The Seattle Seahawks just defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX. A win like that is huge for the franchise, particularly the ownership group. Jody Allen became owner of the Seahawks and the Portland Trail Blazers in 2018 when her brother, Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen, passed away from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. According to Fortune, Paul was worth approximately $20 billion at the time of his death. Jody inherited the teams, but Paul had a stipulation: his assets were to be sold to fund his charitable foundations, which Jody gladly obliged. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Good News (@globalpositivenews) The Seattle Seahawks Aren’t For Sale Just Yet According to an insider, Jody Allen doesn’t have the Seahawks for sale now, but the time will come soon. Paul had a deep commitment to his community. His charitable organizations are for art, cultural development, and the environment. The news of Jody Allen’s plans pleased many people who appreciate the good work the Allen family does. “The Allen family amassed great wealth and then put it to service to work for others and our only home – planet earth. Thank you for your dedication and love for humanity and Mother Nature.Why is it so hard to be SO GOOD,” someone wrote. “Hopefully she only sells to someone with similar values.. someone who stands on morals,” another person shared. People loved the fact that Jody Allen wants to keep her promise to her brother. “As a life long 49ers fan I cannot stand the Seahawks, but it seems their owner was a really decent guy. Respect to him!!!!!!!!!!!” A football fan wrote. “More billionaires like this please,” another comment pointed out. This story’s featured image is by JOSH EDELSON / AFP via Getty Images.

It’s been a little more than a day since James Van Der Beek’s death following a long and difficult battle with colorectal cancer. The 48-year-old actor left behind a loving wife, Kimberly, and their six children. Sadly, the cost of James’ care wiped away the family’s nest egg. Even Hollywood stars feel the weight of outrageous medical bills that can leave them destitute. Losing James was hard enough on the family, so those who loved him decided to create a GoFundMe for Kimberly and the kids. They began with a modest goal of a few hundred thousand dollars. They’ve surpassed that by more than a million, and the donations continue to grow. View this post on Instagram A post shared by James Van Der Beek (@vanderjames) One of the Biggest Donors to the Van Der Beek GoFundMe is a Hollywood Icon James Van Der Beek played the titular character on the TV show Dawson’s Creek. Dawson Leery wanted to grow up to be a director like Steven Spielberg. It was an essential storyline for James’ character on the show. In the wake of James’ death, Steven Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw, donated $25,000 to the Van Der Beek’s GoFundMe. It’s one of the fundraiser’s top donations, helping the family to amass nearly $2 million. The Van Der Beek family shared a message of gratitude to all of the generous donors. “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for showing up for James and his beautiful family. Your kindness has meant more than we can put into words. In the middle of deep grief, your support has been a light. It reminds us that love is real, that community is strong, and that James’s spirit continues to bring people together,” a post on GoFundMe reads.“Right now, the family is taking time to mourn and be with one another. We kindly ask members of the media and the public to give them space and privacy as they walk through this painful season. Your respect and understanding will give them the room they need to heal. Please continue to keep James’s wife and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you for honoring his life with compassion, generosity, and love.” This story’s featured image is by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Most grandparents will tell you that life changes for the better when their children have their own babies. There’s something about the bond between a grandparent and a grandchild that cannot be replicated. Perhaps it’s the wisdom that comes with age, knowing that childhood truly is fleeting and grandparents take the time to savor every moment. It’s also a beautiful time to reflect on their own children’s youth and how much they’ve grown and matured. Terri Irwin recently shared a throwback photo of her daughter, Bindi Irwin, and a more recent photo of Bindi’s little girl, Grace. It was a proud moment for Terri to see history repeat itself. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Terri Irwin (@terriirwincrikey) Terri Irwin Loves Seeing Grace Enjoying the Same Things Bindi Did Terri Irwin shared the photos of Bindi Irwin on a tractor as a little girl and then a photo of Grace on a John Deere. Though the photos were taken decades apart, the joy is the same. Both Bindi and Grace smiled for the camera, enjoying that innocent childhood moment. For Terri, it was a sweet reminder of days gone by. “I love this so much! First Bindi when she was little, and now Grace. Why does every kid love to pretend they’re driving a tractor?” Terri Irwin wrote on Instagram. “The world needs a few more female farmers! Go get ‘em girls!” A follower wrote. “Because it’s the coolest thing ever,” another person shared. Lots of fans shared their love of tractos with Terri Irwin. “So darn cute! If Grace learns how to drive a tractor now -as I did when I was just a young girl – she will be able to drive anything in the future! She is such a little legend ! Xx,” someone shared. “Even us big kids(47) like to pretend we are driving tractors,” another person agreed. Terri Irwin is soaking up all the fun that grandmotherhood gives her. As she should. What a proud mom moment! This story’s featured image is by David Livingston/Getty Images

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Life expectancy in the United States climbed to a historic high in 2024, reaching 79 years—its highest level ever recorded. The gains reflect a hopeful turnaround after years of decline driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and rising drug overdose deaths. Early data suggests that 2025 may bring even more improvement. “It’s pretty much good news all the way around,” said Robert Anderson of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which released the updated figures last month. The milestone not only marks a recovery from the pandemic-era dip in mortality but also highlights progress in tackling some of the country’s leading causes of death, including heart disease, cancer, and opioid overdoses. What does life expectancy really mean? Life expectancy is more than a number. It’s a core indicator of a nation’s overall health. The figure represents the average number of years a baby born in a specific year is expected to live, assuming current death rates stay the same. For decades, life expectancy in the US trended steadily upward, aided by medical advances, improved access to care, and public health efforts. It peaked just under 79 years in 2014, then plateaued for several years before taking a sharp downturn with the arrival of COVID-19. In 2021, the worst year of the pandemic in terms of mortality, life expectancy in the US fell to just under 76 and a half years. More than 1.2 million Americans died of COVID-19 overall, and the toll pushed the country’s life expectancy to its lowest point in 25 years. The rebound since then has been striking. Fewer deaths across the board Roughly 3.07 million Americans died in 2024, showing a decrease of around 18,000 from the year before. That drop is significant, especially when considering the population’s aging demographics. Death rates declined across racial and ethnic groups, and in both men and women. COVID-19, once the third-leading cause of death in the US, fell out of the top ten. In its place, suicide entered the top ten causes, though it’s worth noting that suicide rates actually declined slightly in 2024, according to the NCHS report. Homicides also decreased. Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the US, but its mortality rate dropped for the second consecutive year, sitting at about three percent in 2024. Dr. Sadiya Khan, a cardiologist and researcher at Northwestern University, credits this to a mix of factors, including better treatments, wider adoption of weight management strategies, and earlier detection of cardiovascular risk. Cancer also saw modest declines in death rates, continuing a positive trend driven by better screening, treatment, and declining smoking rates. Opioid-related deaths show hopeful signs Perhaps most notable is the apparent shift in the long-running drug overdose crisis. Andrew Stokes, a public health researcher at Boston University, pointed out that 2024’s gains reflect not only pandemic recovery but a “lasting improvement” in overdose-related mortality. After years of escalating fatalities tied to synthetic opioids like fentanyl, the data now suggest a plateau, and in some areas, a decline. That’s encouraging news, though experts caution that the crisis is far from over. How 2025 is shaping up The death statistics for 2025 are not yet finalized, but early numbers are promising. Around 3.05 million deaths were recorded last year, and while that total will likely rise slightly as reporting is completed, officials say they expect another improvement in life expectancy. If confirmed, it would mean the US is continuing to reverse the mortality trends that defined much of the last decade. Still, experts note that while 79 years is a milestone, the US continues to lag behind many other high-income nations in overall life expectancy. Countries like Japan, Switzerland, and Australia routinely exceed 82 years. “There’s a lot more to be done,” said Stokes. “But the direction we’re heading in is encouraging.” A moment of momentum and a chance to do more The rise in life expectancy is a rare piece of unambiguous good news in public health. It reflects both individual behavior changes, such as reduced smoking and improved diet, and systemic shifts, including greater awareness of mental health and substance use. To keep the momentum going, experts emphasize continued investment in preventive care, equitable access to treatment, and targeted public health efforts to address the social determinants of health. As Anderson noted, while final data for 2025 is still pending, the progress so far gives reason to believe the upward trend may continue. After years of backsliding, Americans may finally be living longer and healthier lives.     Did this solution stand out? Share it with a friend or support our mission by becoming an Emissary.The post US life expectancy hits all-time high (and it’ll probably keep rising) first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Juice can feel like a wellness wildcard. It’s sweet, colorful, and sits in that tricky middle space between “basically fruit salad” and “sugar in a glass.” But if you’re pouring yourself one small glass a day, is that actually a healthy habit? The short answer is that it depends on what’s in the glass. Not all juices are created equal. Some are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant compounds that can support immunity, circulation, and even mental clarity. Others are more like high-speed sugar delivery systems. The trick is knowing which is which and how much is enough. Let’s peel back the label. The benefits are real (in moderation) One hundred percent fruit or vegetable juice can deliver key nutrients like potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, and polyphenols, those antioxidant-rich plant compounds you keep hearing about. That said, without the fiber of whole fruit, juice also delivers sugar fast. This can cause tooth damage, energy crashes, or spikes in blood sugar if overdone. That’s why most nutrition experts suggest capping your daily juice intake at 150 milliliters. That’s about two-thirds of a cup. Yes, that includes juices labeled “all natural” or “no sugar added.” Sugar is sugar, even if it comes from a beet. Still, when portioned right, juice can be more than a sugary treat. Some varieties offer targeted benefits worth knowing about. When juice becomes functional food Citrus Orange juice is a classic, and for good reason: it’s rich in vitamin C, supports immunity, and may help lower inflammation. One study even linked it to reductions in high blood pressure. But more is not better here; the benefits tend to taper off above 500 milliliters, when the sugar impact outweighs the gains. Lemon juice has similar perks. A glass of water with lemon before meals has been associated with better digestion and lower blood pressure. It won’t transform your health overnight, but it plays a solid (and zesty) supporting role. Pomegranate Pomegranate juice is often considered the MVP of the juice world. It’s packed with polyphenols, which are plant compounds that fight oxidative stress and inflammation. You only need about 200 milliliters to get the benefits, so don’t overindulge. It’s best to think of it as a daily supplement, not a beverage. Beetroot Beetroot juice, on the other hand, may actually deserve more than a tiny serving. Its high nitrate content helps improve blood flow and cardiovascular health, especially in people with high blood pressure or athletes looking for a performance edge. Since it’s lower in sugar than most fruit juices, up to 500 milliliters a day can be helpful for some. Cranberry Cranberry juice is best known for urinary tract health, and science backs that up. Unsweetened cranberry juice can help prevent bacteria from sticking to bladder walls, reducing the risk of UTIs, especially in women and children. But again, go for the real deal, not the sugary cranberry “cocktail.” Prune Prune juice still has its place, especially if digestion is sluggish. While the whole fruit is more effective, a modest amount of juice (about 150 milliliters) can help get things moving. Blueberry  Blueberry juice brings antioxidants, too, particularly for brain and vascular health. But most studies still favor whole berries over juice, especially for long-term cognitive benefits. So… should you drink juice? If you enjoy juice, the good news is you don’t have to cut it out entirely. Just treat it like a health-focused indulgence, not a hydration method. A single glass can be a great delivery system for nutrients, particularly if it’s high-quality, unsweetened, and purposefully chosen. Here’s how to drink smarter: Stick to 150 milliliters per day, unless it’s beetroot, where more may help. Pair it with meals to slow down sugar absorption. Vary your juices to spread out the benefits. Go for citrus one day, then pomegranate the next. Don’t sip all day. That constant exposure is harder on your teeth. Prioritize whole fruits and veggies for most of your fiber and nutrients. Final sip Juice isn’t a villain, but it’s not a miracle cure either. Used thoughtfully, a daily glass can support your heart, immune system, brain, and more, as long as it’s 100 percent juice that’s portioned properly. If you’re craving a little something bright and bold in your day, pour yourself a small glass. Savor it. Let it serve your body well. Then get back to the rest of your beautiful, balanced diet.The post Is one glass of juice a day good for you? Here’s what the science says first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

'This is not a hoax'