🔆 Worker's Missing Wallet Found 15 Years Later Under the Hood

We hope you had a great weekend. Here are some good stories to kickstart your week: a Ford employee’s wallet, lost a decade ago, has resurfaced after traveling 150,000 miles under a car hood, bringing a heartwarming reunion and a reminder of life’s unexpected journeys.

MIT scientists are tackling global malnutrition with a new way to fortify foods with iron and iodine, offering hope for healthier futures worldwide.

And at Lake Tahoe, dedicated pollution control efforts are preserving the lake’s legendary clarity, demonstrating the power of collaboration in protecting natural treasures.

—Stephanie S

A Ford employee’s wallet, lost a decade ago on the assembly line, was recently discovered by a Minnesota mechanic while repairing a 2015 Ford Edge. The wallet had traveled over 150,000 miles, hidden under the car’s hood since the day it rolled off the line.

Inside, the wallet held a Michigan driver’s license, $15, a faded lottery ticket, and $275 in gift cards. The mechanic tracked down the owner, Richard Guilford, through Facebook, leading to a joyful reunion.

Guilford, now retired, was amazed that the wallet survived years of travel and weather. He said the experience restored his faith in humanity.

Cabella’s even agreed to honor the old gift cards, making the story even sweeter. Guilford plans to keep the wallet as a family keepsake, a reminder of life’s unexpected journeys.

Nike co-founder Phil Knight and his wife, Penny, have made a historic $2 billion donation to the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health & Science University. This is the most significant gift ever given to an American university for cancer research.

The donation will enable the institute to double in size, expand its early detection efforts, and provide comprehensive support for patients and their families.

Inspired by Dr. Brian Druker’s vision, the gift aims to revolutionize cancer care and accelerate lifesaving breakthroughs.

MIT chemists have developed iron-iodine particles that can be added to foods and drinks to help fight global malnutrition. These particles, called metal-organic frameworks, are stable and don’t alter the taste or texture of food.

The innovation could make it easier to deliver essential nutrients, such as iron and iodine, especially in regions where deficiencies are common.

Researchers hope that this breakthrough will lead to the development of new fortified products and improved health worldwide.

Pollution control efforts at Lake Tahoe have prevented the release of over 727,000 pounds of fine sediment into the lake, thereby helping to maintain its iconic clarity. The California-Nevada partnership has achieved significant reductions in sediment, phosphorus, and nitrogen runoff.

Despite a dip in visibility this year, experts emphasize the importance of long-term trends over yearly fluctuations.

Local agencies and businesses are collaborating, utilizing science-based strategies to preserve Tahoe's blue waters for generations.

87 years ago today, President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Thousand Islands Bridge, connecting the U.S. and Canada across the Saint Lawrence Seaway. The 8.5-mile system of five bridges was constructed in just 16 months, linking islands with a mix of suspension, truss, and arch designs, a remarkable engineering feat for its time.

The bridge became a powerful symbol of U.S.-Canada friendship, supporting tourism and trade while showcasing architectural variety in one continuous crossing. To this day, it remains a vital connection between New York and Ontario.

Other notable August 18 events:

1868: Helium was first discovered during a solar eclipse.

1920: The 19th Amendment was ratified, granting U.S. women the right to vote.

1962: Ringo Starr debuted with The Beatles, the first show with John, Paul, George & Ringo together.

1963: James Meredith became the first Black student to graduate from the University of Mississippi.

⚾ USA: Jen Pawol made history as Major League Baseball's first female umpire, walking onto the field to huge cheers after 30 years and 1,200 games in the making.

🌊 California: Scientists have identified the bacteria behind the sea star wasting disease devastating the state’s coast and are now launching recovery efforts.

🚒 Florida: Three neighbors were honored for heroically rescuing four people, including two children, from a burning plane crash near their homes.

🌊 Mexico: The public raised $50,000 for a heroic divemaster in Cozumel who suffered injuries while saving his group from an oncoming speedboat.

🔬 China: Scientists have developed a groundbreaking steel capable of withstanding the extreme conditions inside nuclear fusion reactors.

— Benjamin Franklin

Every day brings amazing advances and uplifting moments that remind us just how wonderful the world can be. Here are five reasons why today is the best time ever to be alive:

🧬 Wildlife Protection: Wildlife DNA databases are helping track poaching and prosecute wildlife crimes more effectively.

🚴 Greener Commutes: Electric bikes are transforming urban commuting, making transportation cleaner and more affordable.

🔋 Urban Mining: Recycling rare metals from electronics reduces the environmental impact of mining and powers the next generation of technology.

📲 Education Anywhere: Tele-education platforms are helping refugees continue their studies despite displacement.

🏗️ Eco-Build AI: AI systems are helping design eco-friendly buildings with optimal energy efficiency.

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