The Squidpocalypse closed the highway

From 5 Good News Stories - happiness and fun by Caloroga Shark Media / Happiness Good News Lab

September 8, 2026 · 5 min

About this episode

Johnny Mac shares five uplifting news stories including a ban on unsolicited telemarketing in France and a 91-year-old completing the Appalachian Trail.

Johnny Mac shares five good news stories: France has banned unsolicited telemarketing calls unless consumers opt in, with fines up to 75,000 euros per illegal call and limited exceptions for consent or existing contracts. Dale “Graybeard” Sanders, 91, became the oldest person to complete the 2,193-mile Appalachian Trail, finishing Aug. 31 after 71 falls, injuries, and a hospital visit, encouraged by his wife and supporters. UC San Francisco researchers found a frog protein, saxiphilin, that prevented and reversed lethal saxitoxin poisoning in mice, offering hope for an antidote to paralytic shellfish poisoning. A Tulsa high school tradition has seniors cheer freshmen into kissing parents or grandparents goodbye, begun in 2001 to replace pranks. In Rhode Island, a trailer spill dumped squid onto a road—no injuries—prompting a cleanup and the joking label “squidpocalypse of ’26.” Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/5-good-news-stories-happiness-and-fun--5747537/support . 5 Good News Stories is a daily podcast with five positive, uplifting news stories to brighten your day. New episodes every day. Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you…

People in this episode

Host: Johnny Mac

Topics covered

good news
positive stories
environment
health
community

Keywords

telemarketing ban
Appalachian Trail
saxiphilin
squid spill
community traditions

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: UC San Francisco

Places: France, Tulsa, Rhode Island, Appalachian Trail