September 22, 2025 • 18 mins
In this episode of Good News for Lefties, we explore a series of inspiring stories that highlight the power of community action and progressive values in the face of adversity. Hundreds of demonstrators rallied outside Disney's headquarters, protesting the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show as a violation of free expression. The Writers Guild of America led the charge, equating this moment to a battle against authoritarianism, and vowing to continue their fight until Kimmel returns to the airwaves.
In a significant political shift, Representative Michael McCall of Texas announced he would not seek reelection, joining a growing list of Republicans stepping away from Congress. This departure signals potential opportunities for Democrats in upcoming elections, as established incumbents leave behind competitive districts ripe for new voices and progressive change.
Teachers and community organizers in Los Angeles are stepping up to protect immigrant families from federal immigration raids, demonstrating solidarity and care for the city's 30,000 immigrant students. This grassroots effort showcases how education can be a sanctuary, ensuring that every child feels safe and welcome in their learning environment.
In Michigan, conservation efforts are underway to restore pollinator habitats at a major monarch roosting site. Local volunteers planted 1,600 native seedlings, supporting not just monarchs but a wide array of vital pollinators. This initiative emphasizes the importance of local action in preserving ecosystems and enhancing biodiversity.
We also spotlight an Iowa startup, Renewal Blade, that is innovating solutions for retired wind turbine blades by recycling them into concrete products. This sustainable approach not only diverts waste from landfills but also creates valuable building materials, demonstrating how the clean energy economy can foster innovation and environmental responsibility.
Lastly, we celebrate Alabama writer Carrie Fugate's initiative to refurbish a 1940 Ford pickup truck into a traveling bookstore that features banned books. This project aims to push back against censorship and promote access to diverse literature, embodying the spirit of resistance against ignorance and erasure.
Join us as we shine a light on these uplifting stories that remind us of the progress being made every day. If you find these stories inspiring, 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 beowulf@twosquaredmediaproductions.com.
For more about these stories:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/18/jimmy-kimmel-protest-disney-abc-burbank
https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/national-politics/republican-rep-michael-mccaul-wont-seek-reelection/269-df5df3d9-05fe-45e7-9321-cad29aa7f77e
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/los-angeles-school-district-ice_n_68c05e75e4b059d8ed35e84c/amp
https://www.mlive.com/news/2025/09/monarch-butterfly-hotspot-gets-improved-pollinator-habitat-with-1600-native-seedlings.html
https://www.ktiv.com/2025/09/08/iowa-company-finds-use-discarded-wind-turbine-blades/
https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/banned-bookstore-pickup-truck-alabama
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/18/jimmy-kimmel-protest-disney-abc-burbank
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/good-news-for-lefties-daily-news-for-democracy--6256627/support.
In a significant political shift, Representative Michael McCall of Texas announced he would not seek reelection, joining a growing list of Republicans stepping away from Congress. This departure signals potential opportunities for Democrats in upcoming elections, as established incumbents leave behind competitive districts ripe for new voices and progressive change.
Teachers and community organizers in Los Angeles are stepping up to protect immigrant families from federal immigration raids, demonstrating solidarity and care for the city's 30,000 immigrant students. This grassroots effort showcases how education can be a sanctuary, ensuring that every child feels safe and welcome in their learning environment.
In Michigan, conservation efforts are underway to restore pollinator habitats at a major monarch roosting site. Local volunteers planted 1,600 native seedlings, supporting not just monarchs but a wide array of vital pollinators. This initiative emphasizes the importance of local action in preserving ecosystems and enhancing biodiversity.
We also spotlight an Iowa startup, Renewal Blade, that is innovating solutions for retired wind turbine blades by recycling them into concrete products. This sustainable approach not only diverts waste from landfills but also creates valuable building materials, demonstrating how the clean energy economy can foster innovation and environmental responsibility.
Lastly, we celebrate Alabama writer Carrie Fugate's initiative to refurbish a 1940 Ford pickup truck into a traveling bookstore that features banned books. This project aims to push back against censorship and promote access to diverse literature, embodying the spirit of resistance against ignorance and erasure.
Join us as we shine a light on these uplifting stories that remind us of the progress being made every day. If you find these stories inspiring, 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 beowulf@twosquaredmediaproductions.com.
For more about these stories:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/18/jimmy-kimmel-protest-disney-abc-burbank
https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/national-politics/republican-rep-michael-mccaul-wont-seek-reelection/269-df5df3d9-05fe-45e7-9321-cad29aa7f77e
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/los-angeles-school-district-ice_n_68c05e75e4b059d8ed35e84c/amp
https://www.mlive.com/news/2025/09/monarch-butterfly-hotspot-gets-improved-pollinator-habitat-with-1600-native-seedlings.html
https://www.ktiv.com/2025/09/08/iowa-company-finds-use-discarded-wind-turbine-blades/
https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/banned-bookstore-pickup-truck-alabama
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/18/jimmy-kimmel-protest-disney-abc-burbank
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/good-news-for-lefties-daily-news-for-democracy--6256627/support.
Mark as Played
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 your host,
Bawolf Rockland, ready to help you swap out doom scrolling
for hope scrolling with uplifting stories for democracy defenders, progressives, liberals, socialists, leftists,
and anyone who believes in making America a better place
(00:28):
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 exactly
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 enjoy the show, please
(00:49):
rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your
podcast platform of choice. It helps more lefties like you
hear 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. Hundreds of demonstrators
rallied outside Disney's Burbank headquarters Thursday, denouncing the suspension of
(01:13):
Jimmy Kimmel's late night show as a chilling attack on
free expression. Protesters led by the Writers Guild of America
waived signs that turned Disney's iconic imagery into symbols of dissent,
accusing executives of bowing to political intimidation rather than standing
up for one of television's most outspoken voices. The suspension
(01:34):
came after threats from Trump administration officials, including FCC chair
Brendan Carr, who suggested regulatory action in response to Kimmel's
sharp critique of the MAGA movement. Within hours, ABC pulled
Jimmy Kimmel Live indefinitely, an act that sparked immediate outrage
from labor groups, entertainers, and everyday fans. Demonstrators in Burbank
(01:55):
were joined by hundreds more in New York and Hollywood,
chanting for Kimmel's return and blasting Disney leadership for shutting
down a comedian rather than defending free speech. Writers and
performers compared the standoff to the fictional battles against authoritarianism
in Disney's own Star Wars series, holding signs that read
did you even watch? And or and no bread and
(02:19):
no circus. Local leaders echoed that frustration. Burbank Council member
Constantine Anthony said the decision revealed a company willing to
silence artists under pressure, instead of honoring its role as
a cultural powerhouse. The Writers Guild vowed that the protests
were only the beginning of sustained pressure until Kimmel is
(02:39):
back on the air. For many demonstrators, the suspension represents
something far deeper than a single show. It has become
a rallying point for defending the right to challenge power
in all its forms, governmental, corporate, or otherwise. Protesters said
they would continue to mobilize, convinced that the greater story
is about ensuring America remains a place where or creative
(03:00):
voices are not silenced but amplified. As Writers Guild president
Meredith Stein put it, audiences are demanding more than entertainment.
They are insisting on freedom. Representative Michael McCall of Texas,
a Republican, announced Sunday he would not seek reelection after
more than twenty years in Congress, adding his name to
(03:23):
a growing list of Republicans stepping away from the House
ahead of twenty twenty six. McCall, first elected in two
thousand and four said he was looking for a new
challenge while pledging to finish out his current term. The
longtime lawmaker, who chaired both the Homeland Security and Foreign
Affairs committees, is the third Republican this year to announce retirement,
(03:44):
joining Representatives Morgan Latuelle of Texas and Don Bacon of Nebraska.
His departure underscores the mounting turnover in a chamber where
GOP leadership has been beset by sharp internal divisions and
the pressures of governing under a narrow majority, and their
efforts to implement authoritarianism. McCall's district, which stretches from part
(04:06):
of Austin toward Houston suburbs, was recently redrawn by Texas Republicans.
While still leaning conservative, the newly configured lines slightly narrowed
the party's advantage. He easily won reelection by nearly thirty
points in twenty twenty four, but Democrats say a more
competitive field of open seat races could shift momentum their way.
(04:27):
In twenty twenty six, progressives noted that McCall's decision reflects
a broader shift in Congress, as several establishment Republicans exit
rather than navigate the polarizing politics of the Trump era,
Democrats see opportunity in retiring incumbents who leave behind deeply
entrenched seats, arguing that a surge of new candidates and
energized voters could reshape the balance of power. With McCall
(04:50):
moving on, the contest to succeed him will spotlight whether
Texas voters are ready to send a new voice to Washington.
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
(05:13):
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 week and you want a laugh into
(05:33):
the bargain, listen to This Week Again with Suzanne Posel
on this platform or wherever you listen to podcasts. That's
This Week Again with Suzanne Posel s U s A
N N E PO S E L this week again listen, laugh, repeat.
(05:54):
Teachers and community organizers across Los Angeles have taken on
a new frontline role this school year, protecting immigrant families
from federal immigration rates with heightened enforcement under the Trump administration.
Educators are teaming up with unions, tenants, rights groups, and
neighborhood patrols to keep watch around campuses and ensure students
(06:14):
can get to class safely. For many families, that protection
has become as essential as lesson plans and school supplies.
The coordinated effort builds on years of grassroots organizing in
LA Volunteers now patrol outside schools, distribute know UAR rights information,
and collaborate with district leaders to create safe zones for
the city's thirty thousand immigrant students, seventy five hundred of
(06:38):
whom are undocumented. From adjusted bus routes to virtual learning options,
schools are rethinking security and access with one guiding principle
that every child deserves to feel welcome and safe in
the classroom. Superintendent Alberto Carvallo praised the turnout on la
usd's first day of school this year. Attendance was two
(07:01):
percent higher than last year as proof that those safeguards
are working. Behind the vigilance, However, are stories of students
carrying a heavy load of fear. Counselors report older children
breaking down in their offices, convinced their parents could be
swept up on the street. Teachers like Clemen Avallos and
Lupe Carrasco Cardona recall their own childhood memories of anti
(07:24):
immigrant crackdowns and say that lived experience drives their commitment
to stand outside before the bell rings for families caught
in the crackdowns. Cross airs patrols often provide both security
and a reminder of community solidarity. Union members say what
gives them hope is the coalition itself, a network that
spans teachers, housing activists, parents, and even local grocers who
(07:48):
have donated resources. In a climate where children ask whether
ice might appear at their schools, educators now reassure them
not only with words, but with action. As Cardona put it,
the hope is in the coalition. For Los Angeles, these
daily acts of protection have become not just about resisting fear,
but about showing a new model of care that other
cities may soon follow. Michigan's Upper Peninsula just got a
(08:14):
little friendlier for butterflies and bees. At Peninsula Point, one
of the state's most celebrated monarch roosting sites, Forest staff
and community partners planted sixteen hundred native seedlings as part
of a long term project to restore pollinator habitat the
site at the southern tip of the Stonington Peninsula, where
(08:35):
thousands of monarchs gather each fall, is being revitalized to
ensure these vital pollinators have the food and shelter they
need for years to come. Officials with the Hiawatha National
Forest said the work improves both forest health and the
visitor experience, inviting people to witness one of nature's most
dazzling migrations in an environment designed to support it. The
(08:58):
project builds on efforts by the Superior Watershed Partnership, the
Great Lakes Climate Core, and the Lake to Lake Cooperative
Invasive Species Management Area, all contributing to a more resilient ecosystem.
Each September, the peninsula transforms into a living backdrop for
the monarch's supergeneration, which begins its extraordinary journey south to Mexico.
(09:21):
Conservationists noted that planting native species will not only benefit
the butterflies, but also a wide array of pollinators, from
hummingbirds to bees, that are essential to healthy food systems
and ecosystems. The restoration underscores how local action can support
global wonders. As monarchs prepare to make their transcontinental trek,
(09:43):
volunteers hope the strengthened habitat will continue to make Michigan
a safe and spectacular stopover. With the morning sun after
a cold front, visitors may see what makes this place special.
Thousands of orange and black wings lifting off together, carried
south on the wid.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
Up.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
Next, a listener suggested story back in a minute, and
now a listener suggested story from Greg Into Boyne, Iowa.
An Iowa startup has found a sustainable solution for one
of the wind industry's biggest challenges, what to do with
retired turbine blades. Renew a Blade based in BonDurant, has
(10:24):
begun grinding down the massive fiberglass blades and turning them
into concrete products, from retaining wall blocks to commercial barriers.
This innovation not only diverts tons of waste from landfills,
but also turns clean energy leftovers into useful building materials.
The approach is already making an impact in des Moines,
(10:44):
where blocks made from recycled blades were used in a
new retaining wall at Premiere. Credit Union CEO Megan Chernagel
said the project reflects how businesses can lead with purpose
by embracing sustainable construction. Although the concrete is yet ready
for large scale structural projects, renew a Blade says it's
(11:05):
perfectly suited for nonstructural uses across commercial and agricultural spaces.
The need is pressing. Studies estimate that more than two
million tons of turbine blades could be retired in the
US by twenty fifty, and improper disposal has already led
to lawsuits in several states. Unlike companies that have been
(11:25):
caught dumping blades, renew a Blade and a handful of
others are showing that recycling is not only feasible, but
commercially viable. One small parking lot wall can absorb the
blades from an entire turbine, underscoring the potential to scale
the practice nationwide. After years of research and early skepticism,
renew a Blade is now fully operational in planning expansions
(11:48):
to Texas and the UK. Founder Brian meng, a lifelong recycler, said,
The company's success proves that the clean energy economy can
create its own second life cycle, cutting waste, creating new products,
and fueling innovation. There's a lot of people that said
they could do this, Meng said, We're one of the
(12:08):
rare companies actually making it happen. Thanks so much for
that story, Greg. 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 Beowulf at two Squaredmedia Productions dot com, or send
it to us at good News for Lefties on Facebook,
(12:30):
Instagram or Blue Sky. An Alabama writer is turning a
piece of Americana into a rolling act of resistance. Carrie Fugut,
author of the memoir A Live Day, is refurbishing a
rusty nineteen forty Ford pickup truck into the Bandwagon, a
(12:50):
traveling bookstore filled with titles restricted or removed from schools
and libraries under new book band laws. For Fugut, whose
home stay recently cut funding to a library over LGBTQ
plus books, the project is both personal and political, a
way to push back against what she calls a war
(13:11):
on knowledge. Fugot says her goal is simple to get
banned and challenged books back into the hands of people
who need the most. She envisions the truck not only
as a bookstore, but also as a gathering spot for workshops,
open mics, and community discussions aimed at dismantling the stigma
around the very stories lawmakers are trying to suppress. From
(13:32):
LGBTQ plus youth to anyone seeking perspectives that expand their worldview.
Feugot believes every reader has a right to these books.
The project arrives at a time when censorship is spiking nationwide.
Data from the American Library Association shows nearly twenty five
hundred unique titles were challenged this year, while pen America
(13:54):
tracked more than ten thousand book bands in schools across
forty three states. That climate, FuGO says, only fuels her determination.
Bless their hearts. They thought banning books in the South
would keep folks from reading them, she wrote, All it's
done is make me want to fight back. While the
truck still needs restoration, Fugut has launched a GoFundMe campaign
(14:15):
and already raised a portion of her four thousand dollars goal.
She admits taking a traveling banned bookstore through the South
is risky, but insists that's precisely why it's necessary. It's
a rebellion against censorship, ignorance, and erasure. She said. Her
dream is to put the books back where they belong,
in the hands of readers, spreading truth, freedom, and empathy,
(14:39):
one stop at a time. 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 team,
wrote Isabelle Heine and Aaron Watson for making all of
(15:02):
this possible behind the scenes. I'm Bowolf Rocklin, weird name
good News for Lefties and America.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
Here's what you've been missing on the Stephanie Miller Happy
Hour podcast. Who said this would be Ocober thirty, Verse
twenty twenty four. Let's part 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 Cheney talking about
change oh, rock o' wallaby, No, that would be Donald
(15:51):
Trump said that about Liz Cheney and a firing gayhookie
in front of nine barrels.
Speaker 3 (15:55):
Heather, Charlie, Charlie Kirk say shoot, Charlie Kirk said President
Biden should be executed. I mean yeah, to his credit said, oh, there,
I guess there should be a trial for something.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
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 (16:30):
And in case you missed it, here's this good news headline.
Ronoke College of Sale in Virginia is giving student housing
a creative, sustainable twist with the opening of Maroon Village,
a new neighborhood built from solar powered shipping containers. The
village provides one hundred and fifty seven beds in sweet
(16:50):
style units and is the first fully solar equipped housing
option on campus. Combining modern design with environmental responsibility, Each
unit offers bright interiors with bunk beds, desks, storage, private bathrooms,
and inroom temperature controls. Shared spaces include a common room
with a kitchenette and TV, three on site laundry rooms,
(17:14):
and a central courtyard designed to foster community. Built by
custom container living, the project reflects a growing movement to
repurpose shipping containers for greener, cost effective housing across the country.
Students moving in say the dorms feel far roomier than expected.
One senior described the units as pretty spacious, while another
(17:34):
was surprised to find enough space to twirl and spin.
For now, the container dorms are meant to serve as
temporary housing while other campus residence halls undergo renovation, though
administrators haven't ruled out making them a long term fixture.
Beyond addressing housing needs, college officials see Maroon Village as
(17:54):
a chance to introduce students to sustainable living in a
hands on way. Repurposed contains in buildings are rapidly gaining
traction nationwide, from art galleries and hotels to tidy homes
and cafes. At Roanoke, the experiment doubles as both a
practical housing solution and a model that shows students sustainability
can be stylish, functional and community oriented
Good News for Lefties and America. Hello and thanks for
joining another episode of Good News for Lefties. I'm your host,
Bawolf Rockland, ready to help you swap out doom scrolling
for hope scrolling with uplifting stories for democracy defenders, progressives, liberals, socialists, leftists,
and anyone who believes in making America a better place
(00:28):
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 exactly
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 enjoy the show, please
(00:49):
rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your
podcast platform of choice. It helps more lefties like you
hear 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. Hundreds of demonstrators
rallied outside Disney's Burbank headquarters Thursday, denouncing the suspension of
(01:13):
Jimmy Kimmel's late night show as a chilling attack on
free expression. Protesters led by the Writers Guild of America
waived signs that turned Disney's iconic imagery into symbols of dissent,
accusing executives of bowing to political intimidation rather than standing
up for one of television's most outspoken voices. The suspension
(01:34):
came after threats from Trump administration officials, including FCC chair
Brendan Carr, who suggested regulatory action in response to Kimmel's
sharp critique of the MAGA movement. Within hours, ABC pulled
Jimmy Kimmel Live indefinitely, an act that sparked immediate outrage
from labor groups, entertainers, and everyday fans. Demonstrators in Burbank
(01:55):
were joined by hundreds more in New York and Hollywood,
chanting for Kimmel's return and blasting Disney leadership for shutting
down a comedian rather than defending free speech. Writers and
performers compared the standoff to the fictional battles against authoritarianism
in Disney's own Star Wars series, holding signs that read
did you even watch? And or and no bread and
(02:19):
no circus. Local leaders echoed that frustration. Burbank Council member
Constantine Anthony said the decision revealed a company willing to
silence artists under pressure, instead of honoring its role as
a cultural powerhouse. The Writers Guild vowed that the protests
were only the beginning of sustained pressure until Kimmel is
(02:39):
back on the air. For many demonstrators, the suspension represents
something far deeper than a single show. It has become
a rallying point for defending the right to challenge power
in all its forms, governmental, corporate, or otherwise. Protesters said
they would continue to mobilize, convinced that the greater story
is about ensuring America remains a place where or creative
(03:00):
voices are not silenced but amplified. As Writers Guild president
Meredith Stein put it, audiences are demanding more than entertainment.
They are insisting on freedom. Representative Michael McCall of Texas,
a Republican, announced Sunday he would not seek reelection after
more than twenty years in Congress, adding his name to
(03:23):
a growing list of Republicans stepping away from the House
ahead of twenty twenty six. McCall, first elected in two
thousand and four said he was looking for a new
challenge while pledging to finish out his current term. The
longtime lawmaker, who chaired both the Homeland Security and Foreign
Affairs committees, is the third Republican this year to announce retirement,
(03:44):
joining Representatives Morgan Latuelle of Texas and Don Bacon of Nebraska.
His departure underscores the mounting turnover in a chamber where
GOP leadership has been beset by sharp internal divisions and
the pressures of governing under a narrow majority, and their
efforts to implement authoritarianism. McCall's district, which stretches from part
(04:06):
of Austin toward Houston suburbs, was recently redrawn by Texas Republicans.
While still leaning conservative, the newly configured lines slightly narrowed
the party's advantage. He easily won reelection by nearly thirty
points in twenty twenty four, but Democrats say a more
competitive field of open seat races could shift momentum their way.
(04:27):
In twenty twenty six, progressives noted that McCall's decision reflects
a broader shift in Congress, as several establishment Republicans exit
rather than navigate the polarizing politics of the Trump era,
Democrats see opportunity in retiring incumbents who leave behind deeply
entrenched seats, arguing that a surge of new candidates and
energized voters could reshape the balance of power. With McCall
(04:50):
moving on, the contest to succeed him will spotlight whether
Texas voters are ready to send a new voice to Washington.
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
(05:13):
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 week and you want a laugh into
(05:33):
the bargain, listen to This Week Again with Suzanne Posel
on this platform or wherever you listen to podcasts. That's
This Week Again with Suzanne Posel s U s A
N N E PO S E L this week again listen, laugh, repeat.
(05:54):
Teachers and community organizers across Los Angeles have taken on
a new frontline role this school year, protecting immigrant families
from federal immigration rates with heightened enforcement under the Trump administration.
Educators are teaming up with unions, tenants, rights groups, and
neighborhood patrols to keep watch around campuses and ensure students
(06:14):
can get to class safely. For many families, that protection
has become as essential as lesson plans and school supplies.
The coordinated effort builds on years of grassroots organizing in
LA Volunteers now patrol outside schools, distribute know UAR rights information,
and collaborate with district leaders to create safe zones for
the city's thirty thousand immigrant students, seventy five hundred of
(06:38):
whom are undocumented. From adjusted bus routes to virtual learning options,
schools are rethinking security and access with one guiding principle
that every child deserves to feel welcome and safe in
the classroom. Superintendent Alberto Carvallo praised the turnout on la
usd's first day of school this year. Attendance was two
(07:01):
percent higher than last year as proof that those safeguards
are working. Behind the vigilance, However, are stories of students
carrying a heavy load of fear. Counselors report older children
breaking down in their offices, convinced their parents could be
swept up on the street. Teachers like Clemen Avallos and
Lupe Carrasco Cardona recall their own childhood memories of anti
(07:24):
immigrant crackdowns and say that lived experience drives their commitment
to stand outside before the bell rings for families caught
in the crackdowns. Cross airs patrols often provide both security
and a reminder of community solidarity. Union members say what
gives them hope is the coalition itself, a network that
spans teachers, housing activists, parents, and even local grocers who
(07:48):
have donated resources. In a climate where children ask whether
ice might appear at their schools, educators now reassure them
not only with words, but with action. As Cardona put it,
the hope is in the coalition. For Los Angeles, these
daily acts of protection have become not just about resisting fear,
but about showing a new model of care that other
cities may soon follow. Michigan's Upper Peninsula just got a
(08:14):
little friendlier for butterflies and bees. At Peninsula Point, one
of the state's most celebrated monarch roosting sites, Forest staff
and community partners planted sixteen hundred native seedlings as part
of a long term project to restore pollinator habitat the
site at the southern tip of the Stonington Peninsula, where
(08:35):
thousands of monarchs gather each fall, is being revitalized to
ensure these vital pollinators have the food and shelter they
need for years to come. Officials with the Hiawatha National
Forest said the work improves both forest health and the
visitor experience, inviting people to witness one of nature's most
dazzling migrations in an environment designed to support it. The
(08:58):
project builds on efforts by the Superior Watershed Partnership, the
Great Lakes Climate Core, and the Lake to Lake Cooperative
Invasive Species Management Area, all contributing to a more resilient ecosystem.
Each September, the peninsula transforms into a living backdrop for
the monarch's supergeneration, which begins its extraordinary journey south to Mexico.
(09:21):
Conservationists noted that planting native species will not only benefit
the butterflies, but also a wide array of pollinators, from
hummingbirds to bees, that are essential to healthy food systems
and ecosystems. The restoration underscores how local action can support
global wonders. As monarchs prepare to make their transcontinental trek,
(09:43):
volunteers hope the strengthened habitat will continue to make Michigan
a safe and spectacular stopover. With the morning sun after
a cold front, visitors may see what makes this place special.
Thousands of orange and black wings lifting off together, carried
south on the wid.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
Up.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
Next, a listener suggested story back in a minute, and
now a listener suggested story from Greg Into Boyne, Iowa.
An Iowa startup has found a sustainable solution for one
of the wind industry's biggest challenges, what to do with
retired turbine blades. Renew a Blade based in BonDurant, has
(10:24):
begun grinding down the massive fiberglass blades and turning them
into concrete products, from retaining wall blocks to commercial barriers.
This innovation not only diverts tons of waste from landfills,
but also turns clean energy leftovers into useful building materials.
The approach is already making an impact in des Moines,
(10:44):
where blocks made from recycled blades were used in a
new retaining wall at Premiere. Credit Union CEO Megan Chernagel
said the project reflects how businesses can lead with purpose
by embracing sustainable construction. Although the concrete is yet ready
for large scale structural projects, renew a Blade says it's
(11:05):
perfectly suited for nonstructural uses across commercial and agricultural spaces.
The need is pressing. Studies estimate that more than two
million tons of turbine blades could be retired in the
US by twenty fifty, and improper disposal has already led
to lawsuits in several states. Unlike companies that have been
(11:25):
caught dumping blades, renew a Blade and a handful of
others are showing that recycling is not only feasible, but
commercially viable. One small parking lot wall can absorb the
blades from an entire turbine, underscoring the potential to scale
the practice nationwide. After years of research and early skepticism,
renew a Blade is now fully operational in planning expansions
(11:48):
to Texas and the UK. Founder Brian meng, a lifelong recycler, said,
The company's success proves that the clean energy economy can
create its own second life cycle, cutting waste, creating new products,
and fueling innovation. There's a lot of people that said
they could do this, Meng said, We're one of the
(12:08):
rare companies actually making it happen. Thanks so much for
that story, Greg. 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 Beowulf at two Squaredmedia Productions dot com, or send
it to us at good News for Lefties on Facebook,
(12:30):
Instagram or Blue Sky. An Alabama writer is turning a
piece of Americana into a rolling act of resistance. Carrie Fugut,
author of the memoir A Live Day, is refurbishing a
rusty nineteen forty Ford pickup truck into the Bandwagon, a
(12:50):
traveling bookstore filled with titles restricted or removed from schools
and libraries under new book band laws. For Fugut, whose
home stay recently cut funding to a library over LGBTQ
plus books, the project is both personal and political, a
way to push back against what she calls a war
(13:11):
on knowledge. Fugot says her goal is simple to get
banned and challenged books back into the hands of people
who need the most. She envisions the truck not only
as a bookstore, but also as a gathering spot for workshops,
open mics, and community discussions aimed at dismantling the stigma
around the very stories lawmakers are trying to suppress. From
(13:32):
LGBTQ plus youth to anyone seeking perspectives that expand their worldview.
Feugot believes every reader has a right to these books.
The project arrives at a time when censorship is spiking nationwide.
Data from the American Library Association shows nearly twenty five
hundred unique titles were challenged this year, while pen America
(13:54):
tracked more than ten thousand book bands in schools across
forty three states. That climate, FuGO says, only fuels her determination.
Bless their hearts. They thought banning books in the South
would keep folks from reading them, she wrote, All it's
done is make me want to fight back. While the
truck still needs restoration, Fugut has launched a GoFundMe campaign
(14:15):
and already raised a portion of her four thousand dollars goal.
She admits taking a traveling banned bookstore through the South
is risky, but insists that's precisely why it's necessary. It's
a rebellion against censorship, ignorance, and erasure. She said. Her
dream is to put the books back where they belong,
in the hands of readers, spreading truth, freedom, and empathy,
(14:39):
one stop at a time. 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 team,
wrote Isabelle Heine and Aaron Watson for making all of
(15:02):
this possible behind the scenes. I'm Bowolf Rocklin, weird name
good News for Lefties and America.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
Here's what you've been missing on the Stephanie Miller Happy
Hour podcast. Who said this would be Ocober thirty, Verse
twenty twenty four. Let's part 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 Cheney talking about
change oh, rock o' wallaby, No, that would be Donald
(15:51):
Trump said that about Liz Cheney and a firing gayhookie
in front of nine barrels.
Speaker 3 (15:55):
Heather, Charlie, Charlie Kirk say shoot, Charlie Kirk said President
Biden should be executed. I mean yeah, to his credit said, oh, there,
I guess there should be a trial for something.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
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 (16:30):
And in case you missed it, here's this good news headline.
Ronoke College of Sale in Virginia is giving student housing
a creative, sustainable twist with the opening of Maroon Village,
a new neighborhood built from solar powered shipping containers. The
village provides one hundred and fifty seven beds in sweet
(16:50):
style units and is the first fully solar equipped housing
option on campus. Combining modern design with environmental responsibility, Each
unit offers bright interiors with bunk beds, desks, storage, private bathrooms,
and inroom temperature controls. Shared spaces include a common room
with a kitchenette and TV, three on site laundry rooms,
(17:14):
and a central courtyard designed to foster community. Built by
custom container living, the project reflects a growing movement to
repurpose shipping containers for greener, cost effective housing across the country.
Students moving in say the dorms feel far roomier than expected.
One senior described the units as pretty spacious, while another
(17:34):
was surprised to find enough space to twirl and spin.
For now, the container dorms are meant to serve as
temporary housing while other campus residence halls undergo renovation, though
administrators haven't ruled out making them a long term fixture.
Beyond addressing housing needs, college officials see Maroon Village as
(17:54):
a chance to introduce students to sustainable living in a
hands on way. Repurposed contains in buildings are rapidly gaining
traction nationwide, from art galleries and hotels to tidy homes
and cafes. At Roanoke, the experiment doubles as both a
practical housing solution and a model that shows students sustainability
can be stylish, functional and community oriented
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies!
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!