Heartwarming

A woman in Duarte, California found a soaked, frightened French bulldog outside her home; security-camera footage shows the dog was left on the road by a minivan in the early hours and a local rescue later took the dog in.

A 2026 study by Bakhshoudehnia, Farhadian and Saadvandi uses an extended technology acceptance model to examine climate-smart agriculture adoption among Iranian farmers. It finds that perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, social influence, tailored communication and financial support affect adoption.

Three newly sworn-in Suffolk County legislators — RJ Renna, Sal Formica and Greg Doroski — said they will prioritize affordability, public safety and county infrastructure as they begin their terms following the Jan. 5 organizational meeting.

The listing highlights local happenings for Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, including the Palm Coast Farmers' Market (noon–4 p.m. at European Village) and a Grace Community Food Pantry drive‑thru (noon–3 p.m. at 245 Education Way, Bunnell).

The article recounts how Japanese scholar Setsuzō Kotsuji helped Jewish refugees in Kobe during World War II and later converted to Judaism, and it notes that actor Jundai Yamada has published an English-language book combining Kotsuji's memoir with additional research.

Willie Wilson argues that faith and compassion can help people recover from a difficult year and notes that a failure to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies could sharply raise health costs and reduce coverage for many in Illinois.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has said she will sign the Medical Aid In Dying Act after the Legislature adds agreed safeguards, and the law is expected to take effect in July. If enacted, New York would join 12 states and Washington, D.C., with an aid-in-dying law.

The author, a U.S. Air Force veteran, says leaving the uniform often causes loss of routine and identity and that the Department of Veterans Affairs does not teach veterans how to rebuild civilian identity. He calls on communities, employers and local leaders to create supportive spaces and for expanded education benefits to help veterans regain purpose.

Nonprofits report long-running state contract shortfalls that leave programs covering large annual deficits, even as services helped people like Coast Guard veteran Alfreda "Freda" Trawick secure housing.

Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health is providing three-year SuperNoodle subscriptions to all 67 Lancaster County elementary schools and five in the Lebanon City School District, a program in place since January 2025 to support social-emotional learning.