Good News for Lefties | Daily News for Democracy

In this special crossover episode of Good News for Lefties and the Banned Camp podcast, host Beowulf Rochlen joins Dan and Jen to discuss Dolly Parton's new coffee brand.

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The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded Friday to the South African jurist Navanethem “Navi” Pillay.

Global life expectancy bounces back to near pre-pandemic levels, WHO says | UN News

Solar and wind generation meet record 80% of power demand on Australia’s national grid | Environment | The Guardian

Switzerland becomes first country to ban fur imports and sales | Humane World for Animals

Northern Ireland Teachers' unions vote in favour of strike action

Dutch team creates high-protein plant-based hospital meals in new seven-day menu template

 

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In this uplifting episode of Good News for Lefties, host Wendy King shares a series of heartening stories that highlight the positive strides being made across the country. First up, we explore the latest polling in North Carolina, where Democratic Senate candidate Roy Cooper is leading Republican Michael Whatley by a significant margin, garnering strong support from younger voters and Black respondents, setting the stage for a potential Democratic flip in the Senate.

Next, we celebrate the triumph of Portland resident Philip Stickney, who took on CenturyLink and emerged victorious, securing settlements for himself and other customers affected by misleading pricing practices. This case could pave the way for a class-action lawsuit benefiting many more customers nationwide.

We also highlight Ohio's new initiative to celebrate first-time voters, encouraging civic engagement among young people and newly naturalized citizens as they cast their ballots for the first time. This initiative aims to instill a lifelong habit of participation in democracy.

In California, over 465 union workers have taken a stand, walking off the job in a strike to demand fair contract negotiations from Orange County officials. Their collective action brings attention to the importance of respecting workers' rights and the essential services they provide to the community. Next, Wendy is joined by legal analyst and former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner to discuss significant recent developments in the federal judiciary. A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to cease airing taxpayer-funded advertisements that portray him in a favorable light, following a lawsuit by watchdog group Common Cause and other plaintiffs. The ruling underscores the judiciary's commitment to upholding the rule of law and holding public officials accountable for misuse of power.

Finally, we shine a light on the Young Musicians Unite program in Miami-Dade County, which offers free music education to thousands of students, fostering personal growth and community connection through the power of music. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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Katie Zacharia out as White House press secretary - The Washington Post

Virginia AG launches voter protection unit ahead of midterm elections | News From The States

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Today's Stories: 

Frantic push mobilizes millions of long-dormant overseas voters enraged by Trump - Raw Story

Minneapolis pays out another $2 million in claim of excessive force from 2020 civil unrest - KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News

Court blocks SNAP penalties, clarifies eligibility, but advocates still worried | News From The States

Native Flora Planted at Solar Farms, Bee Population Increased 20x

A simple barn cat program is saving cats slated for euthanasia

Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes institute 3-year data center ban | KGOU - Oklahoma's NPR Source

 

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This Afternoon's Stories: 

Trump says government won’t livestream execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan

Sadness and Suicidal Behavior Among Teenagers Is Declining, C.D.C. Finds - The New York Times

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Today's Stories:

Federal Court Blocks 'Blatantly Illegal'​ Trump Effort to Restructure USDA | Common Dreams

Lyft agrees to pay California $272.5m in largest-ever wage theft settlement | Lyft | The Guardian

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Housing Grant Cuts

Colorado towns with bear trouble will share $1M in grants to reduce human-bear contact - The Colorado Sun

New California Bill Bans Kids From Marrying, After 35,000 Married in 20 Years

Kansas City's Oddly Correct gets boost after bad review

 

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Judge extends White House access to banned media outlets CNN, MS Now and Politico | Trump administration | The Guardian

Judge Rules Trump Cannot Fire Court-Appointed U.S. Attorneys - The Washington Sun

 

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In this episode of Good News for Lefties, host Beowulf Rochlen dives into a series of uplifting stories that remind us of the progress being made amidst the political climate as we approach the midterm elections. We begin with a look at Donald Trump's financial gains since returning to power, revealing public sentiment that questions his ethics and priorities. Meanwhile, California's SEIU Local 1000 is gearing up for a historic one-day strike, with overwhelming support from its members, highlighting the fight for fair labor practices.

In a significant move for healthcare, New York City plans to allocate $8.9 million to provide gender-affirming care for trans youth, ensuring essential services remain accessible. Additionally, Representative Lamonica McIver celebrates the arrival of her daughter, joining a small yet impactful group of congresswomen who have given birth while in office.

We also discuss Zach Bryan's bold statement at a recent concert in support of Palestinian liberation, alongside Columbus, Ohio's groundbreaking initiative to provide free period products in major sports venues, promoting inclusivity and support for women. The episode wraps up with a look at recent labor victories, including AutoZone workers in New York making history by voting to unionize for better working conditions.

Join us for these inspiring stories and more, and don't forget to share this episode with friends to spread the good news!

Today's Stories:

https://www.commondreams.org/news/trump-corruption

https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/california-state-workers-union-calls-strike-oct-21/

https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/10/07/nyc-trans-youth-care-2026/

https://rollcall.com/2026/10/01/rep-mciver-rare-group-given-birth-in-congress/

https://rollcall.com/2026/10/01/rep-mciver-rare-group-given-birth-in-congress/https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/zach-bryan-wears-free-palestine-shirt-after-macklemore-drama/

https://www.facilitiesdive.com/news/columbus-ohio-rolls-out-free-menstrual-hygiene-products-to-all-sports-ven/831766/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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Kimberly Gargoyle is stepping down as US ambassador to Greece after weeks of reports that she sought payment from a Trump donor in exchange for access to administration officials.

 

Links:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/13/kimberly-guilfoyle-ambassador-greece-step-down

https://news.wttw.com/2026/10/12/chicago-hotel-workers-continue-strike-monday-they-seek-new-contract

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