CARTERVILLE, MO – In tonight’s dose of good news… A Carterville man’s heartwarming reunion is getting a lot of attention on TikTok.

It’s the emotional reunion with his 1966 Mustang that’s going viral.

He bought is when he was 19 years old.

He then sold it to his father-in-law a decade ago to help support his new wife and her three daughters.

When his father-in-law passed away, his brother-in-law made plans to sell it to someone outside the family.

That is, until his eldest step-daughter devised a plan.

“Twenty-three years old, taking on three kids. That’s insane, you know, to give up something that means a lot to him, that was really cool for us. So, me and my mom kinda schemed a little bit a talked about it. And we got with my uncle and bought it back for him. It was really cool just to be able to give it to him.” Says Jada Atherton, Gifted Car.

“10 years, it’s been sitting over hear at her dad’s house. I’m just glad to get it back.” Says Daniel IPock, Received Car.

Jada, her sisters, and her mom pranked Daniel and told him it was already sold.

Instead, he was given the car as an early Father’s Day present this past June.

The TikTok now has more than 3.8 million views on the social media app.

MINOT, ND – In tonight’s dose of good news… Memories of your visits to the state fair may be a bit hazy in years to come, but one couple’s memory of the 2021 state fair will be razor sharp.

For many going on the Ferris wheel at the fair is a chance to get beautiful views of the fair grounds.

But for Connor and Macy their ride Saturday night was the perfect time for Connor to ask the most important question of his life.

“It was picture perfect because we ended up being at the top of the Ferris Wheel when we stopped. So I got down on a knee and I asked her if she was ready for forever and that’s about how it went.” Says Connor Wendel.

Connor and Macy meet their Freshman year at NDSU and have been dating for about 4.5 years.

She said it was the best surprise and way to end their 2021 fair experience.

“The thing that was crazy was he had it in his pocket the entire weekend even all day yesterday. I had zero suspicion I honestly didn’t even know he had gotten a ring or anything so when he asked if I’m ready for forever I was like what are you kidding me. I for the first time was actually speechless and took my breath away felt like I couldn’t breath.” Says Macy Denzer.

And after getting engaged they of course had to share the news with their family and friends.

“So we got back here kind of late so we had to open the door and say wake up got a surprise got some news for you. And they too were like you’re kidding this can’t be real are you serious cause he didn’t tell a soul about this except for the two people on the ride with us to take pictures.” Says Macy.

Both say they look forward to the future and being able to bring their kids back here and tell them their memory of the 2021 State Fair.

ORONOGO, MO – In today’s dose of good news… From a small town in Missouri, all the way to Atlanta, Georgia, a Southwest Missouri woman’s dream finally came true.

Tiffanie Crouch of Oronogo is a special education teacher at Carthage High School, and last week she traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, with 57 other women to compete in the 2021 Mrs. U.S. United Pageant.

“The pageant is for all women, all ethnic backgrounds. There’s all categories from little girls all the way up to plus size, elite, older women, it’s based on beauty inside and out and our community envelopment.” Says Crouch.

After three days full of rehearsals, interviews, photo shoots, and competition, it was Saturday night when Crouch got the news she was so eager to hear.

“To all of a sudden hear your name, and know like, ‘oh my word I did this,’ in this huge town with all these people it was surreal. Like I’m still in shock, I can’t, I won it, like I’m Mrs. U.S. United.” Says Crouch.

Since being crowned, Crouch is looking to encourage and better her community.

“I’d like to focus my platform on helping raise awareness of breast cancer, and women getting checked, and men. Also I’d like to spread that out to any community event.” Says Crouch.

Crouch adds that no matter what people hear, they shouldn’t be discouraged to be in a pageant, and that anyone can do it.

“Pageants get a bad stigma sometimes, and I really think if there’s a little girl out there, or a woman that’s my age, or even a woman that’s like 60 and this is her dream, come talk to me, it’s awesome.” Says Crouch.

OKLAHOMA – In tonight’s dose of good news… One man has been spreading joy at an Oklahoma hospital for more than 2 decades.

Now his coworkers are paying it forward, showing him how much they love him and love working with him.

Not all heroes wear capes, but this one wears an apron and a mask, but not the usual mask you’d see on a super hero.

Darrell Redrick has always been a super man, but he just started wearing his costume to work about 4 months ago.

And he’ll remember today, too.

Bethany Hamilton is Darrell’s supervisor, and she nominated him for Pay It 4Ward.

So once a month, they pick a day, and only a few staff members know when Darrell transforms into character and shares his biggest super power of all, his smile.

Darrell’s ben a dishwasher at the hospital for 24 years, and today he’s the one being surprised with $400 from First Fidelity Bank.

Darrell rides his bike to work most days, and his coworkers say it’s about time for a new one.

CARL JUNCTION, MO – In today’s dose of good news… A Carl Junction teacher is being recognized as one of the best in the state.

Rachel Hensley has been named a regional teacher of the year in Missouri.

She is in charge of 6th through 8th graders in the gifted program, a job she’s held for the last 6 years.

Hensley says she’s looking forward to learning more about the other teachers picked around the state.

“Extremely humbled. And somebody was like, ‘well, what are you going to do if you win, or if you don’t win?’ And my response was exactly the same. Keep being the best I can be in the classroom.” Says Rachel Hensley, CJ Teacher.

Each year, about 3 dozen Missouri teachers are recognized as a regional teacher of the year.

The overall winner is announced shortly after the start of the school year.

NEVADA, MO – In tonight’s dose of good news… Two men from Nevada have just completed the trip of a lifetime: Arriving at Mount Rushmore, making the entire trip by horseback riding.

People visit Mount Rushmore from all over the nation by car or plane, but two men didn’t like either option.

“They decided that this is the summer to take a trip from Nevada, Missouri to Mount Rushmore, South Dakota.” Says Donna Rodriguez, Nevada, Missouri.

Cris Rodriguez, recently retired, and Forrest Drury, an eighth-grade history teacher, have been travelling across the country for 51 days. Why?

“Because Cris is one of those guys that if you say, ‘Hey, let’s go do something.’ He would drop what he’s doing and grab a clean pair of shorts and take off. He’s an adventure soul. And, Forrest is just a fantastic young man.” Says Jed Umphenour, Rodriguez Family Friend.

Jed and his family put Cris and Forrest up the fourth day of their journey. The pair happily obliged as they thought they’d be camping the rest of the way.

Instead…

“People would stop and see them. They would bring them grain, they would bring them water. They would tell them where they could stay. These are strangers. These are people that would show up and say, ‘What do you need?’” Says Julie Mader & Dave Mader, Rodriguez Family Friend.

Dave Mader went 100 miles with the duo before his horse ran into some trouble and couldn’t finish.

“I can’t wait to see them. I just can’t wait. I keep looking down over the hill thinking, ‘My God, I hope they show up pretty soon.’” Says Julie Mader & Dave Mader.

Eventually they did and they hopped off the saddle.

“Ground feels good. It feels good to get off of the saddle.” Says Cris Rodriguez.

It was all about what comes next.

“We had a job to do each day. And we got it done. We were saddled up and ready to go each day.” Says Forrest Drury & Cris Rodriguez, 51 Day Ride Companions.

It all started on the first day they were planning to camp. Where right off the bat, they ran into problems.

“That was the one night we kind of thought, ‘Uh-oh.’” Says Cris Rodriguez.

Where they’d thought to camp, they couldn’t. Distressed, a family came up wanting to pet their horses. After telling them their story, they offered them a place to stay. From then on, the people they stayed with would set them up with others along the way, always having a place to stay under a roof or the stars.

“Every day was like that, and then they knew somebody in the next town, and they knew somebody in the next town. The whole trip was that way.” Says Donna Rodriguez.

“There’s a lot of good people out there. Everywhere we went people took care of us.” Says Donna Rodriguez.

“We had our moments. We have no black eyes or anything like that. We never duked it out, but we thought about it!” Says Cris Rodriguez.

They left on June 1, Cris’s birthday, who had been dreaming about this trip for 40 years. He says it’s been in his blood.

Also, Cris taught Forrest how to ride.

“It sounded like an adventure that I definitely wanted to go on. His wife Donna said he couldn’t go alone. So, I figured I’d come and keep an eye on him.” Says Forrest Drury.

“I’m thrilled to see my wife that I haven’t seen for a while. So, that feels really good.” Says Cris Rodriguez.

“It’ll be nice to have a pillow again.” Says Forrest Drury.

“We left on June 1, went out the Driveway and didn’t turn around.” Says Cris Rodriguez.

RALEIGH, NC – In today’s dose of good news… An extra special ops mission, accomplished for the North Carolina purple heart recipient and his family, given the gift of a lifetime.

Dubbed operation coming home, these paratroopers are on a special mission, deploying to this suburban community outside Raleigh, North Carolina.

On his way to meet them, retired marine Sergeant Matthew Pollizi and his family.

Sergeant Pollizi served 14 years, was deployed 4 times and received a purple heart from an injury in Afghanistan.

And this is how his community is showing its gratitude, presenting him with a key to a brand new, all expenses paid, home.

“Who gets gifted a house, you know, for anything, it’s just nice to get out stuff in here. I mean it’s just incredible.” Says Pollizi.

All made possible by the generosity of Mattamy Homes and more than 70 vendors.

The all-volunteer effort was organized by operation coming home. This is the 23rd hero home thye have built for troops injured in combat or for families of the fallen.

“It’s a tough life I’ve spent most of my years in the infantry it really takes a toll on them, honestly. All the deployments and the time that you’re away. But it’s good now that I’m retired, you know get back to being with family.” Says Pollizi.

BRONX, NY – In tonight’s dose of good news… Mothers in the Bronx got a day of free food, pampers, and pampering.

The event is meant to give these moms some time to relax and also create some equity in birthing disparities among Black and Latina women compared to White women.

A foot massage, facial, and makeover… It’s a spa day at St. Benedict’s Church in Throgs Neck.

And these Bronx mothers are carving out some “me time.”

“I feel like I really needed it. I’m so tired especially with the epidural.” Says Angelina Hodgson, New Mom.

Hodgson just gave birth 3 days ago.

“Moms do so much. There’s so much that happens behind the scenes that we don’t even know about and so we wanted to be able to give back to the community.” Says Angela Torres, Organizer.

Torres is the woman behind it all.

Every week, she organizes a food pantry here at the church, but took it up a notch this week.

“Making someone feel special is so important especially for mental health.” Says Yonna Lovell, Giving Free Makeup Makeover.

Reports show there are disparities in birthing and pre-natal care for Black and Latina women compared to White women.

here in New York City, Black women are 8 times more likely to die from childbirth complications than White women.

This event is addressing some of those needs by giving out pampers and other resources to help moms, while also making them feel good.

“We’re giving back to parents for doing the extra work.” Says Sophia Lawrence, Giving out Free Massages.

Krystal Porfidia-Sims gave birth to her 4th child earlier this year and is now getting comfortable with putting herself first sometimes.

“When you have children it’s a tendency to put them before yourself, but I’m learning through the process that it is essential for them to see me have great self-care as well. That way, they could in-turn do the same thing.” Says Porfidia-Sims.

And by giving back, these moms are feeling energized to be even greater super moms.

NEOSHO, MO – In today’s dose of good news… From flowers to birds, one school teacher is using the power of art to bring life to one Southwest Missouri Park.

“It’s just a way to give back, and to make the area, I don’t know, create some more interest.” Says Elizabeth Wallsmith, Muralist.

Selected by the Neosho Arts Council, that’s what Elizabeth Wallsmith, a Monett school teacher and local muralist has to say about bringing life to Scenic Park in Neosho.

“It means a lot. First of all, to be selected as an artist, you just never know when you put yourself out there to either be rejected or accepted, and then it means a lot because that meant they enjoyed my idea.” Says Wallsmith.

The mural includes many flowers, butterflies, and birds.

An idea that stems from one of Neosho’s stand-out attractions.

“Since Neosho’s known for the largest flower box, and I wanted to represent that and carry that theme on, and have something enjoyable for the kids to look at while they’re here playing at the park.” Says Wallsmith.

“This is something that we’ve been looking forward to for quite sometime. You know with weather and some other issues, it kind of put a delay on it for a little while, but we’re back up and going again strong.” Says Kenny Balls, Neosho Parks Supervisor.

The city hopes this new attraction will get more people to come out and enjoy what Scenic Park has to offer.

“Through our parks areas, we spend a lot of time in them, trying to get them up and up to par the way they should be. We just want to invite more people out to enjoy the parks.” Says Balls.

The murals are expected to be completed by next week.

TAMAQUA, PA – In tonight’s dose of good news… She’s giving those in need a chance to find their footing.

A girl scout in Pennsylvania has been collecting shoes for an international charity.

When ninth grade Girl Scout Alyssa Palumbo started coming up with ideas for her silver award project this spring, she knew what other scouts had done in the past.

But the scout from Tamaqua decided to do something different and take on an outside of the box idea, or more like outside the shoe box.

Alyssa set out to collect 250 shoes she shared her Project Online with her mom’s help, and things took off.

Family and friends started collecting on her behalf and bringing in donations, so did her teachers and classmates at St. Jerome regional school in Tamaqua.

Alyssa crushed her goal collecting more than 2400 pairs of shoes and more than 80 single shoes. It’s enough to fill the side porch of her home. But there are still more in the hallway.

Andrea Palumbo says they’ll all be donated to soles for souls, a nonprofit organization providing footwear to people in need all over the world.

Each one of these trash bags is filled with 20 pairs of shoes rubber banded together. And even though the July 1 deadline has passed, the shoes keep on coming in.

The Broncos are thankful for everyone who donated and confident the shoes will make a difference.

The shoes will be delivered to a soles for souls distribution center in Lewisburg on July 25. Andrea expects to be up to 2500 pairs of shoes buy that.