Lone Hero Saves 165 Kids from Texas Floods, Earning Widespread Praise

Good morning. Today, we tip our hats to Scott Ruskan, a Coast Guard rescuer who guided 165 children to safety during devastating Texas floods.

Around the world, mercury emissions have dropped dramatically over the past forty years. In England, firefighters used quick thinking and a simple tube to rescue two baby hedgehogs from a storm drain.

🎧 P.S. Don’t miss our new episode of Good News To Go, your 5-minute boost of joy on the move.

—Stephanie S

HEROES

Lone Hero Saves 165 Kids from Texas Floods, Earning Widespread Praise

When devastating floods struck the Texas Hill Country, Coast Guard Petty Officer Scott Ruskan answered the call. Facing dangerous conditions and little communication, Ruskan arrived by helicopter at Camp Mystic, where 200 children were stranded.

With bridges and roads washed out, he calmly led 165 children and staff in small groups to safety, guiding them to army helicopters for evacuation.

It was Ruskan’s first rescue mission, but his courage and focus made all the difference. He credits teamwork and insists he was doing his job.

Leaders and families have hailed him as a hero, celebrating his quick thinking and selfless actions in the face of a crisis.

ENVIRONMENT

Mercury Pollution Plummets 70% in 40 Years as UN Treaty and Coal Phase-Out Clean the Air

A new study finds global mercury emissions have dropped 70% since 2000, thanks to the UN’s Minamata Convention and a shift away from coal power. Scientists measured mercury in the leaves of alpine plants to track this dramatic decline.

Today, human-caused mercury emissions are lower than those from natural sources, such as the oceans and volcanoes.

This progress means less toxic exposure for people and the planet, especially children.

OCEANS

Portugal Unveils Massive Ocean Sanctuary to Protect Breathtaking Underwater Mountains

Portugal has announced a new 38,000-square-mile marine protected area around the Gorringe Seamount, a biodiversity hotspot located west of the mainland. This move brings Portugal’s protected waters to 27 percent, making it the leader in ocean conservation in Europe.

The Gorringe Ridge is home to over 850 species, including soft corals, sponges, and various marine mammals such as whales and dolphins. The area will serve as a vital nursery and sanctuary for marine life.

This decision follows years of advocacy and highlights Portugal’s commitment to safeguarding unique underwater ecosystems.

ANIMALS

Firefighters Save Baby Hedgehog from Drain with Ingenious Vacuum Rescue

Two baby hedgehogs in Warwickshire found themselves trapped in a storm drain, prompting a creative rescue. Firefighters and charity workers first tried a vacuum, but it was a simple plastic tube that finally coaxed the curious hedgehog to safety.

Both siblings were unharmed and are now recovering with the local animal charity.

The team hopes to release the hedgehogs back into the wild soon, thanks to quick thinking and teamwork.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: July 9, 1975

Happy 50th to Jack White, Rock’s Analog Revivalist

Born in Detroit, Jack White turns 50 today. From his breakout with The White Stripes to his solo work and bands like The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather, White built a career that bridged generations and genres. Drawing from blues, Americana, and punk, he forged a style that was all soul, zero irony.

His anthem Seven Nation Army became one of the most recognizable riffs in modern music, echoing in stadiums around the globe. A 12-time Grammy winner and staunch defender of analog sound, White also founded Third Man Records, a vinyl-pressing label and creative hub. He even donated $200,000 to preserve old sound recordings, helping ensure music history isn’t lost to time.

Other notable July 9 events:

1816: Argentina signed its Declaration of Independence from Spain.

1877: The first Wimbledon tennis championship began with a men’s singles match.

2002: The African Union was established in Ethiopia to promote prosperity, human rights, and regional unity.

2011: South Sudan officially gained independence after decades of civil war.

GOOD NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

What made us 😄 this week

💍 USA: A wedding ring lost on a Virginia Christmas tree farm was reunited with its owner after 15 years thanks to an old lost-and-found note.

🦿 Afghanistan: An Indian charity provided free prosthetic limbs to 75 Afghan amputees in Kabul, helping restore mobility and hope to those affected by war.

🐇 UK: A farmer in England saved a baby hare's life by performing an emergency C-section with a pocket knife after discovering its mother had died.

🦷 Spain: Scientists have discovered that stem cells from wisdom teeth can be used to grow cartilage, neurons, and heart tissue.

⏳ USA: The world’s largest time capsule was opened as families reunited with messages and treasures from the past.

WORDS TO INSPIRE

For good reason, even the ancients considered travel necessary to complete education.

— Ivan Goncharov

WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE

Good news is such a vibe

Each day offers breakthroughs and heartening stories that show just how incredible our world truly is. Here are five reasons why there's never been a better time to be alive:

📚 Encyclopedia in Your Pocket: Wikipedia has ~7 million English articles, compared to 120,000 in Encyclopædia Britannica's last print edition.

💗 Kindness Goes Viral: Acts of kindness go viral; online donations and viral stories regularly trigger waves of generosity and good deeds.

🌄 Being Good is Good for You: Gratitude is now scientifically shown to improve happiness, sleep, and immune function.

📸 Everyday Miracles, Captured: Virtual services connect spiritual communities globally, no longer limited by geography.

🎶 Instant Music Publishing: Over 100,000 tracks are uploaded daily to platforms like Spotify, enabling global music distribution without the need for traditional labels.

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