Today's sponsor
Blu Dot surpasses 2,000% ROAS with self-serve CTV ads
Blu Dot used Roku Ads Manager to drive incredible results for its furniture sales event. Its strategy hinged on custom audiences and retargeting, where intent was strongest.
“Roku has been a top performer,” said Blu Dot’s Claire Folkestad. “We have seen…CPMs lower than any other CTV partner we've worked with.”
“Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud”
WEEKLY BRIGHT SPOTS
🙏 Hope in the dumpster
After Holly and Brandon Dunn’s car was broken into, the thief took a bag containing Tia’s ashes, ceramic paw prints, and a memorial stuffed animal. The items were later dumped in a dumpster. Here, a man named Chris, who had been homeless for seven years, found them. Realizing they clearly mattered to someone, he held onto them until he saw one of the flyers the family had posted around the area. Chris reached out right away and returned everything without asking for anything in return. Now, the community is returning the kindness. A GoFundMe set up to help Chris has raised thousands of dollars for his rent, furniture, and care for his own rescued dog, Reo. It’s a simple but powerful reminder that goodness often comes from people the world is quickest to overlook.
📚 Gen Z is going back to the library
Public libraries across the United States are seeing more interest from Gen Z, especially from young adults looking for quiet, welcoming places outside of home and work. At the 2026 Public Library Association conference, library leaders shared research showing that many Gen Z visitors value libraries not only for books, but also for community spaces, study areas, and low-cost activities. One finding that stood out was that 85% of surveyed Gen Z participants said they wanted places where they could simply relax without pressure to spend money. Libraries have responded by creating more flexible spaces for teens and young adults, including gaming rooms, creative programs, and comfortable areas for social connection. This may indicate a shift away from screen overload as Gen Z seeks calm, useful public spaces that support learning, creativity, and everyday connection
🐴 Comeback win makes history
At this year’s Kentucky Derby, trainer Cherie DeVaux made history when her horse, Golden Tempo, won the race after starting as a long shot with 23-1 odds. Early in the race, Golden Tempo was running near the back of the pack, and the horse still trailed most of the field heading into the final stretch. Jockey Jose Ortiz guided the horse through openings on the outside, and Golden Tempo surged ahead in the final moments to win by a narrow margin. With the victory, DeVaux became the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby champion in the race’s 152-year history. After the race, she spoke modestly about the moment and said she hoped it would encourage more women to pursue careers in horse racing. The win stood out not only because of the comeback finish, but because it showed how years of steady work and experience can slowly open doors in traditions that once seemed difficult to change.
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Meet the Authors:
Hi - We are Hunter and Emily. We started Morning Light because we want to bring positivity and joy to people in all walks of life. 🙏