Must Reads

• The honorees of Michelin’s 2025 Northeast Cities guide have been announced — and there’s only one new three-star restaurant

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• Disney shared the first teaser trailer for the upcoming live-action version of Moana

Humanity

Self-Described “Optimist” Dick Van Dyke Publishes New Book Ahead of 100th Birthday

Tony, Grammy, and Emmy award-winning actor Dick Van Dyke got his big break in the 1960 musical Bye Bye Birdie — and 65 years later, he has no plans to retire. “I don’t want to. I mean, it’s my hobby. It’s my life. I love it,” he told Today. Van Dyke will achieve centenarian status Dec. 13, and to commemorate the occasion, he released a book this week called 100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist’s Guide to a Happy Life.
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The actor partially credits his positive outlook for his successful 75-year career, during which he also starred in the movie version of Bye Bye Birdie, as well as other iconic films like Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. But he attributes much of his longevity to “keeping moving” with his wife, Arlene Silver, who he dances with as often as possible. “She keeps me young because we sing and we dance, and she just keeps me a teenager,” he said.
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While Van Dyke has achieved countless accolades throughout his life, he hopes his legacy will primarily reflect his character, not his resume. “I care about the survival of what I’ve shared with the world, humor, compassion, a zest for living, a love of music,” he writes in the book. “For as long as children are proudly belting out their new word, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, or singing and skipping along to ‘Chim Chim Cher-ee,’ the most important part of me will always be alive.”

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Culture

An Ode to the “Farmers’ Almanac,” Which Will Stop Printing After the 2026 Edition

Today, we’re going to wax poetic about the Farmers’ Almanac, which recently announced it will stop printing after its 2026 edition.
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The Maine-based publication, dating back to 1818, has long been a trusty companion for farmers, gardeners, and amateur astronomers alike, providing annually updated weather predictions using a proprietary forecasting formula. (It’s not to be confused with the Old Farmer’s Almanac, which has a similar mission but has been around for slightly longer, since 1792, and will continue operating.)
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“Many of you grew up hearing your parents or grandparents quote from the Almanac, always having a copy nearby,” editor and editor emeritus Sandi Duncan and Peter Geiger wrote in the announcement post earlier this month. “Maybe you have planted by our moon phases, consulted the Almanac for the ‘Best Days’ to potty train, wean, or go fishing. We’re grateful to have been part of your life and trust that you’ll help keep the spirit of the Almanac alive.”
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The heartfelt message prompted an outpouring of support from loyal readers, with one commenting on the post: “Thank you for the decades of guidance, tradition, and heart. You’ve meant a lot to so many of us who still look up at the sky, trust the signs, and remember the old ways.” Right now, you can still order a copy of the 2026 Farmers’ Almanac, and peruse the website before it shuts down operations next month. We bid the book a fond farewell!

Science

Research Suggests We Subconsciously Blink to the Beat When Listening to Music

While we may nod our head or tap our feet along with the beat of a song absentmindedly, these movements are actually conscious decisions. But according to new research published in PLOS Biology, we may also sync our bodies to a tune in less obvious — and less voluntary — ways. In the study, researchers unveiled that humans tend to blink to the rhythm of a beat, often subconsciously.
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After playing Western classical music songs forward and backward for over 100 (non-musician) participants, researchers noticed that not only did their blinks sync up, but their brain waves did as well. Co-author Yi Du said in a news release that these results reveal a “hidden link between hearing music and the oculomotor system,” which is responsible for directing eye movements and stabilizing eye position.
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Beyond being a fun fact about the way we respond to our favorite tunes, the findings suggest that music therapies may be able to help treat certain neurological conditions that impact body movement. “I loved that a simple, non-invasive signal — blinks — can act as a window into rhythm processing. It opens doors for studies outside the lab,” Du said, adding, “This project reminded us that small, overlooked behaviors can expose big principles of brain function.”

In Other News

1. Fetching $236.4 million, a Gustav Klimt painting just became the most expensive modern artwork sold at auction (read more)
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2. 13,000 square miles of Gabon’s Congo Basin rainforests will be protected under a recently signed landmark deal (read more)
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3. The most complete picture to date of the Bronze Age “City of Seven Ravines” was unveiled in a new report (read more)
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4. Eswatini and Zambia are receiving the first shipments of lenacapavir, a breakthrough HIV prevention shot (read more)
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5. “Living walls” doubling as pollinator habitats are being installed globally to brighten plant-free spaces (read more)

Something We Love

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Inspiring Story

A prescription for friends and fun

Coping with autoimmune diseases like lupus or arthritis can be especially challenging for kids — so one New York sleepaway camp is helping to bring some normalcy to their lives. The partnership between Frost Valley YMCA and Children’s Hospital at Montefiore allows participants to make friends, learn new skills, and gain independence and confidence, all while ensuring continued access to necessary medical care. Seeing patients outside the context of a doctor’s office “almost brings tears to my eyes,” said Montefiore rheumatologist Natalia Vasquez-Canizares.

Photo of the Day

The Caribbean nation Curaçao — population 156,115 — just made history by becoming the smallest country by population to qualify for a World Cup. The team played to a 0-0 draw against Jamaica in Tuesday’s game, which was enough to push Curaçao to the top of its qualifying group. See the celebrations and reactions as fans realized their team would be heading to North America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June.

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Odds & Ends

🧘 A meditation on gratitude as we prepare for Thanksgiving
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🍔 How a cheeseburger mistake inspired “hope for humanity”
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🌟 Marisa Tomei reveals why collagen alone might not work*
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👹 Labubus will be parading through NYC next week
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​*Indicates a Nice News brand partnership or affiliate

Quote of the Day

“To err is human; to forgive, divine.”

– ALEXANDER POPE