|
| Wake up to good news. |
|
| Supported By |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday • January 17, 2024
|
|
More than half of U.S. states have experienced some sort of winter weather warning over the past few days, with an Arctic blast bringing subzero temps to even Texas. Amid the cold snap, it’s important to keep yourself — and your pets, home, and vehicle — safe and warm. Click here for tips on avoiding frostbite, burst pipes, and car troubles, and here for a guide on how to safely walk your dog in cold weather.
|
|
|
Environment
|
|
| “Walking Through the Roots of Ancient Trees”: Inside the World’s Oldest Forest |
|
|
lightphoto/ iStock
|
In Cairo, New York, just over 100 miles north of Manhattan, lies a forest that’s so ancient it predates the dinosaurs. Researchers from the State University of New York Binghamton and Wales’ University of Cardiff dubbed it the world’s oldest known forest about five years ago, but it’s still being explored, per the BBC.
The Cairo forest, discovered on a quarry floor, features 385 million-year-old rocks containing fossilized tree roots. “The Cairo site is very special,” Cardiff paleobotanist Christopher Berry previously told Science. “You are walking through the roots of ancient trees. Standing on the quarry surface we can reconstruct the living forest around us in our imagination.”
That reconstruction wouldn’t look much like modern forests, however. Seeds hadn’t yet developed in forests during the Devonian Period, so trees had to reproduce via microscopic spores — and there were only three types of trees, per Binghamton. Plus, New York in general is believed to have been very different at that time, as it was much warmer and located south of the equator.
In the years since researchers published their findings, Cairo has received grant funding to put up fencing around the fossil forest and conservationists began advocating to make the site a state park, so it can be protected for years to come.
|
|
|
|
|
|
It’s Time for a Water Filter Upgrade
|
|
|
The LifeStraw Home pitcher represents the perfect blend of Scandinavian design and groundbreaking water filtration technology. Crafted from handblown glass, it’s more than a statement piece for your kitchen — it’s a statement for your health and the environment.
LifeStraw Home is the only pitcher that removes more than 30 harmful contaminants like PFAS, bacteria, lead, and microplastics. The filtration technology also retains essential minerals, ensuring every sip contributes to your well-being. Plus, with every purchase, you become part of a global mission to provide safe water to children in need — and Nice News readers can get 20% off with the promo code NICENEWS20.
|
|
|
|
*Please support our sponsors! They help us keep Nice News free. ♡
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health & Wellness
|
|
| NHL Players’ Association Announces Pioneering Mental Health Program |
|
|
Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images
|
Mental health has become an increasingly common topic of discussion for professional athletes in recent years, and the NHL Players’ Association is taking note.
The labor union recently unveiled its new First Line initiative, which “offers training for players to not only help identify signs of mental health issues in themselves, their teammates, and those close to them, but to also engage in discussion about those issues.” About 20 pro hockey players took part in the First Line pilot, including Mikael Backlund, captain of the Calgary Flames.
“There were some simple little things that can help us big time,” Backlund told the Associated Press. “I want to keep working on this and improve my skills as a leader on the team as the captain and learn how I can be mentally stronger and healthier and also how I can see signs of maybe my teammates are struggling or not feeling as well and how I can help them.”
“We’re opening a door that hasn’t been opened before and giving guys just a little bit of a feel that, if something pops up in your life, if you need a little bit of support, you have a few guys who have been trained a little bit,” added New York Ranger Blake Wheeler (pictured). “Hopefully in the future this is just commonplace in our league.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Culture
|
|
| Bipartisan Deal Could Expand Child Tax Credit, Boost American Businesses |
|
|
nonnie192/ iStock
|
Congress announced a bipartisan tax deal yesterday, and it could bring some financial relief for families and business owners in particular. If passed, the $78 billion agreement will increase the maximum child tax credit from $1,600 to $1,800 for 2023 tax returns, and then $1,900 in 2024 and $2,000 in 2025. It would also allow more low-income families with multiple children to receive the credit for every child.
“It’s a big deal to have this opportunity to pass pro-family policy that helps so many kids get ahead,” Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden said in a statement, noting that 15 million children from low-income families are poised to benefit from the deal. Wyden introduced the legislation alongside Missouri Sen. Jason Smith.
In addition to adjustments to the child tax credit, the agreement includes an expansion of tax breaks and disaster relief for American businesses, as well as other tax changes aimed at boosting the construction of low-income housing and strengthening the country’s economic ties to Taiwan.
“American families will benefit from this bipartisan agreement that provides greater tax relief, strengthens Main Street businesses, boosts our competitiveness with China, and creates jobs,” said Smith.
|
|
|
|
|
|
In Other News
|
|
|
|
|
Inspiring Stories
|
|
|
Making waves
The world’s oldest female water skier is 92, and she’s not planning to slow down anytime soon. “Waterskiing taught me that when you have a goal, do not give up,” said Dwan Young. “Just keep trying.”
|
|
|
The domino effect of kindness
Bryan Tsiliacos’ journey to complete 30 acts of kindness by his 30th birthday has inspired an entire movement called the “Decade of Kindness,” which challenges participants to do 10 acts of kindness within a year.
|
|
|
|
|
Post Of The Day
|
|
|
|
@captsully
|
|
Monday marked 15 years since the “Miracle on the Hudson,” in which Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger made an emergency landing on New York’s Hudson River and all 155 people onboard survived. The now-retired pilot recently reflected on the anniversary, thanking the passengers, crew, first responders, and rescuers who contributed. “This group of strangers rose to the occasion and on Jan. 15, 2009, made it their mission in life to save every life,” he said in a video posted to Instagram. “This event gave us hope, and I think for many it renewed our faith in human nature — that we each possess within us the potential for serving a cause greater than oneself.” Click here to see the restored plane he landed that day, set to go on display this summer at a new museum named after Sullenberger. (Photo Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
|
|
|
|
Quote of the Day
|
|
| “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”
- Helen Keller
|
|
|
|
|
