From LA's Streets to the Hall of Fame: Progress and Pride

In this episode of Good News for Lefties, host Beowulf Rochlen brings you a hopeful selection of stories that demonstrate the power of progress and community action in the face of adversity.

We kick off with the Pentagon's announcement of a significant drawdown of federalized California National Guard troops in Los Angeles, a move hailed by local leaders as a step towards restoring civil rights and community healing after months of protests against immigration enforcement.

Next, we delve into a federal judge's challenge to the Trump administration regarding the dismantling of the Voice of America, emphasizing the importance of independent journalism and the need for transparency in government funding. This legal battle, supported by unions and advocates, seeks to protect a vital resource for global democracy and information equity.

Oregon's Governor Tina Kotek is also making strides in addressing the state's housing crisis with new legislation aimed at increasing affordable housing options, particularly for middle-income families. This initiative is crucial as Oregon grapples with soaring home prices and a pressing need for diverse housing solutions.

We explore compelling research showing that strengthening collective labor rights can significantly reduce economic inequality, highlighting the vital role of unions in advocating for fair wages and working conditions.

Listeners will also hear about Father Joe's Villages in San Diego, which is expanding its dental care services for the homeless, thanks to a generous grant. This expansion aims to tackle the overlooked issue of dental health within vulnerable populations, providing essential care that can transform lives.

Lastly, we celebrate Ichiro Suzuki's historic induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, a milestone that not only honors his remarkable career but also symbolizes greater representation for Asian athletes in sports.Join us for this uplifting episode filled with stories of resilience, progress, and the belief that change is not only possible but actively happening across America!

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 [e-mail].

More about these stories here:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/public-safety-and-emergencies/general/1-350-more-national-guard-members-withdrawn-from-los-angeles/ar-AA1JFNKZ    
                       
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5429420-trump-adminsitration-voa-funding/      
                     
https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/07/29/gov-kotek-signs-laws-to-boost-housing-supply-but-more-work-to-be-done-to-solve-crisis/   
                       
https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/labor-rights-reduce-economic-inequality                            
https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/free-dental-care-for-homeless    
                       
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/ichiro-suzuki-becomes-1st-asian-mlb-hall-famer-asian-players-rcna220513                            

More good daily news for democracy on Facebook, Bluesky, and Instagram.

Thanks to Rosabelle Heine and Aaron Watson for production assistance.



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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
Good News for Lefties and America. Hello, Hello, Hello, I'm
Beowolf Rocklin, and welcome to another episode of Good News
for Lefties. I'm here to help you swap out doom
scrolling for hope scrolling. Yes, you can do that, it's true.
I'm going to bring you some uplifting stories for democracy defenders, progressives, liberals, socialists, leftists,

(00:29):
and anyone who believes in making America a better place
for everyone. These are tough times. There are citizens and
immigrants being disappeared from the streets of our country. Institutions
of our great nation are bending the knee to Trump,
and there's a wholesale destruction of our critical government agencies
that's going on. Headlines often overwhelm us with troubling news,

(00:53):
and it's all too easy to lose sight of hope.
And that is why it is vital to highlight the
positive of real word progress that is still happening every day,
progress that too often gets drowned out by the negativity.
Despite the setbacks, there's genuine movement towards a better America.
So read the headlines, don't ignore those they're important to

(01:16):
be aware of, But let these stories serve as a
reminder that change isn't just possible, it's happening, and carry
this hope with you and share it with others. Okay,
let's kick off with some good news headlines designed to
brighten your day. The Pentagon has announced the withdrawal of
thirteen hundred and fifty federalized California National Guard members from

(01:40):
Los Angeles, significantly reducing the troop presence that began in
early June following widespread protests against ice immigration rates. This
latest drawdown leaves about two hundred and fifty National Guard
troops still stationed to protect federal personnel at properties in
the city. At its peak, the latest drawdown leaves about
two one hundred and fifty National Guard troops still stationed

(02:02):
to protect federal personnel and properties at the city. At
least that's what they said they're doing. What they're really
doing is intimidating the people of Los Angeles. At its peak,
nearly five thousand Guard members and marines were deployed to
support security during the unrest, marking a rare federal deployment
authorized over the objections of California's Governor Gavenussom and La

(02:25):
Mayor Karen Bass. The reduction reflects changing conditions on the ground,
as protests have largely subsided and the perceived threat level
has diminished. Democratic Mayor Karen Bass hailed the withdrawal as
another win for Los Angeles and pledged to continue pressure
until all federal troops leave the city. The deployment had

(02:45):
been highly controversial from the outset, with city officials criticizing
it as unnecessary and disruptive, particularly given that the National
Guard and Marines were federalized and thus prohibited from direct
law enforcement activities. The drawdown signals a move toward restoring
local control and easing tensions following months of demonstrations and

(03:07):
political opposition to the federal response. As the mission winds down,
Los Angeles enters a new phase, focusing on community healing
and addressing the underlying issues that spark the protests. The
removal of the majority of deployed troops is seen as
a positive step by local leaders, who view it as
reclaiming public space and affirming civil rights, even as they

(03:29):
remain vigilant about ongoing immigration enforcement actions in the region.
A federal judge has challenged the Trump administration over its
troubling decision to dismantle the Voice of America, demanding a
clear explanation for the use of the two hundred sixty
million dollars Congress allocated for the VOA's operations in twenty

(03:51):
twenty five. VOA, a critical international broadcaster founded during World
War II to provide truthful, objective news to people living
under authoritarian regimes, has faced unprecedented cuts and layoffs under
the current administration. The court filings of US District Judge
Royce Lambert have sharply criticized the administration's failure to restore

(04:16):
VOA services, demonstrating a lack of transparency and accountability for
taxpayer funding intended to support independent global journalism. Since March
twenty twenty five, nearly all of VOA's thirteen hundred journalists
and producers were placed on indefinite paid leave or severed
let go, with the broadcaster effectively going dark. The administration's

(04:41):
Special advisor at the US Agency for Global Media, Kerry Lake,
renowned Arizona right winger, has openly sought to shrink VOA
to a fraction of its previous size, undercutting its vital
mission to counter disinformation and promote democratic values worldwide. Judge
Lambert pointedly condemned what he called an attempt to runt

(05:02):
out the clock on the fiscal year without using the
appropriated funds for their intended purpose, demonstrating the administration's reckless
regard for the agency's indispensable role. VOA's independent journalism remains
essential for millions living in countries where access to free
and truthful news is scarce and censored, you know, like

(05:23):
the United States of America. The shutdown not only harms
VOA employees and contractors, but also weakens America's global standing
and efforts to fight propaganda from authoritarian powers. The court battle,
supported by a coalition of unions, journalist associations, and democracy advocates,
is a powerful defense of free press and governmental transparency.

(05:46):
It affirms that government funded media must serve the public
interest by providing accurate information, not be sacrificed for political
expediency or ideological motives. As the judge demands, the administration
clarify how it intends to use the two hundred and
sixty million dollars in congressional funding by August thirteenth. Progressives

(06:07):
see this as a vital moment to restore and rebuild
VOA's vital work keeping Voay operational means protecting a beacon
of press freedom and a tool for advancing democracy, information equity,
and global understanding. Before we get back to the news,
I want to tell you about an important podcast called
This Week Again, hosted by Suzanne Posel. It takes a

(06:32):
humorous look at politics and current events one week at
a time. It's a funny, angry, progressive, sarcastic, hilarious podcast
that drops every Sunday, and, in my opinion, is the
largest single repository of creatively insulting names for Donald Trump.
Mango Mussolini, and Orange Julius Caesar are just the beginning.

(06:54):
So if you want to recap of the week and
you want a laugh into the bargain, listen to This
Week Again with Suzanne Posel on this platform or wherever
you listen to podcasts. That's This Week Again with Suzanne Posel,
s USA, n n E pose E L This Week Again, Listen, Laugh, Repeat.

(07:18):
Oregon Governor Tina Kotec has taken important steps to address
the states enduring housing crisis by signing five new laws
designed to accelerate housing production and improve affordability, particularly focusing
on middle housing options such as duplexes, triplexes, town homes,

(07:39):
and modular homes. These laws aim to dismantle long standing
barriers by preventing local governments from blocking smaller multi unit
housing in areas zoned for single family homes, streamlining planning
and permitting processes, and providing financial support for critical infrastructure

(08:00):
and development projects. KOTECH emphasized that these actions are vital,
but only the beginning, as Oregon needs to build tens
of thousands of more homes annually to meet the urgent demand.
Despite lawmaker's ambitious goal of constructing thirty six thousand new
homes each year, Oregon's current pace remains far short, with

(08:23):
residential permits projected to be just over eleven thousand in
twenty twenty five, roughly one third of the target. This
underbuilding has been decades in the making, driven by restrictive zoning,
insufficient multi family construction, and a dominance of single family
home permits. The consequences include soaring home prices with medians

(08:46):
exceeding five hundred thousand dollars statewide, widespread on affordable rents,
and escalating homelessness. The new laws signed by COTECH aimed
to correct these imbalances by enabling more diverse and affordable
housing options near job setters, particularly in high demand Portland
and the Willamett Valley area. Key components of the legislation

(09:07):
include house Built twenty one thirty eight, which bans blocking
duplexes and triplexes in single family zones, and house Built
twenty two fifty eight, which grants the state more authority
to pre approve housing plans and streamline development approvals via
clear land use and design standards. Additionally, House Bill thirty

(09:29):
thirty one and Senate Bill six eighty four establish funding
programs to reduce infrastructure costs provide affordable, long term, low
interest loans for mixed income projects, helping developers surmount financial
barriers exacerbated by high interest rates. A separate bill sets
aside twenty five million dollars to boost modular and factory

(09:53):
built housing an efficient way to expand supply quickly. Governor,
Kotech and housing advocate stress that these policy moves lay
essential groundwork, but that Oregon's housing affordability and supply crisis
remains a pressing and complex challenge, requiring sustained effort and innovation.
The newly created Housing Accountability and Production Office is expected

(10:16):
to monitor progress aggressively and help coordinate state, local and
developer actions to maximize impact. As Cotech noted at the signing,
this is not a victory lap, but a call to persevere,
expand tools, and deepen commitments so all Oregonians can access safe,
affordable homes in thriving communities. A comprehensive twenty twenty three

(10:41):
study analyzing data from one hundred forty five countries reveals
that strengthening collective labor rights, such as the ability to
form unions, bargain collectively, strike, and protect workers from retaliation,
can significantly reduce economic in equal quality. The research shows

(11:02):
that a one point increase on a four point labor
rights scale is associated with a tenfold greater reduction in
vertical income inequality, the gap between the rich and poor,
than average changes over time. Moreover, stronger labour rights help
lessen horizontal inequality, reducing income disparities among racial and ethnic

(11:24):
groups by raising the earnings of marginalized communities and limiting
the concentration of wealth in the hands of the richest groups.
In the United States, where fewer than ten percent of
workers hold membership, currently unionized employees typically earned higher wages
and enjoy better benefits than their non union counterparts. Collective

(11:46):
bargaining and the right to strike empower workers to secure
fairer pay, safer working conditions, and protections against employer abuses.
This worker empowerment acts as a vital counterbalance to the
grip growing concentration of wealth and economic power. The study
draws on rigorous human rights data sets collected by multiple organizations,

(12:08):
including the U. S. State Department and Amnesty International, which
assesses government respect for labour rights over nearly three decades.
Findings indicate that global protections for collective labour rights have
declined by half since nineteen ninety four, coinciding with a
sharp rise in income concentration among the wealthiest one percent worldwide.

(12:31):
Strengthening and expanding labour rights is thus a crucial policy
lever for addressing economic justice and building a fairer or
inclusive economy. Ensuring workers have the freedom and power to
advocate collectively not only lifts incomes, but supports social stability
by narrowing entrenched racial and economic divides. The evidence is

(12:54):
clear empowering workers through robust collective labour rights benefits society
as a whole. Up next, a listener suggested story back
in a minute and now. A listener suggested story from
Anita in San Diego, California. Father Joe's Villages in San

(13:15):
Diego is expanding its vital dental care services for people
experiencing homelessness thanks to a generous one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars grant from the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation.
This funding boost will enable the clinic, located within the
Village Health Center, to reach even more low income and
homeless individuals who face significant barriers to dental care. The

(13:37):
expansion comes at a critical time as homelessness rises nationwide
and dental health remains a major, yet often overlooked challenge
for this vulnerable population. Dental issues disproportionately impact adults experiencing homelessness,
with studies showing that over half have severe toothlass or
ongoing oral pain, which can affect their ability to eat, work,

(14:00):
and regain stability. Since nineteen eighty seven, Father Joe's Villages
has helped thousands of people restore their oral health, self confidence,
and dignity through services such as cleanings, fillings, crowns, root canals, extractions,
and dansers. In twenty twenty four alone, over four thousand
patients accessed care at the clinic, with more than eight

(14:22):
hundred receiving dental treatment. With the grant, the organization anticipates
a thirty percent increase in denture recipients, providing at least
fifty two new patients with life changing prosthetics that can
improve nutrition and social reintegration. Overall, one hundred and forty
five new community members are expected to gain access to
dental care, marking a significant twenty seven percent increase in

(14:45):
clinic visits. The clinic also offers walk in appointments in
same day emergency care, ensuring timely treatment for those in need.
This expansion aligns with Father Joe's broader commitment to comprehensive support,
including health care, substance use disorder treatment, job training, community building,

(15:06):
and housing for over twenty five hundred people nightly. Dental
care here is more than just medical treatment. It's an
act of hope and empowerment that can transform lives. As
one dentist put it, restoring a smile often rekindles a
sense of purpose and possibility, helping individuals move from survival
to thriving. Patients have expressed profound gratitude, sharing that access

(15:29):
to dental care has given them confidence to pursue new
opportunities and rebuild their lives. Anita, thank you so much
for that story. 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, drop us a line at
Beowulf at two squared Media Productions dot com, or send

(15:53):
it to us at good News for Lefties on Facebook,
Instagram or Blue Sky. Ichiro Suzuki's induction as the first
Asian player into the Baseball Hall of Fame marks a
monumental milestone not only in MLB history, but for Asian
and Asian American athletes across the sport. Spanning a remarkable

(16:15):
nineteen year career primarily with the Seattle Mariners, Ichiro shattered
records and defied expectations, paving a new path for players
of Asian descent aspiring to reach baseball's highest levels. His
presence and excellence on the field broadened visibility and offered
a powerful symbol of representation and possibility for many who

(16:36):
saw themselves in his journey. Players like Cleveland Guardians outfielder
Stephen Kwan and Arizona Diamondbacks Corbyn Carroll, both of Asian heritage,
reflected on how Ichiro's success gave them hope and inspiration
from an early age. Kwan admired not only Ichiro's elite
hitting and defense, but also his pride in embracing his

(16:58):
Japanese roots open, showing a generation that being true to
one's identity is a strength. Carrol, who grew up attending
Mariners games and eventually became the first Asian American MLB
Rookie of the Year, recalls cherishing photos of Eachiro that
fueled his dreams of playing at the top level. For
these players, Ichiro's career was a beacon signaling that their

(17:22):
ambitions were attainable. Ichiro's incredible skill set, highlighted by his
ten All Star selections, ten Golden gloves, and breathtaking baseball iq,
set an elite standard even as he carried the profound
pressure of representing Japanese baseball on an international stage. As

(17:42):
he once shared, his performance bore the weight of proving
Japan's baseball caliber in the MLB spotlight Beyond his playing days,
Ichiro's ongoing role with the Mariners as a special Assistant
reflects his commitment to mentoring generations and pushing the game
toward a more inclusive future. The Hall of Fame induction
celebrates more than each ero's personal achievements. It symbolizes a

(18:06):
shift toward greater recognition, respect, and opportunity for Asian athletes
in American professional sports. His trailblazing has opened doors and
inspired countless young athletes to pursue their dreams without hesitation,
helping to reshape the face of baseball while reaffirming the
power of diverse representation in sports. That's a wrap for

(18:30):
today's edition of Good News for Lefties. If these stories
brighten your outlook, please help us spread the word. Share
this episode on social media wherever you post. A big
thanks to our production team, Roosabel Hine and Aaron Watson
for making all of this possible behind the scenes. I'm
Beowulf Rocklin, weird name, Good News for Lefties and America.

Speaker 2 (19:11):
Here's what you've been missing on the Stephanie Miller Happy
Hour podcast. These revelations are just gonna get worse, Falon says,
remember Trump always lies. The fact that he's acknowledging that
Virginia Jeoffrey by name, and that he knows what happened
to her is astonishing because it probably means he actively
trafficked her to Epstein and Maxwell can prove it because again,

(19:32):
Donald Trump always lies. I mean, this just gets and
by the way, we keep just talking about this, but
Virginia Geoffrey was fifteen when Gallaine Maxwell stole her from
working in the spot at mar A Lago, leading to
years of abuse. Trump wouldn't later make his infamous great
guy comment about Jeffrey Epstein until two years later. Something
isn't adding up.

Speaker 3 (19:53):
I mean, I'll tell you something, except that you know
Maxwell has everything at stake in this higher negotiations, this
entire affair. She is going to spend the rest of
her life in prison or she's going to get out,
and if she gets out because of a presidential action,
she's going to owe Donald Trump everything. Right, So the

(20:17):
chances of her getting anything getting anything from Maxwell that
would incriminate Donald Trump is essentially zero.

Speaker 2 (20:25):
Subscribe to the Stephanie Miller Happy Hour podcast on Apple Podcasts,
Stephanie Miller dot com or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Speaker 1 (20:38):
And in case you missed it, here's this good news headline.
A majority of Americans today prefer a more ethnically and
religiously diverse society than what currently exists, according to a
recent representative study published in the journal Ethos. The research,
conducted by teams from the University of Copenhagen, Yale Universe,

(21:00):
and the University of Chicago, surveyed nine hundred eighty six
US citizens and found that two thirds want greater ethnic
diversity and more than half desire increased religious diversity. This
preference cuts across various demographic groups, including white Christian Americans,
who were often stereotyped as resistant to demographic changes, but

(21:23):
were shown to largely support greater diversity as well. The
study shows that only a small fraction of Americans one
point one percent for ethnic homogeneity and three point two
percent for religious homogeneity, wish for a uniform society. Despite
the widespread political discourse often highlighting divisions on identity, migration,

(21:45):
and multiculturalism, the data indicate a broad popular support for
a multicultural US. The lead author, Shamous Power, emphasized that
acceptance of diversity is a fundamental part of how many
Americans in vision their country's future, showing that multiculturalism remains
a deeply American ideal. Interestingly, the research points out that

(22:09):
Americans generally overestimate the current and future proportions of minority
groups in the population. Even so, the aspiration for inclusivity
and cultural variety remains strong across political and religious lines.
The findings challenge the assumption that diversity is a contentious
issue for the majority of Americans and suggests that fears

(22:30):
of demographic replacement do not reflect prevailing public attitudes. Researchers
hope this clearer picture of public opinion can help reduce
polarization around issues of identity and belonging. By recognizing that
a vast majority of Americans value diversity rather than uniformity,
conversations about the nation's multicultural character might shift toward a

(22:52):
more unified and inclusive dialogue. As Power concludes, multiculturalism is
perhaps more American than apple pie, highlighting the deep rooted
support for diversity as part of the national identity