Court Victory for Journalism, Pope Calls Out Wealth Inequality, and Coffee Workers Form Union!

In this episode of Good News for Lefties, we bring you a collection of heartening stories that highlight the resilience of democracy and the power of community action. We kick off with a significant ruling from U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, who has blocked mass layoffs at Voice of America (VOA), ensuring that dedicated journalists can continue their vital work in providing reliable news coverage to communities worldwide. This decision underscores the importance of safeguarding public service journalism against political interference, particularly in regions where independent information is scarce.

Next, we hear from Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pontiff, as he boldly critiques the growing economic inequality exemplified by corporate excesses like Tesla's proposed pay package for Elon Musk. His remarks emphasize the urgent need for a shift in values, calling attention to the moral crisis of inequality that threatens the very fabric of society.

We also celebrate a remarkable victory for workers at Verve Coffee Roasters in Santa Cruz, California, who voted unanimously to form a union. This momentous achievement reflects a growing wave of labor organizing across the country, showcasing the power of solidarity and collective action in the fight for fair treatment and better working conditions.

In Allentown, Pennsylvania, city leaders are transforming disused brownfield sites into vibrant hubs for small-scale manufacturing, supported by a $20 million federal grant. This initiative not only creates jobs but also fosters healthier neighborhoods, demonstrating that economic vitality and livability can coexist.

Additionally, we spotlight the innovative efforts of EV Realty, a startup that is revolutionizing electric trucking in California by building mega charging depots for commercial fleets. Their commitment to decarbonizing freight transportation represents a crucial step toward a sustainable future, even in the face of policy uncertainties.

Finally, we share the inspiring story of the Million Meal Pack event in Atlanta, where thousands of volunteers united to pack over 1 million meals for families facing food insecurity. This heartwarming display of community spirit highlights the power of collective action to combat hunger and support those in need.

Join us as we celebrate these uplifting stories that remind us of the progress being made every day in the fight for justice and equality. If you find these stories inspiring, please rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform! We’d love to hear from you, so reach out at 202-656-6271 or drop us a line at [e-mail].

For more about today's stories:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/federal-judge-blocks-voice-of-america-mass-terminations-in-scathing-ruling-against-lake/ar-AA1NzJAX


https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/15/pope-leo-concerned-elon-musk-pay


https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/human-resources/santa-cruz-verve-coffee-workers-win-union-election/ar-AA1NH1F5


https://usa.streetsblog.org/2025/09/26/revitalizing-cities-with-small-scale-manufacturing


https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/ev-charging/ev-realty-funding-build-truck-depot-california?amp;utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=canary&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9dkRE_43YWKTLf_r_dsO20vykk_4M91agI2_XBE4U3mprZiNFY6FceRhTlWPvVMuwJlU591dXRFU_0HUMxsrhuwCm7HQ&_hsmi=381203897


https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/09/27/thousands-volunteers-pack-1-million-meals-fight-food-insecurity-metro-atlanta/



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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,
Beowulf Rocklin, and I'm ready to help you swap out
doom scrolling for hope scrolling with uplifting stories for democracy defenders, progressives, liberals, socialists, leftists,

(00:27):
and anyone who believes 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 that 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

(00:49):
spread the positivity. If you 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. A federal judge has

(01:11):
delivered a significant victory for public service journalism, blocking a
sleeping round of firings. AD Voice of America that threatened
to gut the agency's global mission. In a sharply written ruling,
US District Judge Royce Lambert not only halted the mass
layoffs planned under Senior Advisor Carrie Lake, but also excoriated

(01:32):
her team for ignoring Congress and the law. The move
ensures that VOA's journalists, many of whom cover some of
the world's most sensitive regions, can continue their work providing reliable,
fact based news. Judge Lambert's decision calls out repeated legal
violations that would have dismantled essential international programming. The judge

(01:54):
noted that VOA had already slashed its radio broadcasts down
to a token presence in some languages, leaving entire continents
like South America without coverage. Testimony revealed that leadership had
shown startling indifference to whether Africa qualified as a significant
region of the world, despite explicit statutory requirements. By stopping

(02:17):
the cuts, lamberth safeguarded news access for communities living under
authoritarian regimes, where VOA often provides one of the only
independent information sources. The ruling paints a damning picture of
Lake's stewardship at the agency, describing her team's approach as
defiant toward Congress and dismissive of core obligations. Lamberth accused

(02:41):
officials of trying to mislead the court about pending layoffs
and scolded them for withholding required records. At one point,
he described their behavior as thumbing their noses at the law,
language rarely used in such rulings. This outcome offers a
reminder that federal courts remain ready to cur verb attempts
to silence public media workers and to road international press freedom.

(03:05):
For VOA's journalists and global audiences, the order is a
reprieve from an attempted purge that could have crippled the
agency's reach. The workforce remains protected at least until mid October,
when the administration must submit a plan to restore the
program in Congress requires that timeline puts the onus back
on political appointees to rebuild rather than dismantle. In a

(03:28):
moment when attacks on press institutions are mounting, Lambert's ruling
stands as a powerful defense of journalism that informs the
American public and millions around the world. Pope Leo the fourteenth,
the first US born pontiff and a voice, already unafraid
to challenge economic injustice, used his birthday week to deliver

(03:49):
a searing critique of runaway corporate wealth. In his first
media interview since being elected in May, the Pope said
the world is in big trouble as the gap between them,
the ultra rich and working people reaches unprecedented extremes. Pointing
directly to Tesla's proposed trillion dollar pay package for Elon Musk,

(04:10):
the Pope noted that what once was a modest gap
and executive compensation has turned into a chasm, with CEOs
now earning hundreds of times more than their employees. If
that is the only thing that has any value anymore,
then we're in big trouble, he warned, calling out the
dangers of a society where wealth accumulation by the few

(04:33):
is treated as sacred while millions struggle to afford the basics.
His words make clear that the moral crisis of inequality
is just as urgent as wars or climate change, demanding
not just political solutions but a shift in values. And
also it might be that that inequality is connected to
those wars and that climate change. Tesla's board recently proposed

(04:56):
an unprecedented scheme that would make Musk the warl first
trillionaire if the company's valuation jumps to eight point five
trillion over the next decade. The Pope questioned what such
excess means for humanity while workers face rising costs, shows
a world that has lost its balance. His frank remarks

(05:17):
underscore how corporate systems are placing profit far above human dignity.
Leo inherits a mantle of progressive leadership from his predecessor,
Pope Francis, who frequently denounced Donald Trump's hardline policies and
elevated social justice causes. While Leo's early papacy has been
quieter in tone, his critique of Musk signals he is

(05:40):
prepared to confront the economic structures driving global division as
he continues to settle into Rome. He has made clear
that combating inequality will remain central to his vision of
a more compassionate, human centered world. Workers at Verve Coffee
Roasters in Santa Cruz, California, have brewed up a major

(06:03):
victory for the labor movement, voting unanimously to form their union,
Verve Workers United, after months of organizing and facing management resistance.
Every single ballot cast favored unionization, clearing away for employees
to begin negotiating directly with the company under United Food

(06:23):
and Commercial Workers Local five. The sweep represents a resounding
statement of workers' solidarity in an industry where corporate pushback
against union drives has grown fierce. The campaign began on
Labor Day, when employees publicly announced their intent to unionize.
After Verve management declined to voluntarily recognize the union, workers

(06:44):
pushed ahead with an election overseen by the National Labor
Relations Board. Stores in Santa Cruz temporarily closed so workers
could cast their votes, and the count came in at
one hundred percent in favor of forming the union, an
emphatic demonstration of collective determination. Employees describe the atmosphere as
both tense and celebratory, with ballots read aloud one by

(07:07):
one until the unanimous outcome became clear. For Sasha Peve,
a twenty three year old barista and member of the
Verve Workers United Committee, the results marked a joyful turning point.
I feel crazy solidarity with everyone who came and voted,
she said, emphasizing the pride and shared purpose that fueled
the drive. The union now plans to elect representatives to

(07:29):
sit at the bargaining table. With many workers eager to
keep their momentum rolling into negotiations, the wind carries significance
well beyond Santa Cruz, arriving during a surge of new
organizing across the country, from coffee shops and bookstores to
warehouses and universities. By securing certification, Verve employees join a

(07:49):
growing wave of service workers, proving that unity can turn
simple workplaces into engines for change. For now, the union
is taking time to celebrate, but their clear eyed focus
remains on the next chapter, transforming their newfound power into
a fair contract that reflects the voices of every worker
behind the counter. Allentown, Pennsylvania, is showing how rust belt

(08:15):
cities can reinvent themselves by pairing economic vitality with healthier,
more livable neighborhoods. Backed by a twenty million dollar federal grant,
city leaders are transforming long disused brownfield sites into hubs
for small scale manufacturing businesses that range from clothing makers
and breweries to art studios and tech workshops. Unlike the

(08:36):
polluting factories of the past, these new enterprises are designed
to thrive alongside residents, cutting car traffic by putting jobs
within walking and biking distance. Mayor Matt Turk has championed
the initiative as part of a fifteen minute city model
where people can live near where they work, shop, and create.

(08:57):
The core of livability is being able to live close
to where you work, he said, stressing that this kind
of investment connects people to opportunity without sacrificing air quality
or neighborhood health. Beyond job creation, city ordinances tied to
these projects require developers to fund infrastructure upgrades, from safer
sidewalks and bike access to street trees that cool and

(09:22):
green urban corridors. Allentown's progress builds on a growing recognition
that manufacturing today can be cleaner, smaller, and community focused.
A Smart Growth America report highlights how these businesses anchor
neighborhood life, often with storefronts that turn industrial activity into
cultural and economic destinations. By rethinking outdated zoning that once

(09:45):
kept industry far from homes, Allentown is making space for
enterprises that complement daily life instead of disrupting it. The
city's approach is serving as an example for peers across
the country. From Lowell, Massachusetts, to twin falls eye to head,
demonstrating that small scale manufacturing can spur renewal, reduce car dependents,

(10:06):
and restore pride in local production, even with federal support
uncertain under Trump's administration. Advocates say this work crew cities
don't have to wait for Washington to craft solutions. Ellentown's
strategy offers a clear roadmap tie jobs to neighborhoods, cut pollution,
and grow resilient communities from the ground up. Up Next,

(10:29):
a listener suggested story back in a minute, and now
a listener suggested story from Felicia in Campbell, California. Electric
trucking is getting a powerful boost in California thanks to
ev Realty, a San Francisco based startup that just raised
seventy five million dollars to expand its network of mega

(10:50):
charging depots for commercial fleets. The company recently broke round
on a massive news site in San Bernardino, set to
become one of the state's largest fully grid powered fast
charging hubs for electric trucks, with seventy six direct current
fast chargers, including ultra high capacity megawat chargers that can

(11:12):
recharge a test less semi truck in thirty minutes or less.
The depot is designed to serve more than two hundred
Class eight trucks daily, accelerating the shift away from diesel
freight hauling. Ev Realties strategy focuses on locating charging facilities
near major freight corridors and destination hubs like the Inland

(11:33):
Empire region, where warehouses and truck traffic abound. The San
Bernardino side, positioned close to the BNSF intermodal facility and
massive warehouse space, will draw nearly ten megawatts of power
from the grid with dedicated charging stalls leased by fleet
customers under multi year contracts. This approach aims to ensure

(11:57):
reliable twenty four to seven access for electric truck operators,
making electric freight economically competitive even amid policy uncertainties. Despite
recent setbacks including cuts to tax credits and clean air
rollbacks under the Trump administration, ev Realty's CEO Patrick Sullivan
remains optimistic about the long term potential of electric trucking.

(12:20):
He credits proprietary data science tools for helping the company
identify optimal grid connected sites and build out infrastructure that
meets the specific needs of regional and short haul freight customers. Meanwhile,
partnerships with industry players like Prologusts help expand shared access
to charging networks, enabling greater efficiency and smoother transitions to

(12:44):
zero emission fleets. At a time when transportation is a
front line in the fight against climate change. Ev Realty's
expansion represents a vital step in decarbonizing freight hauling in California,
the nation's largest goods movement economy. By combining smart real
estate development, advanced grid integration, and tailored service agreements, the

(13:08):
startup is paving the way for electric trucks to compete
head to head with diesel, offering cleaner, quieter, and more
cost effective freight transportation for the future. Thanks so much
for that story, Felicia. If you have thoughts, ideas, or
more good news to share, we'd love to hear from you.

(13:28):
Call or message us at two zero two six five
six six' to two seven to, one drop us a
line at beowulf at two Squared Media productions dot, com
or send it to us at Good news For lefties On,
Facebook instagram Or Blue. Sky thousands of volunteers came together
In Metro atlanta for the fifth Annual Million Meal pack

(13:51):
held At State Farm, arena demonstrating the true power of
community in the fight against food. Insecurity this inspiring, event
You KNOW i more than five thousand local, residents including
families and children as young as, six to pack over
one million meals destined for some of the city's most vulnerable.
Neighbors each meal kit provides six nutritious, servings ready to

(14:14):
support families struggling with hunger In, georgia where one in seven,
people including one in five, children face food. Insecurity the
atmosphere at the arena was, electric buzzing with energy and.
Goodwill volunteers Like Kenya lavelle described a bubbly feeling, inside
while others felt uplifted by the collective effort cheered on

(14:37):
by Pom poms and. Music Atlanta hawks players joined in
the action alongside community leaders and local, artists strengthening the
connection between, sports culture and. Service the packed meals will
be distributed through local partners such as The Atlanta Community Food,
BANK Hosnia, Helps Midwest Food bank And Sweetwater, mission and

(14:58):
The Salvation army Of Metro, atlanta ensuring help reaches families
across the. Region Alexis, rowe Vice president Of Community impact
for The Atlanta hawks, said this collaborative approach is. Important
we recognize this is a major, problem but it requires
all the hands Of atlanta to get this job. Done she.
Said the event was also supported BY Us, hunger WHOSE

(15:21):
Ceo Rick witted highlighted the tangible difference these meals make
for families facing impossible choices between their own needs and
those of their. Children this moment of collective action offers
hope and concrete aid amid a growing local. Crisis building
on a legacy of, generosity since twenty, nineteen The Million

(15:41):
Meal pack has mobilized over twenty one thousand volunteers to
pack more than four million meals in the. Region the
partnership Between State Farm arena and The Atlanta hawks not
only nourishes, bodies but also strengthens community, bonds turning the
spirit of sportsmanship into a powerful force for so. Good

(16:02):
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 Rosabel hine And Aaron watson for
making all of this possible behind the. Scenes I'm Beowolf,

(16:24):
frocklin weird name good news for lefties And. America stay
tuned after this commercial break for more of, me your

(16:46):
humble and obedient, servant AS i speak With jen And
dan of the Band camp.

Speaker 2 (16:51):
Podcast, Hey I'm John, fegel. Sang do you ever want
These christian nationalists and right wing fundamentalists on and Think Jesus?
Christ these people are the opposite Of Jesus. Christ you,
Know christianity was supposed to be about love and, service
but millions Of americans have grown up to find their
nice religions been hijacked by this, mean, authoritarian tax free.

Speaker 3 (17:15):
CLIQUE i wrote a book about how these right wingers
aren't actually on the side Of jesus and historically they
never have. Been separation Of church and hate a same
Person's guide to taking back The bible from fundamentalist fascists
and flock fleasing. Frauds it's a very irreverent and biblically
correct book for, believers, atheist, agnostics and anybody who's ever
going to have to deal with A christian extremist in your, family,

(17:36):
workplace or. Government on all the issues that divide us
using actual verses from that book they claim to. Follow
they've got A First amendment right to twist The bible
to their. Liking you've got a First amendment right to
call them out for, it and you'll be surprised at
how good it.

Speaker 2 (17:49):
Feels and now.

Speaker 1 (17:53):
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 bandcamppodcast dot com and just
a quick trigger warning here there may be some clips
Of Donald trump played in this next. Segment it's time

(18:16):
for Band Camp.

Speaker 2 (18:17):
News True, speaker News. Speaker they Will.

Speaker 1 (18:21):
Rocklin it's a weird, name but he's got good.

Speaker 4 (18:24):
News because he can't have the.

Speaker 5 (18:26):
Truth he's broadcasting live from The Good news For Lefty
studio is buried deep inside his social safe, house hidden
somewhere deep in The oregon.

Speaker 4 (18:36):
Woods he Is, Babe Well, rocklyn.

Speaker 1 (18:39):
Because you Can't Hello, Jen Hello, Dan hello scary book.
People oh, BOY i have some good news. Today you
are probably. FAMILIAR i KNOW i am from your college.
DAYS a lot of these red solo cups lying around
a lot of people drinking and partying and playing beer

(19:00):
pong and things like. That, well one particularly innovative college
student saw all these things hanging around and, Decided i'm
going to take. That i'm going to recycle, those And
i'm going to turn them into a bunch of comfy.
Sweaters Lauren, shoy an engineering student At John Hopkins, university

(19:21):
decided to do something about. It it turns out if
you melt them, down extrude, them they can be turned
into a yarn that can be knitted into this, wonderful actually,
soft very comfortable. Plastic and it is it can be sold,
now and it's online and they're selling. Them and it

(19:44):
is a process, that because it's based on THREE d,
printing actually eliminates almost all of the microplastics that would
typically be involved in creating a clothing of this. Guy,
so on two different, levels by taking this junk that
would have headed into, landfills and two by reducing the
amount of microplastics through THREE d, Printing Lauren shoy has

(20:07):
just done wonderful things in turning red solo cups Into
snuggie sweaters and.

Speaker 4 (20:13):
HATS i will never understand how some people's brains, Work, like.

Speaker 1 (20:20):
How do you get the idea for something like, that right.

Speaker 4 (20:22):
Right like even like the first person who saw an
egg come out of a, Chicken like how many people
saw that? Before one person was, like so that thing
that looks like it just came out of that chicken's,
ass we should totally eat. That wait now what, Now,
hank what are you? Saying you, know who should sponsor?
This as soon as you put money behind this big beer,

(20:44):
pong they should start like some kind of a clothing.

Speaker 1 (20:48):
Arm goes to show you that our biggest resource is
just figuring stuff out and working it in different ways
and not being prescribed into particular, box just thinking of
different ways we can actually figure stuff out and find
out how to make things. Better And Lauren choy has done,
That so who's like using? This are there pieces you

(21:09):
can buy?

Speaker 2 (21:09):
Now like in?

Speaker 1 (21:10):
Production there? Are you have a company called The New.
Norm it has an online store where beanies and sweaters
are available for purchase ranging from forty five to eighty five,
Dollars so you can go online right now and make
a purchase and it will and they look really, SOFT i,
mean like this is not like chunky grading stuff like

(21:32):
they have like knitted it in such a way that it.
IS i mean it's it's soft to the. Touch you
can see some of the pictures. Online it's really incredible.

Speaker 4 (21:42):
Looking you know how like humans look at ai, cycle well,
great now they're caking our, jobs you think sheep look
at this, like well, great great red solo. Cups now
there we.

Speaker 1 (21:52):
GO i don't think they're going to be out of a,
JOB i, Think AND i will have to consult some.
Folks because near my, house in my safe solo, shoe
what is it that you go he hear? Fortress not your,
fortress that's like a. Superhero, no my socialist safe. House

(22:15):
he at The Oregon woods, nearby AND i can sometimes
hear them because of the there's a skylight in my.
STUDIO i hear sheep bleeding on the, hillside not too
far from. Me i'm not making this. UP i will
have to consult them to see if they are worried
about being put out of the. Job that Was.

Speaker 4 (22:35):
Chewbacca how did he?

Speaker 1 (22:36):
GET i have a feeling they're probably just, gonna you,
know eat some more grass and.

Speaker 4 (22:41):
Pop i'll tell, you, Man DO i love? That that
is what a studio, needs is a sound of sheep
bleeding in the. DISTANCE i am, Serious like ALL i
get From. Jennifer jennifer lives you know and well near,
You Pacific. Northwest and what she hazard these, crows cock.

Speaker 1 (23:00):
Crows they're Awful.

Speaker 4 (23:02):
And Sometimes i'll have to, Wait hold, On, jennifer wait
until that beautiful songbird is done singing its love.

Speaker 1 (23:08):
Song that that doesn't sound. Like that's not a good
newsy sound really a foreboding of.

Speaker 4 (23:15):
Ill, yeah it's the end of your life sound never. Bad, Dan,
everyone go listen To beywolf over On Good news For
lefties wherever you find, podcasts

Speaker 1 (23:31):
And listen To jen And dan on the bandcamp podcast
at bandcamppodcast dot com