United States

Abigail Spanberger

Abigail Spanberger is elected Virginia’s first female governor

By / / Good News For Humankind

Virginia has reached a defining political milestone by electing Democrat Abigail Spanberger as the state’s first female Governor. This historic victory shatters a long-standing political barrier in the Commonwealth. Spanberger, whose platform centered on strengthening public education and expanding infrastructure, secured a clear mandate for pragmatic and inclusive governance. Her win is a triumph for political equity and mobilization, providing a powerful source of inspiration for women seeking political leadership nationwide.

Zohran Mamdani

Zohran Mamdani elected New York City’s first Muslim mayor in historic win for progressives

By / / Good News For Humankind

Mamdani’s decisive victory, achieved through powerful community organizing, signals an embrace of democratic socialism and progressive ideals in the nation’s largest city and beyond. The result stands as a clear repudiation of President Trump and conservative national narratives, demonstrating that an inclusive, equitable platform can successfully win the highest offices and inspire historic political participation. This triumph sets a powerful precedent for diverse, grassroots, progressive leadership nationwide.

Smokestacks polluting

New England’s last coal plant closes permanently

By / / Good News For Humankind

New England has secured a major win for the environment by officially going coal-free. The permanent closure of New Hampshire’s Merrimack Station, the region’s last coal plant, ends a major source of air pollution and CO2 emissions. This transition, enabled by strong investment in natural gas, wind, and solar capacity, proves that industrial economies can successfully retire large fossil fuel assets without compromising energy security. The move delivers significant public health benefits and sets a clear standard for climate leadership.

Insulin pen

California to become U.S. first state to sell cheap insulin through state-backed program

By / / Good News For Humankind

California has achieved a major healthcare milestone by launching a groundbreaking initiative to provide affordable, state-backed insulin. The pioneering CalRx program is contracting with a generic manufacturer to produce the medication, which it will sell at near-cost prices. This action is expected to drastically lower costs for the nearly $3.2 million residents living with diabetes. By intervening in the market, the state affirms that essential, life-saving medication must be affordable, setting a powerful national precedent for health equity.

Person with "seeking human kindness" sign

California passes bill blocking cities from punishing people who help the homeless

By / / Good News For Humankind

California has passed Senate Bill 634, a crucial new law designed to rapidly expand the workforce dedicated to solving homelessness. Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, the legislation removes bureaucratic barriers to hiring, allowing service providers to recruit qualified staff and peer support workers more easily. This practical reform addresses critical labor shortages, ensuring that housing and mental health services can be delivered faster and more effectively to unhoused residents across the state.

Marina near Lake Muskegon and Lake Michigan

Michigan’s Lake Muskegon flourishing after years of pollution cleanup

By / / Good News For Humankind

A massive $84 million cleanup has led to the full ecological recovery of Lake Muskegon in Michigan. The lake was formally removed from the federal Areas of Concern list after decades of effort. This success restores the lake’s water quality and wildlife habitat, eliminating industrial contamination like sawdust and toxic sediment. The achievement is a powerful blueprint for environmental healing, proving that sustained public investment can fully revitalize damaged natural resources.

View of Uber driver from backseat

Uber and Lyft drivers in California win the right to unionize

By / / Good News For Humankind

In a landmark moment for the gig economy, Governor Newsom signed a bill granting California’s ride-share and delivery drivers the right to organize and collectively negotiate. This historic law, a national first, empowers hundreds of thousands of workers to demand better wages and working conditions. The move creates a new model of sectoral bargaining, protecting labor rights within the digital economy while preserving the flexibility that platforms rely on.

Law enforcement officers in masks

California becomes first U.S. state to ban most law enforcement officers from wearing masks

By / / Good News For Humankind

California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, has signed a bill prohibiting most law enforcement officers, including federal immigration agents, from covering their faces while conducting official business. The legislation, which is the first of its kind in the nation, is a direct response to recent immigration raids in Los Angeles where masked federal agents made mass arrests. This new law is intended to increase transparency, boost public trust in law enforcement, and prevent people from impersonating officers to commit crimes. This is a progressive step that could serve as a model for other states, even as it faces legal challenges.

Wind turbines in the distance at sunrise

Australia vows to cut emissions by at least 62% by 2035

By / / Good News For Humankind

In a landmark climate announcement, Australia has committed to a new target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 62-70% below 2005 levels by 2035. This ambitious plan, which is backed by a comprehensive net zero strategy, is a significant step toward a sustainable future. The government’s plan emphasizes a transition to clean electricity, which will not only reduce pollution but also create new jobs and enhance the nation’s energy security.

Illustration of two halves of the brain

Promising new epilepsy drug delivers 80% reduction in seizures

By / / Good News For Humankind

A new epilepsy drug candidate, RAP-219, is showing remarkable promise for people whose seizures have not responded to existing treatments. In a Phase 2a trial led by Rapport Therapeutics with support from NYU Langone Health, nearly one-quarter of participants became seizure-free, while most saw their seizures cut by more than half. Using advanced neurostimulation devices to track brain activity, researchers confirmed the drug’s targeted effects and manageable side-effect profile. If larger studies confirm these results, RAP-219 could offer new hope for patients living with drug-resistant epilepsy.