New York doctors complete first-ever successful trachea transplant
A 56-year-old woman from the Bronx, New York, named Sonia Sein is the recipient. She ended up in the hospital six years ago after a particularly nasty asthma attack.
United States
This archive collects solutions-journalism stories and milestones from the United States — covering policy wins, community-led efforts, scientific advances, and social progress happening across the country. Each entry highlights what’s working and why it matters.
In 24 years, California has cut toxic air pollution by 78%, resulting in 82% fewer attributable deaths
Scientists at UC Berkeley are hailing the state’s diesel engine standards and other measures imposed over a number of years, even in the face of loosened environmental regulations in recent years.
Virginia bans the gay/trans panic legal defense
It’s the 12th state to ban defendants from arguing they “panicked” when they found out their victim was LGBTQ.
U.S. military to release new trans-inclusive policies to reverse Trump’s military ban
The measures will allow service members to access gender-affirming health care, among other provisions.
New York must offer vaccine to all prisoners immediately, judge rules
A judge in the Bronx ruled that people incarcerated in the state’s prisons and jails had been arbitrarily excluded from the coronavirus vaccine rollout.
Massachusetts passes sweeping climate legislation to reduce emissions
The law, which was passed last week by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, sets emission limits at 50 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 75 percent below by 2040 with interim limits every five years.
U.S. announces measures to expand offshore wind energy production
The New Wind Energy Area off the coast of New Jersey will be available for lease to offshore wind companies and the federal government will also make $3 billion in funding available through its loan guarantee program to incentivize wind energy investment.
U.S. Federal Judge blocks further oil and gas extraction in Ohio’s Wayne National Forest
The ruling rebuked the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for failing to consider threats to public health, endangered species, and watersheds before opening more than 40,000 acres of the forest to fracking last year.
American bald eagle population has quadrupled over the last decade
A recent report conducted by the US Fish and Wildlife Service said that there were over 316,700 bald eagles and more than 71,400 nesting pairs in the lower 48 states documented during the 2019 breeding season.
Dr. Rachel Levine makes history as first trans official confirmed by U.S. Senate
After a bipartisan vote, Dr. Levine will be the assistant secretary of health at the Department of Health and Human Services despite opposition from the religious right.