Here’s a back-to-school story that will either make you cringe or smile: At one high school in Oklahoma, all freshmen have to give their moms (or dads or guardians) a kiss goodbye in front of the seniors — a 26-year tradition initially devised by the 12th-grade class of 2001. The students might find it a bit embarrassing, but the moms love it. “This is a big moment for them, especially if this is their first child or their last child,” the school’s president said. See the tradition in action.
Must Reads
Big Bear bird cam update: Say hello to Katie, the new bald eagle keeping Shadow company after the loss of Jackie
A group hangout with an open invitation and BYOA (bring your own apple) policy
Culture
World’s First Motel Hits the Market on California’s Central Coast, Iconic Sign Included
Courtesy Natalie Stone
Just off U.S. Highway 101 in San Luis Obispo, California, roughly halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, is the site of what’s considered the world’s first motel — and also of what might be the start of something entirely new.
The Milestone Mo-Tel, developed by architect Arthur Heineman and later renamed the Motel Inn, opened in December 1925 as a novel overnight pit stop. Guests could drive right up to their rooms and sleep in a bed for about a buck per night, the equivalent of around $24 today. Legend has it that the original plan was to call it the Milestone Motor Hotel, but a painter couldn’t fit all the letters on the sign, and the word “motel” was born.
Now, over a century later, this piece of hospitality history is for sale. The 4.2-acre property at 2223 Monterey St. — with an undisclosed asking price — features a Spanish Mission-style bell tower, the original lobby, and an iconic sign that’s seen decades of American life.
Read our full article to learn more of the motel’s history (including which famous people stayed there) and check out a rendering of how it could be transformed in the future.
Together With FinanceBuzz
19 Bills to Cut If Money Feels Tight
Your money is getting tight. Prices are going up. And figuring out what to cut back on can feel overwhelming. Here’s what you can do: Read FinanceBuzz’s list of money-saving strategies, and start with one or two today.
The list includes tips for reducing your car insurance payments, tackling credit card debt, and more. Even doing just one can help you breathe a little easier.
Study Finds “New Clues” to Potentially Stop Parkinson’s in Its Tracks
Peter Dazeley—Photodisc/Getty Images
It’s long been understood that Parkinson’s is linked to a decline in dopamine, but researchers recently found “new clues” that might explain how that decline happens andhow to stop it in its earliest stages.
Led by a team at Northwestern Medicine, the study published last month discovered that a primary Parkinson’s-causing gene mutation (LRRK2) disrupts dopamine-producing neurons. They also found a potential molecular mechanism underlying the genetic dysfunction, which appears to occur long before neurons themselves die.
“This is the core of Parkinson’s disease,” senior author Loukia Parisiadou said in a statement, explaining that the new insight paves the way for researchers to study the disease when it’s at an earlier and potentially more treatable stage. “If we understand what mechanisms are behind the dysfunction of these vulnerable neurons early, then we can perhaps do better, and target these neurons early and achieve disease-modifying therapies,” she added.
Environment
Inside the First US Museum Dedicated to All Things Jellyfish
Jellyfish Museum
A former Wells Fargo bank in Pompano Beach, Florida, is now the country’s first museum dedicated to jellyfish (and jellyfish only). Moon jellies, Japanese sea nettles, and upside-down jellyfish are among the roughly 20 tentacled species from around the world calling the site home. The live animals are accompanied by jellyfish pictures, puzzles, a mural, and more.
The niche marine museum opened in the spring via Alex and Yana Yanovsky, who previously developed aquariums in Ukraine. This is their first new location since fleeing the country following the 2022 Russian invasion, the Associated Press reports.
“Jellyfish are some of the most resilient creatures on Earth. While they lack a brain, they maintain a simple nerve net that allows them to respond to their environment,” Yana said in a statement. “Their movement is mesmerizing, almost meditative, and they play an important role in marine ecosystems.”
Beyond featuring the floating creatures in all their glowing glory, the space also serves as a calm, dimly lit setting to slow down for a while and see the world through the eyes of a jellyfish (or rather, their light-sensing structures, as most species don’t have eyes). “The biggest idea here is to leave people with the feeling that they know something more about the population of jellyfish,” said general manager Iryna Pelypkanych. See more photos of the inside.
In Other News
The FDA greenlit the first drug to treat the root cause of narcolepsy Type 1 in adults, not just symptoms (read more)
A 500-year-old copy of The Odyssey is on public display at UNC-Chapel Hill, now through Thanksgiving (read more)
Seven of the eight most-nominatedartists for the 2026 VMAs are women, starting with Madonna: See the list (read more)
NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope found evidence of an ancient collision that helped shape our galaxy (read more)
First-of-its-kind footage captured dolphins using seashells as fishing tools to scoop up food (read more)
Inspiring Story
“Colombia is not alone”
In the wake of the devastating earthquake that hit Colombia earlier this month, Shakira not only traveled to one of the hardest-hit regions, Chocó, but also announced a $1.25 million joint financial pledge to help rebuild schools. “Schools are more than buildings,” she said. “They give children the stability and routine they need most after a disaster.”
Photo of the Day
Mario Tama/Getty Images
These two lovebirds are Emma and Manuel Alvarado — and this week, they took their first steps toward rebuilding the home they lost in last year’s Eaton Fire. The couple, both 88 years young, lived in their Altadena, California, home for more than five decades, and with help from a nonprofit and a Lakers legend, they will hopefully move back in soon and continue making memories for years to come.
Compare.com: Are You Overpaying for Car Insurance?
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