The Optimist: A fugitive was on the run from police. His name was Nerds.

This couple canceled their big wedding and instead gave Thanksgiving dinners to the needy; For interracial couples, Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff are a 'monumental' symbol ; These top Cabinet positions have been 'the inner sanctum of male power.' Women are finally breaking through. ; Clea DuVall wanted to see more queer Christmas movies. With Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis, she made one herself.; Which books make the best gifts? Authors weigh in.; With ballots behind it, the Postal Service is tackling letters to Santa; Feeding cows seaweed is a surprisingly powerful way to combat climate change; It's been nearly four decades since his last drink. One man is still giving thanks.; These two friends live in the same city. Postcards are bringing them together. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Sign up for this newsletter Read online Stories that inspire.     (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post) A fugitive was on the run from police. His name was Nerds. In canine-crazed Chevy Chase, Md., the frantic search for a newly adopted dog on the lam. By Jessica Contrera ●  Read more »   This couple canceled their big wedding and instead gave Thanksgiving dinners to the needy "This just seemed like a good way to make the best of a bad situation," said Emily Bugg, who works with people with mental illness. By Bonnie Miller Rubin ●  Read more »   For interracial couples, Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff are a 'monumental' symbol The vice president elect is Black and her husband is White, making them the first interracial couple at the highest reaches of the U.S. government By Sydney Trent ●  Read more »   These top Cabinet positions have been 'the inner sanctum of male power.' Women are finally breaking through. Janet L. Yellen and Avril Haines are poised to be first women to lead treasury and national intelligence The Lily ●  By Caroline Kitchener ●  Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT   Clea DuVall wanted to see more queer Christmas movies. With Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis, she made one herself. Stewart, who stars in Clea DuVall's "Happiest Season" alongside Davis, says aspects of the lesbian rom-com felt "so familiar to me that it's, like, finally." By Sonia Rao ●  Read more »   Which books make the best gifts? Authors weigh in. Rumaan Alam, Janet Evanovich and Glennon Doyle, among other writers, are here to help with your holiday shopping. By Angela Haupt ●  Read more »   With ballots behind it, the Postal Service is tackling letters to Santa The mail agency will digitize letters and gift wish lists sent to Kriss Kringle so "elves" can send presents to children and families. By Jacob Bogage ●  Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT   Feeding cows seaweed is a surprisingly powerful way to combat climate change Scientists have discovered that feeding seaweed to cows significantly reduces the amount of methane they produce and burp into the atmosphere, while also helping them produce more milk and grow bigger on less feed. By Tatiana Schlossberg ●  Read more »   It's been nearly four decades since his last drink. One man is still giving thanks. Johnny Allem puts sobriety at the top of his gratitude list. He wants that for others struggling with addiction. Perspective ●  By Courtland Milloy ●  Read more »   These two friends live in the same city. Postcards are bringing them together. Emily Learnard has been sending Karin Kawamoto notes in the mail since March. The Lily ●  By Nneka McGuire ●  Read more »     We think you'll like this newsletter Check out About US for candid conversations about identity in America — from racial injustices to political movements — in your inbox Tuesdays and Fridays. Sign up »

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