Society & Community

Freiburg/Gaza City – November 12, 2026 -- Heavy rain in early November flooded around 70,000 tents in the Gaza Strip, according to local authorities. Aid group Caritas international is now urging the rapid import of winterproof shelters.

More than 6,000 family shelters were destroyed

Local authorities report that over 6,000 family shelters were completely destroyed and another 17,400 were damaged. Among the flooded structures were makeshift learning centers supported by Caritas international.

Caritas teams limited damage to clinics and medicine stocks

Water also damaged some health centers run by Caritas Jerusalem, and incoming water affected some medicines. Teams secured the drugs quickly, contained the damage and largely kept medical care running.

LOS ANGELES – November 10, 2026 -- Flying a drone near the Southern California wildfires is illegal, and it can stop every firefighting aircraft in the air. Officials are urging residents not to launch drones over the burn areas, and prosecutors say violators will be arrested.

A drone strike sidelined one of two super scoopers

A super scooper plane on contract from Quebec hit a drone while fighting the Palisades Fire. It is one of only two super scoopers available, and officials said it is out of commission until at least Monday while it is repaired.

The pilots did not know they had struck anything until they landed at Van Nuys Airport. Maintenance staff then found a hole the size of a fist, according to Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Maroney.

Maroney said that when a drone is over a fire, all aerial firefighting operations shut down. He called flying in the fire traffic area both dangerous and illegal.

Rancho Cucamonga – November 10, 2026 -- Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) will open its expanded Community Wellness Center in San Bernardino with a free public celebration on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2050 N. Massachusetts Ave.

Visitors can take site tours, collect giveaways, pose for photos with IEHP Superhero Mighty Fitnessa and watch class demonstrations. All activities are free and open to the public.

The new center is nearly three times larger than the original

The 33,000-square-foot space replaces the original location off Second Street. It adds two fitness rooms, a kitchen for food demonstrations and a computer lab, plus an expanded class schedule.

A teen center and a children's room will host daily programming. Offerings include creative and leadership workshops for teens, yoga, Zumbini, arts and crafts, and early childhood movement activities.

SAN FRANCISCO – November 10, 2026 -- Veterans can now claim a free year of Discord Nitro, the platform's premium membership, through a new partnership between Discord and the Bob Woodruff Foundation. The program launched for Veterans Day and also funds in-person community game nights in November and December 2026.

Nitro codes come through a public link and live events

Nitro members get enhanced streaming, larger uploads and more ways to personalize their presence on Discord. The membership also includes gaming rewards and partner benefits. Subscriptions will be available during a three-month sign-up window. The Bob Woodruff Foundation will share a public redemption link and hand out codes at participating events.

Veterans verify their eligibility through GovX. The foundation says it will not collect or store ID documents. Subscriptions are available while supplies last, subject to eligibility and offer terms.

Madison – November 10, 2026 -- Wisconsin drivers can now meet Badger student-athletes at Mr. Splash Car Wash locations, after the express car wash chain signed a multi-year agreement with Badger Sports Properties to become a Proud Partner of Wisconsin Athletics.

UW Takeover Days put players in the car wash

The deal includes NIL opportunities with student-athletes. Badger athletes will visit Mr. Splash sites through a series of UW Takeover Days, giving customers a chance to meet their favorite players while getting their cars washed.

Mr. Splash will also have an in-game presence at Badgers events throughout the academic year. The company will produce a digital video series featuring Wisconsin athletes as well.

Irvine – November 10, 2026 -- Four Southern California educators each received a $10,000 donation for their schools from Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) and its local dealers, plus tickets to the Los Angeles Chargers' Legends Homecoming Game. The $40,000 total is part of Mazda's multiyear partnership with the Chargers.

Chargers players joined the surprise school visits

Chargers players went along with Mazda to each school to present the donations in person. All four honorees were then recognized on the field at SoFi Stadium on November 8, in front of Chargers fans.

The effort falls under Be Moved, Mazda's community engagement platform for people who uplift others. Mazda says the educators do that by helping students with diverse learning needs see their strengths, introducing new interests through creative programs, and encouraging young people to take on leadership roles.

Washington – November 10, 2026 -- The National Women's History Museum honored civil rights icon Ruby Bridges, the gold medal-winning U.S. Women's National Hockey Team and four other honorees at its 15th annual Women Making History Awards Gala at Navy Pier in Chicago.

The evening also marked the Museum's 30th anniversary, as the nation commemorates 250 years of American independence. Sixty corporate, individual and foundation sponsors backed the event, including History Maker sponsor Women Connect4Good and Trailblazer sponsor PwC.

Meryl Streep delivered remarks by video as Honorary Chair

Actress Bellamy Young introduced Museum President and CEO Frédérique Irwin. Tina Tchen, former chief of staff to Michelle Obama, introduced Ruby Bridges. Guests included actress and past honoree Sophia Bush, U.S. hockey captain and two-time Olympic gold medalist Kendall Coyne Schofield, and Chicago Stars player Brianna Pinto.

Columbus – – November 10, 2026 -- Veterans and active-duty military personnel can get a free Ceramic 4 Ultra Wash, worth up to $28, at any of Express Wash Concepts' 150 car wash locations on Wednesday, Nov. 11. The offer is part of the annual Grace for Vets Free Wash Day.

No registration or purchase is required

Eligible guests only need to visit a participating location and identify themselves to a team member. Free vacuum amenities are also available during the visit.

Express Wash Concepts (EWC) runs locations in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Indiana and North Carolina. Its brands are Moo Moo Express Car Wash, Flying Ace Express Car Wash, Clean Express Auto Wash, Green Clean Express Auto Wash and Bee Clean Express Car Wash.

SEATTLE – November 10, 2026 -- Five TikTok creators have each won funding to direct to a charity of their choice, after Greater Good Charities split a $100,000 grant pool among the winners of its first "Good Exists" challenge.

The campaign asked creators and social media users to document acts of kindness and spotlight organizations driving positive change, as an antidote to doomscrolling. A nationwide public vote and a panel of judges, concluding Nov. 5, narrowed 25 finalists down to five winners.

Public vote winners take $50,000 and $20,000

Punam (@punambhattarai44) took first place and $50,000 for Bagmati Welfare Society Nepal. Natalia (@user24533423042) placed second with $20,000 for United for Animals.

Los Angeles – November 09, 2026 -- The Palisades and Eaton fires, both ignited on Jan. 7, have damaged or destroyed more than 12,000 structures in Los Angeles County. By Jan. 14, the two blazes had killed 25 people, and the Palisades Fire was 17% contained while the Eaton Fire was 35% contained.

Two fires started within eight hours

A multi-day red flag warning took effect Jan. 7 for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, with severe drought and strong Santa Ana winds in the forecast. At 10:20 a.m., an AlertCalifornia camera spotted smoke in the Pacific Palisades. Mandatory evacuation orders followed by noon, and Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency when the fire reached 1,200 acres. At 6:18 p.m., Cal Fire reported the Eaton Fire in Altadena, and by 7:30 p.m. high winds had grounded firefighting aircraft.