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August 18, 2025 • 45 mins
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Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Good news for lefties and America. Hello, I'm Bable Frocklin.
Welcome to another episode of good News for Lefties. I'm
here to help you swap out doom scrolling for hope scrolling.
We have uplifting stories for democracy defenders, progressives, liberals, socialists, leftists,

(00:28):
and anyone who believes in making America a better place
for everyone. Look, it's no secret these are challenging times.
Citizens and immigrants are being disappeared off of our streets
by supposed law enforcement officers. The FBI is trying to
arrest democratic lawmakers. The wholesale destruction of critical government agencies

(00:50):
is taking place. Today's headlines often overwhelm us with bad,
bad news, and it's all too easy to lose sight
of hope. I know, And that's why we have to
highlight the positive, real world progress that is happening still
every day. It gets too often drown out by the negativity.

(01:11):
Despite the setbacks, there is still real movement toward a
better America. So let these stories as you listen to
all this other stuff, and I know it will be
out there and I know you will listen to it,
serve as a reminder the change isn't just possible, it's happening,
and carry this hope with you throughout the day and
share it with others. Okay, let's kick off with some

(01:34):
good news headlines designed to brighten your day. A riff
has emerged at the heart of the Trump administration, as
top White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett broke with President
Donald Trump's rhetoric on the latest jobs report controversy. Well,
Trump dismissed the Bureau of Labor Statistics or BLS numbers

(01:56):
as phony or rigged after abruptly firing the agency's commissioner.
Hassett instead acknowledged the validity of the recently revised figures. Huh.
Speaking to CNBC, has it confirmed the job's growth was
slower than expected, a candid recognition of the economic headwinds
facing American workers. Hassett thoughtfully explained that revisions to job

(02:22):
reports our standard practice, resulting from the BLS receiving more
complete data over time. Far from echoing Trump's conspiracy claims,
he noted that it is likely the revisions are a
better read of the data if they're not being manipulated,
ultimately conceding it's a bit weaker. This rare moment of

(02:43):
honesty underscores the integrity of federal labor data and the
importance of transparent reporting even in a politically charged climate.
For many, Hassett's break from the administration's combative stance is
a breath of fresh air. For many others represents just
how deeply flawed Donald Trump is as a president and

(03:07):
a human being, and how far he will go to
make himself look good at the expense of others. The
ongoing fracturing of the right wing media ecosystem has reached
a dramatic new low, as leading figures like Tucker Carlson,
Candice Owens, Laura Lumer, and Nick Fantes turning their platforms

(03:27):
and their audiences against one another in an increasingly toxic
public feud. Oh No, what was once a powerful united
force driving megapolitics has devolved into personal vendettas and ideological purges,
with former allies now routinely accusing each other of betrayal, bigotry,

(03:47):
and self serving hypocrisy. How sad, in recent days, this
conflict has been especially pronounced on high profile podcasts. Carlson
and Owens, both siled from establishment conservative outlets, now use
their independent platforms to criticize not only their political opponents,
but also each other and the broader right movement. Their

(04:11):
recent conversations, marked by charges of hypocrisy over issues like Israel, racism,
and the fallout from the Me Too movement, have developed
into accusations of anti Semitism, disingenuous posturing, and much much more. Meanwhile,
Ben Shapiro and The Daily Wire have been drawn to
the fray, deepening the rift. Ah I'm just sitting back,

(04:34):
watching and eating my popcorn. Nick Fuente is controversial for
his direct embrace of white supremacy and anti Semitism, has
become a lightning rod in these disputes. He has lashed
out at Owens, labeling her a Dei higher and an
Uncle Tom token Black. He has even targeted Carlson, highlighting
his elite background and alleged duplicity. Despite being banned from

(04:57):
many social media networks, Fuente's continue is to gain a
loyal following, positioning himself as a true believer in contrast
to what he paints says performative opportunism of the mainstream right.
And indeed he's a true believer and a true racist.
Laura Lumar Long, a Trump loyalist, has turned her ire
on former media companions as well, accusing them of careerism

(05:21):
and harboring secret animosities towards both Trump and their own audiences.
What emerges from this spectacle is an ecosystem where personal grievances,
monetization schemes, and ideological one upsmanship have taken over any
semblance of unity or strategic coherence. Of course, Trump's following
Trump's mind, Trump's speeches have never had any coherence. As

(05:46):
the right's most prominent media personalities battle for dominance, observers
note an increasingly fractured movement, and that is good news
for lefties. Chicago has enacted a landmark zoning reform unanimously
approved by the City Council that eliminates off street parking
mandates for most new residential and commercial developments throughout the city.

(06:10):
Developers in the transit served locations, defined as sites within
a quarter mile of a CTA bus route or a
half a mile of a CTA rail or metro station,
are no longer required to include any minimum parking spaces
in their projects. Given the extent of Chicago's transit network,
this policy covers the majority of neighborhoods across the city.

(06:33):
The downtown district still has some reduced parking requirements. Parking
mandates have been cut in half, and developers in these
areas can apply for further reductions through an administrative process.
This move effectively clears a major obstacle to small scale
and incremental development. Parking minimums have long been criticized for
inflating project costs, complicating the renovation of older buildings, and

(06:57):
discouraging affordable housing and small business growth. The elimination and
reduction of these mandates who will make it easier to
build homes, launch businesses, and revitalize existing spaces, fueling affordability
and flexibility in Chicago's neighborhoods. This policy shift was part
of a broader series of efforts aimed at making Chicago

(07:18):
a more walkable, affordable, and vibrant city. Other initiatives include
up zoning strategic corridors, permitting for plexus city wide to
expand housing choice, and supporting tactical urbanism projects that respond
quickly to community needs. The victory serves as a model
of persistent community driven action leading to meaningful reform, demonstrating

(07:42):
that by prioritizing people, transit and flexible urban growth over
rigid parking requirements, cities can become more resilient, equitable, and
responsive to the needs of their residents. Colorado is said
to debut the world's largest wildlife overpass, currently under construcsduction
above Interstate twenty five between Denver and Colorado Springs. The

(08:05):
Greenland Wildlife Overpass, located near mile point one sixty five
point four just north of Monument, is a fifteen million
dollar project spearheaded by the Colorado Department of Transportation in
partnership with federal and local agencies. The bridge will span
two hundred nine feet across six lanes of I twenty

(08:25):
five and measure two hundred feet wide, offering a safe
crossing for migrating elk, mule, deer, pronghorn, and other large animals.
By December twenty twenty five, when construction is expected to finish,
the overpass will connect thirty nine thousand acres of vital
wildlife habitat in Douglas County with over a million adjacent

(08:46):
areas in the Pike National Forest. Its open sloped design
and covering of native grasses aim to encourage large ungulates
who tend to avoid underpasses, to use. The bridge pass
is a centerpiece and a broader eighteen mile wildlife mitigation
system along I twenty five that includes underpasses and extensive fencing.

(09:10):
Officials estimate that the overpass will help reduce wildlife vehicle
collisions on this busy stretch of highway by up to
ninety percent, curbing what has averaged one crash per day
in recent years. With daily traffic in this corridor expected
to increase from eighty five thousand to one hundred fifty
thousand trips by twenty forty, the overpass is seen as

(09:33):
a crucial investment in both public safety and conservation. Colorado
already leads the US in building wildlife crossings, with more
than one hundred such structures statewide, but this will be
the largest of its kind anywhere in the world, underscoring
the state's innovative approach to balancing infrastructure and ecosystem health.

(09:57):
Up next, a listener suggested story back a minute, and now,
a listener suggested story from anika in Boston, Massachusetts. The
trash collector strike in Massachusetts, now in its sixth week,
shows no signs of resolution, as Teamsters Local Union twenty
five members voted by a ninety three percent majority to

(10:20):
continue the work stoppage for a thirty fifth day. The strike,
centering on demands for improved wages and more comprehensive health insurance,
has seriously disrupted trash and recycling collection across more than
a dozen communities in the North Shore and Greater Boston areas,
including Peabody, Beverly, Danvers, and several others. Union president Tom

(10:44):
Maray said that not only has support for the strike
grown among members, but there have also been no new
negotiation sessions with Republic Services for over two weeks. The
impact has prompted towns like Peabody, Danvers, and Beverly to
seek financial and legal recourse against Republic Services, including lawsuits
for breach of contract and public health violations due to

(11:08):
the mounting uncollected waste. Emergency rulings for immediate collection relief
have so far been unsuccessful in court, but municipal officials
emphasize that they are exploring all available options and remain
committed to community health and safety. In Peabody, Mayor Ted
Bettencourt urged both parties to return to the bargaining table

(11:30):
and ensured residents that trash collection would continue, albeit with
significant delays, while recycling services remain suspended due to short staffing.
Governor Mara Healy has also intervened, expressing strong disappointment with
Republic Services and calling on the company to resume negotiations immediately.
Thanks so much for that story, Annika. If you have thoughts, ideas,

(11:54):
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 to one, drop us
a line at beowulf at two squared Media Productions dot com,
or send it to us at good News for Lefties
on Facebook, Instagram or blue Sky. Louisville, Kentucky readers are

(12:15):
about to get a major boost in access to books
as the Louisville Free Public Library LFPL moves forward with
plans to purchase sixty five thousand additional titles to tackle
long waitlists for popular reads. Fueled by a one million
dollar matching grant from Metro Council, paired with another million

(12:37):
to be raised by the Library Foundation, the two million
dollar investment will add fifty thousand print books, ten thousand ebooks,
and five thousand audiobooks to the city's already robust collection.
The move comes as demand for digital titles continues to
outpace supply, with some ebook and audiobook holds stretching up
to five months. Highly sought out for best selling like Great,

(13:00):
Big Beautiful Life, the wedding people, and the Anxious generation
have some of the longest cues. Even while physical copies
of popular books can take months to become available, officials
hope the new infusion of titles will cut those weight
times to two months or less for the most in
demand works. LFPL, which already maintains more than one point

(13:23):
six million physical books, one hundred and forty five thousand ebooks,
and seventy eight thousand audiobooks, says the purchases will be
spaced out across the year to keep up with changing
reading trends. Because most digital titles are sold to libraries
in metered formats expiring after two years or twenty four checkouts,

(13:44):
keeping the catalog fresh requires ongoing investment. Community leaders in
the Library Foundation see this as a direct response to
years of community concern about access and equity. People should
not have to buy a thirty dollars book just to
read it within a reasonable time, said one patron, underscoring
the need for a robust public lending system. With fundraising

(14:08):
already underway and a public campaign planned for early next year.
The expansion aims to reaffirm lfpl's role as a cornerstone
of access to information, ensuring that whether in print, audio,
or digital form, more people in Louisville can get the
books they want when they want them. You're listening to

(14:29):
Good News for Lefties on the Progressive Voices Network. But
did you know that we're a podcast too. That's right.
Every day Monday through Sunday, we feature positive stories for
progressive listeners because no matter how disturbing the headlines might be,
there's always hope we can build on for a better tomorrow.
So while you're listening during the commercial break to the

(14:50):
wonderful sponsors of the Progressive Voices Network, head on over
to your podcast platform of choice and subscribe to Good
News for Lefties or go to good News for Lefties
dot com. This is good News for Lefties. You can
find more at Goodnewsfelefties dot com. I'm bailable, Frocklin Back
to the news. A new study from the University of
Illinois offers a hopeful glimpse into the future of policing,

(15:14):
showing a significant decline in police use of lethal force
nationwide and in Illinois. According to researchers at the Klein
Center for Advanced Social Research, incidents involving police using firearms
or other deadly measures dropped by about twenty four percent
across the country between twenty twenty one and twenty twenty three,

(15:35):
the sharpest decrease in nearly a decade. Illinois mirrored the
national trend, posting a twenty three percent reduction and ranking
eighth in the nation for progress on this front. The findings,
the product of a meticulous data gathering effort that blends
the power of artificial intelligence with careful human oversight, underscore
a new commitment to transparency and accountability in public safety.

(16:00):
Than relying solely on official government tallies, the Client Center's
team uses news reports and other independent sources to provide
a fuller, more accurate picture of police civilian encounters across
the United States. Every case is reviewed by highly trained analysts,
ensuring trustworthy information for both communities and law enforcement agencies

(16:22):
working to rebuild trust. The numbers from Cook County, Illinois,
where Chicago is reflect the broader change, with police uses
of lethal force plunging from fifty three incidents in twenty
twenty one to just thirty three last year. The center's
ongoing research initiative, known as Spotlight, is designed not just
to inform, but to empower, making information accessible so that

(16:46):
communities and agencies alike and track outcomes, identify progress, and
better understand the factors driving positive change. While the report
doesn't draw conclusions about what's fueling the decline, its authors
emphasize the importance of rigorous data and open communication as
foundations for lasting reform. Their work is a testament to

(17:08):
how thoughtful, evidence based approaches and fresh investment in research
and public dialogue can help nurture safer, more equitable communities
for everyone. Susan Crawford was sworn in as Wisconsin's newest
Supreme Court justice, concluding the most expensive judicial race in

(17:28):
US history. Her victory cements a liberal four to three
majority on the Court, a shift that could have far
reaching implications for the state's most intensely debated issues. Crawford,
who grew up in Chippewa Falls and has deep roots
in Wisconsin, brings decades of experience to the state's highest court.
Before ascending to the Supreme Court, she served as a

(17:51):
Dane County Circuit Court judge beginning in twenty eighteen, and
previously worked as a prosecutor and assistant Attorney General at
the Wisconsin Department of Deja Justice. Crawford's career has consistently
focused on defending fundamental freedoms. In private practice, she championed
voting rights, workers' rights, and reproductive access, most notably representing

(18:13):
planned parenthood in several high profile cases and publicly opposing
efforts to roll back abortion rights. Her election followed a
heated campaign period defined by record shattering spending and national attention.
Elon Musk, you know the guy who ran Doge poured
tens of billions into supporting her opponent, Conservative Judge Brad Schimmel,

(18:37):
only for Crawford to prevail by a wide margin, a
result that reinforced Wisconsin's voter's desire for affair, impartial and
independent judiciary. In her remarks, Crawford emphasized the Supreme Court's
responsibility to turn constitutional ideals like equal protection and individual
liberty into real protections for every Wisconsinine. Replacing the retiring

(19:01):
Justice Anne Walsh, Bradley Crawford has pledged to act as
a fair and impartial justice guided by evidence and the law,
not political agendas. With key cases on abortion, elections, and
civil rights likely to appear before the Court in the
coming years, her presence ensures that Wisconsin's highest court continues
to play an essential role both in protecting democracy and

(19:24):
advancing justice for all residents. 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 humorous look at politics and current events one
week at a time. It's a funny, angry, progressive, sarcastic,

(19:44):
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. 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

(20:05):
or wherever you listen to podcasts. That's This Week Again
with Suzanne Posel s U S A N N E
PO s E L This Week Again, Listen, Laugh, Repeat.
A decade long study presented at the twenty twenty five
Alzheimer's Association International Conference reveals that older adults participating in

(20:29):
the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, experience significantly slower
cognitive decline compared to eligible individuals who don't use the program.
Researchers found that SNAP participants maintained up to two to
three additional years of cognitive health, with the overall rate
of cognitive decline being point one zero points slower per year,

(20:53):
enough to meaningfully delay the onset of mild cognitive impairment
or dementia for those starting with a healthy cognitive baseline.
The study, which followed over two thousand people aged fifty
and above from twenty ten to twenty twenty, found that
those who received food assistants scored better on assessments of
memory and executive function. While all racial and ethnic groups benefited,

(21:17):
White SNAP participants saw the most pronounced effects, a finding
that highlights ongoing disparities and suggests a need for policies
reducing barriers to access among all groups. Experts say these
results underscore the long lasting impact of addressing basic needs
like food security for aging Americans brain health. By facilitating
access to nutritious foods, SNAP may help counteract food insecurity

(21:41):
driven risks such as poor nutrition and chronic illnesses that
can hasten cognitive decline. As major US cities grapple with
rising homelessness and controversial federal actions, Albuquerque, New Mexico, is
charting a path that stands apart, favoring compassionate, practical SoLIT
over criminalization. While President Trump's recent executive order authorized more

(22:04):
aggressive encampment sweeps and forced treatment of unhoused individuals, Albuquerque
is taking the opposite approach by seeking to expand its
network of Safe Outdoor Spaces sos, designated parking lots that
offer stability, dignity, and access to services for people experiencing homelessness.
These safe outdoor spaces, which first open in April twenty

(22:27):
twenty five, provide sanctioned areas for tents, RVs, and other vehicles.
More than just a place to sleep, they link residents
to restrooms, hand washing stations, showers, laundry, and a range
of wrap around social services, including connections to housing resources,
recovery groups, and educational opportunities. The city's health, housing, and

(22:49):
homelessness leaders emphasize that these sites serve as crucial touch
points for support filling gaps left by traditional shelters and
responding to the reality that not everyone is ready for
formal shelter life. Mayor Tim Keller and the city Council
are moving to make it easier and more affordable for
willing organizations like churches and bookstores to open new SOS locations.

(23:15):
Amendments under consideration would relax costly requirements, shifting staffing from
twenty four to seven to business hours, with someone on
call overnight, and allowing smaller sites to serve around twenty
people rather than concentrating people in large encampments. Albuquerque aims
to develop a neighborhood based network of manageable humane camps

(23:36):
that reduce the burden on any one area, prevent substance
use issues, and better integrate unhoused residents into the broader community.
State lawmakers have backed this vision, allocating forty million dollars
each to Albuquerque and Bernalleeo County for homelessness initiatives. The
city's approach is winning praise from advocates who warn that

(23:57):
punitive measures do nothing to create housing, improve health, or
make streets safer. Instead, they hope Albuquerque's experiment in solidarity
incremental reform and housing first principles inspires others nationwide. Up next,
a listener suggested story back in a minute, and now

(24:18):
a listener suggested story from Anna. In New York City,
chef Edward Lee is pushing the boundaries of sustainable dining
with Shia, his Korean fine dining restaurant in Washington, d C.
Built around an ambitious goal running a professional kitchen without
single use plastics. Backed by his nonprofit, the Lee Initiative,

(24:39):
Shia is a five year experiment to swap out the
plastic items found in nearly every commercial kitchen with durable,
eco friendly alternatives, from the obvious like replacing deli containers
and plastic wrap, to the overlooked, such as trash bags
and pens. The team is documenting every change and sharing

(24:59):
their findings publicly to inspire change across the industry. Lee
is realistic about the challenge. Completely eliminating plastic is impossible,
given its role in appliances and other unavoidable components. Cost
is a barrier too, especially without nonprofit support, But his
aim isn't perfection. It's to prove what's possible and spark

(25:22):
broader action if other restaurants adopt even ten to thirty
percent of Shia's plastic free swaps. He says that's a
meaningful step toward reducing waste and the culture of disposability.
He also sees potential for a trickle down effect bringing
many of these professional strategies into home kitchens. Some of
the most successful replacements include stainless steel Yakumi pans and

(25:46):
airtight storage containers instead of plastic tubs, cast iron skillets
in place of nonstick cookware, repurposed oak cutting boards, compostable
trash bags, and coconut fiber sponges. For cling wrap alternatives,
Lee turns to unbleached muslin and beeswax wraps, and even

(26:06):
tiny items like sharpies have been swapped out for biodegradable pens.
Each solution has chosen for durability, ease of use, and
minimal environmental impact, often with the bonus of being more
beautiful and satisfying to work with. Lee's project shows that
sustainability can coexist with high performance in a professional kitchen,

(26:28):
and that thoughtful design choices ripple outward, inspiring peers and
diners alike. While the experiment is still evolving, she stands
as a model of how environmental responsibility, food, culture and
creativity can blend one plastic free swap at a time.
Thanks so much for that story, Anna. If you have thoughts, ideas,

(26:51):
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 to one, drop us
a line at beowulf at two squared Media Productions dot com,
or send it to us at good News for Lefties
on Facebook, Instagram or blue Sky. Alaska lawmakers overrode two

(27:13):
vetos by Governor Mike Dunlevy in a joint legislative session,
restoring roughly fifty million dollars in education funding. The forty
five to fourteen vote to overturn the governor's budget veto
marked an unprecedented assertion of legislative authority, with bipartisan majorities,
including ten House and Senate Republicans, joining Democrats to ensure

(27:34):
schools received their increases approved earlier in the year. This
restoration provides critical relief to school districts statewide that had
faced uncertainty and financial strain after the veto, which came
weeks after district submitted budgets for the new school year.
The override follows months of tension between the governor and
the legislature, with lawmakers accusing Dunlevy of poor communication and

(27:58):
attempts to undermine legislatives priorities by asking Republicans not to
attend the special session he called. Despite these hurdles, the
legislature demonstrated unity on this education vote, emphasizing the importance
of stable and adequate funding for Alaska's students and schools.
Lawmakers also overrode a veto on a bill aimed at

(28:19):
ensuring proper collection of oil and gas taxes, addressing concerns
that the state could be losing hundreds of millions in revenue.
Governor Dunlevy expressed disagreement with the legislature's approach, characterizing the
situation as one of two divergent views on solutions, He
favoring policy changes while lawmaker's prioritized funding. However, lawmakers indicated

(28:40):
openness to some of Dunlevy's education proposals, including those supporting
tribal run schools, but preferred to allow a newly formed
Education task Force to review such ideas before moving forward.
The task force is set to convene later in August,
with the veto override secured. The special session recessed in
until mid August, with legislative leaders signaling a preference to

(29:03):
address remaining vetoed budget items, including transportation and school maintenance funding,
during the upcoming regular session. The bipartisan cooperation scene in
this override reflects a shared commitment to education and fiscal responsibility,
setting a hopeful tone for progress amid ongoing political challenges
in Alaska. I'm so glad you're listening to Good News

(29:26):
for Lefties on the Progressive Voices Network. However, were you
aware that we're a podcast as well. That's right, every day,
Monday through Sunday, we feature positive news stories for progressive
listeners because no matter how depressing the headlines might be,
there's always hope that we can build on for a
better tomorrow. So while you're listening to the commercials and

(29:47):
the wonderful sponsors of the Progressive Voices Network, mosey on
over to your podcast platform of choice and subscribe to
Good News for Lefties or go to good News for
Lefties dot com. We'll be back in a minute. This
is good news for Lefties. I'm baiable for Rockland. You
can find out more at goodnewsfo lefties dot com. Let's
go back to the news. A new chapter in the

(30:09):
fight for democracy and justice is opened in Washington, d C.
With the launch of the Washington Litigation Group, a trailblazing
nonprofit law firm dedicated to challenging the Trump administration's aggressive
use of executive power. Composed of veteran attorneys, former federal prosecutors,
and even retired judges and civil servants drawn back to

(30:29):
public service, the firm aims to provide free legal support
to those resisting unlawful removals, agency shutdowns, and executive overreach
that threatened the core principles of government accountability. Under the
leadership of Tom Green, renowned for his past work during
Watergate and the Iran contra affair, and joined by appellate
specialist Nathaniel Zelenski, the firm boasts a formidable roster of

(30:54):
experience and moral conviction for many team members, including James
Pierce and Mary Dorman for Justice Department prosecutors ousted under Trump.
This new endeavor is an extension of their long standing
commitment to the rule of law and nonpartisan justice. Their
diverse backgrounds from trial courts to the Supreme Court ensure
strategic expertise at every stage of high stakes litigation. Already,

(31:18):
the firm is making waves by representing figures like Kathy Harris,
the ousted chair of the Merit System Protection Board. The
group's mission isn't just about individual cases. It's about restoring
confidence in government institutions and inspiring collective action among legal professionals.
As Tom Green put it, the mounting challenges to the

(31:38):
rule of law demand committed and talented lawyers to step up,
and that's precisely what the Washington Litigation Group is doing.
The initiative signals a powerful resurgence of principled legal advocacy
at a critical juncture for American democracy. By standing up
for fairness, justice, and independent oversight, these lawyers are leading

(31:59):
the charge to protect the rights of civil servants and
all those who depend on strong, accountable government, ensuring that
the values of transparency and justice endure no matter the
administration in power. In a win for video game labour rights,
workers at Raven Software in Middleton, Wisconsin have unanimously ratified

(32:21):
their first ever union contract with Microsoft. Represented by the
Game Workers Alliance CWA, the quality assurance testers secured major
gains after nearly three years of organizing and negotiations, setting
new standards for the industry and building momentum for unionized
game development across the country. The agreement delivers a guaranteed

(32:43):
ten percent wage increase over two years, plus additional raises
through merit and promotions, ending an eighteen month freeze on
pay and a nearly four year drought in promotions. It
also confronts one of the industry's most notorious practices, crunch time.
Contract eliminates sustained mandatory overtime, requires seven days notice for

(33:05):
any overtime assignment, limits it to flexible schedules, and prohibits
successive back to back weeks of extra work. Further protections
include bridging prior temp or contract work for benefits and promotions,
clarified job descriptions, expanded disability accommodations, and strong layoff safeguards
such as severance pay, recall rights, COBRA subsidies, and career

(33:28):
transition support. Bargaining Committee members Aaron Hall and Autumn Prazak
called the Deal of victory not just for their own team,
but for game workers everywhere, proof that collective action works.
CWA District for Vice President Linda L. Hinton hailed the
contract as a breakthrough in curbing exploitative overtime and valuing

(33:49):
the skills of QA testers, long undervalued in the gaming industry.
Raven's QA team became the first union at Activision Blizzard
in early twenty twenty two, before Microsoft's acquisition of the publisher. Now,
along other recent wins like the Xenemax Workers United CWA contract,
which we've talked about on this show before, their success

(34:11):
underscores a growing wave of workplace organizing in gaming, anchored
in the belief that fair pay, humane schedules, and respect
for the work are not perks. But writes, 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 humorous look at politics and

(34:34):
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. So if you want to recap of the

(34:55):
week and you want a laugh into the bargain. Listen
to This Week Again with Suzanne on this platform or
wherever you listen to podcasts. That's This Week Again with
Suzanne Posel s USA, n n E Posee L This
Week Again, Listen, Laugh, Repeat. Tesla's once unmatched customer loyalty

(35:19):
has taken a dramatic hit since CEO Elon Musk publicly
endorsed Donald Trump in July twenty twenty four. According to
exclusive S and P Global Mobility data, the brand's loyalty rate,
the percentage of Tesla owning households that buy another Tesla
when shopping for a new car, peaked at an industry
leading seventy three percent in June twenty twenty four, but

(35:41):
after Musk's endorsement and subsequent high profile political involvement, that
figure plunged, bottoming out at forty nine point nine percent
in March twenty twenty five, just below the industry average.
Analysts have called the decline unprecedented in speed and scale.
By May twenty twenty five, loyalty had rebounded slightly to
fifty seven point four percent, putting Tesla roughly level with Toyota,

(36:04):
but behind Chevrolet and Ford. The drop coincided not only
with Musk's political activism, including launching Trump's Department of Government
Efficiency or DOGE and mass federal worker layoffs, but also
with broader brand challenges. Tesla's model lineup is aging. Its
much hyped cybertruck has underperformed wonder why, and traditional lawomakers,

(36:29):
along with newer EV brands like Rivian and Pollstar, are
eating into its market share. Tesla's conquest rate how many
customers it gains from rival brands versus how many it loses,
has also weakened sharply. For years, Tesla gained nearly five
new households for everyone at lost, far outpacing the industry.
Now that figure has fallen below two to one, its

(36:51):
lowest ever, and some brands are attracting more former Tesla
customers than they lose to it. Globally, sales are also
down eight percent in the US in the first five
months of twenty twenty five, and a steep thirty three
percent drop in Europe, where backlash to Musk's politics have
been particularly strong. While Tesla still leads US EV sales

(37:12):
analysts to note, the company's mote of brand loyalty has
eroded significantly in under a year, raising questions about how
or if the automaker can repair the reputational damage. The
case illustrates how quickly political alignment by a high profile executive,
especially one who's a right wing nut job, can ripple
through consumer sentiment, even for a dominant market leader. Maryland

(37:37):
Democrats are preparing to engage in the explosive national battle
over congressional redistricting, triggered by recent aggressive Republican efforts, including
Texas's mid cycle redrawing of its districts. Although Maryland currently
has a strong Democratic majority with seven out of eight
US House seats, Democratic leaders like state House majority leader

(37:58):
David Moon, are drafting legislation that would automatically start Maryland's
own redistricting process if other states redraw their maps outside
the usual once a decade cycle. This is seen as
a defensive measure to prevent Republicans from gaining a disproportionate
advantage nationally. The lone Republican seat in Maryland, represented by
US Representative Andy Harris, has already been a focal point,

(38:21):
while the state's courts struck down prior Democratic attempts at
making that district more competitive due to extreme gerrymandering. Some
Democrats openly acknowledge the possibility of targeting Harris's district if
they decide to pursue a mid cycle map. Redraw advocates
stress that this fight is about safeguarding fair representation against

(38:42):
what they view as Republican moves to entrench power through
repeated remapping. Democrats say that unprecedented tactics by Republicans in
other states have forced their hand, emphasizing the need to
protect democracy from further distortion. With Maryland's next legislative session
beginning in January in a tight timeline ahead for filing
candidates for the twenty twenty six elections, it remains uncertain

(39:04):
when or if Democrats will move forward with new maps.
The effort captures a broader national tread of escalating redistricting battles,
highlighting the fragile state of US electoral fairness and the
deep artisan stakes in controlling Congress. Some leaders express hope
for cooler heads to prevail amid these contentious and uncharted waters.

(39:28):
Up next, a listener suggested story back in a minute
and Now. A listener suggested story from Robert in Michigan.
Arborists and environmental advocates are transforming Detroit's East Side by
planting giant sequoias, the world's largest and longest living trees,
on vacant lots scattered across the city. This bold initiative,

(39:49):
led by the nonprofit archangel Ancient Tree Archive and Arboretum Detroit,
aims to replace long standing urban blight with majestic sequoias,
bringing new life, cleaner air, and hope to neighborhoods in need.
Planted as saplings about one foot tall, these trees are
expected to reach fifteen feet within a decade, eventually creating

(40:10):
a lush canopy that will cool and cleanse the surrounding environment.
Detroit serves as the pilot city for the Giant Sequoia
Filter Forest Project. The sequoia's being planted or clones from
ancient giants in California Seara, Nevada like stag and Waterfall,
whose genetic lineage is preserved despite threats from increasingly intense

(40:31):
wildfires out west. While sequoias are resilient against disease and fire,
climate change is making their survival in their native habitat
more precarious. By establishing a thriving urban forest far from
those threats, Detroit's abundance of vacant land offers the space
these towering giants need to grow and thrive safely. The
project also holds profound social and educational significance, as air

(40:55):
pollution and asthma rates remain high in the city, particularly
near in dustrial areas and highways. The giants aquoias are
expected to serve as powerful natural filters, absorbing pollutants and
providing shade and soaking up stormwater to ensure lasting stewardship.
The nonprofits of launch Day Tree School to engage Detroit's youth,

(41:16):
teaching them how to care for the trees and instilling
a deep connection to nature, even for children who may
never have walked in a forest before our Burretom Detroit's
executive director, Andrew birch Camp states, There's not another urban
area I know of that has the kind of potential
that we do to reforest. We could all live in shady,
fresh air beauty. This visionary undertaking reimagines Detroit as a

(41:39):
pioneer of urban rewilding, combating environmental challenges with ancient giants
and offering community members a renewed birthright to clean air,
green spaces, and environmental resilience. Thanks so much for that story, Robert.
If you have thoughts, ideas, or more good news to share,
we'd love to hear from you. Call or message us

(41:59):
at two zero two six six six two seven to one,
drop us a line at Beowulf at two squared Media
Productions dot com, or send it to us at good
News for Lefties on Facebook, Instagram or blue Sky. The
Okefinokee National Wildlife Refuge in Southeast Georgia, one of North
America's largest and most ecologically intact blackwater swamps, has been

(42:23):
spared from a potentially devastating mining project thanks to a
historic land acquisition. After years of fierce opposition from environmentalists,
local residents, and indigenous groups, the nonprofit Conservation Fund purchased
nearly eight thousand acres of land and mineral rights from
Twin Pines Minerals, the Alabama based company that had planned

(42:46):
to open a titanium dioxide mine near the refuge. The
sixty million dollar deal effectively halts the mining thread and
protects the fragile ecosystem that depends on the unique Trail
Ridge formation, a natural earth and dam that holds the
swamp's waters in place. The okifinoch home to hundreds of
plant and animal species, including federally protected ones, relies solely

(43:08):
on rainfall for its water supply and is vulnerable even
to minor changes in water levels. Scientists had warned that
mining activities could have caused irreversible harm by lowering the
water table, increasing drought frequency, and escalating wildfire risks. The
Conservation Fund's purchase comes at a critical time after Georgia

(43:29):
regulators temporarily stalled the mine permits, and it marks the
largest land deal by the Fund in the state to date.
This victory was made possible through a coalition of conservation organizations,
private donors, and thousands of citizens, demonstrating the power of
collective action and safeguarding vital natural treasures. While the cessation

(43:49):
of mining near the Okefinoke is a significant success, advocates
caution that the fight to fully protect the surrounding area
is not over. Approximately thirty thousand acres of vulnerable price
that land around the refuge remain unprotected, and state lawmakers
have repeatedly resisted passing laws to ban mining in these
buffer zones. The Okefinoki Protection Alliance and others continue to

(44:11):
push for comprehensive conservation measures and urge ongoing vigilance to
ensure the swamp's long term survival. The swamp's nomination for
UNESCO World Heritage Status underscores its global significance and could
provide additional safeguards moving forward. You just heard good News
for Lefties on the Progressive Voices Network, but I want

(44:32):
to remind you that we're a podcast as well. That's right,
every single day of the week we feature positive news
stories for progressive listeners because no matter how dystopian the
headlines might be, there's always hope that we can build
on for a better tomorrow. So while you're listening to
the other fine programs here on the Progressive Voices Network,
head on over to your podcast platform of choice and

(44:53):
subscribe to Good News for Lefties or go to good
News for Lefties dot com. Thanks for listening.
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