Candy corn: You either love it or you hate it — the Nice News team is pretty firmly in the former camp. According to consumer data via Instacart, there are some U.S. states where the Halloween treat gets particular love (and some where the opposite is true). Residents of Mississippi, Nebraska, and Kansas are big candy corn orderers, while those in Hawaii and Florida aren't fans. Check out more Halloween candy trends across the country, including the most uniquely popular sweet in each state.
Calling all Wicked fans: The voice of the Cowardly Lion in Part 2 is …
Health
"Never Too Late": Quitting Smoking Later in Life Can Slow Cognitive Decline, Study Finds
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Any time is a good time to quit smoking, according to a recent study that found kicking the habit — even later in life — can slow cognitive decline and potentially lower the risk of dementia. To find out the effect of quitting smoking in later years, researchers analyzed data from over 9,000 adults aged 40 and older in 12 countries. They found that those who quit smoking experienced about half the drop in verbal fluency and 20% of the memory decline of individuals who continued. Notably, the cognitive benefits were evident across all age groups, even for those who stopped in their 50s, 60s, or 70s. "You'd think you might need to quit during early to midlife, and then you sort of have missed this kind of critical period for when you can quit. But that just doesn't seem to be the case here," Mikaela Bloomberg, the lead study author, told NPR. She added: "It's never too late to quit." On that note, here are four science-backed techniques that have helped people quit smoking for good.
Together With Miso Robotics
From a Caltech Garage to a $1 Trillion Market
In 2016, some innovative Caltech robotics students set out to transform fast food. That first garage-built prototype became Miso Robotics. Since then, Miso's robots have worked more than 200,000 hours in live kitchens for brands like White Castle, frying over 4 million food baskets. That traction convinced NVIDIA and Amazon to help refine Miso's AI and robots. As restaurants grapple with 144% labor turnover rates and $20 per hour minimum wages, that's a major edge. No wonder Miso's newest robot, Flippy Fry Station, sold out initial units in one week. Now, Miso's leveraging a new manufacturing partnership to scale its U.S.-based production across a $4 billion per year revenue opportunity. And you can invest in Miso. But act fast: Today is the final day to invest this year.
Disclaimer: This is a paid advertisement for Miso Robotics' Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.misorobotics.com.
Environment
Scientists "Cautiously Optimistic" as Rare Endangered Whale Species Grows Steadily
David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Eight new whales may not sound like much — but when it comes to one of the world's rarest and most endangered whale species, it's something to be hopeful about. A report released this week found that the North Atlantic right whale population reached 384 whales in 2024, up from 376 the previous year. The encouraging uptick is part of a four-year trend of slow and steady growth for the species. Since 2020, the population has increased by more than 7%, per the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium. "The slight increase in the population estimate, coupled with no detected mortalities and fewer detected injuries than in the last several years, leaves us cautiously optimistic about the future of North Atlantic right whales," Heather Pettis, a research scientist who chairs the consortium, told the Associated Press. Still, the whales are far from being in the clear: The species remains vulnerable to threats such as fishing gear entanglement and vessel collisions, prompting conservationists to call for stronger protections to keep the population heading in the right direction. "The whales are doing their part," Pettis added to WBUR. "We've just got to keep providing them safe ocean spaces to do their part."
Humanity
This Detroit High School Aims to Boost Attendance, 1 Free Bike at a Time
LeManna/ iStock
Since the pandemic, absenteeism has been a persistent challenge in schools nationwide, with an estimated 22% of K-12 students considered chronically absent in the 2024-2025 year. One Detroit principal is on a mission to change things with a creative solution: giving all students free bikes. The community-funded initiative, led by Michelle Davis, principal of Davis Aerospace Technical High School, aims to make it easier for students to get to class by providing them with reliable transportation — no small thing in a city where bus delays and inconsistencies are often the norm. Take it from 11th grader Elyazar Holiday. The 17-year-old told Chalkbeat Detroit that the new set of wheels has given him more flexibility with his commute, which sometimes takes two hours and requires up to four (often delayed) buses. "With the bike, I can still make up the distance or go to a different street to get on a different bus and still make it there on time," he said. Aside from helping students get to school, the program offers them independence and a chance to chart their own course. "When you're a teenager, bikes are your first form of transportation, right?" Davis said. "It gives you a form of freedom. You explore the world with your bike."
In Other News
A woman played the clarinet mid-brain surgery to treat her Parkinson's symptoms — watch how it worked (read more)
Mariah Carey was named the MusiCares Person of the Year in honor of her philanthropic work and musical legacy (read more)
Archaeologists found a military fortress in Egypt's Sinai Desert dating back 3,500 years (read more)
Caught on camera: A massive stingray with a spiny tail was spotted gliding in Rhode Island's waters (read more)
Jon Bon Jovi's "pay it forward" restaurants are offering free meals to furloughed federal workers (read more)
Something We Love
PictureThis Plant Identifier App This app has been a lifesaver for me and my husband. As novice gardeners, we inherited a bunch of plants in the backyard of our rental that we had no idea how to take care of. Not only did PictureThis help us easily identify them through quick photos (down to the type of grass on the lawn), but it told us whether they were healthy or in need of a little TLC — and what to do for the latter case. – Stephanie Friedman, Staff Writer
The lights have dimmed and the curtain has risen: It's officially showtime at the True West Film Center in downtown Healdsburg, California. Last Friday, the small town celebrated the soft opening of its first brand-new movie theater in 20 years. "It's all about hope," said Kathryn Philip, founder and executive director of the theater, adding, "Watching the people trickle in has been such a joy."
Photo of the Day
Bivas Shrestha/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
This week, dogs in Nepal took their rightful place as worshipped loyal friends during Kukur Tihar, a special day for canines that's part of a larger Hindu festival. The event honors dogs of all kinds with delicious treats, marigold garlands, and heartfelt gratitude. See more pics of the pooches getting pampered.
Brad's Deals: Are You Taking Advantage of Your Amazon Prime Perks?
Most of us love Amazon Prime for the free shipping and exclusive access to shows and movies, but your membership offers more than those classic benefits. From Whole Foods savings to free music and exclusive deals, these lesser-known perks compiled by Brad's Deals might finally convince you to sign up — or help you unlock even more value from your membership.
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