Happy Valentine’s Day! We wouldn’t miss the opportunity to focus an edition on love, so that’s what you’ll find in the featured stories below, starting with Associate Editor Ally’s musings on her affection for public libraries. On that note, remember that Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be about romantic love — show some extra love to family, friends, pets, books, or whatever else strikes your fancy today.
Must Reads
The planet deserves some love today, too — learn how to celebrate Valentine’s Day more sustainably
For the first time in a decade, a superbloom may be in store for the hottest U.S. national park
Humanity
A Nice News Editor’s Love Letter to Public Libraries
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The library of my childhood is a small brick building that housed a world of opportunity for me. I can still remember signing my name on the back of my first library card, the weekly story times, and the early aughts desktop computers where my little fingers began to learn how to type. It was walking distance from the home I grew up in, and it never left me bored (as Arthur Read so wisely said, “having fun isn’t hard when you’ve got a library card”). Indeed, the cartoon aardvark wasn’t the only fictional character who helped me romanticize the joys of the library and instill in me a lifelong love of these essential public institutions. In Roald Dahl’s Matilda, the titular character finds refuge in the library: Every day, she spends “two glorious hours sitting quietly by herself in a cozy corner devouring one book after another.” That is, until the kind librarian informs her that she can check out the books and take them home. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Matilda is the answer I give when asked the impossible question, “What’s your favorite book?” But that question is probably only so impossible for me because I love books — and I love books because of the library. Read the rest of Ally’s open letter, written in honor of National Library Lovers’ Month.
Together With Fisher Investments
When Is the Right Time to Retire?
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This article was written by Toni Antonucci, a collegiate professor of psychology at the University of Michigan; Kristine J. Ajrouch, an adjunct research professor at the University of Michigan; and Noah J. Webster, an assistant research scientist at the University of Michigan; for The Conversation. Passion and commitment are widely believed to be the foundation of strong romantic relationships. But a relationship is made of two unique individuals, and personality traits these individuals possess or lack can often make a relationship more likely to endure. In a 2019 study, we found that one trait in particular — humility — is an important indicator of successful relationships. Humility can sometimes be confused with low self-esteem, low confidence, or meekness. But researchers have come to realize that being humble generally indicates the presence of deeply admirable personal qualities. It means you have the ability to accurately assess your deficiencies without denying your skills and strengths. For example, you might recognize that you’re smart but realize it would be absurd to call yourself all-knowing — especially when the scope of human knowledge is so vast. This is an honest and sober view of your shortcomings. Learn more about how humility can help foster a lasting relationship.
Culture
UK’s Only Carpet Museum Reopens on Valentine’s Day After Fans Campaigned to Save It
SWNS
Folks in Kidderminster, England, are celebrating a Valentine’s Day victory: A beloved museum that closed in December is reopening temporarily after fans campaigned to save it. The Museum of Carpet, the U.K.’s only carpet museum, will welcome visitors for four days in February, starting today. The quirky attraction was established in an 18th-century mill in 2012, and featured hundreds of rug and underlay samples from the last 300 years. In its early days, it attracted a plethora of school groups and fabric fans, who spent hours poring over the exhibits. It also gained cult status online and has 4.7 stars on TripAdvisor, with one visitor calling it “an absolute gem.” In a tongue-in-cheek video, English songwriter Gary Barlow described the attraction as a “very nice day out.” But foot traffic eventually began to decline, and the museum was forced to shut its doors after visitors dwindled to just six per day. A November 2025 press release also cited increasing energy prices and maintenance costs (as high as $136,000 a year) as reasons for the closure, although the board of trustees promised to preserve the museum’s collection. Read how the museum was saved and get a look inside.
In Other News
Underground lava tubes were found on Venus, the first subsurface features detected on the planet (read more)
Preservationists discovereda “safe house” linked to the Underground Railroad in the walls of an NYC museum (read more)
AI helped decode the rules to an ancient Roman board game, scientists say (read more)
Around 4 million car owners may be eligible for a new tax deduction on auto loan interest (read more)
Happy birthday, Sonny! The world’s oldest living cockatiel recently celebrated his 33rd trip around the sun (read more)
Inspiring Story
Community in bloom
Valentine’s Day can be difficult for widows and widowers — so one nonprofit is giving them a little extra TLC. In Buffalo, New York, Hearts in Bloom volunteers are delivering bouquets and gifts to those who have lost a life partner. “[There’s] a sense of community and being able to bring a smile to those where this day may not be just passing by like the rest of us,” said volunteer Morgan Cabana.
Eyes on Milano Cortina
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
No matter how Tallulah Proulx scores in the women’s giant slalom tomorrow, the alpine skier will be making history — she’s the first woman and the second-youngest person representing the Philippines in a Winter Olympics. The 17-year-old grew up in the U.S. but has dual citizenship with the Philippines, and carried the latter’s flag during this year’s opening ceremony. Proulx, who will also compete in the women’s slalom race on Wednesday, is proud to represent her heritage and hopes to pave the way for future aspiring Olympians. “I think that Filipinos are one of the most supportive-type people around,” she told CBS News, noting, “If you’re passionate and surrounded by the right people who are supportive of you and you have that passion in your heart and also a kindness to others, I think that you can pursue whatever you want.”
Plan Your Retirement With Fisher Investments
Knowing when to retire starts with understanding your goals. When to Retire: A Quick and Easy Planning Guide from Fisher Investmentscan help you define your objectives, how long you’ll need your money to last, and your financial needs. If you have $1 million or more, download it now.
