Yesterday, U.S. News & World Report released its 2025 Best Jobs ranking. As for what constitutes “best,” the publication takes into account growth potential, work-life balance, job safety, employment rate, and salary. Highlighting the country’s demand for health professionals, nurse practitioner took the top spot, followed by IT manager, physician assistant, financial manager, and software developer. See the full list.
Street Artist’s 25-Meter Masterpiece Is Nominated for the World’s Best Mural
Street Art Atlas
“A lick of paint never hurt anyone” appears to be Megan Russell’s motto, but as evidenced by her impressive portfolio, the international street artist’s paintings go far beyond just a lick. Climbing an office building in Sheffield, England, is a 25-meter-tall mural depicting colorful birds, butterflies, and glimmering blue-green water — a piece so stunning it’s currently vying to be named “Best Mural of the World.” The artwork, titled “Reverie,” was initially voted the Best of June 2024 in a contest by Street Art Cities, an online database celebrating urban art around the globe. That honor cemented its nomination in the annual competition alongside 50 other murals from Argentina, Morocco, France, Russia, and beyond. “It’s just been crazy. When June’s votes came in, it blew my mind,” Russell told the BBC. She added that working on the nature-themed masterpiece was “the biggest highlight” of her career to date. “I had free reign to be as vibrant and bold as I wanted,” she shared. “It’s really refreshing when clients tell you that, it doesn’t happen often.” Hear more from the artist and get a closer look at the mural.
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Charles Dickens Museum Celebrates 100 Years With Exhibit on the Author’s Early Life
18th Studio/ Shutterstock
Charles Dickens fans know he was a Londoner to his core, with the city often a main character in his novels. So while many places in London are associated with the famous author, his house on Doughty Street — converted into the Charles Dickens Museum in 1925 — serves as a unique behind-the-scenes peek at his inner world. In celebration of the museum’s 100th anniversary, an upcoming exhibitwill offervisitors a glimpse into a different side of Dickens, going back to his younger years. Exhibition items include photographs from the author’s early life, an 1843 painting that was “lost” for over a century depicting a 31-year-old Dickens, and love poems he wrote as a teenager that are not exactly reminiscent of his other, celebrated work. “Some of [the poetry] is OK. Some of it is quite bad,” Emma Harper, the exhibition’s curator, told The Guardian. “I find it quite amusing that it is basically a teenage young man writing poetry for his crush. You wouldn’t necessarily recognize it as from the genius of Victorian writing.” Also going on display: a rare copy of his novel David Copperfield that was brought to Antarctica in 1910 on the famous Terra Nova expedition,previously unseen manuscripts, first editions, letters to friends, and an early draft of a note outlining the end of his marriage.
Environment
Thinking Outside the (Sand)box: NJ Playground Doubles as Stormwater Capture Zone
nArchitects
Of all the exciting environmental innovations, climate-friendly playgrounds may be the most kid-approved concept to date. At the ResilienCity Playground in Hoboken, New Jersey, 5 acres of public space are filled with slides, swing sets, benches, a soccer field, basketball court, and more. But hidden in plain sight, there’s something extra special from an eco perspective: a system to soak up millions of gallons of stormwater. “It is more than just a park, it is a symbol of social and physical resilience,” Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla said at the park’s ribbon-cutting event. Opened in 2023, the playground was designed to make flood-prone Hoboken safer via an underground tank, porous artificial turf, rain gardens, and an above-ground pump to send water back into the Hudson River, per The Guardian. “What we’re doing is creating places for the water to go so that we can manage it and keep it off the streets, keep it out of people’s buildings, and get prepared for the uncertain future, which we’re kind of experiencing in real-time,” Caleb Stratton, Hoboken’s chief resilience officer, told the outlet. So far, it’s been a win for the city and its kiddos. “They learn responsibility, hopefully, as they learn more about the park and why it was built this way,” said Maren Schmitt, a mother of two and Hoboken business owner, adding, “We need more of this.”
In Other News
Kate, the Princess of Wales, announced she’s in remission from cancer — “It is a relief,” she wrote (read more)
The buzz on cicadas: Find out when and where the noisy insects are expected to pop up this year (read more)
A violin made by Antonio Stradivari is expected to fetch up to a record $18 million at auction (read more)
In Thailand, a farmer-meets-artist used rice fields as his canvas, creating stunning dragon art (read more)
Need a pick-me-up? A video of a tiny baby crab is a bright spot on the web, garnering over 10 million views (read more)
Something We Love
Brodo Bone Broth Packed full of protein, Brodo’s slow-simmered bone broths deliver nutrients with maximum coziness. The brand sells classic flavors (like chicken and beef), as well as unique options like Tom Yum and Spicy Nonna. The little packets make the perfect base for soups and stews — but they’re also tasty enough that I like heating up cups to sip on plain. – Stephanie Friedman, Staff Writer
One day, Armia Khalil was suited up for his gig as a security guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The next? He’s standing beside one of his own sculptures on display at the iconic museum. “I just wanted to make something kind of beautiful,” he said. Read his incredible story.
Photo of the Day
Gilbert Flores/Deadline via Getty Images
Scheduled horse races at the Santa Anita Race Track are postponed for the time being, as the space has been transformed into a massive donation site for those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. Thousands have poured into the race track’s parking lot, some volunteering and others lining up to receive food, water, clothing, and other essential supplies. The charitable response has been so overwhelming that organizers aren’t accepting any additional donations — check out this video to see more of the site and hear from some volunteers.
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