If you find good news for democracy, equality, and the planet, share it with us here!
Good things aren’t just “happening” in the U.S. No, if there’s any good news in our country, it’s the truth that ordinary people are refusing to take this administration and its funders lying down. Principled people are showing up to advance justice and defend those being targeted. But these good things don’t happen all by themselves. That’s why our Good News list shows you who’s doing good. We hope it inspires you to join them!
- The Mi’kmaq Nation regains control of 2,400 acres of their land in Maine, doubling the tribe’s territory and providing “a place [to] pass down the traditions of our ancestors before they are forgotten.”
- A federal appeals court upholds contempt of Congress convictions for a White House advisor’s involvement in attempts to overthrow the will of voters in the 2020 election.
- The FDA approves a new gene therapy for sickle cell disease—a condition primarily affecting people of African heritage—for young children ages 2 and older.
- CA allocates $26M to protect access to gender-affirming healthcare in the face of discriminatory federal funding cuts.
- CO: A U.S. Court of Appeals rules in favor of the NAACP, the League of Women Voters, and Mi Familia Vota in their case challenging a door-to-door voter intimidation strategy.
- FL: A federal appeals court affirms that restrictions in a state law barring certain viewpoints related to race, sex, and gender in college classrooms violate the First Amendment and academic freedom.
- ID, OR, UT, and VA each pass legislation enabling construction of more wildlife crossings to protect animals and drivers.
- MA ensures no-cost insurance coverage for HIV prevention medication for state residents.
- MO: An estimated 40,000 people regain the right to vote under new legislation supporting the rights of people on parole or probation.
- NY requires disclosures when advertisements include digitally created “synthetic performers,” including performers generated using AI or other software algorithms.
- VA enacts a law to protect people taking HIV prevention medication from discrimination in the purchase of life, disability, and long-term care insurance.
- VT takes steps to protect patients from unregulated use of AI in mental health diagnosis and treatment.
- Following a federal court order, Maria Uzcategui-Castillo and her stepchildren Victor and Monserrat leave ICE detention and reunite with their family.
- Portland General Electric charges data centers at higher rates rather than pass along the costs created by those data centers to residents.
- In the first half of 2025, Baltimore experienced the city’s lowest number of homicides in 50 years.
- New York City’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget includes funding for pet food pantries and expanding residents’ access to free or low-cost spay and neuter services.
- Indianapolis International Airport installs additional solar-paneled canopies in parking lots to help power terminal operations.
- Congregation members across the political spectrum at Trinity Moravian Church in North Carolina work together to raise money to wipe out medical debt in their community.
- Investments in evidence-based methods to reduce homelessness result in the first overall reduction in U.S. homelessness rates since 2016.
- Larry Bushart is awarded $835,000 in a settlement after being jailed for a Facebook post in violation of his First Amendment rights.
- Melinda French Gates donates $215M to women’s health initiatives worldwide.
- Kelsey Pfendler completes a solo row from California to Hawai’i, becoming the first U.S. woman to do so, breaking age and speed records in the process.
- Nepal recognizes full marriage rights for same-sex couples.