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A $1M treasure hunt, kidney transplant milestones, and why older women are traveling solo
00:08:58
Today’s episode dives into a treasure hunt for $1 million that will have participants trekking through the Canadian wilderness. You’ll also hear about major milestones in kidney transplants, the allure of solo travel among older women, and a retired accountant who finally achieved his lifelong dream. This episode was hosted and produced by Case Kenny. Research and writing by Natalie Stone, Ally Mauch, Rebekah Brandes, and Stephanie Friedman. Music by Ryan Peitzke. For more good news, subscribe to the daily Nice News newsletter at NiceNews.com. The episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth. Nice News listeners get 40% off at cozyearth.com with code NICENEWS at checkout.
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Good morning. Welcome to Nice News Today, your 10 minute roundup of the week's most positive News. It is September 12th, and today I'm diving into a treasure hunt for $1 million that will have participants trekking through the Canadian wilderness. I've also got stories on some major kidney transplant milestones, why older women are increasingly embarking on solo travel, and a retired accountant who finally achieved his lifelong dream. But but before we get into these stories and more, I want to issue a heartfelt thank you to all of you for listening to the Nice News Today podcast over the past 12 weeks. This will be the last episode of our first season and I have to say it's been a pleasure sharing uplifting stories with you this summer. You can stay up to date with nice news by subscribing to our free daily newsletter@nicenews.com there's no shortage of good news to go around, so stay tuned for future updates. I'm your host, Case Kenny. Let's uncover some good together. Calling all Explorers A treasure chest containing almost $1 million is up for grabs, and to find it, all you have to do is trek through the Canadian wilderness. The Great Canadian Treasure Hunt asks Canadian citizens to search through publicly accessible land to uncover 217 gold coins which were intentionally hidden somewhere in the country. Participants can also look for 12 bonus prizes scattered throughout Canada containing nearly $20,000 worth of gold coins. Hunt's website explains that it was inspired by the pioneers of Canada's gold mining frontier. This is what it says like the prospectors before you, you're chasing discovery, driven by grit, curiosity and the pursuit of exploration. And according to Popular Science, gold mining has been a prominent industry in Canada for hundreds of years, generating nearly $11 billion in revenue in 2023. And the element can be found in all 10 provinces if you meet the qualifications and have a thirst for adv. How to participate Analyze the master clue on the Northern Minor website, which is a 13 stanza poem offering hints as to the treasure's location. Then stay tuned for additional monthly clues which will be released on several websites including mining.com the Lucky Explorer who manages to track down the gold won't need a truck to carry it home, as the treasure chest contains a code that can be used to claim the coins. But if no one has nabbed the gold by December 2026, the prize will be forfeited. Every US state has something special to offer, but if you live in Hawaii, you can officially say you live in the happiest state in the country. According to Wallet Hub the website's annual Happiest state rankings are based on 30 key metrics, including the depression rate, the share of adults feeling productive and income growth. Wallet Hub analyst Chip Lupo explained in a statement that the happiest states provide above average quality of life across the board. The Aloha State topped the list due to multiple factors. Residents reported the highest levels of life satisfaction in the nation, the second lowest depression rate and one of the lowest unemployment rates. Hawaiians also have the longest life expectancy in the U. S, and 72% of adults report being active and productive every day. Coming in second place is Maryland, which also has one of the lowest unemployment rates as well as strong income growth. Third is Nebraska, followed by New Jersey, Connecticut, Utah, California, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Idaho. Solo travel among women in their 50s, 60s and 70s has significantly increased over the past few years, and a new survey has unpacked some of the why and the how behind this trend. A woman only travel company called Girl's Guide to the world pulled 330 older women and 65% said they were craving more cultural immersion immersion in their vacations, while 56% wanted relaxation, 44 adventure and 36% sisterhood. These women are looking to have authentic experiences and foster connections with fellow solo travelers. These women are looking to have authentic experiences and foster connections with fellow solo travelers, and many also have the financial resources to fund trips that they may not have been able to do when they were younger. An expert guide, local food and a private room were top priorities for many of those surveyed. Plus, for women undergoing major life transitions like retiring or becoming an empty nester, solo travel offers a chance to see the world on their terms, liz Einbinder, head of partnerships at a travel company, told Euro News Quote for them, travel is about more than just seeing new places, it's about experiencing the world with purpose and passion. They're often inspired by the mindset of if not now, when? Next up, I have a few major medical milestones to tell you about that could pave a path to easing the organ transplant shortage in the US and they involve pig kidneys. The first is the successful experimental pig kidney transplant and 54 year old bill Stewart, an athletic trainer from New Hampshire. Stuart received the kidney on June 14, and doctors at the Massachusetts General Hospital announced Monday that he's still doing well. Before Stuart, there was Tim Andrews, who's also from New Hampshire and received his pig kidney at the same hospital. He's been off dialysis for seven months and counting following his transplant operation, which breaks the previous record of 130 days. Thanks to these success stories and a few others, the FDA approved two clinical trials on pig organ transplants that will help shed light on the long term viability of such procedures. This is great news as over 100,000 people are currently on the waiting list for a kidney in the U.S. according to the Associated Breasts. By genetically altering pigs to create more human like organs, scientists hope to provide an alternative for patients in need if you or your kids like the Weather Channel, you may just love this new animated show from today's show, Weatherman Al Roker. In the children's TV series Weather Hunters, a sibling trio and their parents investigate the weather, including elements like snow, clouds and leaves changing colors. Not only does the PBS show teach viewers about the science behind these things, but it also tries to make some of them, like hurricanes or thunderstorms, less scary for kids. Sarah Sweetman, an educational advisor for the series, told the Los Angeles Times that, quote, what we really want is for kids to watch the show and then run into the kitchen to find their dad or mom and say guess what? And be able to state that one idea really clearly. For Roker, who always wanted to become a Walt Disney animator and who based the show's children on his own, Weather Hunters is a dream come true. He's been developing it since his now adult children were kids and said, quote, good things come to those who wait. The first episode comes out Monday on PBS Kids, so keep an eye out for it. Piggybacking off of Al Roker's sentiment, today's inspiring human is also proof that it's never too late to achieve achieve your dreams. Since he was a young kid, Louisiana's Kent Broussard wanted to play the tuba for the Louisiana State University Tiger Marching Band, and at age 66, he finally did. Let's back up a little bit. Broussard played the tuba as a child, but never made it to the level of the LSU band. He eventually built a career as an accountant, started a family and thought he had become too old to fulfill his dream. But when he retired, Broussard had a change of heart and went back to school to relearn the tuba and train for a rigorous audition. LSU's marching band director told CBS News that Broussard didn't get any special treatment and despite being the oldest person by 41 years, he secured a spot. He played in his first game last weekend and hopes to inspire others to step out of their comfort zone. He said, quote, try it. The only thing you could do is fail. Your only failure is not trying. And that's it for today's episode. Thank you again for listening. And remember to sign up for Nice News as free daily newsletter@nicenews.com to get good news in your inbox every day. Keep spreading your light. And remember, there's more than enough good out there to go around. Have a great day.