Positive, daily news for democracy lovers! From a significant legal victory for Democratic attorneys general against the Trump administration's funding freeze to the inspiring generosity of a lottery winner and the transformative impact of MacKenzie Scott's donations, this episode is packed with good news for the left. We also discuss a groundbreaking bill in Oregon that would grant unemployment benefits to striking workers, showcasing the ongoing fight for workers' rights. Join us as we celebrate democracy, progressive values, and the power of community support in these challenging times.
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try and get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/Lefties
Listen to our friends Jennifer and Dan of the Banned Camp podcast at BannedCampPodcast.com
Listen to This Week Again with Susanne Posel.
If you have thoughts, ideas, or more good news to share, we’d love to hear from you! Call or message us at 202-656-6271, or drop us a line at beowulf@twosquaredmediaproductions.com
You can find out more about GNFL's daily news stories here:
https://pluribusnews.com/news-and-events/dem-ags-score-legal-victory-over-frozen-fed-funds/
https://www.newsweek.com/republicans-elon-musk-doge-cuts-2040452
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/broadway-wicked-lencia-kebede-first-fulltime-elphaba-rcna195345
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/lottery-winner-pledges-part-of-328-million-prize-to-nonprofits-winning-ticket-seller-does-the-same/
https://www.marketbeat.com/articles/mackenzie-scotts-nearly-20-billion-in-donations-has-had-a-transformative-effect-according-to-a-new-study-heres-how-2025-02-24/
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/03/06/bill-to-grant-striking-oregon-workers-unemployment-checks-moves-forward/
More good daily news for democracy on Facebook, Bluesky, and Instagram.
If you enjoy progressive shows like Justice Matters with Glenn Kirschner, What A Day, and Best of the Left, you'll LOVE Good News For Lefties!
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/good-news-for-lefties-daily-news-for-democracy--6256627/support.
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try and get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/Lefties
Listen to our friends Jennifer and Dan of the Banned Camp podcast at BannedCampPodcast.com
Listen to This Week Again with Susanne Posel.
If you have thoughts, ideas, or more good news to share, we’d love to hear from you! Call or message us at 202-656-6271, or drop us a line at beowulf@twosquaredmediaproductions.com
You can find out more about GNFL's daily news stories here:
https://pluribusnews.com/news-and-events/dem-ags-score-legal-victory-over-frozen-fed-funds/
https://www.newsweek.com/republicans-elon-musk-doge-cuts-2040452
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/broadway-wicked-lencia-kebede-first-fulltime-elphaba-rcna195345
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/lottery-winner-pledges-part-of-328-million-prize-to-nonprofits-winning-ticket-seller-does-the-same/
https://www.marketbeat.com/articles/mackenzie-scotts-nearly-20-billion-in-donations-has-had-a-transformative-effect-according-to-a-new-study-heres-how-2025-02-24/
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/03/06/bill-to-grant-striking-oregon-workers-unemployment-checks-moves-forward/
More good daily news for democracy on Facebook, Bluesky, and Instagram.
If you enjoy progressive shows like Justice Matters with Glenn Kirschner, What A Day, and Best of the Left, you'll LOVE Good News For Lefties!
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/good-news-for-lefties-daily-news-for-democracy--6256627/support.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Good News for Lefties and America. Hello and welcome to
another episode of Good News for Lefties, where we sift
through the daily news to find the silver linings that
make our hearts sing and our spirits sore. I'm your host,
Baobel Franklin. Before we dive into today's uplifting stories, don't
(00:26):
forget to share this podcast with your friends, family, and
anyone who could use a little positivity in their lives.
You can find us on social media, and please take
a moment to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts
or wherever you get your audio fix. Your support helps
us spread the good vibes. Now, let's get to the
good stuff. In a win for democracy and the rule
(00:51):
of law, a federal judge has blocked the Trump administration
from freezing federal funds to states while litigation continues. A
federal judge is handed a victory to twenty three Democratic
state attorneys general who took a stand against President Trump's
attempt to cut off funding to state agencies. California Attorney
General Rob Bonta, a key player in this legal showdown,
(01:14):
expressed his elation, stating today's decision is an important victory
for the rule of law and for the many programs
throughout our state that rely on federal funding to carry
out their mission. The Judge John McConnell Jr. Ruled that
the Trump administration had overstepped its authority, putting itself above Congress.
He pointed out that the executive branch couldn't just impose
(01:36):
a categorical freeze without any constitutional or statutory authority. This
legal battle began when the Office of Management and Budget
OMB told federal agencies to halt billions of dollars in
grants to states, nonprofits and researchers until they could be
deemed to be compliant with Trump's nonsensical executive orders. After
(02:00):
a national outcry, the OMB rescinded the directive. However, the
damage was done and states continued to struggle to access
the funds they were promised, particularly for projects in energy, environment,
and transportation. The judges order now directs federal agencies to
release all grants that had been paused due to the
(02:20):
OMB memo or Trump's executive orders. Republicans are trying to
rain in Elon Musk as the head of DOGE. Musk
has been on a mission to slash and burn the
federal government. Recommending the firing of over two hundred thousand
federal workers, and the country has been rising up against it. Now,
(02:42):
Congressional Republicans are pushing to impose checks and balances on
Musk's cuts. In private meetings, Republican lawmakers have urged Musk
to send dogees cuts through Congress. Guys, you're going to
have to do more than urged. By the way, It's
fascinating to see the GOP grappling with the consequences of
(03:02):
their own policies as voters express their frustration at town halls.
It's clear that the pushback against Musk is gaining momentum.
Even the most powerful figures can't escape the wrath of
the people. Republicans who have long championed the idea of
cutting government spending are now finding themselves in a position
where they need to protect federal jobs. Let's keep our
(03:25):
fingers crossed to the outcome will be one that supports
workers and ensures that government can function effectively. We shall
return to the news in a minute, but first we
had good news for Lefties. Are very excited to feature,
as we have for a little bit now, a funny podcast,
A truly funny podcast. Indeed perfect for anyone who hates censorship.
(03:48):
It is called band camp and I highly recommend it. It
is hosted by the hilarious duo of Jennifer and Dan.
It is a comedy podcast where they read band books
and try to figigure out why they were banned in
the first place. This season, they're reading George Orwell's nineteen
eighty four one chapter at a time, out loud. If
(04:10):
you think that banning books will lead to a not
so great future, then band camp is for you. Whether
you're like Jennifer, curious to read the book for the
first time, or like Dan little too lazy to read
it for yourself, you will love band Camp. Look for
band camp that's banned with two ends on your favorite
podcast player and subscribe today. Let's get banned together. Lencia
(04:35):
Cabde has made history this week by becoming the first
black actor on Broadway to assume the role of Alphaba
full time in the beloved musical Wicked. Cabda, a first
generation Ethiopian American from Los Angeles, has made quite the
journey leading up to this moment, after spending five years
(04:56):
touring with Hamilton, where she dazzled audiences as an Angelica Skuyler.
She finally stepped into the world of Oz on Tuesday night,
making her Broadway debut. K Bede was surrounded by sixty
family members and friends, including her mom, aunts, uncles, cousins,
and even her college choir director. Kbde joins a sisterhood
(05:19):
of black women who have played Alphaba, including Broadway standbys
and understudies, but she is the first to take on
the role full time. This is a step forward in
representation for theater and it's a testament to the progress
we're making in the arts. A lottery winner and Oregon
has decided to share his good fortune with nonprofits close
(05:40):
to his heart after winning a wopping three hundred twenty
eight million dollar powerball prize. That's right, folks, this isn't
just any lottery win It's the third highest in Oregon's history.
Meet seventy nine year old Abbas Chaffee, who opted for
a lump sum of one hundred forty six million instead
of the full amount over twenty nine years. And what's
(06:02):
he planning to do with his newfound wealth, travel, invest
and most importantly, give back to the community. Chaffee expressed
his joy, stating I am overjoyed to have won the
power Ball and plan to use my prize to travel, invest,
and share my good fortune with nonprofit organizations that are
close to my heart. The fred Meyer Store, where Chaffee
(06:24):
bought his winning ticket, also received one hundred thousand dollars bonus,
and they're donating half of that to the Oregon Food
Banks Zero Hunger, Zero Waste Initiative. Let's not forget the
odds of winning such a massive prize. Mathematicians say it's
like flipping a coin and having it land heads twenty
eight times in a row. So while the odds may
(06:44):
be astronomical, Chaffee's decision to share his wealth is a
reminder that kindness and generosity can make a world of difference.
Here's to a Boss Chaffee and the fred Meyer Store
for showing us that winning isn't just about the money,
It's about how we use our fortunes to uplift others.
Up next, a listener suggested story Back in a minute Now.
(07:10):
A listener suggested story from Edward in Delray Beach, Florida.
Mackenzie Scott has been making headlines for her incredible philanthropic
efforts since twenty nineteen. Scott has donated nearly twenty billion
dollars to over twenty four hundred nonprofits, and a recent
study has shown that her no strings attached gifts have
(07:32):
had a transformative effect on these organizations. In twenty twenty
four alone, Scott donated over two billion dollars, and the
Center for Effective Philanthropy CEP conducted a three year analysis
that found her gifts have significantly strengthened nonprofit's ability to
carry out their missions a stangering Ninety three percent of
(07:54):
nonprofit leaders reported that her donations bolstered their financial positions,
while sixty percent said they used the funds to establish
credibility with other funders. One example is the nonprofit Kaboom,
which builds playgrounds in underserved areas. After receiving a generous
fourteen million dollar donation from Scott in twenty twenty one,
(08:16):
Kaboom was able to more than double its annual operating budget.
That's right, playgrounds for kids who need the most, all
thanks to one woman's commitment to making a difference. Another
inspiring story comes from the South Texas Food Bank, which
received a nine million dollar donation from Scott in twenty twenty.
This substantial gift allowed the Food Bank to nearly double
(08:39):
the amount of food it distributed, from fourteen million pounds
in twenty nineteen to a staggering twenty six million pounds
in twenty twenty. The CEO of the Food Bank, Alma Bubell,
shared that this donation not only helped them provide more
food to those in need, but also allowed them to
offer their forty two person staff free healthcare. Overall, the
(09:02):
CEP study found that eighty five percent of non profit
recipients improved or expanded their programming thanks to Scott's gifts,
and fifty two percent reported a greater capacity to respond
to the needs of their communities. Phil Buchanan, the president
of CEP, stated, few funders have the resources to give
at the level that Mackenzie Scott is giving, but every
(09:24):
funder can learn from her fascinating approach. Scott's model of giving,
unrestricted and focused on trust, challenges traditional philanthropic practices and
encourages other donors to rethink how they support nonprofits. It
shows that when we invest in people and organizations without
strings attached, we can create real, lasting change. Thanks for
(09:47):
that story, Edward. If you have thoughts, ideas, or more
good news to share we'd love to hear from you.
Call or message us at two zero two six five
six six two seven one, or drop us a line
at Beowulf at two squared Media Productions dot com. And
now for some more exciting news from Oregon that could
(10:08):
change the landscape for workers' rights across the nation. A
groundbreaking bill, Senate Bill nine to one six, is making
its way to the Senate floor, and, if passed, would
make striking public employees the first in the nation eligible
for weekly unemployment checks. Currently, unemployment checks are only available
to employees who are out of work through no fault
(10:30):
of their own, but this bill aims to level the
playing field by allowing all striking workers, whether in the
public or private sector, to access these crucial benefits. This
recognizes the importance of workers' rights and the need for
financial support during strikes. Oregon is already ahead of the curve,
as New York and New Jersey have similar provisions, but
(10:53):
they bar public employees from striking. Oregon, on the other hand,
does not have an across the board ban, making this
bill even more significant. The unemployment checks could range from
one hundred and ninety six to eight hundred and thirty
six dollars a week, providing much needed support for workers
who are standing up for their rights. State Senator Khan fam,
(11:16):
a Democrat from Portland, emphasized the importance of this bill,
stating our lowest paid minimum wage workers who are living
paycheck to paycheck aren't truly able to access their right
to strike if they functionally can't afford to go a
week or two without pay or longer. The right to
strike is a fundamental aspect of a healthy democracy. Workers
(11:39):
deserve the ability to advocate for better conditions without the
fear of losing their livelihoods. And there you have it, folks,
another episode of good News for Lefties, filled with stories
that remind us of the power of community generosity and
the ongoing fight for justice. From legal victories to inspiring
acts of kind, it's clear that there's still plenty of
(12:02):
good news out there for those of us on the left.
Don't forget to share this podcast with your friends and family,
and be sure to rate and review us on Apple
Podcasts or wherever you listen. Your support helps us spread
the good vibes and keep the positivity flowing. You can
also find us on Facebook, Blue Sky, and Instagram. So
be sure to connect with us there for more uplifting content.
(12:25):
Until next time, keep your heads high and your heart's open.
I'm Beowulf Rocklin, weird name good news for Lefties and America.
(12:49):
Stay tuned after this commercial break for more of me,
your humble and obedient servant, as I speak with Jen
and Dan of the band Camp podcast.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
The John Peegle Sang Podcast is now available six times
a week with me John Fugel Sang, I've been murdered
on CSI picketed by Westboro Baptist Church and host tell
me Everything on sirius XM Progress one twenty seven. You
will hear authors, politicians, actors, filmmakers, rappers, rockstars, journalists, activists,
unhinged callers, and way too many comedians. They all have
a place of a John Feagles Sang Podcast, and so
(13:21):
do you. The John Fiegele sing Podcast Fair and Biased.
Find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher for wherever you
listen to Bobs and Now.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
An excerpt from a recent episode of the band Camp
Podcast where I speak with hosts Jen and Dan. Then
go listen to the full show. The band Camp Podcast
That's banned with two ends. Bandcamp podcast dot Com. It's
time for band camp newspeaker news Speaker. They will fuck ah.
(13:52):
It's a weird name, but he's got good news because he's.
Speaker 3 (13:57):
Broadcasting live from the good news. Left the studio is
buried deep inside his social safe house, hidden somewhere deep
in the Oregon Woods. He is Babe Walt Rockland because.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
So Baywald, how's it going? What's the good news? Tell
us we need some good news.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Oh, I do have some good news in the midst
of all this darkness, in the midst of all this
disturbing time that we have right now, Tennessee is where
I'm bringing the story to you from Smyrna, Tennessee. In
the last couple of years, school boards across Tennessee have
(14:38):
chosen to remove certain books from their library shelves. But
there is hope because one small bookseller in Rutherford County
says she has her own reason for offering those same
books for free. Lindsey Schultz, who owns the Spine Bookstore
in Smyrna, has a second of banned books for sale
(15:01):
and another section of band books for free. Absolutely wonderful.
She started this at her shop after learning Rutherford County
schools removed over eighty books from their school libraries. I
was like, Okay, maybe I can do something to flip
the book banning on its head. So I started the
Banned Book Brigade. She's got the alliteration, she's got the program.
(15:23):
Not all of the banned books are barred from a
Rutherford County schools, Schultz specified she is offering other novels
that have been largely banned across the country. I can't
do much, but I can do this, Schultz said. I'd
rather that people have access to the books. So if
you want to donate money or a band book, if
you want to get in touch with her, you can
(15:44):
go to the Spine Bookshop website. That's the spine Bookshop
dot com and if you have some extra cash and
a spine, you can donate.
Speaker 3 (15:54):
It really does take a spine, it does.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
It does.
Speaker 4 (15:57):
If I love that name, the spine, it's.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
You know, it's part of a book, but it also
means you got.
Speaker 4 (16:05):
Guts exactly, gumption nice. I love that story.
Speaker 1 (16:10):
Yeah, I love the fact that she's undermining all these efforts.
So basically, if a kid can't find a book they
want in the public school library, they can just come
down to the spine bookshop and say, hey, can I
have this? Yeah, And she's funding it online so that
other people are making contributions so the books can be free.
I think it's a wonderful, positive community thing to do. Hopefully,
(16:34):
some kids who might not have the opportunity to see
themselves reflected in books that are in their own school
libraries will have the opportunity to get them. As a
result of Lindsay Schultz's efforts, we.
Speaker 4 (16:45):
Should all give her a little bit of a bump
in sales.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
Absolutely, I wouldn't be so worried about being in a
red skate where this is going on. So Jennifer did
something really cool. So Jennifer lives in the suburbs of
sad Seattle Berry Blue and you built jen the little
library they got ads in your neighborhood.
Speaker 1 (17:08):
That's awesome.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
Are there such things as little libraries that only have
band books? Because wouldn't that be a wonderful take over
the country.
Speaker 4 (17:16):
I should totally do that. I was just going with
all the books I had, but it'd be kind of
cool to go out and search for band books.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
That would be way better than the reader's digest condensed books.
That are in my little library around the corner.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
Fable for so much younger than me. He comes across
as so elderly.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
He got his reader's die jeszz I watch Turner classic movies.
I know Gilbert and Sullivan. Everything about me is from
another decade, if not from another century, and I mean
the one before the one in which I was born.
Speaker 3 (17:49):
Jen, if you were to convert your band book library
to a band book library, what would the neighbory years?
Do you know, the one with the four hundred thousand
square foot Trump flag.
Speaker 4 (18:01):
They probably wouldn't even notice. I don't think they even
stopped to look in there or to add anything. They
probably are already mad that I even have it.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
Jim, You're in a suburb, but you see, I live
in a red county, in a blue part of a
red county of a blue state. So there are these
weird dynamics going. Yes, I live primarily in my neighborhood
among people who are anti Trump, but then down the
street there are some folks who do have some large
Trump flags or did during the election. Is that kind
(18:31):
of the situation with you.
Speaker 4 (18:33):
I was able to look at the voter stats and
eighty percent of the neighborhood voted, and it was about
sixty percent blue and forty percent reds. It's kind of
purplely up here.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
That sounds kind of roughly in the direction. As you
move further south in our valley and closer to where
the university is, you get bluer, and then the further
you move away from it, you get more red. It's
almost as if education has an impact on whether you
make a stupid political choice.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
Or not the poorly educated. I love the idea. Maybe
this can be something we push like to somehow do
band book libraries, little bandbook libraries.
Speaker 4 (19:09):
Wonderful idea.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
Love that.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
I don't think I've heard it anywhere else. If you've
already done it, I'm not trying to take your thing.
I didn't know you did it, but if you did it,
it's really cool and we would like to sumowt If
you haven't done it, we want to do it. If
you have done it, we want to help push that.
Or we don't even have to take credit. Just maybe
everyone could.
Speaker 4 (19:26):
Do that exactly.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
Everyone. Go listen to Good News for Lefties every day
on your favorite podcast player. It is a wonderful way
to start your day. Because it's good news. From a socialist,
leftist point of view, it's just good.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
News for everyone.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
Thank you, may Well, Thank you you guys.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
And listen to Jin and Ban on the band camp
podcast at band camppodcast dot com
Good News for Lefties and America. Hello and welcome to
another episode of Good News for Lefties, where we sift
through the daily news to find the silver linings that
make our hearts sing and our spirits sore. I'm your host,
Baobel Franklin. Before we dive into today's uplifting stories, don't
(00:26):
forget to share this podcast with your friends, family, and
anyone who could use a little positivity in their lives.
You can find us on social media, and please take
a moment to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts
or wherever you get your audio fix. Your support helps
us spread the good vibes. Now, let's get to the
good stuff. In a win for democracy and the rule
(00:51):
of law, a federal judge has blocked the Trump administration
from freezing federal funds to states while litigation continues. A
federal judge is handed a victory to twenty three Democratic
state attorneys general who took a stand against President Trump's
attempt to cut off funding to state agencies. California Attorney
General Rob Bonta, a key player in this legal showdown,
(01:14):
expressed his elation, stating today's decision is an important victory
for the rule of law and for the many programs
throughout our state that rely on federal funding to carry
out their mission. The Judge John McConnell Jr. Ruled that
the Trump administration had overstepped its authority, putting itself above Congress.
He pointed out that the executive branch couldn't just impose
(01:36):
a categorical freeze without any constitutional or statutory authority. This
legal battle began when the Office of Management and Budget
OMB told federal agencies to halt billions of dollars in
grants to states, nonprofits and researchers until they could be
deemed to be compliant with Trump's nonsensical executive orders. After
(02:00):
a national outcry, the OMB rescinded the directive. However, the
damage was done and states continued to struggle to access
the funds they were promised, particularly for projects in energy, environment,
and transportation. The judges order now directs federal agencies to
release all grants that had been paused due to the
(02:20):
OMB memo or Trump's executive orders. Republicans are trying to
rain in Elon Musk as the head of DOGE. Musk
has been on a mission to slash and burn the
federal government. Recommending the firing of over two hundred thousand
federal workers, and the country has been rising up against it. Now,
(02:42):
Congressional Republicans are pushing to impose checks and balances on
Musk's cuts. In private meetings, Republican lawmakers have urged Musk
to send dogees cuts through Congress. Guys, you're going to
have to do more than urged. By the way, It's
fascinating to see the GOP grappling with the consequences of
(03:02):
their own policies as voters express their frustration at town halls.
It's clear that the pushback against Musk is gaining momentum.
Even the most powerful figures can't escape the wrath of
the people. Republicans who have long championed the idea of
cutting government spending are now finding themselves in a position
where they need to protect federal jobs. Let's keep our
(03:25):
fingers crossed to the outcome will be one that supports
workers and ensures that government can function effectively. We shall
return to the news in a minute, but first we
had good news for Lefties. Are very excited to feature,
as we have for a little bit now, a funny podcast,
A truly funny podcast. Indeed perfect for anyone who hates censorship.
(03:48):
It is called band camp and I highly recommend it. It
is hosted by the hilarious duo of Jennifer and Dan.
It is a comedy podcast where they read band books
and try to figigure out why they were banned in
the first place. This season, they're reading George Orwell's nineteen
eighty four one chapter at a time, out loud. If
(04:10):
you think that banning books will lead to a not
so great future, then band camp is for you. Whether
you're like Jennifer, curious to read the book for the
first time, or like Dan little too lazy to read
it for yourself, you will love band Camp. Look for
band camp that's banned with two ends on your favorite
podcast player and subscribe today. Let's get banned together. Lencia
(04:35):
Cabde has made history this week by becoming the first
black actor on Broadway to assume the role of Alphaba
full time in the beloved musical Wicked. Cabda, a first
generation Ethiopian American from Los Angeles, has made quite the
journey leading up to this moment, after spending five years
(04:56):
touring with Hamilton, where she dazzled audiences as an Angelica Skuyler.
She finally stepped into the world of Oz on Tuesday night,
making her Broadway debut. K Bede was surrounded by sixty
family members and friends, including her mom, aunts, uncles, cousins,
and even her college choir director. Kbde joins a sisterhood
(05:19):
of black women who have played Alphaba, including Broadway standbys
and understudies, but she is the first to take on
the role full time. This is a step forward in
representation for theater and it's a testament to the progress
we're making in the arts. A lottery winner and Oregon
has decided to share his good fortune with nonprofits close
(05:40):
to his heart after winning a wopping three hundred twenty
eight million dollar powerball prize. That's right, folks, this isn't
just any lottery win It's the third highest in Oregon's history.
Meet seventy nine year old Abbas Chaffee, who opted for
a lump sum of one hundred forty six million instead
of the full amount over twenty nine years. And what's
(06:02):
he planning to do with his newfound wealth, travel, invest
and most importantly, give back to the community. Chaffee expressed
his joy, stating I am overjoyed to have won the
power Ball and plan to use my prize to travel, invest,
and share my good fortune with nonprofit organizations that are
close to my heart. The fred Meyer Store, where Chaffee
(06:24):
bought his winning ticket, also received one hundred thousand dollars bonus,
and they're donating half of that to the Oregon Food
Banks Zero Hunger, Zero Waste Initiative. Let's not forget the
odds of winning such a massive prize. Mathematicians say it's
like flipping a coin and having it land heads twenty
eight times in a row. So while the odds may
(06:44):
be astronomical, Chaffee's decision to share his wealth is a
reminder that kindness and generosity can make a world of difference.
Here's to a Boss Chaffee and the fred Meyer Store
for showing us that winning isn't just about the money,
It's about how we use our fortunes to uplift others.
Up next, a listener suggested story Back in a minute Now.
(07:10):
A listener suggested story from Edward in Delray Beach, Florida.
Mackenzie Scott has been making headlines for her incredible philanthropic
efforts since twenty nineteen. Scott has donated nearly twenty billion
dollars to over twenty four hundred nonprofits, and a recent
study has shown that her no strings attached gifts have
(07:32):
had a transformative effect on these organizations. In twenty twenty
four alone, Scott donated over two billion dollars, and the
Center for Effective Philanthropy CEP conducted a three year analysis
that found her gifts have significantly strengthened nonprofit's ability to
carry out their missions a stangering Ninety three percent of
(07:54):
nonprofit leaders reported that her donations bolstered their financial positions,
while sixty percent said they used the funds to establish
credibility with other funders. One example is the nonprofit Kaboom,
which builds playgrounds in underserved areas. After receiving a generous
fourteen million dollar donation from Scott in twenty twenty one,
(08:16):
Kaboom was able to more than double its annual operating budget.
That's right, playgrounds for kids who need the most, all
thanks to one woman's commitment to making a difference. Another
inspiring story comes from the South Texas Food Bank, which
received a nine million dollar donation from Scott in twenty twenty.
This substantial gift allowed the Food Bank to nearly double
(08:39):
the amount of food it distributed, from fourteen million pounds
in twenty nineteen to a staggering twenty six million pounds
in twenty twenty. The CEO of the Food Bank, Alma Bubell,
shared that this donation not only helped them provide more
food to those in need, but also allowed them to
offer their forty two person staff free healthcare. Overall, the
(09:02):
CEP study found that eighty five percent of non profit
recipients improved or expanded their programming thanks to Scott's gifts,
and fifty two percent reported a greater capacity to respond
to the needs of their communities. Phil Buchanan, the president
of CEP, stated, few funders have the resources to give
at the level that Mackenzie Scott is giving, but every
(09:24):
funder can learn from her fascinating approach. Scott's model of giving,
unrestricted and focused on trust, challenges traditional philanthropic practices and
encourages other donors to rethink how they support nonprofits. It
shows that when we invest in people and organizations without
strings attached, we can create real, lasting change. Thanks for
(09:47):
that story, Edward. If you have thoughts, ideas, or more
good news to share we'd love to hear from you.
Call or message us at two zero two six five
six six two seven one, or drop us a line
at Beowulf at two squared Media Productions dot com. And
now for some more exciting news from Oregon that could
(10:08):
change the landscape for workers' rights across the nation. A
groundbreaking bill, Senate Bill nine to one six, is making
its way to the Senate floor, and, if passed, would
make striking public employees the first in the nation eligible
for weekly unemployment checks. Currently, unemployment checks are only available
to employees who are out of work through no fault
(10:30):
of their own, but this bill aims to level the
playing field by allowing all striking workers, whether in the
public or private sector, to access these crucial benefits. This
recognizes the importance of workers' rights and the need for
financial support during strikes. Oregon is already ahead of the curve,
as New York and New Jersey have similar provisions, but
(10:53):
they bar public employees from striking. Oregon, on the other hand,
does not have an across the board ban, making this
bill even more significant. The unemployment checks could range from
one hundred and ninety six to eight hundred and thirty
six dollars a week, providing much needed support for workers
who are standing up for their rights. State Senator Khan fam,
(11:16):
a Democrat from Portland, emphasized the importance of this bill,
stating our lowest paid minimum wage workers who are living
paycheck to paycheck aren't truly able to access their right
to strike if they functionally can't afford to go a
week or two without pay or longer. The right to
strike is a fundamental aspect of a healthy democracy. Workers
(11:39):
deserve the ability to advocate for better conditions without the
fear of losing their livelihoods. And there you have it, folks,
another episode of good News for Lefties, filled with stories
that remind us of the power of community generosity and
the ongoing fight for justice. From legal victories to inspiring
acts of kind, it's clear that there's still plenty of
(12:02):
good news out there for those of us on the left.
Don't forget to share this podcast with your friends and family,
and be sure to rate and review us on Apple
Podcasts or wherever you listen. Your support helps us spread
the good vibes and keep the positivity flowing. You can
also find us on Facebook, Blue Sky, and Instagram. So
be sure to connect with us there for more uplifting content.
(12:25):
Until next time, keep your heads high and your heart's open.
I'm Beowulf Rocklin, weird name good news for Lefties and America.
(12:49):
Stay tuned after this commercial break for more of me,
your humble and obedient servant, as I speak with Jen
and Dan of the band Camp podcast.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
The John Peegle Sang Podcast is now available six times
a week with me John Fugel Sang, I've been murdered
on CSI picketed by Westboro Baptist Church and host tell
me Everything on sirius XM Progress one twenty seven. You
will hear authors, politicians, actors, filmmakers, rappers, rockstars, journalists, activists,
unhinged callers, and way too many comedians. They all have
a place of a John Feagles Sang Podcast, and so
(13:21):
do you. The John Fiegele sing Podcast Fair and Biased.
Find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher for wherever you
listen to Bobs and Now.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
An excerpt from a recent episode of the band Camp
Podcast where I speak with hosts Jen and Dan. Then
go listen to the full show. The band Camp Podcast
That's banned with two ends. Bandcamp podcast dot Com. It's
time for band camp newspeaker news Speaker. They will fuck ah.
(13:52):
It's a weird name, but he's got good news because he's.
Speaker 3 (13:57):
Broadcasting live from the good news. Left the studio is
buried deep inside his social safe house, hidden somewhere deep
in the Oregon Woods. He is Babe Walt Rockland because.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
So Baywald, how's it going? What's the good news? Tell
us we need some good news.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Oh, I do have some good news in the midst
of all this darkness, in the midst of all this
disturbing time that we have right now, Tennessee is where
I'm bringing the story to you from Smyrna, Tennessee. In
the last couple of years, school boards across Tennessee have
(14:38):
chosen to remove certain books from their library shelves. But
there is hope because one small bookseller in Rutherford County
says she has her own reason for offering those same
books for free. Lindsey Schultz, who owns the Spine Bookstore
in Smyrna, has a second of banned books for sale
(15:01):
and another section of band books for free. Absolutely wonderful.
She started this at her shop after learning Rutherford County
schools removed over eighty books from their school libraries. I
was like, Okay, maybe I can do something to flip
the book banning on its head. So I started the
Banned Book Brigade. She's got the alliteration, she's got the program.
(15:23):
Not all of the banned books are barred from a
Rutherford County schools, Schultz specified she is offering other novels
that have been largely banned across the country. I can't
do much, but I can do this, Schultz said. I'd
rather that people have access to the books. So if
you want to donate money or a band book, if
you want to get in touch with her, you can
(15:44):
go to the Spine Bookshop website. That's the spine Bookshop
dot com and if you have some extra cash and
a spine, you can donate.
Speaker 3 (15:54):
It really does take a spine, it does.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
It does.
Speaker 4 (15:57):
If I love that name, the spine, it's.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
You know, it's part of a book, but it also
means you got.
Speaker 4 (16:05):
Guts exactly, gumption nice. I love that story.
Speaker 1 (16:10):
Yeah, I love the fact that she's undermining all these efforts.
So basically, if a kid can't find a book they
want in the public school library, they can just come
down to the spine bookshop and say, hey, can I
have this? Yeah, And she's funding it online so that
other people are making contributions so the books can be free.
I think it's a wonderful, positive community thing to do. Hopefully,
(16:34):
some kids who might not have the opportunity to see
themselves reflected in books that are in their own school
libraries will have the opportunity to get them. As a
result of Lindsay Schultz's efforts, we.
Speaker 4 (16:45):
Should all give her a little bit of a bump
in sales.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
Absolutely, I wouldn't be so worried about being in a
red skate where this is going on. So Jennifer did
something really cool. So Jennifer lives in the suburbs of
sad Seattle Berry Blue and you built jen the little
library they got ads in your neighborhood.
Speaker 1 (17:08):
That's awesome.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
Are there such things as little libraries that only have
band books? Because wouldn't that be a wonderful take over
the country.
Speaker 4 (17:16):
I should totally do that. I was just going with
all the books I had, but it'd be kind of
cool to go out and search for band books.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
That would be way better than the reader's digest condensed books.
That are in my little library around the corner.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
Fable for so much younger than me. He comes across
as so elderly.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
He got his reader's die jeszz I watch Turner classic movies.
I know Gilbert and Sullivan. Everything about me is from
another decade, if not from another century, and I mean
the one before the one in which I was born.
Speaker 3 (17:49):
Jen, if you were to convert your band book library
to a band book library, what would the neighbory years?
Do you know, the one with the four hundred thousand
square foot Trump flag.
Speaker 4 (18:01):
They probably wouldn't even notice. I don't think they even
stopped to look in there or to add anything. They
probably are already mad that I even have it.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
Jim, You're in a suburb, but you see, I live
in a red county, in a blue part of a
red county of a blue state. So there are these
weird dynamics going. Yes, I live primarily in my neighborhood
among people who are anti Trump, but then down the
street there are some folks who do have some large
Trump flags or did during the election. Is that kind
(18:31):
of the situation with you.
Speaker 4 (18:33):
I was able to look at the voter stats and
eighty percent of the neighborhood voted, and it was about
sixty percent blue and forty percent reds. It's kind of
purplely up here.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
That sounds kind of roughly in the direction. As you
move further south in our valley and closer to where
the university is, you get bluer, and then the further
you move away from it, you get more red. It's
almost as if education has an impact on whether you
make a stupid political choice.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
Or not the poorly educated. I love the idea. Maybe
this can be something we push like to somehow do
band book libraries, little bandbook libraries.
Speaker 4 (19:09):
Wonderful idea.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
Love that.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
I don't think I've heard it anywhere else. If you've
already done it, I'm not trying to take your thing.
I didn't know you did it, but if you did it,
it's really cool and we would like to sumowt If
you haven't done it, we want to do it. If
you have done it, we want to help push that.
Or we don't even have to take credit. Just maybe
everyone could.
Speaker 4 (19:26):
Do that exactly.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
Everyone. Go listen to Good News for Lefties every day
on your favorite podcast player. It is a wonderful way
to start your day. Because it's good news. From a socialist,
leftist point of view, it's just good.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
News for everyone.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
Thank you, may Well, Thank you you guys.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
And listen to Jin and Ban on the band camp
podcast at band camppodcast dot com
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.