April 19 - 20, 2026 (Bear of Bad News 11)

IntroHello, my name is welcome to the Bear of Bad News, I’m your host LorBear, and I hate to be the bearer of bad news, so I won’t! This is your weekly recap of positive news stories from around the world. Articles included in this broadcast were originally published from April 19 - 20, 2026.The stories in this episode are sourced from various news outlets and publications. The Bear of Bad News does not conduct independent fact-checking or verification of these stories. Listeners are encouraged to review original sources for accuracy and complete context. We are not responsible for the accuracy or content of third-party reporting.Which is a fancy way of saying I read it, I didn’t report it, and here are this week’s stories:ArticlesIndependent bookstores make quiet comeback as big chains dominate retailhttps://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/apr/19/independent-bookstores-comebackApril 19, 2026Engineered wood provides solar power even after the sun goes downhttps://techxplore.com/news/2026-04-wood-solar-power-sun.htmlApril 19, 2026Cardiorespiratory fitness may cut dementia, depression and psychosis riskhttps://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-cardiorespiratory-dementia-depression-psychosis.html#goog_rewardedApril 19, 2026Valley’s 20-year nature recovery plan beginshttps://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj94gn80kkjoApril 19, 2026Is Finland’s new car-free bridge the longest of its kind in the world?https://newatlas.com/architecture/finland-helsinki-pedestrian-bridge-kruunuvuori/April 20, 2026Woman who won legal case over greenhouse emissions awarded top environmental prizehttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/20/woman-who-won-legal-case-over-greenhouse-emissions-awarded-top-environmental-prizeApril 20, 2026Colorado university looks to dogs for breakthroughs in human cognitive healthhttps://www.9news.com/article/news/local/csu-looks-to-dogs-for-human-cognitive-health-breakthroughs/73-9a269fe5-6329-4853-89b7-e70f5911877eApril 20, 2026Child loss football club ‘a lifeline’ for dadshttps://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy415143d3yoApril 20, 2026Hawaiian green sea turtles emerge as reef defenders against invasive algaehttps://phys.org/news/2026-04-hawaiian-green-sea-turtles-emerge.htmlApril 20, 2026Woman’s sari marathon record ‘inspires others to run’https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czrej24p673oApril 20, 2026Report notes 3 European nations reach 90% HPV vaccine uptake in girlshttps://www.cidrap.umn.edu/human-papillomavirus-hpv/report-notes-3-european-nations-reach-90-hpv-vaccine-uptake-girlsApril 20, 2026Tiny North Carolina town takes a big step toward geothermal energyhttps://www.canarymedia.com/articles/geothermal/enfield-north-carolina-thermal-geothermal-network-planApril 20, 2026In Malaysia, a bridge helps endangered langurs and humans coexisthttps://news.mongabay.com/custom-story/2026/05/in-malaysia-a-bridge-helps-endangered-langurs-and-humans-coexist/April 20, 2026A Tale of Two ParagraphsAnd that is the end of this episodes articles, hopefully they added a little positive joy to your life. Before we end, I have our final segment of the show, something I like to call, A Tale of Two Paragraphs.In this segment, I take the first and last part from an article on substack or another similar source, and read them to you, to encourage you to go read the article yourself. Many people forget the power of the written word to move us, and how intriguing the middle of the story is. The less I read the better, but people often want to know how we got to endings more than the endings themselves, and maybe then you will go exploring the substack and read the paragraphs in between.This weeks article is from Chris Erskine, entitled “Hail, Smarticus!”Not afraid of much anymore: Goths. The curled, uncooked parts of bacon. My late wife’s ghost.That about covers it.A jogger ran across some freshly oiled blacktop with his dog the other morning, the poor pooch leaving footprints in the wet goo.Ugh. Imagine the pads of his paws?We all make mistakes, usually when we rush stuff. Best not to leave oily fingerprints though.Later, I told Suzanne that 95% of mistakes happen when we rush, and she responded that 78% of the magic also happens.A few paragraphs in between and an ending of:The other day, he comes up to me, flaunting his four-inch height advantage, and suggests I’m shrinking, as older people will.“I’m not wearing shoes,” I explain.“Neither am I,” he says.“Go away,” I say.With him home, everything smells of his socks, his aura, the garlic fries he had for dessert.Will I miss this maddening phase — this late, lingering childhood?Not so much.Bless you.For more from Chris Erskine visit: OutroWe hope you enjoyed our show everyone, thanks for tuning in, and until next time, I hate to be the Bear of Bad News, so I won’t!Have a good day. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebearofbadnews.substack.com