Dairy Queen believes in giving back to the community, particularly when it comes to kids. Each year, Dairy Queen hosts Miracle Treat Day to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network. This year, the event will take place on July 30, 2026, at participating DQ locations. Olympic figure skater Tara Lipinski and the Savannah Bananas are in on the fun. “I’m honored to partner with Dairy Queen for Miracle Treat Day and help shine a light on the incredible work happening at children’s hospitals across the country,” Tara Lipinski shared in a news release. “It’s amazing that something as simple as enjoying a Blizzard Treat can help provide hope and support to kids and their families. I hope everyone joins me on July 30 to make every Blizzard Treat count.” “The Savannah Bananas are all about creating smiles, and Miracle Treat Day is another great way to bring joy and hope to families who need it most,” right fielder Reese Alexiades added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dairy Queen (@dairyqueen) Miracle Treat Day at Dairy Queen Generates Big Donations for the Children’s Miracle Network This year, participating Dairy Queen locations will donate at least $1 from the purchase of every Blizzard on Miracle Treat Day. “Every year, Miracle Treat Day demonstrates the incredible impact that can happen when our communities come together for a sweet cause,” Maria Hokanson, Executive Vice President of Marketing at American Dairy Queen Corporation (ADQ), shared. “Year after year, our fans, franchisees and partners show up to support Children’s Miracle Network to help ensure kids and families receive the care and hope they deserve. We’re grateful to have Tara Lipinski and the Savannah Bananas helping us spread the word about Miracle Treat Day and encourage fans across the country to enjoy a Blizzard Treat while making a meaningful difference for local children’s hospitals.” This story’s featured image is by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Kattie Cassaday’s family adores their Australian shepherd, Fig. During a 2026 Fourth of July celebration, Fig became spooked by fireworks and took off. Sadly, she was too quick for his family to catch, and they worried they might never see Fig again. Even so, Kattie made a report with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department hoping someone might see Fig and return her. She told ABC News she drove for miles looking and posted flyers, not wanting to give up hope. “I felt like, she’s out there. I know she’s out there if I could just find her.” “I was able to get some good information, and that was able to lead me out to the person who located Fig,” Tulare County Sergeant Ricky Morley told ABC News. Kattie had the same good feeling. “As soon as I talked to Sergeant Morley, I just knew this person is gonna find my dog, and I’m so grateful,” she said. More Than a Week Later, the Tulare County Sergeant Showed Up with Good News Bodycam footage shows Morley pull up to Kattie, and the next thing she knew, Fig jumped out of his cruiser. The feeling’s awesome,” Morley said. “I’ve been doing this for about 20 years and just to have a good story with a happy ending, that’s worth it right there.” The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office shared the bodycam footage on social media. “Community policing is about more than making arrests. It’s about serving our community in every way we can, including helping reunite families with the pets they love,” the caption reads. “Welcome home, Fig.” Followers loved seeing Fig back with her family. “I almost didn’t read this, because if it ended with something horrific happening to the dog, I couldn’t stand it. So happy now,” someone wrote. This story’s featured image can be found here

In 2020, Tailored Brands, the parent company of Men’s Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank, Moores, and K&G Fashion Superstore, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company shuttered 400 stores, and many felt like that was the beginning of the end for beloved menswear brands. Six years later, Tailored Brands is plans a return to the New York Stock Exchange. According to Retail Dive, Tailored Brands currently has more than 1,000 locations between its four banner brands. It plans to continue opening dozens more throughout the next several years. “We are successfully introducing our brands to new customers and deepening our relationship with millions of previous customers. Our self-funded investments in highly productive new stores, a world-class marketing engine and a deeper presence in the $33 billion polished casual category is just beginning to unlock our full potential,” the company shared in a new filing. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Men's Wearhouse (@menswearhouse) Tailored Brands CEO Has a Plan for Growth Tailored Brands CEO explained his vision and how he plans to continue the company’s growth through the next several years. “As we continue to grow, our proven, industry-leading management team will remain committed to our values: we put the customer first, we win together, we get better every day, everyone is welcome, and we always act with integrity. We hold ourselves accountable to these values in hiring, developing, retaining our teams, and in how we operate every day,” Tighe shared. “I want to close with heartfelt gratitude to our entire team for their dedication and hard work, our Board of Directors for their guidance and support, and our leadership for their forward-thinking vision. I invite you to join me on this journey as we continue to grow, innovate, and deliver exceptional value for our customers and shareholders.” This story’s featured image can be found here.

Robin Williams would have turned 75 on July 21, 2026. In honor of his dad’s big day, Zak Williams shared a photo of his dad from his Mork and Mindy days on Instagram along with a beautiful tribute. “Today I’m remembering your weirdness and your extraordinary capacity to love. I remember those wrinkles in the corners of your eyes, the kind you get from a lifetime of smiling. I remember your unending need to see this world free of human and animal suffering,” Zak Williams wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zachary Pym Williams (@zakpym) Zak Williams Invited Fans to Celebrate Robin Williams’ Birthday with Him Zak Williams wanted Robin Williams’ fans to share in the celebration of his dad’s birthday. He encouraged them to show kindness to others, just like his dad always tried to do.“For those out there who’d like to celebrate with me, go do something kind for someone. Make someone laugh. Put a little more good into the world. Love you forever,” he wrote. “Happy birthday Robin. We love you and miss you – you were the kindest, sweetest, and most brilliant man. I think of you all the time. I was so lucky to have you as a friend, “ a comment reads. Many agreed. Like this fan who wrote, “Your dad will be forever a guiding light for many… it was clear to many of us (his fans) that he was kind, caring, a genius, a man of great compassion and sensitivity and to be his son, you must carry much of that. So it warms my heart to know that those qualities still are alive and carry his name forward. Happy birthday to our dearest Robin.” Many planned to share in the celebration of Robin Williams’ birthday just the way Zak asked. “On it – this man was and always will be my absolute hero. I’m going to spend the day doing kind things for others in his honour,” a fan wrote. This story’s featured image is by Harry Langdon/Getty Images

Every day, scientists and environmentalists search for new and inventive ways to restore forests as ecosystems around the world continue to disappear. But often, the most impactful solution isn’t all that cutting-edge. Rather, it comes from seeking answers from our history.  Akira Miyawaki, whose research transformed the way many people think about reforestation, understood this truth all too well. Born in 1928 in Okayama, Japan, Miyawaki dedicated his life to studying plant communities and the way forests naturally develop. His work focused on how plants would naturally grow in a particular area if humans had not altered the landscape. Through his research, Miyawaki began noticing something that would eventually reshape his entire approach to reforestation.  Ancient temples hiding important clues While studying Japan’s forests, he learned that some of the most resilient and diverse ecosystems were found around ancient Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. These densely populated areas looked nothing like traditional man-made plantations, where only some species of trees were planted in carefully spaced rows.  To Miyawaki, these sacred sites became the foundation for his most groundbreaking idea: Instead of planting large, mature trees with vast spacing, Miyawaki planted small, bare-root native saplings and shrubs closely together (often three to five plants per square meter) to create “pocket forests.”  Hands holding a sapling. Canva Because the plants were so densely packed, they’d be forced into competition for sunlight and nutrients, causing them to grow up to ten times faster than usual and naturally create a layered, rapidly growing, self-sustaining ecosystem.  Not everyone was convinced Woman planting saplings. Canva The concept would eventually become known as the Miyawaki Method, but when he first introduced the approach, many people doubted whether his vision could succeed. Planting so many young trees close together defied all conventional wisdom, leaving experts to question whether such forests could survive without constant human management. And yet, Miyawaki set out to prove they could. The experiment that changed reforestation As Miyawaki’s forests began to grow, the results challenged those early doubts. Just as he predicted, the densely-planted forests developed quickly, with trees and plants forming their own interconnected ecosystems. These new forests improved soil conditions, helped retain water, and created habitats for wildlife. Before long, interest in Miyawaki’s approach expanded beyond Japan. Communities, environmental groups, and organizations around the world began using the method to restore forests in urban areas and damaged landscapes. Even after Miyawaki’s passing in 2021 at the age of 93, his method continues to inspire new reforestation projects across the globe. His research changed how many people think about rebuilding forests, and continues to remind us that the future of environmental restoration can often be discovered by looking back at what nature has already taught us. The post Japanese botanist found the secret to reforestation in ancient shrines. The results were undeniable. appeared first on Upworthy.