Public Lands Protected, Immigrant Rights Defended, and Homelessness Solutions in Denver

In this episode of Good News for Lefties, host Beowulf Rocklin brings you a collection of inspiring victories that remind us of the power of community action and resilience. We start with a significant win for environmental advocates as the Senate parliamentarian blocks a controversial plan to sell off millions of acres of public land and fast-track offshore drilling. This ruling preserves vital conservation efforts and showcases the importance of protecting our natural treasures from short-term exploitation.

Next, we celebrate a major legal victory in New York City as a judge halts Mayor Eric Adams' plan to reopen an ICE office at Rikers Island. This ruling protects immigrant communities from increased enforcement and emphasizes the city's commitment to civil rights and public safety.

Turning to homelessness, we highlight Denver's remarkable achievement in reducing unsheltered homelessness by 45% over two years, thanks to innovative strategies and a focus on getting people indoors. This success serves as a model for other cities grappling with similar challenges.

In a powerful show of solidarity, Angel City FC, a women's soccer team in Los Angeles, stands with immigrants by distributing "Immigrant City Football Club" t-shirts at a recent match. This act of community support reinforces the message that Los Angeles is a city built on diversity and inclusion.

We also discuss a landmark law in Oregon that protects school libraries from book bans related to protected classes, ensuring that all students have access to diverse perspectives and fostering intellectual freedom in education.

Finally, we celebrate the historic election of Lorelei Cloud, the first Indigenous chair of the Colorado Water Conservation Board, marking a significant step toward inclusion and representation in water policy decisions.

Join us for this uplifting episode filled with stories of advocacy, progress, and the enduring spirit of hope!

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].

You can find more about this week's stories here:

https://www.commondreams.org/news/trump-public-lands

https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/judge-blocks-plan-immigration-agents-new-york-city-122834182

https://denverite.com/2025/06/09/denver-point-in-time-homelessness-2025/

https://apnews.com/article/angel-city-nwsl-los-angeles-immigrants-protests-849a6dae4d7b79459edcef81400654d9

https://lithub.com/oregon-has-passed-a-bill-to-protect-school-libraries-from-book-bans/

https://coloradosun.com/2025/05/28/southern-ute-tribal-leader-colorado-water-board-historic-first/

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Thanks to Rosabelle Heine and Aaron Watson for production assistance.

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