373 people decorating gingerbread houses in Japan, pen pals meeting after 43 years of letters, Arizona celebrating innovation, and three major homebuilders betting big on one Minnesota city.

Today's stories:

• A city in western Japan set a Guinness World Record when 373 people decorated gingerbread houses simultaneously, showing that communities still gather for wholesome, creative activities. Read more: http://www.euronews.com/video/2025/10/20/kainan-city-sets-world-record-for-mass-gingerbread-house-decorating
• Two pen pals from Newfoundland, Canada and Singapore met in person for the first time after maintaining their friendship through handwritten letters for 43 years, proving lasting connections can thrive across continents. Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/penpals-nl-singapore-9.6944349?cmp=rss
• The Arizona Technology Council announced winners of the 2025 Governor's Celebration of Innovation awards, recognizing the state's most innovative companies and individuals with official state-level recognition. Read more: https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/inno/stories/news/2025/10/20/celebration-of-innovation-awards-2025.html?ana=brss_5045
• Three of America's major homebuilding companies—Pulte, D.R. Horton, and Lennar—are all entering the Rochester, Minnesota market, showing confidence in the city's rapid growth. Read more: https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2025/10/20/rochester-national-homebuilder-growth-impact.html?ana=brss_5045

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