Happy News

California is Banning Plastic Bags in Grocery Stores

California was one of the first states to technically “ban” the distribution of plastic bags in 2014, but there was a loophole that allowed grocery stores to still offer plastic bags as long as they were “reusable” and “recyclable”. However, the plastic industry abused this loophole and claimed that thicker bags were “recyclable”, even if they were not. Fortunately, in September 2024, senate Bill 1053 was signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom to officially ban plastic bag distribution.

Man Labeled “Brain-Dead” May Be First to Recover from Extreme Locked-in Syndrome 

Before being diagnosed with acute toxic progressive leukoencephalopathy in 2017, Jacob Haendel was a head chef in Massachusetts. His leukoencephalopathy had developed into locked-in syndrome, defined as “brain trauma, infection, or exposure to toxins, that results in slow, complete paralysis”. Haendel was so paralyzed he couldn’t even blink and was told by doctors that his acute toxic progressive leukoencephalopathy had reached Stage 4, which no one had recovered from. Fortunately, he was the first. After 18 months of rehabilitation, Haendel regained the ability to walk and other basic motor skills through surgeries and physical therapy. He told a British outlet that “It’s like being trapped—your brain is intact, but you can’t communicate with anyone,”, but now he sees everything in a positive light after what he has experienced.

Dad Who Wanted to be a Pilot Builds Incredible Real-Life Simulator at Home to make his Daughter happy

Forty-year-old Craig Cullingworth was told during his school years that he wasn't clever enough to be a pilot, but after his wife gifted him flight experience in a Boeing 737-800NG, he began using spare parts to make his flight simulator. After two years, Cullingworth posted his accurate model of a Boeing 737-800NG on social media, in which he got many positive reviews. He said his goal, as well as enjoying simulated flights with his daughter, is to open the experience to younger pilots as many who make their flight simulators are typically older retired pilots.

18 Month-old Bloodhound Wins 2024 Hero Dog Awards for Saving Lives And Solving Crimes 

Bo the Bloodhound is the K9 partner to Gastonia Police Department Sergeant David Rowland in North Carolina. Bo won the American Humane Hero Dog on November 8th, 2024 out of 25 chosen participants and three other finalists. It is typical for K9 dogs to be German Shepherds, so Rowland was excited as he “wanted to share Bo’s story with others”. Bo has been working since he was eight months old and picked from his litter in 2023, and now his heroic achievements include tracking down an elderly patient and saving a 7-year-old child who was taken at knifepoint, among others.