Must Reads

• Merriam-Webster’s 2025 word of the year is …

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• Experiential-based Christmas gifts are trending — here’s what people are asking for

Tech

North Dakota Will Provide High-Speed Internet Access to the Entire State by 2028

In a first for the nation, North Dakota is set to provide high-speed internet access to the entire state by 2028. The North Dakota Monitor reported earlier this month that the state is expected to receive $6 million in federal funding from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, which will go to two local internet carriers. Over the next couple of years, they will install fiber connections in the 279 locations currently lacking high-speed internet.
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Many of those spots are near Cass County, which has encountered geographic obstacles to expanded access, such as river crossings. According to 2020 census data, around 16% of North Dakotans don’t subscribe to a broadband service, so they won’t all automatically receive internet once the connections are installed — but it will be available as an option. “This approval represents a major leap forward in achieving universal connectivity,” said Corey Mock, the state’s chief information officer.
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And according to Brian Newby, director of North Dakota Information Technology’s broadband program, the milestone is the result of decades of work, investment, and risk taken on by local exchange carriers and internet co-ops, which have provided broadband to the majority of the state thus far. “We’re facilitating the funds to get to the carriers, which is very important, but it’s really not meant in any way to overshadow the huge accomplishment that they’ve done,” he said.

Together With LMNT

Feel Your Best Through the Holidays by Staying Hydrated

The holiday season is a whirlwind of festive fun, but it’s also hectic. You’re juggling everything from family time and work parties to gift shopping and wrapping — so staying properly hydrated is key to keeping up and feeling your best this season. Thankfully, LMNT makes it easy with its electrolyte drink mix.
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Each sachet delivers a science-backed electrolyte ratio of sodium, potassium, and magnesium to support energy levels, cognitive function, proper digestion, and sleep. Enjoy classic flavors like Citrus Salt and Mango Chili, or embrace the holiday spirit with Chocolate Salt — meant to be enjoyed hot. Show up fully present this season with LMNT, and get a free sample pack with your purchase.

Health

“Beating Incredible Odds,” a Healthy Baby Was Born From a Rare Ectopic Pregnancy

A Christmas miracle recently arrived at Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center: A baby was born from an abdominal ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies are ones in which a fetus develops outside the uterus, and are rarely (if ever) viable, meaning the healthy baby boy beat “incredible odds,” according to a press release from the hospital.
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The mother, 41-year-old Suze Lopez, didn’t discover she was pregnant until her son, named Ryu, had nearly reached full term — and per John Ozimek, medical director of labor and delivery, “a pregnancy this far outside the uterus that continues to develop is almost unheard of.”
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Lopez originally sought medical attention to remove a 22-pound benign ovarian cyst that had been growing for years, but wound up discovering she was pregnant after a routine test ahead of the surgery. “I could not believe that after 17 years of praying, and trying, for a second child, that I was actually pregnant,” she said. She experienced abdominal pain three days later and went to Cedars-Sinai, where Ozimek discovered that her baby wasn’t located in her uterus, but in a small space in her abdomen, and it was pushing the cyst forward.
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After 30 experts came together to conduct a complicated delivery and surgery, Ryu was born with minimal health problems and Lopez’s cyst was removed, putting her on the path to recovery. “I appreciate every little thing. Everything. Every day is a gift and I’m never going to waste it,” she said. Meet the Lopez family.​

Culture

A First Edition of “Emma” Heading to Auction During Jane Austen’s 250th Birthday Week

Of her six completed works, Emma was described by famed British writer Ronald Blythe as “the climax of Jane Austen’s genius and the Parthenon of fiction” — and a first edition is currently on the auction block during the author’s 250th birthday week. Part of Bonhams’ Fine Books & Manuscripts Including Americana sale, the copy is expected to fetch up to $60,000 on Thursday.
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First printed in 1816, Austen’s final published novel is considered by many to be her masterpiece. It follows the life of Emma Woodhouse, who is described as “wealthy, clever, but spoilt,” and explores themes of social class, marriage, and women’s roles. Nearly two centuries later, Emma partly inspired the 1995 film Clueless and its main character, wealthy Beverly Hills teenager Cher.
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The edition in the auction’s lot is split into three volumes, each with their own “half title” — a cover page for each volume — which Bonhams say is “a detail missing in most surviving copies, as these were often removed when owners had their books bound.” It also includes calf-backed marbled paper boards, morocco corners, and an inscription from her brother in the flyleaf. Take a look at the inside cover of the copy, and if you’re new to Austen, learn which of her works you should start with honor of her birthday today.

In Other News

1. New evidence shows that an unusual exoplanet is like a “wet lava ball,” with a surprisingly thick atmosphere (read more)
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2. The last pennies minted for circulation sold for a combined total of nearly $17 million last week (read more)
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3. A fisher was verifiably spotted in Ohio for the first time since the mammal disappeared in the 1800s (read more)
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4. Young talent, including Caitlin Clark, is defining a new era for the U.S. women’s basketball team (read more)
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5. Over 326,000 Christmas trees have been donated to military families since 2005 through “Trees for Troops” (read more)

Something We Love

Field Company Cast Iron Skillet
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​They don’t make cast iron like they used to, but Field Company does. This family-owned company has thousands of five-star reviews raving about its lighter, smoother, vintage-inspired skillets. The Field Skillet’s machined surface becomes naturally nonstick from your cooking oils — no PFAS or chemical coatings, ever. Field Company is so confident you’ll love cooking with it that every pan comes with a 45-day trial and a lifetime guarantee. The brand’s year-end sale is on now, plus Nice News readers get an extra 10% off with code NICENEWS10. Order by tomorrow, Dec. 17, for delivery by Christmas Day.*

*Indicates a Nice News brand partnership or affiliate

Inspiring Story

Hero on the path to recovery

Amid Sunday’s devastating shooting at Australia’s Bondi Beach, a man grabbed a gun from one of the attackers and knocked him to the ground. The brave bystander, 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed, suffered two bullet wounds from the gunman — now, he’s recovering in the hospital and a GoFundMe campaign started for him has raised nearly $1 million. “My son is a hero,” said his father, Mohamed Fateh al-Ahmed. “He served in the police, he has the passion to defend people.”

Photo of the Day

New York City transformed into a winter wonderland Sunday after its first major snowfall of the season. According to The New York Times, nearly 3 inches of snow had blanketed Belvedere Castle in Central Park by 1 p.m., which the National Weather Service said was the most snow the park had seen this early in the season since 2018. “It feels like a Norman Rockwell painting out here,” one New Yorker commented. See more snowy pics.​

Brad’s Deals: Take Advantage of Your Amazon Prime Perks Today

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Odds & Ends

🦉 Two owls are living their best lives at a Spanish resort
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☕ A country star is making the laundromat a better place to hang
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🌟 What one plastic surgeon does to fight aging skin*
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🪳 Cockroaches in tiny backpacks could be search-and-rescue pros
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​*Indicates a Nice News brand partnership or affiliate

Quote of the Day

“The most important thing is that you be a good person and you live by the golden rule of do unto others. If you live by that, that’s all I care about.”

– ROB REINER