The Bear of Bad News Episode 2

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 march 8th to 14th 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:Environment & Conservation* Bearded Vultures Make Comeback in French Alps After 70-Year Absence https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20260305-how-vultures-returned-from-alpine-extinction* Indonesia Becomes First Asian Country to Ban Elephant Rides https://plantbasednews.org/animals/indonesia-banned-elephant-rides-zoos-nationwide/* Kazakhstan Plants Tens of Thousands of Trees to Restore Tiger Habitat https://www.livescience.com/animals/cats/kazakhstan-plants-tens-of-thousands-of-trees-in-giant-effort-to-reintroduce-tigersCommunity & Human Interest* South Philadelphia Woman Shows Kindness to Package Thief – A woman stopped a package thief with empathy rather than anger, saying “You’re better than that” https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/philadelphia-woman-stops-package-thief-213504556.html* Paris Hilton Launches $1M Fund for Women-Owned Businesses After Natural Disasters https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/paris-hilton-back-in-business* Olivia Rodrigo Wins Amplifier Award for Reproductive Justice and Girls’ Education Activism https://variety.com/2026/music/news/olivia-rodrigo-amplifier-award-positive-change-1236651489/* Pints and Ponytails: Pubs Teaching Dads to Braid Daughters’ Hair https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/pints-and-ponytails-pubs-braiding-hair* San Antonio Paints Rainbow Sidewalks After Pride Crosswalk Ban https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/san-antonio-pride-rainbow-crosswalksSports & Olympics* Jake Adicoff Becomes First Openly Gay Man to Win Individual Gold at Paralympics https://www.outsports.com/2026/3/10/24130129/jake-adicoff-winter-paralympics-nordic-skiing-sprint-gold-team-lgbtq-history/A Tale of Two ParagraphsAnd that is the end of this weeks 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 paragraph from an article on Substack or another similar source, and read them to you, to encourage you to g o 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 Substack, entitled “Politically Queer, Socially Heterosexual,” comes from Kat Blaque.I think, to some degree, I’ve always struggled with being deified. Contrary to popular belief, I didn’t throw the first brick at Stonewall. Historically, I’ve been more like the quiet wife of one of the policemen who participated in the raid. I spent my 20s trying to fade away into the background and seeing that as a sign of ultimate personal success. I suppose for that reason, I feel very odd existing in the way I do, where it seems to be disruptive of me to say that while I may be politically queer, I’m quite socially heterosexual.~ some paragraphs in between ~and an ending of:As I get older, I recognise more and more that I have so much capacity for growth. That with each year, I learn something new about myself that shifts me in a more genuine direction. Maybe my feelings around this will change one day, but for now it seems pretty truthful of me to say that while I may be politically queer, I’m still very socially heterosexual. Maybe that’ll change one day. Maybe it won’t.To hear more from the post modern princess, Kat Blaque, check out her substack Black in the City, at katblaque.substack.com.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.Thanks for reading The Bear of Bad News! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. 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