign for the cause and writing a bestselling book in 2013. A year later, at age 17, Yousafzai became (and remains) the youngest-ever Nobel laureate. She learned she had won while in her high school chemistry class — and to her, the commendation didn’t warrant playing hooky. “I said, ‘I have to finish my school day,’ because when you get the Nobel Peace Prize for education, you have to finish your school day,” she told NPR.Watch her acceptance speech.
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