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Good News You Need for August 24

Posted at 11:15 AM, Aug 24, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-24 11:15:35-04

1. The Michigan state animal, the wolverine, has slowly been dying off, but there are signs of life thanks to findings at a national park.

Scientists at Mt. Rainier have discovered the first female wolverine in that national park in over 100 years. The best news of the findings is she has offspring with her, meaning there are mates for her in the wild.

Wolverines have slowly been becoming scarce, with the wolverine population in the lower 48 states estimated to be below 1,000 and the last sighting of a live wolverine in Michigan was reported in 2004.

2. Looks like the holiday season will still be a public one in New York City this year. On Friday, Mayor Bill De Blasio announced the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting will still be held, but there will be some changes for crowd safety.

The mayor says some events will likely be virtual, including some small presentation pieces, and some events for the shows could be spread out in other locations. The alterations are being modeled after the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Celebration in the Big Apple.

More details on both events are expected in the coming months.

3. Smithsonian's National Zoo announcing it's got a new feature for viewing soon in black and white. The zoo in Washington, DC is ecstatic over its new resident, a giant panda cub.

The cub came into the world on Friday night, but, not quite visible in the new video they posted on social media.

Mei Xiang, a 22-year-old giant panda, surprising the zookeepers last week after she was discovered to be pregnant during an ultrasound.

The Smithsonian Zoo officials say staff heard the cub vocalize, and glimpsed the cub for the first time briefly right after the birth.

Mei Xiang is off to a good start, and is nursing and cuddling the cub. There's no word on the gender or any potential names.

4. Air travel has been affected by the pandemic, but not to worry! Lays is bringing the destination to you in the form of a potato chip.

There's the new Tzatziki flavor inspired by Greece, and a new wavy Lime & Sea Salt inspired by Mexico.

If you like the sweet and sour food of Thailand, the Thai Basil Chili is made for you. And Germany is represented by a beer and brats flavored.

The chips are not for sale, but you can try and win them on the company's social media.

5. If you want to shake up your breakfast routine, today's the day to try some waffles for National Waffle Day!

The date commemorates when Cornelius Swarthour received a waffle iron patent in New York in 1869. But the food has been around since the 14th century.

People eat different kinds of waffles around the world. To qualify as an official "waffle", food just has to have leavened batter or dough heated between two patterned plates.