Startling species rediscoveries in California

"Call it 'CSI: Sierra Nevada.'

On Aug. 11, a mysterious creature took a bite out of a bait bag slung in a secluded pass north of Yosemite National Park. As the animal gnawed on the bits of chicken contained in the sock, a remote-controlled camera clicked nearby."

Click here for more on some surprising scientific finds in the Sierra Nevada region.

Chicago's rich candy history

"Since the late 1800s, Chicago has been a candy-producing machine. It displayed its confectionery prowess at the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, where nearly 26 million visitors from around the world, including one Milton Hershey, were introduced to a number of candies and gums from Chicago manufacturers, including Cracker Jack, Juicy Fruit and caramels that Chicago candymaker Charles Gunther sold at his store on Clark Street."

For more of this sweet story, click here.

Looking the Other Way: A Nobel Prize for China?

"While the U.S. may say it wants to see China improve its human rights record, the Chinese government can rest easy. We don’t really mean it."

Click here for more of Chuck Colson's commentary.

Tires 101: What your tire's markings tell you

"Tires carry a wealth of information on their sidewalls. Unfortunately, it's all in code. Most of it is of no concern to many owners, but it can be valuable for those who want to know the seasons for which their tires are intended, those who plan to replace their tires, or new-car buyers who are given a choice of sizes and types."

For tips on deciphering the code, click here.

Save the Children’s SMS Texting Program Helps Pakistani Flood Survivors to Help Themselves

"The simple act of SMS text messaging has helped scores of people displaced by the floods in Pakistan after Save the Children implemented an innovative way to use the mobile phone technology in its relief work.

A hotline has been up and running since early August which allows people to phone in or text suggestions or complaints relating to Save the Children’s health clinics and distribution centres."

Click here for more on this texting strategy.

What Are Christians Known For?

"In the earliest days of Christianity, the Roman emperor Julian was contemptuous of Jesus's first followers. But he recognized that their generosity to the poor was making converts of many. 'Nothing has contributed to the progress of the superstition of the Christians as their charity to strangers...the impious Galileans provide not only for their own poor, but for ours as well,' he is quoted as saying."

Click here for more on this question.

World Vision emergency team covering two disasters in Indonesia in 24 hours

"World Vision's emergency response staff in Indonesia are currently dealing with two disasters in less than twenty-four hours: the volcano eruption at Mount Merapi in Java and Monday's 7.2 earthquake in West Sumatra."

Click here for more on World Vision's response to these two disasters.

She turns flour into gold

"Baker Joanne Chang spins pantry staples into rich desserts complete with cupcakes and 'crispy magic frosting.' Check out her video."

Click here for the story and video.

Western Springs family sees makeover as key to independence

"Like every other 12-year-old girl, Grace Ligon just wants to be independent.

However driven and determined, living with cerebral palsy means Grace faces physical obstacles to everyday tasks — and as a single mother, Kathy, too, has difficulties of her own."

Click here for more on this brave family.

Do the 'Thriller' dance

"Zombies and ‘80s-era Michael Jackson — what’s not to love?

Thrill The World is a worldwide, simultaneous recreation of Michael Jackson’s Thriller dance. The annual event has taken on added relevance since Jackson’s 2009 death, which still makes us very sad."

Click here for more on this social phenomenon turned fundraiser.

Book Review - "Too Rich for a Bride" by Mona Hodgson

"Readers first met the Sinclair sisters in 'Two Bride Too Many,' which recounted the adventures of Kat and Nell Sinclair as they headed to Cripple Creek, Colorado as mail order brides. Ida Sinclair, the eldest of the four sisters, takes her turn center stage in 'Too Rich for a Bride.'”

For the rest of the review, click here.

World Vision and TOMS Shoes partner to provide new shoes to children in poverty around the globe

"TOMS Shoes and humanitarian agency World Vision have launched a new partnership to provide children in more than a dozen developing countries with new shoes to protect their health and empower them to stay in school. In many cases, children are receiving their very first pair of shoes, or in other cases, the donated shoes allow them to replace outgrown or worn-out footwear."

Click here for more on this partnership.

Twenty Tips for a Safe and Happy Halloween

"From kids to family pets, Halloween provides an exciting time. Sadly, that time can also lead to injury or death. Here are tips to help you protect those you love while having a great time."

Click here for ways to have a great Halloween.

Healing faith? Research explores whether spirituality may be good for the body as well as the soul

"When Virgie Aguilar — a 93-year-old church-going, car-driving, wishes-she-was-still-working great-great-grandmother — tells you the Lord moves her, she means it."

For more on this research, click here.

'Sesame Street' Teaches Self-Esteem in Answer to Child's Question

"A new 'Sesame Street' character teaches kids about becoming self-confident."

Click here for more on this important report.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees tapes an anti-bullying ad: See the video

"New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees speaks out against teen bullying in a video."

To watch this important video, click here.

New Orleans City Park is better than ever

"The 2005 flood reduced City Park to a saltwater swamp. Most of the attractions in the 1,300-acre, 156-year-old green space remained closed for months while work crews removed fallen tree trunks as the golf courses and softball fields reverted to prairie.

But just look at it now."

Click here for more on this restored gem of a park.

Green energy field is fertile ground for wild concepts

"Spray-on solar panels, power beaming down from outer space and gasoline-like fuel made from bacteria.

Sound far-fetched? Maybe, but these and other futuristic concepts for producing power are being taken seriously in scientific, business and academic circles. Some have even raised millions in funding."

For more on green technology, click here.

Former WWL newswoman Hoda Kotb tells her stories in new memoir

"Give Hoda Kotb an assist for the best sports photograph of the year.

Covering the culmination of the New Orleans Saints' Super Bowl season for the 'Today' show, she helped get Baylen Brees into his daddy's hands on the Lombardi Trophy podium."

For more on Kotb's new book, click here.

Is your dog a pessimist or an optimist? It could explain his behavior, researchers say

"If your dog is misbehaving, it might be because he's a food-dish-half-empty kind of canine. That's the word from a study published in Current Biology this week."

Click here for more on analyzing your dog's personality.

2010 Ford Ironman Competitor, Chris Lieto Helps Children Living in Poverty around the World

"For former Ironman champion Chris Lieto, Saturday’s 140.6 mile course at the Ford Ironman Championship in Kona, Hawaii may not have yielded the first-place victory many were anticipating, but for the 90 children he’s already found sponsors for, Lieto is a true champion. Through his More Than Sport campaign powered by humanitarian organization, World Vision, Lieto challenges fellow athletes and fans to be ambassadors of positive change in the lives of children in need around the world through child sponsorship."


To learn more about the amazing athlete and his commitment to children, click here.

Stars Turn Out for Save the Children Bingo Night Benefit for Haitian School

"CBS studios’ New York Street in Studio City, Calif., shined brighter last night at a star-filled Bingo Night benefit to raise funds for a new Save the Children-supported school in Jacmel, Haiti."

Click here for more on this fund raising event.

Tense final hours ahead as passage to surface awaits Chile's 33 trapped miners

"A smooth-walled path to daylight awaited 33 trapped miners Sunday as they entered the tense final hours of a two-month odyssey christened in the terror of collapsing rock deep under a Chilean mountain."

For more on the story, including video, click here.

Smooth the Stumbling Blocks - a devotion

"The US Supreme Court is considering a case dealing with protesters picketing funerals of deceased military personnel. Members of Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, KS, were sued for interrupting the funeral of Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder with protests, stating their belief that '...U.S. deaths in Afghanistan and Iraq are punishment for Americans' immorality, including tolerance of homosexuality and abortion.'(1)"

Click here for more on the subject.

America Ferrera-Supported Save the Children School Opens in Mali

"Nearly 150 excited children started their first day of school in new classrooms in Mali earlier this week thanks to the support of Emmy Award-winning actress America Ferrera and her family, friends and fans."

Click here for more on Ms. Ferrera's project.

Dasty the Comeback Canine

"Animal lovers know how difficult it is to see your pets slow down. And when it happens at just barely past the puppy stage, it's even harder. That's Dasty's story. Dasty is a Chicago Police dog, sniffing out guns, drugs, and cash in the organized crime division. But a year ago, he was headed for retirement after being diagnosed with Lyme disease."

For more of Dasty's story, click here.

Jennifer Garner and Frigidaire Team Up this Holiday Season to Support Save the Children

"Just like turkey and all the trimmings, the kids' table is a holiday tradition — a fun-filled, no adult zone where good times rule. Now, Frigidaire and Save the Children's Artist Ambassador Jennifer Garner are asking families to 'set a place at a virtual kids' table' to support Save the Children's efforts to ensure that kids in the U.S. have access to healthy foods this holiday season and all year long."

Click here for more on the program.

Businesses sign up to do good while doing well

"When a law took effect Friday allowing Maryland businesses to organize as 'benefit corporations,' a hybrid of for-profit and nonprofit models that aims for public benefits as well as profits, John Shepley lined up early at the state tax office hoping to be a trailblazer."

For more on Maryland's new law, click here.

Recipe for Rebuilding a City: Judy Walker and 'Exchange Alley'

"Hurricane Katrina took lives, homes and possessions. In New Orleans, where traditional food is a vital part of the lifestyle, the loss of family recipes to flood waters struck an additional painful blow. For many New Orleanians, that loss became a lasting reminder of the things taken away by the storm.

Judy Walker, Food Editor of the New Orleans Times Picayune newspaper, saw a way to help in the recovery process."

Click here for more on Judy Walker and "Exchange Alley."

7-year-old finds dinosaur jawbone at Dinosaur Park in Laurel

"Seven-year-old Aidan Isenstadt likes to collect stuff. He likes looking for bugs, mostly, and different kinds of rocks and coins.

Last month, he and scores of others tried their hands at looking for dinosaur fossils at the Dinosaur Park in Laurel. And barely five minutes after he began his search, Aidan found what looked like a piece of a jawbone, about 11/2 inches long, with holes where the teeth should be."

For more on the amazing find, click here.

12-step manuscript offers rare glimpse into early Alcoholics Anonymous

"In 1939, about 5,000 copies of a book offering hopeless drunks a spiritual path to recovery through 12 steps were released by a fledgling fellowship of alcoholics."

Click here for more on this glimpse of AA's past.