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🌱 Patch AM: How much did Berkeley’s healthy checkout rule really cut soda sales?

And on the Berkeley Patch calendar - Visit us at The Solano Stroll!

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Hi there, Berkeley! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How much did Berkeley's healthy checkout rule really cut soda sales?
  • What Forbes' latest rankings say about UC Berkeley's real-world impact
  • Which UC Berkeley journalism alums just earned top national honors?

Also on today's calendar: Visit us at The Solano Stroll! and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why are crows so alert and curious? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 74 and low of 55 degrees.
  • Monday: Beautiful with plenty of sun, temps: high: 78, low: 58.
  • Tuesday: Partly sunny and beautiful, with a high of 74 and low of 57 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Berkeley's healthy checkout rule linked to lower soda sales, study finds (marketbusinessnews.com) — Berkeley's healthy checkout ordinance, which limits sugary drinks and junk food at large store registers, is now linked to significantly lower soda sales compared with other California cities. For local shoppers, that means a subtly healthier checkout environment, while researchers and retailers watch whether these changes last and how they affect what people buy elsewhere in the store.
   

2. UC Berkeley is the No. 1 public and No. 9 overall in Forbes rankings of undergraduate colleges (berkeley.edu) — UC Berkeley has again been named the nation's top public university and No. 9 overall by Forbes, underscoring the strength of the hometown campus. The ranking highlights low student debt, strong long-term salaries, and multiple top national and global honors that reinforce Berkeley's reputation as an academic and research powerhouse.
   

3. Alums named finalists for Gerald Loeb Awards for outstanding reporting on business, finance and the economy (berkeley.edu) — Several UC Berkeley Journalism alumni have been named finalists for the prestigious 2026 Gerald Loeb Awards, highlighting the national impact of reporting talent rooted in Berkeley. Their work spans international investigations, visual storytelling, audio reporting, and consumer-focused coverage, including Pulitzer-winning series, underscoring how Berkeley-trained journalists are shaping conversations on business, finance, and the economy.
   

4. The Republic of Vietnam Endowment for Vietnamese Studies (berkeley.edu) — A new $500,000 Republic of Vietnam Endowment at UC Berkeley's Center for Southeast Asia Studies will expand Vietnamese studies right here in town, from grad fellowships to public lectures. For Berkeley residents, that means more accessible talks, workshops, and conferences exploring Vietnam's history and culture, hosted at a leading local research hub.
   

5. Scientists find Ozempic may slow aging itself (sciencedaily.com) — Scientists at UC Berkeley report that semaglutide, the drug behind Ozempic, mimicked and in some ways exceeded the anti-aging benefits of calorie restriction in older mice, even extending their median lifespan. While this doesn't prove the drug slows human aging, it positions Berkeley researchers at the forefront of exploring whether GLP-1 medicines could one day influence longevity.
   

📸 Around Berkeley

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I need some help.
    I've seen post in the past about baby pigeons not able to fly. This is a pigeon that is not able to fly. What should I do? I found it on Shattock and… (Nextdoor Downtown Berkeley)
  • UPDATE: Foster Found
    Location: Berkeley FOSTER NEEDED 2-3 years Male This sweet dude was just surrendered to our program and he needs a foster. He warms up to people… (Nextdoor Oceanview East)
  • University of California Berkeley posted a job opening for Auth Coord/Surg Scheduler - FHC - Anaheim Women's Health - PT Days - 69793 in Berkeley. Apply here.
  • TradeJobsWorkforce posted a job opening for Amazon Forklift Operator in Berkeley. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Berkeley here.

Ok Berkeley! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: They start each day with a cup of caw-fee. (Thank you Curt K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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