Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

School Principal Took in 15-Year-Old with Nowhere to Go for Christmas. Teen ‘Never Thought’ She’d Find a Family (Exclusive)

January 5, 2026 at 7:26 PM

Alex Di Trolio

@alexditrolio.bsky.social

Today’s #SmileStory - School Principal Took in 15-Year-Old with Nowhere to Go for Christmas. Teen ‘Never Thought’ She’d Find a Family

people.com/teen-girl-ad...

When Michigan high school principal Jeremy Wright learned one of his students was getting kicked out of her foster home in 2022, he decided to take her in for two weeks — just until social workers cou...

Atlanta Restaurant Provided for 100 Families During the Shutdown, Now Throws Christmas Giveaway for Them

December 31, 2025 at 3:50 AM

Alex Di Trolio

@alexditrolio.bsky.social

Today’s #SmileStory - Atlanta Restaurant Provided for 100 Families During the Shutdown, Now Throws Christmas Giveaway for Them

www.goodnewsnetwork.org/atlanta-rest...

In Atlanta, what began as an emergency helping hand to the community has been extended to a Christmas giveaway.

Good News Movement on Instagram: "@honeybeethree333 writes, "This is one of my most treasured memories. It ranks up there with the births of my babies and I’m pretty sure it will flash before my eyes ...

December 29, 2025 at 5:06 PM

Alex Di Trolio

@alexditrolio.bsky.social

Today’s #SmileStory - Man Is Brought To Tears Over Cookie Jar Like The One Belonging To His Parents Who Passed When He Was A Child

www.instagram.com/reel/DStkqyq...

In this heartwarming family story, a daughter's determination to find a lost family heirloom brings joy and comfort to her father's life. The touching tale explores the importance of love, family, and...

www.instagram.com

December 26, 2025 at 9:38 PM

Alex Di Trolio

@alexditrolio.bsky.social

Today’s #SmileStory - Single Mom Given 10 Months to Live Asks for Christmas Cards and Thousands Respond

www.goodnewsnetwork.org/single-mom-g...

Single Mom Given 10 Months to Live Asks for Christmas Cards and Thousands Respond

Her mail slot has been assaulted by hundreds of Christmas cards, containing show and movie tickets, vouchers for a camping holiday, and chocolates

Secret Santa Surprises Idaho Couple Who Adopted Four Siblings After Having Five of Their Own

December 25, 2025 at 3:19 AM

Alex Di Trolio

@alexditrolio.bsky.social

Today’s #SmileStory - Secret Santa Surprises Idaho Couple Who Adopted Four Siblings After Having Five of Their Own

www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/59...

A secret Santa surprised a family of 9 with a new car, groceries and cash. The Polls, already parents to five biological kids, adopted 4 children so they did not get split up. Good news stories today.

'Trashed Panda' Story Raises $180,000 for Animal Shelter That Discovered it Drunk in the Bathroom

December 23, 2025 at 6:05 PM

Alex Di Trolio

@alexditrolio.bsky.social

Today’s #SmileStory - ‘Trashed Panda’ Story Raises $180,000 for Animal Shelter That Discovered it Drunk in the Bathroom

www.goodnewsnetwork.org/trashed-pand...

Each shirt, hoodie, or coffee mug had a slightly artistic depiction of the collapsed raccoon in the photo taken by Officer Martin.

Strangers Rally To Restore Power For Louisiana Woman After Months Without Electricity

December 22, 2025 at 8:17 PM

Alex Di Trolio

@alexditrolio.bsky.social

Today’s #SmileStory - Strangers Rally To Restore Power For Louisiana Woman After Months Without Electricity

www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/59...

A woman who spent weeks living without power or running water now has electricity again, thanks to her community.

Boy Sent to Christmas Nativity Show as Elvis Instead of Elf After Family Mix-up

December 19, 2025 at 11:51 PM

Alex Di Trolio

@alexditrolio.bsky.social

Today’s #SmileStory - Boy Sent to Christmas Nativity Show as Elvis Instead of Elf After Family Mix-up

www.goodnewsnetwork.org/boy-sent-to-...

Coming home, Oscar's sister said neither he nor the school had been able to communicate the 'elf element' to his bemused family.

Person From Alabama Mails $40 And Apology Note To Nova Scotia Burger Restaurant

December 18, 2025 at 10:15 PM

Alex Di Trolio

@alexditrolio.bsky.social

Today’s #SmileStory - Person From Alabama Mails $40 And Apology Note To Nova Scotia Burger Restaurant

www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/59...

A little mix-up between two Bentley’s restaurants — one in Nova Scotia, the other over 1,500 miles away in Alabama — has turned into one of the sweetest international apologies you’ll ever hear.

He Carries Shelter Dogs Around the City in a Backpack to Help Get them Adopted (WATCH)

December 17, 2025 at 7:18 PM

Alex Di Trolio

@alexditrolio.bsky.social

Today’s #SmileStory - He Carries Shelter Dogs Around the City in a Backpack to Help Get them Adopted

www.goodnewsnetwork.org/he-carries-s...

Bryan Reisberg takes out shelter dogs in New York City and helps get them adopted by sharing their adventures on social media.

3 Grandmothers Are Offering Kindness and Advice to Strangers at ‘The Grandma Stand’ During the Holidays

December 16, 2025 at 9:07 PM

Alex Di Trolio

@alexditrolio.bsky.social

Today’s #SmileStory - 3 Grandmothers Are Offering Kindness and Advice to Strangers at ‘The Grandma Stand’ During the Holidays

people.com/3-grandmothe...

Three grandmothers in Texas are offering wisdom and kindness to strangers at The Grandma Stand in downtown McKinney. ‘Sometimes it’s nice to talk to someone who’s basically a stranger, but you still f...

Retired Cop Rehabs Bus into Mobile Laundry: He Now Washes Clothes for the Homeless

December 15, 2025 at 6:33 PM

Alex Di Trolio

@alexditrolio.bsky.social

Today’s #SmileStory - Retired Cop Rehabs Bus into Mobile Laundry: He Now Washes Clothes for the Homeless

www.goodnewsnetwork.org/retired-cop-...

Wade Milyard heard a voice after responding to a domestic dispute that urged him to start Fresh Step, a laundry service for the homeless.

Secret Santa Surprises Single Dad Delivery Driver With The Gift Of A Lifetime

December 12, 2025 at 8:46 PM

Alex Di Trolio

@alexditrolio.bsky.social

Today’s #SmileStory - Secret Santa Surprises Single Dad Delivery Driver With The Gift Of A Lifetime

www.sunnyskyz.com/happy-videos...

Some stories feel like a warm hug during the holiday season and Nick’s is one of them.

Daddy-Daughter Dance in Notorious Prison Turns 'Worst of the Worst' into Loving Fathers Again

December 11, 2025 at 5:41 PM

Alex Di Trolio

@alexditrolio.bsky.social

Today’s #SmileStory - Daddy-Daughter Dance in Notorious Prison Turns ‘Worst of the Worst’ into Loving Fathers Again

www.goodnewsnetwork.org/daddy-daught...

Incarcerated men were able to dance with their daughters for one special night: many of whom had not seen each other for years.

Boy With Down Syndrome Nails The Whitney Houston Challenge, And The Crowd Goes Wild

December 10, 2025 at 6:28 PM

Alex Di Trolio

@alexditrolio.bsky.social

Today’s #SmileStory - Boy With Down Syndrome Nails The Whitney Houston Challenge, And The Crowd Goes Wild

www.sunnyskyz.com/happy-videos...

Ethan, a boy with Down syndrome, was invited to take part in the Whitney Houston drum challenge.

'He was blown away.' Strangers raised $1.7 million for 88-year-old Army vet to retire

December 9, 2025 at 7:27 PM

Alex Di Trolio

@alexditrolio.bsky.social

Today’s #SmileStory - 'He was blown away.' Strangers raised $1.7 million for 88-year-old Army vet to retire

www.usatoday.com/story/money/...

Ed Bambas, 88, works 40-hour weeks at his local Meijer in Detroit. After a video about him went viral, generous strangers stepped in to help.

www.usatoday.com

December 8, 2025 at 5:36 PM

Alex Di Trolio

@alexditrolio.bsky.social

Today’s #SmileStory - Grand Junction woman giving thanks (and food) to truckers

www.gjsentinel.com/news/western...

GJ woman giving thanks (and food) to truckers

When Kandi Roy learned her husband would be out of town and behind the wheel of a semi-truck on Thanksgiving day, she hatched a plan to feed other truckers with

www.gjsentinel.com

December 5, 2025 at 5:13 PM

Alex Di Trolio

@alexditrolio.bsky.social

Todays #SmileStory - 10th Grader Saves Stepfather’s Life with His Newly-Learned CPR Skills Taught in Schools

www.goodnewsnetwork.org/10th-grader-...

10th Grader Saves Stepfather’s Life with His Newly-Learned CPR Skills Taught in Schools

Running downstairs, Killinger found his stepfather, Mike Reese, unconscious on the ground making a snoring sound.

Cat Lost in NC Hurricane Miraculously Returns One Year Later and the Story Has People Emotional

December 4, 2025 at 9:41 PM

Alex Di Trolio

@alexditrolio.bsky.social

Today’s #SmileStory - Cat Lost in NC Hurricane Miraculously Returns One Year Later and the Story Has People Emotional

paradepets.com/pet-news/cat...

This one's a tearjerker.

paradepets.com

December 3, 2025 at 9:25 PM

Alex Di Trolio

@alexditrolio.bsky.social

Today’s #SmileStory - Two Teens Met in the Hospital While Recovering from Traumatic Brain Injuries. Years Later, They're Getting Married

people.com/teens-met-in...

Two Teens Met in the Hospital While Recovering from Traumatic Brain Injuries. Years Later, They're Getting Married

Zach Zarembinski and Isabelle Richard met as teens in 2018 when they were both recovering from brain injuries in the same hospital. After reconnecting as adults, Zarembinski popped the question.

Community Rallies to Protect Local Cobbler Until Supermarket Cancels Plans to Expand

December 2, 2025 at 5:20 PM

Alex Di Trolio

@alexditrolio.bsky.social

Today’s #SmileStory - Community Rallies to Protect Local Cobbler Until Supermarket Cancels Plans to Expand

www.goodnewsnetwork.org/community-ra...

In small-town sanctity, a petition to reject the corporate newcomer was promoted on social media collected a total of 1,000 signatures.

Good Samaritan Bride Stops to Help Man Injured in Highway Car Crash on the Way Home from Her Wedding

December 1, 2025 at 5:25 PM

Alex Di Trolio

@alexditrolio.bsky.social

Today’s #SmileStory - Good Samaritan Bride Stops to Help Man Injured in Highway Car Crash on the Way Home from Her Wedding

people.com/bride-pulls-...

Off-duty nurse Heather Schubert helped save a car crash victim on her wedding night while she was still wearing her wedding dress, according to WDSU.

Rock Band Opens $35,000 in Bar Tabs for Their Fans After Melbourne Gig Was Canceled for Safety

November 26, 2025 at 6:23 PM

Alex Di Trolio

@alexditrolio.bsky.social

Today’s #SmileStory - Rock Band Opens $35,000 in Bar Tabs for Their Fans After Melbourne Gig Was Canceled for Safety

www.goodnewsnetwork.org/rock-band-op...

If the Sniffers' guitars rang out over the city, there was "a very real risk of crowd crushes," according to the Event organizer.