This probably isn’t news to you, but today is Election Day. If you didn’t vote early, be sure to look up your polling place and get out to perform your civic duty! We also recommend taking time away from screens today; some fresh air and nature can do a world of good for an anxious mind. But if you’re struggling to stay offline, consider hopping over to Calm’s Instagram page this afternoon for a soothing livestream of the animals at the San Diego Zoo (the stream will start at 3 p.m. ET and go until polls close).
Must Reads
Quincy Jones died Sunday — look back on his extraordinary 91 years of life
New Guidelines for Lowering Stroke Risk Are in — Here’s What to Know
nortonrsx/ iStock
In the medical world, prevention is typically preferred over treatment. With this in mind, the American Stroke Association recently updated its guidelines for the first time in a decade to offer more informationon what people can do right now to help prevent a stroke from happening in the first place. “This guideline is important because new discoveries have been made since the last update 10 years ago,” Dr. Cheryl D. Bushnell, chair of the stroke prevention guideline writing group, said in a statement. The association’s recommendations include getting regular screenings for stroke risk factors, eating a nutritious diet, and moving your body regularly, noting that up to 80% of initial strokes may be preventable. The guidelines also listspecific advice for women, given that early menopause, endometriosis, preterm births, and other pregnancy complications can all raise stroke risk. Dive deeper into the updates.
Together With Pique
This Coffee Alternative Can Help You Enjoy the Holidays to the Fullest
The holiday season is an exciting time, but it can also get hectic. To make your mornings a bit calmer, brew a warm cup of Pique’s Nandaka adaptogenic coffee alternative. Nandaka is a blend of pu’er black and green teas, adaptogenic mushrooms, and ceremonial cacao that provides smooth, sustained energy with a dose of slow-release caffeine — and a flavor you’ll crave as soon as you wake up. Nandaka’s powerhouse ingredients boost digestion, metabolism, immunity, and nutrient absorption, so you can truly enjoy the indulgences of the holidays without discomfort or stress. Plus, Pique is spreading the holiday cheer by gifting a free Pearl Beauty Creamer with any purchase over $120 through Saturday.
A Women’s Professional Baseball League Is on Deck for 2026
Norm Hall/Getty Images
Right off the heels of an exciting World Series, more baseball news is making headlines: A professional women’s baseball league is on the horizon in the United States. The Women’s Pro Baseball League, or WPBL, hopes to debut with six teams by the summer of 2026. “This is definitely a great time for women’s sports and pro sports, as men and others have finally figured out how great women are as athletes,” Justine Siegal, who was the first woman to coach an MLB team, told NBC News. Siegal, pictured, is the co-founder of WPBL alongside businessman Keith Stein, with Japanese pitching star Ayami Sato coming on as an advisor. The league would be the first women’s baseball league in nearly 70 years, since the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (made famous on the big screen) shuttered in 1954. The difficult task at hand is finding players with experience, as many young girls in the U.S. aren’t offered baseball as an option, only softball. But with over 1,300 high school girls having played on boys’ teams last year, Siegal is hopeful. “The baseball community has already moved forward, growing the sport for girls,” she said. “And the WPBL is going to be able to give a pipeline for girls who are being told they should quit when now they know that they have a place that they could play in.”
Environment
LA Urban Farming Program Sows Seeds of Community
alvarez/ iStock
How do you eat healthily and affordably, help the environment, and foster community? For some residents in Los Angeles, the answer is right in front of their homes. A group of Angelenos are embracing front yards as more than a low-key spot to chat with neighbors — they’re also using the spaces as community gardens filled with fresh ingredients, ripe for helping those who don’t have easy access to produce, CBS News reports. It’s all part of Crop Swap LA’s vision to “grow food on used space, in a way that creates economic value and keeps that food hyperlocal,” founder Jamiah Hargins told the outlet. Once the fruit and veg are grown, the organization helps “distribute that nutrient-dense food within the community, so people understand what’s possible.” In 2022 alone, Crop Swap donated 4,000 pounds of produce to those in need. But the communal gardens go beyond the obvious health benefits — they also promote a sense of connection among people and with nature. “I really want to improve confidence that people can reconnect with nature in the ways that our great-grandparents had in the past. Many of them grew their own food, and many of us are just separated because of our culture and society these days,” Hargins said.
In Other News
Greenhouse gas emissions fell by 8.3% across the European Union last year (read more)
Anew polymer-basedtreatment for Huntington’s disease is showing promise, per a recent study (read more)
Boeier,a sea turtle that got swept from Texas to the Netherlands, was brought back to her native waters (read more)
Ferry cool: An electric boat that hovers above the water made its debut in Sweden (read more)
Two sister meteor showers, the Southern and Northern Taurids,will peak just a week apart (read more)
Inspiring Story
A movie moment
Jonathan Pascual is a nurse and triathlete who was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2022. With an estimated five years left to live, he refused to let the diagnosis stop him from competing — and last month, he checked off a longtime goal of completing the Ironman World Championship. Pascual described the achievement as a movie that “has played in my mind for so long.”
Photo of the Day
JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP via Getty Images
Over in the world of figure skating, an American athlete claimed victory this past weekend. It was a tight competition, but 25-year-old Amber Glen won the Grand Prix de France on Saturday, becoming the oldest U.S. women’s singles skater to win her first title. Watch her joyous reaction.
Money: Gold Can Be a Solid Bet in Uncertain Times
Investors have historically turned to gold because of its stability. It can act like a safety net in your portfolio because its value tends to stay afloat, even when the stock market dives. Gold is also considered a hedge against inflation, meaning its value can rise as the buying power of cash goes down. Check out Money’s list of top-rated Gold IRA providers, including some that offer educational materials for gold-investing beginners.
