Friday, October 30, 2026
America's Good News: Friday, October 30, 2026
From American history
When the Brooklyn Bridge opened in May 1883, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world, and plenty of New Yorkers weren't sure they trusted it. Enter P.T. Barnum, a man who never met a crowd he couldn't sell a ticket to. On the night of May 17, 1884, his circus marched 21 elephants, seven camels and 10 dromedaries from a Manhattan ferry landing across the bridge to Brooklyn, with Jumbo, his famous giant elephant, bringing up the rear. The New York Times said that from the river it looked as if Noah's Ark were emptying itself over on Long Island. The bridge held just fine, and Barnum's Brooklyn shows got a parade's worth of free publicity. Only in America does a safety demonstration come with a ringmaster.
1. A 153-year-old Minnesota bridge is reborn as a riverside walkway
Mankato's Kern Bridge, built in 1873 and the longest bowstring truss bridge in the U.S., reopened Tuesday as a walking link between Sibley and Land of Memories parks after a $10.5 million restoration.
Original title: “As Kern Bridge opens, public celebrates historic rebirth”
Source: Read the full story: As Kern Bridge opens, public celebrates historic rebirth →
2. South Carolina lands about 330 jobs as a car-seat maker opens its first U.S. plant
Brose Sitech will invest $29.5 million in a 140,000-square-foot plant in Blythewood, S.C., creating about 330 jobs. Its first U.S. factory will build complete seats for Scout Motors' Traveler and Terra, with work set to start in 2027.
Original title: “Blythewood plant brings 330 jobs as Brose Sitech expands into North America”
Source: Read the full story: Blythewood plant brings 330 jobs as Brose Sitech expands into North America →
3. A wrong turn from his GPS led an Alabama dad to save a family of 14 from a fire
Casey Sparks was driving home from softball when his GPS sent him past a burning house near Lyerly, Ga. He woke the sleeping family and helped all 14 get out, carrying a girl from a hospital bed. The fire chief says minutes mattered.
Original title: “Motorist led astray by GPS in Georgia stumbles upon house fire and saves sleeping family of 14”
4. Scientists in San Diego score a fusion first that could help reactors run nonstop
A team at General Atomics' DIII-D fusion facility used powerful radio waves to drive current in a fusion plasma, the first clear proof of helicon current drive, sought since the 1980s. It could help future reactors run continuously.
Original title: “Radio waves drive a fusion plasma current that could help reactors run continuously”
5. The New Jersey hometown of the Addams Family's creator throws a ghoulishly fun Halloween party
Westfield, N.J., celebrates native son Charles Addams, whose Addams Family debuted in The New Yorker in 1938, with AddamsFest, now in its ninth year, plus a heritage trail past his childhood home and an exhibit of his work.
Original title: “Hometown of 'Addams Family' creator becomes a Halloween destination”
Source: Read the full story: Hometown of 'Addams Family' creator becomes a Halloween destination →
Sources
- 1. A 153-year-old Minnesota bridge is reborn as a riverside walkway: mankatofreepress.com (original) · keyc.com
- 2. South Carolina lands about 330 jobs as a car-seat maker opens its first U.S. plant: wach.com (original) · sccommerce.com
- 3. A wrong turn from his GPS led an Alabama dad to save a family of 14 from a fire: nbcnews.com (original) · theguardian.com
- 4. Scientists in San Diego score a fusion first that could help reactors run nonstop: phys.org (original) · arxiv.org
- 5. The New Jersey hometown of the Addams Family's creator throws a ghoulishly fun Halloween party: apnews.com (original) · tapinto.net