Lifestyle choices that boost brain health, recycled Ben & Jerry’s, and NYC’s viral subway kitten - Nice News Today

Summary5 min read

Nice News Today: Episode Summary Release Date: August 1, 2025

Hosted by Case Kenney, "Nice News Today" delivers a 10-minute roundup of uplifting stories every Monday and Friday. In this episode, Kenney explores a range of positive news topics, from breakthroughs in health and science to heartwarming tales of animal rescues and inspiring acts of young philanthropy. Below is a detailed summary of the key stories covered.

1. Lifestyle Choices That Boost Brain Health

(00:30)

Case Kenney opens the episode by delving into a groundbreaking study focused on mitigating cognitive decline as individuals age. The research tracked over 2,000 previously sedentary adults in their 60s and 70s over two years. Participants engaged in an intensive regimen that included:

Aerobic Exercise: Four times a week.
Online Cognitive Training: To keep the mind sharp.
Social Activities: Encouraging community and interaction.
Health Monitoring: Regular checks of blood pressure and blood sugar.
Mediterranean Diet: Emphasizing plant-based foods and healthy fats, as reported by NPR.

Kenney highlights the study's impressive results, noting that those who followed the disciplined program significantly outperformed a control group in memory and cognitive tests. Remarkably, many participants achieved cognitive function scores comparable to individuals a few years younger.

"Life changing for many participants." - Case Kenney [01:45]

Insight: Even for those not yet in their senior years, adopting healthy lifestyle habits such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and mental engagement can profoundly benefit long-term cognitive health.

2. A Brave Kitten Finds Her Forever Home on the NYC Subway

(02:00)

In a heartwarming story, Kenney recounts the adventure of an adorable tabby kitten who ventured onto the New York City subway's 2 train. The kitten's escapade, which began around 8:30 AM, quickly went viral as riders captured video footage of her meowing and playfully darting through the subway car. Reactions among commuters varied; some attempted to catch her, while others were unsure how to respond.

The story culminates with Betsaida Mercado, a Harlem resident on her way to work, who felt a deep emotional connection to the kitten. After ensuring the kitten's safety and a visit to the vet, Mercado decided to adopt her.

"I think God put me on that train. He put me on that schedule, so I would be the one." - Betsaida Mercado [03:30]

Conclusion: Mercado affectionately named the kitten Emmy, short for MTA, reflecting her new life in the New York subway system. This serendipitous meeting underscores the unexpected ways compassion and love can manifest in our daily lives.

3. Robotic Bunnies vs. Invasive Burmese Pythons in South Florida

(03:30)

Transitioning to innovative wildlife management, Kenney introduces listeners to a novel solution addressing the invasive Burmese python problem in South Florida. Forty solar-powered, remote-controlled robot bunnies have been deployed to lure these elusive snakes out of their hiding spots. Key details include:

Design: The robots mimic real marsh rabbits, a preferred prey of Burmese pythons, complete with motors and heaters to simulate life-like movement and warmth.
Functionality: Equipped with motion sensor cameras, the bunnies alert researchers when a python approaches.
Future Enhancements: Plans are underway to infuse the robots with rabbit scents to further entice the snakes.

The initiative aims to control the python population, which poses significant threats to native wildlife by competing for food and causing declines in various mammal species.

Impact: Scientists remain optimistic that these robotic bunnies will effectively reduce the python numbers, thus preserving the ecological balance in South Florida.

4. Recycled Ben & Jerry’s: Turning Food Waste into Renewable Energy

(06:30)

Case Kenney shares an inspiring collaboration between Ben & Jerry’s and Purpose Energy to tackle food waste sustainably. The partnership involves recycling leftover ice cream and other ingredients through an anaerobic digestion process at a Vermont facility. Here's how it works:

Anaerobic Digestion: Microbes break down the food waste in the absence of oxygen, producing methane gas.
Energy Conversion: The captured methane is transformed into a renewable energy source.
Environmental Benefits: The process generates approximately 8.75 million kilowatt-hours of energy annually, enough to power nearly 900 households for a year. Additionally, it diverts waste from landfills and reduces phosphorus pollution.

Conclusion: This initiative allows Ben & Jerry’s to maintain their beloved ice cream recipes while contributing positively to the environment, exemplifying how corporations can innovate for sustainability without altering their core products.

5. Budget-Friendly Affogato Hack by Samantha Brown

(07:30)

For dessert enthusiasts, Kenney recounts a viral video by travel aficionado Samantha Brown, who introduces a budget-friendly twist on the classic Italian affogato. Traditionally, an affogato consists of a scoop of vanilla gelato topped with a shot of hot espresso. Brown's inventive method adapts this treat for those traveling on a budget:

Ingredients:
- A cup of black coffee.
- An ice cream sandwich from a highway rest stop.
Preparation: Dunk the ice cream sandwich in the coffee and enjoy the combination in one bite.

"You’ll make the affogato in your mouth." - Samantha Brown [07:55]

Reception: The creative hack received enthusiastic feedback from viewers, with many appreciating the simplicity and accessibility of crafting an affogato-like dessert without visiting Italy.

6. Young Entrepreneur Raises Thousands for Texas Flood Recovery

(08:30)

Closing the episode with an inspiring human interest story, Kenney introduces Cameron Balfour, an 11-year-old entrepreneur from Central Texas. In the aftermath of devastating floods that struck the region, Cameron took proactive steps to aid recovery efforts:

Initial Goal: Raise $500 by baking and selling cookies.
Achievement: Surpassed her goal by raising over $4,300 through baking approximately 40 batches of chocolate chip cookies using a cherished family recipe.
Beneficiaries: Funds were directed towards helping pets affected by the floods and supporting rescue dogs involved in relief operations.
Sales Strategy: Utilized family, friends, and social media to promote her cause, pricing bags of five cookies at $5, with many customers choosing to donate additional funds.

"Everyone can make a difference, even if they're a little kid like me. This is the first time I've raised money to help someone, but it definitely won't be the last." - Cameron Balfour [09:45]

Impact: Cameron's initiative not only provided financial support for flood victims but also highlighted the profound impact that young individuals can have through determination and creativity.

Conclusion

In this episode of "Nice News Today," Case Kenney showcases a variety of stories that emphasize the power of positive action, innovation, and compassion. From scientific studies enhancing longevity to heartwarming tales of animal rescues and young philanthropy, the episode serves as a reminder of the goodness and resilience present in our world.

Listeners are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyle choices, embrace innovative conservation efforts, and recognize that everyone, regardless of age, can contribute to meaningful change.

For more uplifting stories and daily positive news, visit nicenews.com and subscribe to the free daily newsletter.

Loading summary

Transcript1 lines

[00:01]
Case Kenney
Good morning. Welcome to Nice news today, your 10 minute roundup of the week's most positive News. It is August 1st and today I'm diving into a new study on the lifestyle choices that can help reduce cognitive decline as we age. I've also got the story of a brave kitten who found her forever home through a ride on the New York subway, the ice cream brand that's churning food waste into energy, and a tween entrepreneur who's using her skills for good following the Texas floods. I'm your host, Case Kenney. Let's uncover some good together. If you eat your greens and go on regular walks, you're already taking great steps to improve your physical health. But a new study demonstrated that certain lifestyle choices can also improve cognitive health, reducing the decline that typically comes with getting older. The research followed more than 2,000 formerly sedentary people in their 60s and 70s as they spent spent two years on an intensive regimen of aerobic exercise four times a week. Online cognitive training required social activities and blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring. According to an NPR report, the participants also followed a heart healthy Mediterranean diet that focused on plant based foods and healthy fats. Compared to a group that came up with their own plan for eating better and exercising more, the participants on the intensive regimen performed substantially better on memory and cognitive tests. In fact, many obtained cognitive function scores similar to people a couple years younger. And the disciplined program was, quote, life changing for many participants. With coaching supervision and plenty of encouragement, most of these folks were able to make significant long term changes. Even if you haven't reached your 60s yet, it's never too late to start making healthy lifestyle choices like exercising, eating well and keeping your mind engaged. Your future brain will thank you. Now I've got the story of a brave kitten who recently joined morning commuters on the New York subway. Last week, an adorable tabby hopped on the 2 train at 8:30 in the morning and then started meowing and running through the subway car. A bystander who recorded a viral video of the moment explained that subway riders had different reactions. Some tried to catch the kitty while others didn't know what to do. But don't worry, the story has a happy ending. Betsaida Mercado, a Harlem native on her way to work, ended up getting emotionally invested in picking up the tiny kitten, telling the Today show her heart was in her throat the entire subway ride. At first she simply wanted to make sure the animal was okay, but then decided to keep her. After taking the cat to the vet, Mercado named her Emmy, short for mta, the agency that manages the New York subway system. Mercado believes she and Emmy were meant to find each other saying, quote, I think God put me on that train. He put me on that schedule, so I would be the one. Congrats to the new cat mom. Next up, more cute animal news, except this story is about robot animals. In July, 40 solar powered remote controlled robot bunnies were introduced in South Florida to help lure Burmese pythons out into the open and control their population. Beyond being terrifying looking, these snakes are one of the most problematic invasive species in the region as they compete with native wildlife for food and their presence has led to severe declines in certain mammal species. This is where the bunnies come in. Burmese pythons are good at staying hidden, but the robotic bunnies are decked out with motors and heaters to mimic real marsh rabbits, a favorite snack of the pythons. When a snake comes close, a motion sensor camera alerts researchers if their full pythons aren't successful. The scientists are planning on kicking things up a notch and spraying the remote controlled bunnies with a rabbit scent to try to draw the snakes out of their hiding spots. But for now, they're hopeful these bunny bots will do the trick. And now a quick break to learn about today's sponsor, Cozy Earth. Everyone has a happy place in their home. For me, it's my bed. There's nothing better than collapsing into bed at the end of a long day, and Cozy Earth sheets are the ul to make your bed as comfortable as possible. They're made from viscose from bamboo and naturally wick heat and moisture away from your body, helping you sleep several degrees cooler. As someone experiencing summer in the south, that's been a game changer for me. If you want to try them out for yourself, the purchase is risk free. Cozy earth offers a 100 night sleep trial and a 10 year warranty. Head to cozyearth.com use the code nicenews to get 40% off. And if you get a post purchase purchase survey, make sure to let them know you heard about Cozy Earth from Nice News Today. Your bed should be more than a place to sleep, it should be your happy place. And Cozy Earth makes that possible. In case you needed another reason to love your favorite pint of Ben and Jerry's. Personally, I'm a huge fan of Chunky Monkey. The ice cream manufacturer is partnering with a renewable resources company called Purpose Energy to recycle its food waste into renewable energy. Forgive the pun, but here's the scoop. At a facility in Vermont Leftover Ben and Jerry's ice cream and other ingredients go into an anaerobic digester, where microbes digest the waste and create methane gas, which is then captured and converted into an energy source. This energy powers the facility and contributes about 8.75 million kilowatt hours to the Vermont grid annually. For reference, that's enough to power nearly 900 households for a year. The facility also diverts leftovers from landfills, decreases phosphorus pollution and centralizes food waste management. Overall, it's a win for the planet without changing a thing about the ice cream recipes we all know and love. The best affogatos are found in Italy, but if a European vacay isn't on the books for you this summer, you can still get your fix of the caffeinated treat by stopping by any old American highway rest stop. That's according to travel aficionado Samantha Brown, who recently went viral for her Budget Friendly Dessert hack. For those unfamiliar, a traditional affogato is a shot of hot espresso poured over a scoop of vanilla gelato. In a video captioned My gift to the World, Brown, who hosts the PBS travel show Places to Love, explained how to make a gas station affogato. Here's what to do. Get a cup of black coffee and an ice cream sandwich from a rest stop, then dunk the sandwich in the coffee and take a bite. According to Brown, you'll quote make the avogado in your mouth. Video commenters were very appreciative of the creative treat. One wrote, not the travel tip I asked for, but it is the travel tip I need. Let me know if you try it. Today's inspiring Human is an 11 year old entrepreneur who's using her baking skills and and business prowess for good. When the devastating floods hit Central Texas last month, Cameron Balfour was at a summer camp less than 20 miles away from Camp Mystic. When Cameron was safe, she was heartbroken for the flood victims and on the way home from camp, she set a goal of raising $500 to help the recovery efforts by baking and selling cookies. But she didn't stop at $500. Since she started baking on July 5, she's whipped up around 40 batches of chocolate chip cookies using a top secret family recipe and raised more than $4,300. Cameron decided to use the funds she raised to help a group she feared many have overlooked pets impacted by the floods and the rescue dogs that assisted with relief efforts and businesses booming. Cameron publicized her efforts through family, friends and social media and sells bags of five cookies for $5, although customers will often donate more. She hosts the pop up sales at local bake shops and hand delivers bags to folks who order them through Instagram. Cameron told the Washington Post, quote, everyone can make a difference, even if they're a little kid like me. This is the first time I've raised money to help someone, but it definitely won't be the last. And that's it for today's episode. If you loved these stories, please consider giving us a follow on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. Music sharing this episode with a friend. If you want more good news, visit nicenews.com to sign up for our free daily newsletter. Until next time, keep spreading your light and remember, there's more than enough good out there to go around. Have a great day.