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July 26, 2025 23 mins
In this episode of Good News for Lefties, host Beowulf Rochlen highlights a series of inspiring stories that showcase resilience and advocacy in the face of adversity. We kick off with a powerful grassroots movement that has delivered nearly 1 million petition signatures to Congress, urging the launch of impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump. Spearheaded by Free Speech for People and Women's March, this historic effort reflects a surge in civic engagement and a commitment to uphold constitutional principles amid concerns of presidential overreach.

Delaware takes center stage as Governor Matt Meyer signs a transformative package of health care bills aimed at improving access and equity. With measures addressing opioid crises, support for the deaf community, and protections for health care providers, Delaware is setting a standard for inclusive health policies that prioritize the well-being of all residents.

In Michigan, lawmakers have passed a bill to ban harmful synthetic dyes and additives in school meals, aligning with national trends toward healthier food environments for children. This legislation responds to growing evidence linking these substances to health risks, reinforcing the importance of nutritious meals in public education.

We also honor the legacy of Rita Hester, a black transgender woman whose unsolved murder sparked a global movement for trans rights. Boston has opened a new park in her memory, serving as a tribute to her impact and a commitment to equality and remembrance.

Additionally, we discuss the potential strike by thousands of Safeway grocery workers in Northern California, advocating for fair wages and benefits in a high-cost living area. Their struggle underscores the importance of labor rights and community support in achieving equitable compensation.

Lastly, we spotlight David Millarch's groundbreaking work in cloning ancient trees to combat climate change, showcasing how urban reforestation can lead to environmental renewal. Millarch's efforts exemplify the intersection of science, community, and sustainability in addressing global challenges.

Join us for this uplifting episode filled with stories of hope and the belief that positive change is not only possible but actively unfolding around us!

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 more about this week's stories here:

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/us-house-leadership-receives-nearly-1-million-signatures-calling-for-impeachment-proceedings-against-president-trump


https://www.delawarepublic.org/politics-government/2025-07-21/gov-meyer-continues-bill-signing-streak-slate-of-healthcare-bills-gain-final-approval


https://www.mlive.com/politics/2025/07/bill-to-ban-synthetic-dyes-additives-in-school-foods-passes-michigan-house.html


https://www.advocate.com/news/boston-trans-woman-rita-hester


https://abc7news.com/post/northern-california-safeway-workers-could-strike-saturday-deal-isnt-made/17268468/


https://reasonstobecheerful.world/detroit-sequoias-super-trees/


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

Thanks to Rosabelle Heine and Aaron Watson for production assistance.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/good-news-for-lefties-and-america-daily-news-for-democracy--6256627/support.
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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 thanks for
joining another episode of Good News for Lefties. I'm bailable
for Rocklin, your host, ready to help you swap out
doom and gloom for some genuine hope with uplifting stories
for democracy defenders, progressives, socialists, liberals, leftists, and anyone who

(00:29):
believes in making America a better place for everyone. It's
no secret that these are challenging times. The disappearing of
immigrants and citizens, Trump's usurpation of authoritarian powers, and the
wholesale destruction of critical government agencies. Today's headlines often overwhelm

(00:50):
us with troubling news, making it all too easy to
lose sight of hope. And that's exactly why it's vital
to highlight the pause real world progress that's happening every day,
progress that too often gets drowned out by the negativity.
Despite the setbacks, there's genuine movement toward a better America.

(01:13):
So let these stories serve as a reminder that change
is not just possible, it's happening. 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.
Energized by a ground swell of grassroots activism, advocates for

(01:35):
Democracy delivered nearly one million petition signatures to House leadership
this week, urging Congress to launch impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump.
Spearheaded by Free Speech for People and Women's March, supporters
gathered outside the Capitol and hand delivered the signatures to

(01:55):
top Judiciary Committee members after a rousing prece event with
Representative Al Green. With a coalition that stretches nationwide, organizers
say this moment reflects deepening civic engagement and an unwavering
commitment to constitutional principles. Representative Green, who has consistently championed

(02:17):
accountability and checks on executive power, celebrated the movement as historic.
We are laying the foundation for impeachment by raising our
voices across America with a protest movement that is nearly
one million strong. He said, no president is above the law.
His remarks underscored a persistent call for Congress to uphold

(02:41):
its constitutional responsibilities amid growing concerns about presidential overreach and
threats to democracy. This latest wave of advocacy arrives as
constitutional lawyers and community leaders cite ongoing violations, including abuses
of power, disregard for congressional authority, unlawful military actions, and

(03:04):
attempts to undermine civil rights and judicial independence. The campaign's
leaders emphasized that these are not abstract grievances, but concrete
abuses that demand action to defend the freedoms and future
of all Americans. Congress must act now to protect our

(03:25):
freedoms and our futures, said Tamika Middleton, Managing director of
Women's March. Momentum for accountability is accelerating not just in
the streets, but also within Congress. After Representative Greene's recent
introduction of articles of impeachment, a growing block of representatives

(03:45):
voted to advance the measure, quadruple the number compared to
earlier bids. Advocates see this as proof that public mobilization
is shifting the conversation and raising expectations for bold leadership,
as nearly a million voices now echo the call for accountability.
The Progressive Coalition insists that defending democracy isn't just a

(04:08):
duty of lawmakers, but a shared endeavor throughout American society.
Governor met Meyer has propelled Delaware to the forefront of
health care access and protection. By signing a transformative package
of new healthcare bills. Gathered with lawmakers and advocates in Wilmington,
Meyer underscored the significance of the legislation, highlighting how the

(04:32):
new laws collectively move the state forward toward being safer, healthier,
and more equitable. The slate includes measures to establish a
lactation program for incarcerated individuals, ban the sale of dangerous
synthetic opioids often called gas station heroin, and expand critical

(04:54):
support for deaf and heart of hearing Delawareans. In addition,
the new U laws bolster public health with stronger lead
based paint inspection and remediation efforts, allocate additional opioid settlement
funds to recovery and prevention initiatives, and designate August thirty
first as International Overdose Awareness Day. Each bill responds to

(05:19):
pressing needs in Delaware communities, reinforcing that public health solutions
benefit everyone, especially the most vulnerable. A centerpiece of the
legislative package is House Bill two five, a sweeping provider
protection law that shields Delaware healthcare professionals from legal action

(05:40):
for performing any health service that is lawful in the state,
even if that care is banned elsewhere. This covers essential
protections for practitioners offering abortion services, fertility and IVF treatments,
and gender affirming care, all recently affirmed under Delaware Lay.

(06:01):
Representative Cindy Roemer, who sponsored the bill, called it a
first of its kind approach that insures comprehensive rights for
providers and their patients alike, with no carve outs or exceptions.
These developments come on the heels of a recent executive
order from Governor Meyer further protecting gender affirming care and

(06:22):
serve as a direct response to ongoing challenges to reproductive
rights in LGBTQ plus healthcare nationwide. Additional bills awaiting the
Governor's signature, such as proposals to prevent medical debt from
affecting credit scores, signal that Delaware is not slowing down
in its pursuit of justice centered inclusive health policy. The

(06:45):
state's latest legislative session stands out as a powerful step
toward a future where all Delawareans can access the care
and dignity they deserve. The Michigan House has passed a
bill that would prohibit public and private K through twelve
schools from serving foods containing specific synthetic dyes and additives

(07:09):
due to health concerns. The legislation, sponsored by Representative Brad Paquette,
targets brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propyl parabin and food
dyes red forty, green three, blue one, blue two, and
yellow six. If enacted, the ban would take effect July one,

(07:32):
twenty twenty eight, aligning Michigan with a growing national trend
of states phasing out these substances in response to research
linking some to endocrine disruption, behavioral effects, and other risks.
Proponents argue that taxpayer funded school meals should be nutritious
and free from additives linked to hyperactivity, attention issues, and

(07:54):
long term chronic illness and children. Cited studies have connected
certain dyes to neurobehavioral issues such as inattentiveness and hyperactivity
and sensitive children, while additional research has raised concerns about
endercren disruption and carcinogenicity in some additives. This legislative move

(08:15):
comes as federal authorities, including the FDA and the Department
of Health and Human Services, have also started phasing out
some artificial dyes nationwide, and many of these additives are
already banned in other countries. Michigan's proposal reflects a broader
push for healthier school food environments and responds to mounting

(08:36):
scientific and public pressure to eliminate questionable synthetic additives from
children's diets. Boston has honored the memory and legacy of
Rita Hester, the black transgender woman whose unsolved nineteen ninety
eight murder galvanized a global movement by opening a new
public park named Rita Hester Green, near where she lived

(09:00):
and died. The park, which opened June thirtieth at the
end of Pride Month, was designated as an inclusive and
joyful community space, offering a dog park, flexible event lawn,
quiet retreats, and natural features, serving as a living tribute
to Hester's lasting impact. Hester was thirty four when she

(09:21):
was stabbed more than twenty times in her Alston apartment,
just a short walk from the Silhouette lounge she frequented.
Her death, which remains unsolved, became a flashpoint for the
transgender community and inspired the creation of Transgender Day of Remembrance,
now observed annually worldwide on November twentieth, to honor the

(09:41):
live's loss to anti transgender violence, a plaque at the
new park acknowledges this legacy, reaffirming the city's commitment to
equality and remembrance. The dedication ceremony was attended by Hester's
family and city officials, including Councilors Henry Santana and Liz Breeden,
who recognized the importance of memorializing Rita in a public space.

(10:07):
A mural at five h six Cambridge Street further celebrates
her memory, alongside poignant lines from her poetry. Hester's story
also highlights the systemic challenges faced by black trans women.
Her case went unsolved amid widespread reports of official indifference
and lack of empathy. Her sister Artha said the police

(10:30):
really didn't care because Rita was both black and transgender.
Despite these failures, her legacy now shines through global observance
and the transformed Boston landscape. As her family observes, Rita's
name has become a symbol of resilience, remembrance, and hope,

(10:51):
continuing to inspire advocacy and solidarity around the world. Up next,
a listener's suggested story Back in a Minute and Now,
a listener suggested story from militia in Oakland, California. Thousands
of safeway grocery workers in northern California are on the

(11:13):
verge of striking if negotiations fail. Workers represented by UFCW
Local five and other unions are prepared to walk off
the job starting Saturday. The potential strike could impact over
one hundred Safeway stores ranging from Bakersfield to the Oregon border,
affecting about twenty five thousand employees in the region. The

(11:36):
workers are demanding wage increases that better reflect the high
cost of living in northern California, along with improvements to
healthcare and pension benefits. The union highlights that Safeway reported
nearly one billion dollars in net profit in twenty twenty
five and paid four billion dollars in dividends to shareholders

(11:56):
the previous year, making the case for better compensationation and
retirement plans. There is also frustration over Safeway offering temporary
workers wages as high as twenty seven to seventy three
an hour, significantly outpacing many existing employees who earn as
low as nineteen dollars an hour. Negotiations have been ongoing

(12:18):
since February without a contract renewal, and the union accused
Safeway of failing to bargain in good faith despite the
looming strike. Union leaders emphasize their preference to reach a
fair deal, but remain prepared to act if the company's
offer remains inadequate. They also note that federal law protects
workers from being permanently replaced during what would be an

(12:40):
unfair labor practice strike. Safeway, owned by Albertson's, expressed hope
for a resolution, stating it is engaged in good faith
negotiations and working with a federal mediator. As the deadline approaches,
communities and customers watch closely, with many expressing support for
the worker's demands for fair wages and benefits in a

(13:01):
high cost region. Thanks for that story, Alicia. 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 to,
one drop us a line at beowolf at two Squared
Media productions dot, com or send it to us at

(13:22):
Good news For lefties On, Facebook instagram or Blue. Sky David,
milarch co founder of the Archangel Ancient Tree archive FOR,
aata is leading a remarkable effort to combat climate change
by cloning and reforesting the world's ancient and giant. Trees

(13:42):
at a large facility In, Michigan millarch cultivates thousands of
saplings from champion old growth trees such as sequoias and coast,
redwoods with genetic lineages spanning thousands of, years preserving their
resilience and environmental. Benefits despite previous beliefs that ancient redwoods
could not be, Cloned millarch has successfully propagated these, giants

(14:07):
positioning them as critical allies in reversing deforestation and climate.
THREATS a key project is the planting of an old
growth giant sequoia forest In Detroit's Poletown east. Neighborhood a
collaboration BETWEEN aata and the Nonprofit Arboretum, detroit this initiative
established the first old growth sequoia forests in an urban,

(14:31):
setting with trees that descend from some of the world's
largest and oldest. Sequoias the planting Addresses detroit's environmental, challenges
including high asthma rates linked to pollution and lack of tree,
cover by improving air, quality lowering urban, heat and beautifying
neighborhoods suffering from environmental. Burdens alongside, planting a tree school

(14:55):
educates the next generation of caretakers in propagation and urban fours,
forestry empowering local youth to stewart this living. Legacy millarch's
vision goes Beyond. Detroit his saplings and tissue cultures have
been distributed, worldwide From New zealand to The, pentagon and
his work aims to scale global reforestation with the, strongest,

(15:18):
toughest and oldest. Trees his efforts combine cutting edge science
with a spiritual commitment inspired by a near death, experience
viewing trees as sentient beings with deep connections to. Humanity
by integrating, science, education and community, Partnership millark's approach exemplifies

(15:40):
a paradigm shift toward regenerating ecosystems and enhancing climate, resilience
one tree at a. Time this bold project In detroit
highlights how urban rewilding and champion tree propagation can serve
as powerful climate. Solutions the trees planted to are just,

(16:01):
saplings they're living legacies of ancient, resilience and they're poised
to transform deforested cities and inspire environmental renewal on a global.
Scale and that's a wrap for 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

(16:23):
media wherever you. POST a big thanks to our production
team Roosabelt heine And Aaron watson for making all of
this possible behind the. Scenes I'm Beowulf, rocklin weird name
good news for lefties And. America stay tuned after this

(16:53):
commercial break for more of, me your humble and obedient,
servant AS i speak With jen And dan the Band camp.

Speaker 2 (17:01):
Podcast The John Peeglesang podcast is now available six times
a week with Me John, Fugelsang i've been murdered ON,
csi ticketed By Westboro Baptist, church and host tell Me.
Everything On Serious xmprogress one twenty. Seven you will hear, authors, politicians, actors, filmmakers, rappers, rockstars, journalists,
activists unhinged, callers and way too many. Comedians they all

(17:21):
have a place of The John Feaglesang, podcast and so do.
You The John Figlesing Podcast fair And. Biased find it
On Apple, Podcasts, Spotify stitcher for wherever you listen to boz.

Speaker 3 (17:32):
And.

Speaker 1 (17:32):
Now 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
and just a quick trigger warning here there may be
some clips Of Donald trump played in this next.

Speaker 3 (17:53):
Segment it's time for Band Camp news.

Speaker 1 (17:59):
News.

Speaker 2 (18:00):
Speaker they Will. Rocklin it's a weird, name but he's
got good news because he can't dann a.

Speaker 4 (18:06):
Truth he's broadcasting live from the good news for lefty
studios buried deep inside his social, safehouse hidden somewhere deep
in The Oregon. Woods he Is Babe Wolf rockland because he.

Speaker 1 (18:20):
Can't thank You, jim thank You, dan and thank you
scary book. PEOPLE i have some wonderful and patriotic news
to bring to you, today and it has to do
with our national, symbol Our american, bird the bald, eagle the.

Speaker 4 (18:37):
Ball me a, second let me make my standing desk.
Rise AM i gonna have to sing the national.

Speaker 1 (18:42):
Anthem ladies and, gentlemen place your hand over your heart
for the state Of. Maryland and It's Chesapeake, bay which
is now the home to the highest concentration of bald
eagles in the Contiguous United. States they're actually more in a,
lot but it's made a huge comeback In maryland and

(19:04):
a lot of other. Places the bald eagle was an
endangered species because we were poisoned in its habitat and its,
Food and now regional experts say they've had a, huge
momentous milestone with bald eagles coming back To. Maryland back
in nineteen eighty, five old eagle Biologist Glenn ferris began
counting nests for The Maryland department Of Natural. Resources and

(19:27):
when he did, that when he first started doing his,
job he spotted only sixty two breeding pairs when he
was checking Out Chesapeake bay And. Maryland by nineteen ninety
he counted one hundred and twenty. Three by two thousand
and four he had counted three hundred and. Ninety and
now today they estimate that there are fourteen hundred breeding

(19:48):
pairs In, maryland meaning that the population size has grown
by over two hundred and fifty percent in the last
two decades. Alone so we obviously have some problems with the,
environment their pollutions still in a lot of, places but
we have made, progress and with specific instance here the

(20:09):
bald eagle our national. Symbol if we can do it
for the bald, eagle we can do it for the
rest of the. World so there is.

Speaker 4 (20:16):
Hope you, know remember when Top gun came out and
it really, burned like a lot of people like to
get to apply to be in The Air force or
just sign up for The Air force because they were
really excited about. It remember when that bald ego took
a snap At. Trump, YEAH i wonder if that is
what one of the major things behind this bald eagle.

(20:39):
Boom that's, right let's try to get let's try to
get more and so close to D. C i'm, sorry
so close To.

Speaker 1 (20:46):
Washington that's.

Speaker 4 (20:48):
Right you know he told me The. Baybell did you
cover that? Yet The President? Trump Just, WASHINGTON dc is Now, washington.

Speaker 1 (20:57):
Right he's ditched The, columbia, Right.

Speaker 4 (20:59):
Okay this has nothing to do With. Columbia it's a different.
Country it's LIKE i think it's spelled. DIFFERENT i don't
think it's the Same columbia.

Speaker 1 (21:08):
Rid of The Columbia river because like goodness, knows that's
nowhere Near. Columbia that's the thing he completely forgot about
the fact that we the reason that we call, it
like remember the Song colombia The jewel of The. Ocean
we Honored colombia and The South american countries that had
their revolutions in the early eighteen hundreds Because Simon, bolivar

(21:32):
after whom Like bolivia is, named was a, huge like
inspiration for freedom around the. World and that's the reason
why things like that exist In american culture and In american.
NAMES i, mean for goodness, sakes he wants to basically
get rid of positive left ring populism and replace it
with his own particular brand of. Fascism and that's why

(21:55):
he's doing what he's.

Speaker 4 (21:56):
Doing, Yeah, jennifer you live In. Washington date, true it's
going to get very.

Speaker 3 (22:02):
CONFUSING i mean it already was confusing to some, people
BUT i.

Speaker 4 (22:09):
Don't understand why it was confusing because you Have Washington
state In, washington D. C they're really. Different, yeah but you.

Speaker 1 (22:17):
Know people who don't know that just hear the, name And,
yeah at least up to this, point you could call
it the district if you Meant washington D. C, Right
and now we're not going to be able to do
that anymore because there's no.

Speaker 5 (22:30):
District and there's No. Columbia it's Just. Washington that's. It
remember the cherry, tree the dollar across The. Potomac that's
all we want to hear about No South, america only My.

Speaker 4 (22:44):
America robot look this up for. US i can't imagine
that instead of calling it The district Of columbia is
And i'm not so over there trying to call it
The district Of america or. Something don't be.

Speaker 3 (22:56):
Rude, Probably i've reviewed the data on the claim That
trump wants to Rename, washington D. C to The district Of.
America while there's no official, record the rumor likely came
from AN ai model imitating. HIM i estimate with eighty
two percent confidence it's, synthetic mainly because the statement uses
correct grammar and complete, sentences which strongly suggests it did

(23:18):
not originate from the Real Donald. Trump thank you.

Speaker 4 (23:21):
Robot and as a, reminder we do on band camp
have a standing. Bounty if any eagle flies and pecks
At trump's head again and makes him cry and run,
off we will give you some pre bandbook stickers to
put on your. Wings how everyone go listen To Good
news For lefties With. Babel he's a good.

Speaker 3 (23:40):
Boy.

Speaker 1 (23:41):
Huh thank you so.

Speaker 4 (23:43):
Much do the, truth.

Speaker 3 (23:45):
Babe

Speaker 1 (23:49):
And listen To jen And dan on the band camp
podcast at Bancamp podcast dot com
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