Thursday, May 8th, 2025

Good Morning! 🌞

May 8 is National Have a Coke Day—aka the perfect excuse to pop open that fizzy classic. Whether you're team Classic, Zero, or Cherry (no judgment), today’s all about the little joys: the pssst of a fresh can, the chill fizz, and that sweet hit of nostalgia.

So go ahead—sip, smile, repeat.

Environment

Landfill into a Solar Powerhouse

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is expanding its renewable energy efforts by constructing a new 4.7-megawatt solar farm on 12 acres of former landfill. The reclaimed site, now cleared and prepared for development, is expected to offset around 5 million pounds of carbon emissions—the equivalent of burning fossil fuels to produce the same energy. This project builds on PIT’s existing sustainability infrastructure and highlights its continued push toward cleaner energy.

The airport currently operates a 23-megawatt microgrid powered by both solar and natural gas. Solar energy meets most of PIT’s power needs, while natural gas supports peak demand or cloudy-day shortfalls. Excess solar energy is routed to nearby homes and businesses, feeding renewable power back into the local grid. The new installation will integrate with this system, reducing fossil fuel dependency even further and enhancing regional energy resilience.

“We’re maximizing airport assets for the region—from flights to energy,” said PIT CEO Christina Cassotis. The solar farm is expected to go live in 2027, but future plans go beyond electricity. According to Electrek, the site may also host a sustainable aviation fuel mini-refinery. Meanwhile, Blue Sky News noted that PIT’s microgrid not only shields the airport from outages—unlike recent blackouts at European hubs—but also saves around $1 million annually in electricity costs.

World News

Papal Conclave 2025

VATICAN CITY – Yesterday, the curtains of the Sistine Chapel were drawn shut as 119 cardinals entered conclave, marking the start of one of the most solemn and closely watched events in global religious history—the election of a new pope.

This follows the death of Pope Francis in March at the age of 88, after more than a decade at the helm of the Roman Catholic Church. Known for his reformist views, global outreach, and down-to-earth persona, Francis left behind a legacy that was both deeply admired and, in some corners, hotly debated.

Now, the Church prepares to choose his successor in a process that’s part mystery, part ritual, and entirely consequential.

🕯️ What’s Actually Happening in There?

Since Monday afternoon, the cardinals have been sealed inside the Sistine Chapel—no phones, no contact with the outside world, and definitely no spoilers. They’ll vote up to four times per day until a two-thirds majority (at least 80 votes) is reached. After each vote, the ballots are burned. The world watches the chimney above the chapel for a puff of smoke: black means no pope yet; white signals that a new pontiff has been chosen.

As of this writing, only black smoke has risen—so, no pope yet.

More than 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide will be looking to the next pope for spiritual guidance. But the role also stretches far beyond religion. The papacy has become a major soft-power force—speaking out on climate change, social justice, war, artificial intelligence, and global inequality. In a world fractured by conflict, misinformation, and instability, the identity and direction of the next pope will matter for people inside and outside the faith.

🧠 Who’s in the Running?

The word “papabile” refers to someone seen as having a real shot at becoming pope. This year, there’s no single clear favorite—but a few names are echoing in the corners of Vatican-watchers’ discussions:

• Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines): Humble, charismatic, and globally respected. He's close to Francis’s line of thinking and would be the first Asian pope in modern times.

• Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy): The current Vatican Secretary of State—experienced, diplomatic, and deeply embedded in the Church hierarchy.

• Cardinal Peter Turkson (Ghana): A strong voice for environmental justice and peace; his election would mark a historic moment for the global South.

But keep in mind: Conclaves love a surprise. Many recent popes weren’t front-runners going in. The phrase "he who enters a conclave a pope leaves a cardinal" exists for a reason.

There’s something oddly grounding about this ancient process unfolding in our hyper-digital, always-on world. No live tweets, no leaked group chats, no breaking news updates—just a slow, silent decision made in solemn ritual. It’s tradition holding its ground in a time of constant change. Whatever your beliefs, it’s hard not to feel the weight of what’s happening right now. The next pope may shape not just religious doctrine, but how the Catholic Church engages with some of the biggest issues of our time—from artificial intelligence to migration to war and peace.

Until then, we wait—and watch the chimney.

For updates, you can check out this live coverage from NBC News

Health Science

Brain Stimulation Device

An Ohio music conductor diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease is back leading his orchestra thanks to deep brain stimulation (DBS), often referred to as a "pacemaker for the brain." Rand Laycock first noticed symptoms just before his 60th birthday, beginning with a thumb twitch that progressed into a persistent tremor in his right hand—particularly during high-pressure situations with his 100-piece orchestra. Medications provided limited relief, prompting him to seek further treatment.

At the Cleveland Clinic, Laycock underwent DBS surgery last year, where stimulation leads and a battery were implanted to target the brain regions responsible for movement. The outcome was striking. “My tremor is almost all gone, except if I experience extreme anxiety or stress,” he said. “And my dyskinesia is pretty well under control.” Reflecting on his diagnosis over a decade ago, he added, “I know the thought of brain surgery can be intimidating, but it’s a life-changing procedure that allows you to become your own self again.”

Dr. Michal Gostkowski, a neurologist at Cleveland Clinic, explained that DBS works by regulating abnormal brain signals through carefully delivered electrical currents. Following the procedure, Laycock’s device was activated and fine-tuned by programmer Erica Hennigs. “When it comes to programming the device, we try different settings at first. We then adjust those during follow-up visits,” she said. Nearly a year later, Laycock upgraded to adaptive DBS (aDBS), a more advanced system that automatically adjusts stimulation throughout the day. “It sounded like it would make my life simpler,” he said. Hennigs added that aDBS can even prevent tremors mid-performance if medications wear off. Since starting aDBS in March, Laycock says, “My symptoms are minimal compared to the way they were,” just in time for his 47th year on the conductor’s stand.

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Mind Stretchers

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Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:

— going for gold! 🥇 Albert Knox did get the gold today 🌞 

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to[email protected]or reply to email.

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