The light is changing, the days are getting shorter, and fall will be here before we know it. For some, this is welcome news. For others, it triggers a case of August Anxiety — a low-level sense of panic spurred by the thought of summer slipping away. If you find yourself experiencing this mood shift, let us offer you a pick-me-up: the ingredients for happiness, as shared by Nice News readers. (Should you feel like sitting with your sadness for a bit, however, we think Noah Kahan’s “End of August” is an apt soundtrack.) — the Nice News team
Featured Story
The Winners of the International Pet Photography Awards Aren’t Your Average Animal Pics
Anyone who has 5,000 versions of what’s essentially the same photo of their pet on their phone (we get it) will appreciate the artistry apparent in the 2026 International Pet Photography Awards. Now in its eighth year, the competition saw 4,220 entries — from the adorable to the majestic — pour in from amateur and professional pet photographers across 48 countries. Announced at a live online ceremony yesterday, the awardees were chosen by a panel of 27 specialist animal photographers and industry experts. Participants submitted multiple images for consideration, and a points system determined the finalists. Then, judges convened to select the winning photos — which showcase the joy, humor, and meaning we derive from our animal companions. The overall Pet Photographer of the Year award went to Callie Soden, who also came out on top in the creative and studio categories. Click below for a selection of the winning shots across all 12 categories.
Peak summer means high temperatures — even after the sun goes down. If the heat has you tossing and turning all night, Quince’s bamboo sheet set is your ultimate solution for a cool, comfortable night’s sleep. Breathable, moisture-wicking fibers from bamboo naturally regulate your body temperature while keeping unwanted odors and allergens away. Each set includes a flat sheet, a fitted sheet, and two pillowcases designed for complete comfort. With more than two dozen colors and classic patterns to choose from, you can easily match your personal style and transform your bedroom into a soothing sleep sanctuary.
To Teach Kids About the Past, a Museum Puts Them in Oliver Twist’s Shoes
Loop Images—Universal Images Group/Getty Images
At a newly renovated museum in Ripon, England, kids are asked to do laundry by hand, eat gruel, and walk in the footsteps of those who once lived in workhouses, also known as poorhouses. The notoriously grim institutions (famously appearing in works like Oliver Twist) were the Victorian-era “solution” to poverty and homelessness, until they were largely phased out in the 1930s, when the country shifted to more humane welfare programs and public health systems. The museum building is itself a former 19th-century workhouse. “You are literally going to walk in the footsteps of people who have experienced this place,” Alexa Vernon, the director of the Ripon Museums Trust, told The Guardian. Visitors get to see firsthand what it was like to live in such conditions, touring where people once worked, slept, and went to school. When groups of children visit, a retired schoolteacher named Nick Baird takes on the role of a workhouse school teacher. “I tend to be quite fierce for the first few minutes, but I can’t keep it up,” he told the BBC. “I drop that act but it is important that they learn that’s how it would have been.” See pictures of the inside.
Humanity
He Drove Cross-Country in a “Giant Purple Van” to Interview Inspiring Americans
Courtesy of Curiosity Mobile
Before setting out from Los Angeles in a “giant purple van” emblazoned with the words Curiosity Mobile, Scott Shigeoka was feeling unusually pessimistic about the state of the country. Like most of us, his newsfeed had been dominated by negativity, and despite his sunny disposition, he wasn’t exactly brimming with hope. That would soon change. During a six-month road trip across the U.S. that concluded June 13 at the TED Democracy event in Philadelphia, the author and curiosity expertconnected with everyday people effecting meaningful change in their communities. He aimed to address what he calls the “belief gap,” a concept based on research that suggests most Americans desire to live in a democracy where everyone is cared for but don’t believe that such a thing is possible. Watch uplifting footage from the project and experience the positivity boost for yourself.
Culture
The Midwest Rises in Annual Best States Ranking From US News
Jason Cameron—Moment/Getty Images
For the fourth consecutive year, Utah took the No. 1 spot on the annual U.S. News Best States ranking — but a quick peruse of the 2026 list makes it clear that the Midwest is the region to watch right now. South Dakota is ranked second, up from eighth in 2025. Minnesota also moved up (from No. 4 to No. 3) and North Dakota went all the way from 12th to fourth. Rounding out the top five is another nearby locale, Nebraska. “The rise of several Midwest states highlights the region’s growing appeal as an alternative to traditional coastal hubs,” U.S. New & World Report writes. “States like South Dakota, North Dakota, and Nebraska consistently have some of the lowest unemployment rates of any state, while home prices remain far below the national average.” If this has you thinking about an interstate move, U.S. News made a “Best State for You” quiz this year to help narrow down your search. You’ll rank the importance of eight categories and then get a personalized list of states that align with your personal priorities and lifestyle preferences. Take the free quiz here (heads up that you might be asked to input your email first).
Sunday Selections
Deep Dives
Through letters, photos, and munitions, an Atlanta museum’s new Civil War exhibition reflects on “America’s defining conflict”
Growing up, Matthew Quick had a difficult relationship with his father, who was often cold, critical, even cruel. The author mined their painful dynamic for his 2008 debut novel, Silver Linings Playbook, but even after the book was adapted into an Oscar-winning film, he couldn’t seem to earn his dad’s approval. It wasn’t until dementia took hold of the once-imposing patriarch that Quick began to understand the father who didn’t truly know how to love him. In this moving memoir, written in the form of a letter, he reflects on what it means to forgive a person who never asked for forgiveness.
The latest in the How to podcast series from The Atlantic, this five-episode season explores how to disengage from our devices and rebuild a connection to the physical world — or, in internet parlance, how to touch grass. Co-hosts Natalie Brennan and Julie Beck interview a range of experts to uncover the driving forces behind the urge to break free from our reliance on technology. The first episode, released last Monday, investigates why pre-internet nostalgia is so powerful, even for those who aren’t old enough to have experienced the era they’re yearning for a return to.
This Week in History
“Macarena” Hits No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100
August 3, 1996
Evan Agostini/Liaison
Thirty years ago tomorrow, the world was in the throes of a musical phenomenon — whether it wanted to be or not. “Macarena” was initially released in 1993 by Los Del Rio, two Spanish musicians (pictured, with dancers) who’d been performing together since the 1960s. While the song became a hit in Latin America, it was decidedly milder in its original form than the version most people now know. Two years later, a Miami radio DJ requested to add it to his on-air playlist and was told the station had a policy against playing music sung entirely in Spanish. That’s when two producers stepped up to record English-language verses and make the tune more club-worthy, resulting in “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix).” Soon, a music video and memorable dance had catapulted it to the Billboard Hot 100, and Americans were busting out the moves all over the place — like in 1996, when 50,000 people at Yankee Stadium, including the athletes themselves, joined together to set a record.
Collars & Co.’s Warehouse Sale Is Too Good to Skip
Does the man in your life need a wardrobe refresh? You’re in luck: Collars & Co.’s end-of-season warehouse sale has up to 50% off select styles. From shorts and polos to sweaters and blazers, you’re sure to find something he’ll love. This is the final opportunity to own these signature styles, so shop now to secure his size.
“The first week of August hangs at the very top of summer, the top of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a Ferris wheel when it pauses in its turning.”
