Courageous Lawsuits, Women's Health Breakthroughs, and Local Heroes

In this episode of Good News for Lefties, we highlight a series of empowering stories that reinforce the spirit of resilience and justice across America. Maureen Comey, a dedicated federal prosecutor, is taking a stand against the Trump administration by filing a lawsuit that challenges her politically motivated dismissal. Her case underscores the importance of protecting public service from political retaliation, ensuring accountability within the Justice Department.

In a groundbreaking move for women's health, Melinda French Gates is investing $100 million to advance research in areas long neglected by the medical community. This initiative aims to deliver crucial breakthroughs in women's health conditions, ensuring that women receive the care and attention they deserve. Gates' commitment to reshaping women's health outcomes is a powerful reminder of the need for equity in medical research.

Californians are stepping up in solidarity with day laborers amidst heightened immigration enforcement. The Adopt a Day Laborer Corner program empowers volunteers to protect workers from intimidation, fostering a sense of community and support. This grassroots initiative demonstrates the strength of collective action in the face of adversity, providing crucial safety and camaraderie for vulnerable individuals.

Missouri State University is tackling food insecurity with its innovative Bears Share program, connecting leftover meals from campus events to students in need. This initiative not only combats hunger but also promotes sustainability, offering a model for other universities to follow in supporting their students.

We also share the inspiring story of Richard "Dick" Reets, who left a transformative legacy by donating his rental properties to a nonprofit serving those experiencing homelessness. His generous act highlights the profound impact of community care and the importance of affordable housing in addressing the housing crisis.

Lastly, California lawmakers are making history with the passage of a bill that bans law enforcement officers from wearing masks while on duty, a direct response to the fear and intimidation caused by masked agents during immigration raids. This legislation aims to restore public trust and accountability in policing, reinforcing the principles of transparency and civil rights.

Join us as we celebrate these uplifting stories that remind us of the progress being made every day. If these stories resonate with you, please help us spread the word by rating and reviewing us on your favorite podcast platform! We love hearing from you, so reach out at 202-656-6271 or drop us a line at [e-mail].

For more about these stories:

https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/maurene-comey-federal-prosecutor-trump-administration-firing-lawsuit/

https://www.kqed.org/news/12055084/california-volunteers-stand-guard-at-day-laborer-corners-amid-ice-sweeps

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Wellness/melinda-gates-announces-100m-investment-womens-health-research/story?id=125409962

https://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/missouri-state-bears-share/?emci=b5e8e3fe-2388-f011-b484-6045bdeb7413&emdi=89606f33-3088-f011-b484-6045bdeb7413&ceid=5050778

https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/landlord-donates-properties-to-homeless

https://www.ijpr.org/politics-government/2025-09-13/california-passes-ice-mask-ban-in-closing-days-of-legislative-session

https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/maurene-comey-federal-prosecutor-trump-administration-firing-lawsuit/

Become a supporter of this podcast: .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
Good News for Lefties and America. Hi, and thanks for
joining another episode of Good News for Lefties. I'm your host,
be Wolf Rocklin, ready to help you swap out doom
and gloom for some genuine hope with uplifting stories for
democracy defenders, progressives, liberals, socialists, leftists, and anyone who believes

(00:27):
in making America a better place for everyone. Today's troubling
headlines often overwhelm us, and I'm sure if you follow
the news, you'll read or hear about some of them today.
All the bad news makes it easy to lose sight
of hope, and that's why it's vital to highlight the
positive progressive wins happening every day in the United States
of America to help us spread the positivity. If you

(00:50):
enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,
or your podcast platform of choice. It helps more lefties
like you here more good news stories and stay positive
and motivated for the days ahead. Now, let's get to
some good news headlines designed to brighten your day. Maureen Comy,

(01:11):
a veteran federal prosecutor with a record of tackling some
of the country's most serious cases, is taking the Trump
Administration to court, saying her abrupt dismissal violated the Constitution
and federal protections for career public servants. The lawsuit, filed Monday,
asserts that Komy was pushed out not because of her
work performance, but out of political retaliation tied to her

(01:34):
family name and presumed beliefs. Komy, who served in the
Southern District of New York, argues her firing was a
clear abuse of power. Before she was shown the door
in July, she said she had received strong performance reviews
and had even been tapped to lead a high profile
corruption investigation. Instead, she charges she was removed without explanation,

(01:58):
notice or any chance to appeal, a move she says
marrors Trump's broader pattern of political loyalty tests inside the
Justice Department. Her lawsuit highlights the dangerous precedent of weaponizing
Article two of the Constitution, which Trump officials cited as
justification for her removal. Comy contends that federal law explicitly

(02:19):
bars such politically motivated firings, and she points to the
administration's deliberate dismantling of the merit system's Protection Board as
evidence that safeguards meant to protect workers like her have
been undermined. Comy's record includes leading prosecutions against Jeffrey Ebstein
and Glain Maxwell, cases at the heart of public demands

(02:40):
for justice for Trump. Her move to sue signals that
career officials are not backing down in the face of
partisan purges, and that efforts to hold power accountable will continue.
My case is about making sure public service is not
a political weapon, she says in her filing, a stand
that could carry far reaching implications for the independence of

(03:01):
the Justice Department and the resilience of US democracy. Melinda
French Gates is directing one hundred million dollars toward women's
health research, a major boost in a field long neglected
by the medical establishment. Announced on Good Morning America, the
partnership between gates organization, Pivotal, and the non profit Welcome

(03:23):
Leap will focus on pressing conditions including autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease,
chronic illnesses, and menopause, with the goal of delivering breakthroughs
in years rather than decades. The initiative will launch two
new women's health programs next year, backed equally by fifty
million dollars from Pivotal and fifty million from welcome leap,

(03:46):
Gates said. The effort is aimed at ensuring women get
answers and treatments where they've too often been dismissed or ignored.
We don't need to live nine years longer than men
in poor health, she said, and that's what is happening today.
For Gates. The announcement deepens a long track record of
investing in women's health. Just last year, she pledged two
hundred and fifty million dollars to bolster mental and physical

(04:09):
health initiatives for women worldwide, with additional funding awards set
to be announced this fall. Since launching Pivotal in twenty fifteen,
she has positioned women's equality in medicine and research at
the center of her philanthropy. Independent of the Gates Foundation,
Advocates say expanded investment couldn't come at a more important time.

(04:31):
Women's health care has historically been underfunded and under researched,
leaving critical gaps and treatment and quality of life. With
new resources and with welcome leaps accelerated research model, Gates
hopes to reshape outcomes for millions. As she put it,
the mission is simple, change women's lives Before we get

(04:53):
back to the news I want to tell you about
an important podcast called This Week Again, hosted by Suzanne.
It takes a 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,

(05:13):
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
or wherever you listen to podcasts. That's This Week Again

(05:35):
with Suzanne Posel s U S A N N E
P S E L This Week Again, Listen, Laugh, repeat.
Californians are stepping up to protect their neighbors in the
face of stepped up immigration sweeps, turning ordinary street corners
into places of solidarity and safety. Volunteers across the state

(06:00):
are joining the Adopt a Day Laborer Corner program, showing
up where workers gather to keep watch, document potential raids,
and ensure people seeking jobs are not left to face
intimidation alone. Launched by the National Day Laborer Organizing Network,
The initiative has quickly grown, with hundreds of residents now

(06:21):
dedicating time each week to stand alongside workers. For people
like Christy, a freelance interpreter from Alameda, the choice to
act came after watching disturbing videos of immigration officers targeting
laborers in Los Angeles. I believe in right and wrong,
and I can't sit on my hands without doing something

(06:42):
about it, she said, while standing near a busy Oakland
intersection one recent morning taking shifts on sidewalks. Volunteers are
trained to observe call rapid response hotlines and document incidents
as they happen, simple steps that can make a critical
difference in communities often singled out by enforcement. Day laborers,

(07:03):
many of whom support their families through construction, landscaping or
painting jobs, have long relied on neighborhood hiring corners as
an entry point to work. Their visibility also makes them vulnerable,
but the surge of volunteers brings a measure of relief.
It's good that they are here, because one feels more supported,
less alone, said Julio, a longtime worker from Honduras. Alongside

(07:26):
watchfulness Camaraderie also marks the gatherings, with volunteers chatting, sharing
coffee or fruit, and helping create a sense of belonging.
For participants, guarding a corner is both a practical act
of protection and a deeply personal response to national policies
that sow fear. Some knit while keeping an eye out,

(07:46):
Some bring food from the gardens, and many say the
work helps counter despair with connection. As Wendy, another volunteer
in Oakland, put it, I can make time for it.
It's important. At a moment of rising intimidation, Californians are
showing that community care offers the strongest defense against raids.

(08:08):
Missouri State University has launched a new pilot program, bears Share,
aimed at fighting food insecurity on campus while cutting down
on food waste. The initiative, rolled out this fall ensures
that leftover meals from campus events and meetings are quickly
made available to students who need them With just a
few clicks, Organizers notify students when food is ready to

(08:29):
be picked up, where it's located, and what's offered. Students
participating in Bear's Share can bring their own containers or
use ones provided by the President's office with a twenty
minute window to collect meals after events. The program builds
on the success of the Bear Pantry, which already provides
groceries to students in need. Organizers hope bears Share will

(08:50):
expand in the future, reaching even more students across campus.
The urgency of the program is clear. A National Department
of Education study found that nearly one in four undergraduates
experience food and security each year, which can worsen stress,
harm sleep, and undermine academic success. Eating is something that
many of us take for granted, but it can be

(09:11):
a daily struggle for some students, said Ellen Curry, Missouri
State's coordinator of Student Care and Support. She called Bear's
Share a meaningful step toward building community while making sure
no student goes hungry. By connecting unused food with students
who need it most, Bear's Share is already gaining attention
as a creative model for addressing hunger and sustainability on campus.

(09:33):
If successful, the program could inspire other universities to follow
Missouri State's lead, turning leftovers into opportunity and strengthening the
support system for students where it matters most. Up next,
a listener suggested story back in a minute and now

(09:53):
a listener suggested story from Karen and Appleton, Wisconsin. Richard
Dick Reats, a lifelong Appleton resident and landlord of more
than fifty years, left behind an extraordinary gift when he
died this summer at age ninety seven. He donated all
twenty of his rental units to the Wisconsin nonprofit Pillars,

(10:14):
which serves people experiencing homelessness. The bequest marks the largest
property donation in the organization's history, increasing its housing portfolio
by more than a quarter and creating space for as
many as forty people in need of a stable home.
For Pillars, the gift represents both growth and hope. The

(10:34):
nonprofit already manages affordable housing and crisis centers, serving about
one hundred forty residents at any given time. Now reaches
act of generosity allows them to expand further, offering more
families and individuals the security of a roof over their heads.
This transformative gift expands Pillars reach in a meaningful way,

(10:55):
helping to serve more individuals and families working towards stability
and a place to call home, said Steve Williams, the
group's board. Present Reats was known for operating on trust,
often renting to tenants with little more than a handshake.
His steps on, Joe Frank said he wanted to offer
opportunities to people who needed a chance, and resisted developers'

(11:17):
offers for his properties late in life because he didn't
want to displace tenants. Instead, he chose to build a
legacy rooted in community care. The last thing he wanted
was to displace people, Frank said donating these units to
Pillars was the only solution he had in his heart.
Local leaders and advocates say Reatz's decision reflects the values

(11:39):
needed to combat the housing crisis. With shelters full and
rents climbing, affordable housing remains the single most effective pathway
to stability, As Appleton's Community Development Director Kara Homan said,
by expanding access to stable, affordable housing, Pillars is helping
more individuals and families build a found foundation for long

(12:01):
term success and well being. Reads His act ensures that
his city gains not just new housing, but a powerful
reminder of Compassion's ability to move communities forward. Thanks so
much for that story, Karen. 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

(12:22):
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 good News for Lefties
on Facebook, Instagram or blue Sky. California lawmakers have passed
a historic bill banning most law enforcement officers from wearing
masks while carrying out their duties, a direct response to

(12:45):
the fear and intimidation caused by masked federal agents during
recent immigration rates. The legislation prohibits face coverings like ski masks,
black lavas, and net gators for local, out of state
and federal officers, gcuting ice agents, with exceptions only for
undercover operations, medical masks, and specific tactical gear. The bill

(13:08):
now awaits Governor Gavin Newsom's decision and would take effect
in January if signed into law. The move, known as
the No Secret Police Act a SB six twenty seven,
is groundbreaking as the first statewide law in the country
targeting the practice of law enforcement masking. Democratic Senator Scott Wiener,
the bill's author, underscored the urgent need, pointing to the

(13:31):
deep mistrust and fear sown in communities, especially among Latinos,
where agents dressed in masks and unmarked jackets have conducted
arrests based on race and language alone. Wiener called the
presence of masked immigration agents terrifying, saying this law is
about restoring public trust and preventing law enforcement from being

(13:52):
mistaken for masked criminals. Proponents, including immigrant justice advocates and
constitutional law experts, say this law holds law enforcement accountable
and rejects the secret police tactics increasingly used to target
vulnerable communities. The legislation reinforces the principle that law enforcement
should be identifiable and accountable to the public they serve.

(14:16):
California joins a growing movement as other states and cities
have introduced similar measures, signaling a call for transparency and
respect for civil rights in law enforcement practices. Should Governor
Newsom sign SB six twenty seven, it will send a
powerful message that fear tactics and racial profiling have no
place in policing, while affirming California's commitment to protecting immigrant

(14:40):
communities and upholding democratic values. That's a wrap for today's
edition of Good News for Lefties. Remember if these stories
brighten your outlook, please help us spread the word by
rating and reviewing us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your
podcast platform of choice. A big thanks to our production

(15:00):
team Roosabel Hine and Aaron Watson for making all of
this possible behind the scenes. I'm baya Wolf Rockland, weird name,
good news for lefties and America.

Speaker 2 (15:30):
Here's what you've been missing on the Stephanie Miller Happy
Hour podcast. Who said this would be accober thirty verse
twenty twenty four. Let's partner with a rifle standing there
with some nine barrels shooting at her. Okay, let's see
how she feels about, you know, when the guns are
trained on her face. That was Liz Chaney talking about change. Oh,
rock o' wallaby, No, that would be Donald Trump said

(15:52):
that about Liz Cheney and a firing gayhookie in front
of nine barrels.

Speaker 1 (15:56):
Heather Charlie Charlie Kirk said.

Speaker 2 (16:02):
Charlie Kirk said President Biden should be executed. I mean yeah,
to his credit said, oh, I guess there should be
a trial for something. But again, all you Christians out there,
you show me a picture of Jesus with an ice
hat on, and I'll say I was wrong about Charlie Kirk.
Subscribe to the Stephanie Miller Happy Hour podcast on Apple Podcasts,
Stephanie Miller dot com, or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Speaker 1 (16:31):
And in case you missed it, here's this good news headline.
Denver Public Schools has emerged as an inspiring leader in
the fight for inclusivity, formally defying the Trump administration's demand
to roll back protections for transgender and non binary students,
even under threat of losing federal education funds. Superintendent Alex

(16:54):
Morrero pledged unwavering support, declaring the district's commitment to stand
with every student and insisting we will fight if necessary,
in the courts and in the public square so every
child can walk into school without fear. The conflict ignited
when the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights ordered

(17:14):
DPS dead for Public Schools to dismantle the multi stalled
gender neutral restrooms at East High after complaints from conservative activists.
Federal officials went further, demanding the school district adopt rigid
biological definitions of sex and eliminate its LGBTQ plus Toolkit,
a resource that actively encourages affirming pronouns, stopping bullying and

(17:37):
inclusive community building. DPS rejected the order, citing extensive student
feedback about safety and dignity, and arguing the Title nine
does not bar schools from offering gender inclusive facilities. Marrero
and the DPS board have spelled out the real stakes
following the federal mandate would harm vulnerable students, undermine the

(17:58):
district's values, and contradict its Instead, DPS joined other progressive districts,
including several in Virginia, vowing to fight discriminatory federal action
while defending LGBTQ plus kids and maintaining vital resources for
all families. This resistance arrives as elite colleges and hospitals
quietly cut protections for transgender youth, making Denver's stands even

(18:22):
more powerful for allies edationwide. Through community engagement, legal action,
and firm leadership, DPS is making it clear public schools
exist for every child and inclusion is non negotiable, even
when federal dollars are on the line,