North & Central America

Woman's face in the shadows

New Jersey passes new law to require testing of all rape kits

By / / Good News For Humankind

New Jersey has achieved a major legislative victory with a new bill mandating the expedited testing of rape kits. The law requires kits to be submitted within 10 days and tested within 90, ensuring justice is no longer delayed. This reform addresses a hidden backlog exposed by News 12, which found thousands of untested kits gathering dust due to prosecutorial inaction. The Joyful Heart Foundation, which previously rated New Jersey as one of the worst states for survivor care, now ranks it among the best following this change.

Chemo patient

7 in 10 cancer patients in the U.S. now survive five-plus years after diagnosis

By / / Good News For Humankind

The United States has achieved a significant medical victory, with the five-year cancer survival rate rising to nearly 70 percent, up from just 49 percent in the mid-1970s. This historic high, confirmed by the American Cancer Society, reflects decades of progress in early detection and breakthrough treatments like immunotherapy. Survival rates for prostate cancer have surged to 98 percent, while leukemia survival has nearly doubled. This steady trend confirms that cancer is increasingly becoming a manageable condition, saving millions of lives nationwide.

Pills and syringe

Fentanyl overdose deaths in the U.S. are now falling sharply

By / / Good News For Humankind

The United States is seeing a dramatic decline in fentanyl overdose deaths, with new data showing a drop of approximately 33% in 2024 after the crisis peaked at 76,000 deaths in 2023. Preliminary findings suggest continued double-digit reductions in 2025. This positive trend is driven by successful diplomatic efforts to cut off precursor chemicals from China, disrupting the supply chain. Simultaneously, the widespread availability of naloxone and expanded access to addiction treatment are saving lives domestically.

Bison on a plain

Major rewilding effort removes 100 miles of fencing across the Great Plains of Montana

By / / Good News For Humankind

Led by the American Prairie Reserve, this initiative relies on volunteers to clear abandoned barbed wire that endangers wildlife and fragments habitat. The removal reopens ancient migration corridors for species like pronghorn antelope and elk, allowing them to move freely across the landscape. This project restores the natural beauty of the prairie and serves as a powerful model for reconnecting fragmented ecosystems nationwide.

Woman in the shadows

New York State enacts new law offering sexual assault survivors stronger protections

By / / Good News For Humankind

The legislation, now signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul, mandates strict timelines for hospitals and law enforcement to collect and process evidence kits, integrating medical facilities into the state’s tracking system. It sets clear deadlines for police to retrieve kits for forensic testing. The law also quadruples the preservation period for unreported kits to 20 years, ensuring survivors have the time and control needed to seek justice on their own terms.

Los Angeles skyline

Los Angeles County erases $363 million in medical debt

By / / Good News For Humankind

This initiative, funded by a $5 million investment from County general funds, provides direct relief to more than 153,000 low-income residents. Partnering with the non-profit Undue Medical Debt, the county purchased unpayable debt portfolios to wipe the slate clean for families. This decisive action removes financial barriers to care, improves credit scores, and advances health equity across the region.

Arizona flag

Arizona cancels more than $200 million in medical debt for almost half-a-million residents

By / / Good News For Humankind

Arizona has achieved a major victory for financial security by cancelling medical debt for nearly half a million residents. Governor Katie Hobbs announced the state has erased more than $200 million in this latest round, bringing the total debt forgiven to $642 million. Utilizing federal funds and partnering with the non-profit Undue Medical Debt, the program targets low-income households without requiring any application. This decisive action restores credit scores, relieves mental stress, and boosts the local economy by freeing up household income for essentials.

Infant in NICU

Colorado becomes first state in the U.S. to offer paid neonatal care leave

By / / Good News For Humankind

Colorado has made history as the first state in the U.S. to implement paid neonatal care leave, providing critical support for families with infants requiring extended hospitalization. This pioneering policy allows eligible parents to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave specifically for neonatal care, in addition to standard bonding leave. This ensures parents can remain by their baby’s side during NICU stays without financial fear.

Oil refinery

Canada sets new rules to lower oil and gas methane emissions 

By / / Good News For Humankind

The Canadian government has finalized a landmark set of regulations designed to slash methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by at least 75% by 2035. This decisive policy bans routine venting and flaring while mandating advanced leak detection technologies across the industry. By targeting this potent greenhouse gas, Canada is taking one of the fastest, most cost-effective steps available to slow near-term global warming and improve air quality for local communities.

Mexican pesos

Mexico to boost minimum wage 13% in 2026

By / / Good News For Humankind

The Mexican government has announced a 13% increase in the daily minimum wage for 2026, raising it to 315.04 pesos. This marks the eighth consecutive year of substantial hikes, a policy that has successfully doubled the real value of the wage since 2018. This sustained commitment is lifting millions out of poverty and strengthening the domestic economy by boosting consumer purchasing power.