"Today Is Another Great Day"

From a Winter Olympics preview to ‘house burping’ this frigid season, grab a warm cup of joe and a fuzzy blanket, and let’s catch up.

“Today is another great day.”

Lindsey Vonn’s mantra for the 2026 Winter Olympics — a phrase inspired by her mom, who passed away in 2022 after battling ALS.

Eight years after her last Olympic appearance — and following a partial knee replacement — Vonn is returning to the Winter Games, becoming the oldest female Alpine ski racer in Olympic history at 41.

“I want to show people that it’s not a disadvantage to be old," Vonn told People magazine.

On Friday, medics airlifted Vonn from the course after she crashed during the final downhill of a World Cup race. She later said the crash injured her left knee but insisted her Olympic dream remains alive: “It’s not over until it’s over.”

🗣️ Your Conversation Starters:

🇺🇸 232: The number of Team USA athletes competing at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games — the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee announced the final roster this week.

💵 $200,000: The amount of money each U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athlete is set to receive for competing in the Winter Olympics, thanks to a large donation by this financier. Why? “These extraordinary individuals have committed their lives to their sport, often at the expense of traditional career paths and financial savings.”

📕 "Symbol of Anger": Viral images of a 70-year-old Minneapolis bookstore owner emerging from tear gas after federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti have become a flashpoint for local outrage — and even boosted business at his longtime store.

💉 No Changes: What the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends for the childhood vaccine schedule — in contrast with recent changes to the CDC’s recommendations.  

✉️ Pen Pals: A classic “phenomenon” makes a comeback as people seek less screen time and more genuine connection. P.S. We love the vintage vibe of this stationery ... 👇🏽

📖 "Bookworm”: What some recruiters called Fernando Mendoza — questioning his love of reading more than football. But the Indiana Hoosiers quarterback proved the two can go hand in hand, delivering a perfect season while turning plenty of pages. Here are his four most recent reads. And maybe we're biased, but this one is our personal favorite.

🚢 Cruisers Warned: A new ban on the "import, sale, and marketing of vapes and e-cigarettes" in Mexico extends to cruise passengers visiting the country. It comes with steep penalties for those caught.

🫀 Early Birds: They might not only get the worm, but also better heart health, according to experts.

🐶 Pet Parenthood: While the human population in China decreases, pet population increases as some adults struggle with the cost of living — and shifting views on family and companionship.

📜 430,000 Years Old: Researchers at an archeological site in Greece recently discovered the oldest wooden tools ever found, possibly used for digging and shaping stones.

🦞 RIP: Maine’s “Lobster Lady,” one of the oldest lobster fishers in the world, died this week at age 105. Did you know? When she began trapping lobsters nearly a century ago, dockside prices ran about 28 cents per pound. Today, fishermen earn roughly $6.14 per pound.

🏠 ‘House Burping’: Basically, opening your home to fresh air. Experts say it helps prevent the buildup of mold, contaminants, and harmful gases — keeping you healthier. It stems from the German practice of “Lüften,” which translates to “airing out.”

🩴 Bridal Birkenstocks: The footwear brand teamed up with bridal designer Danielle Frankel Hirsch on a wedding shoe collection inspired by a more “undone” bridal look. Prices range from $680 to nearly $2,000. Would you wear them?

🧠 Boomer Brain Hack: All you need is some grandkids. A new study shows that grandparents who help care for their grandkids may slow cognitive decline.

🎬 “Clueless”: Just one of the 25 additions to the National Film Registry for Preservation. The Library of Congress announced its picks on Thursday. See what made the cut.

🎙️ This Week From Jenna:

Sec. Rubio testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for the first time since the U.S. operation in Venezuela, and provides a behind-the-scenes perspective on one of the biggest stories of 2026.

🎙️ SCOOP (approx. 66 minutes) The Biggest Story In The Nation: Unpacking the Minneapolis Shooting & the Media’s Role. Watch or Listen. (SCOOP Insiders can attend this live broadcast once a week and get their news questions answered; they also receive the special video report EXCLUSIVELY delivered to their inbox along with a "cheat sheet" for the week ahead — learn more HERE). 

🙌🏽 What We Found SmartHER This Week:

We’re just two weeks away from Valentine’s Day. We’ve rounded up SmartHER gift ideas for everyone on your list — plus classroom Valentines featuring kid slang that might leave parents needing a decoder.

“With this ceremony we want to acknowledge that legacy, and also use the Olympic stage to renew the message of peace and of shared human values."

The Winter Olympics Creative Director, Marco Balich, on the vision for the Games’ opening ceremony, which features over 1,300 performers — 1,200 of them volunteers from 27 countries.

And that's The Weekend Digest!

❤️,  
Jenna and the SHN Team

Daily news, interviews, our latest podcasts and more at www.SmartHERNews.com.