October 14, 2025 • 21 mins
In this episode of Good News for Lefties, we bring you a collection of inspiring stories that highlight resilience, advocacy, and the power of community action. We start with the uplifting news from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has reversed a troubling layoff decision, reinstating around 700 employees crucial to public health efforts. This swift action underscores the dedication of frontline scientists who are vital in combating infectious diseases like measles and Ebola, especially during challenging times.
Next, we spotlight the ACLU of New Hampshire's groundbreaking lawsuit against an outdated loitering law that has disproportionately targeted the homeless community. This legal challenge seeks to dismantle discriminatory practices that criminalize basic public behaviors, affirming the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their housing status.
We also celebrate philanthropist MacKenzie Scott's remarkable $42 million donation to 10,000 Degrees, a nonprofit focused on increasing college access for low-income students. Scott's trust-based funding approach empowers organizations to allocate resources where they are most needed, creating transformative opportunities for historically marginalized communities.
In Pennsylvania, a coalition of Republicans is rallying to unseat Congressman Scott Perry, highlighting a growing rift within the GOP. This grassroots effort aims to present voters with a moderate alternative, as tensions rise over Perry's alignment with far-right politics and conspiracy theories.
Finally, we share the inspiring story of former library director Terry Leslie, who won a $700,000 settlement after being fired for refusing to censor LGBTQ-themed books. Her victory stands as a testament to the fight for free speech and the importance of inclusive public libraries.
Join us as we celebrate these positive developments and the ongoing fight for justice and equity. If you enjoy what you hear, 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 beowulf@twosquaredmediaproductions.com.
For more about today's stories:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/13/firings-cdc-employees-reversed
https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/aclu-sues-new-hampshire-over-its-loitering-law-arguing-police-use-it-harass-homeless-people
https://fortune.com/2025/10/10/billionaire-mackenzie-scott-doubles-down-on-dei-with-42-million-donation/
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/09/pennsylvania-republicans-campaign-oust-scott-perry
https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/10/10/library-director-book-ban-case/
http://nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03181-7
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/good-news-for-lefties-daily-news-for-democracy--6256627/support.
Next, we spotlight the ACLU of New Hampshire's groundbreaking lawsuit against an outdated loitering law that has disproportionately targeted the homeless community. This legal challenge seeks to dismantle discriminatory practices that criminalize basic public behaviors, affirming the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their housing status.
We also celebrate philanthropist MacKenzie Scott's remarkable $42 million donation to 10,000 Degrees, a nonprofit focused on increasing college access for low-income students. Scott's trust-based funding approach empowers organizations to allocate resources where they are most needed, creating transformative opportunities for historically marginalized communities.
In Pennsylvania, a coalition of Republicans is rallying to unseat Congressman Scott Perry, highlighting a growing rift within the GOP. This grassroots effort aims to present voters with a moderate alternative, as tensions rise over Perry's alignment with far-right politics and conspiracy theories.
Finally, we share the inspiring story of former library director Terry Leslie, who won a $700,000 settlement after being fired for refusing to censor LGBTQ-themed books. Her victory stands as a testament to the fight for free speech and the importance of inclusive public libraries.
Join us as we celebrate these positive developments and the ongoing fight for justice and equity. If you enjoy what you hear, 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 beowulf@twosquaredmediaproductions.com.
For more about today's stories:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/13/firings-cdc-employees-reversed
https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/aclu-sues-new-hampshire-over-its-loitering-law-arguing-police-use-it-harass-homeless-people
https://fortune.com/2025/10/10/billionaire-mackenzie-scott-doubles-down-on-dei-with-42-million-donation/
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/09/pennsylvania-republicans-campaign-oust-scott-perry
https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/10/10/library-director-book-ban-case/
http://nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03181-7
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 thank you
for joining another episode of Good News for Lefties. I
am your host, Beowolf Rocklin, and I'm ready to help
you swap out doom scrolling for hope scrolling with uplifting
stories for progressives, liberals, democracy defenders, leftists, socialists, and anyone
(00:30):
who believes in making America a better place for everyone.
Today's difficult 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 difficult news makes it easy
to lose sight of hope, and that's exactly why it's
vital to highlight the positive progressive wins that are still
(00:54):
happening every day in the United States of America to
help 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
hear more good news stories and stay positive and motivated
(01:15):
for the days ahead. Now, let's get to some good
news headlines designed to brighten your day. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention has taken a welcome steck back
from a troubling situation that unfolded last week when about
thirteen hundred employees were abruptly notified of their layoffs. In
a significant reversal, approximately seven hundred of those employees have
(01:39):
now been reinstated, ensuring that critical public health work can
continue during a challenging period. Many of those we hired
are frontline scientists and experts leading efforts against infectious diseases
like measles and imbola, whose expertise is indispensable as the
nation faces ongoing public health challenges. This sudden cycle of
(02:03):
layoffs followed by rapid rehiring has understandably shaken morale within
the agency, but it also shines a light on the
dedication and resilience of the CDC staff. These workers are
vital to tracking, investigating, and responding to emerging health threats
both domestically and globally. Restoring these roles reinforces the importance
(02:25):
of maintaining robust scientific resources, especially during the government shutdown
that is placed strain on numerous federal agencies. The quick
correction affirms the value of CDC's essential teams, including those
managing the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a crucial source
of health surveillance information. The ongoing government shutdown precipitated workforce
(02:50):
reductions intended to trim federal payroll expenses and gut everything
that we care about in government by the Trump administration.
While some layoffs were initially imposed on the CDC, many
were the result of procedural errors, and the corrections made
by officials highlight the power of organized federal workers and
unions advocating for the agency's frontline defenders, and they also
(03:14):
highlight the fact that Trump administration officials have no idea
what the fuck they're doing. This episode underscores the need
to safeguard public health infrastructure against unnecessary disruption amid political gridlock.
The ACLU of New Hampshire has taken a crucial stand
against the state's outdated loitering and prowling law, which has
(03:36):
long been used as a tool to unfairly target and
criminalize people experiencing homelessness. Filed as a class action lawsuit,
this legal challenge spotlights a law that criminalizes everyday public
behaviors like standing, walking, or resting, simply based on police
officers subjective judgment of whether someone warrants alarm to those
(03:58):
around them. The law US It reveals how this vague
language essentially hands over unchecked power to law enforcement, leading
to discriminatory enforcement that overwhelmingly impacts unhoused individuals. Over the
past several years, the ACLUS investigation uncovered troubling enforcement patterns.
(04:18):
A striking example is in the city of Manchester, where
more than half of the loitering charges brought before the
courts since mid twenty twenty one involved homeless people, a
stark over representation considering homeless individuals make up less than
one percent of the local population. Likewise, Conquered saw a
(04:39):
significant percentage of similar cases targeting unhoused residents. These figures
underscore a harsh reality. Rather than receiving support, people simply
trying to exist in public spaces face repeated harassment and
punitive action under a law that offers no clear guidelines
or protections. The legal action charges that Hampshire's loitering statute
(05:01):
violates core constitutional protections guaranteed by the Fourth and fourteenth Amendments.
By imposing penalties on vague conduct and enabling police to
make arbitrary arrests without solid cause, The law undermines fundamental
rights and perpetuates systemic inequalities. The ACLU lawsuit comes at
(05:22):
a time when national policies have escalated efforts to criminalize homelessness,
including presidential executive orders mandating forced removals of homeless encampments
and increased policing tactics, making this challenge not only timely
but urgent in defending vulnerable communities. Community advocates affirm that
(05:42):
punitive measures like these do more harm than good, creating
barriers to exiting homelessness and fostering mistrust between those in
need and service providers. The acl USE lawsuit is an
important pushback against these policies that punish poverty instead of
addressing its causes, demanding the state overhaul practices that have
(06:04):
long forced unhoused people further into the margins. By challenging
deep seated, unjust laws, this legal battle paves the way
for more humane, effective approaches to homelessness, recognizing the dignity
and rights of all Granite staters. Before we get back
to the news, I want to tell you about an
important podcast called This Week Again, hosted by Suzanne Posel.
(06:30):
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,
is the largest single repository of creatively insulting names for
Donald Trump. Mango Mussolini, and Orange Julius Caesar are just
(06:51):
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
with Suzanne Posel s USA, n n E POSEE L
This Week Again, Listen, Laugh, repeat. Billionaire philanthropist Mackenzie Scott
(07:19):
has reaffirmed her commitment to creating expansive opportunities for historically
marginalized communities with a forty two million dollar donation to
ten Thousand Degrees, a San Francisco Bay area nonprofit dedicated
to increasing college access for low income and largely students
of color. This gift, the largest in the organization's forty
(07:42):
five year history, underscores Scott's vision of empowering first generation
and underrepresented learners by providing them with the resources to
unlock their fullest potential and positively impact their communities. Scott's
philanthropic approach centers on trust based, no strings attached funding
that allows organizations to allocate resources where they are most
(08:06):
urgently needed. Alongside this transformative gift to ten thousand Degrees,
she recently committed tens of millions of dollars to Native Forward,
the nation's largest scholarship provider for Native students, and a
landmark seventy million dollar gift to the United Negro College
Fund to strengthen endowments across thirty seven historically black colleges
(08:29):
and universities. These efforts help create durable funding streams that
address entrenched financial disparities and expand access to higher education
for communities that have long been under resource. Mackenzie Scott's
giving strategy has been marked by speed, scale, and flexibility,
enabling grantees to respond immediately to emerging opportunities. Over the
(08:54):
past five years, she has donated more than nineteen billion
dollars to thousands of organizationsans focused on economic security, housing, education,
and healthcare. Her recent contributions continue this pattern of empowering
organizations that sent her racial justice, educational access, and amplify
(09:14):
lasting social impact through bold financial support. Looking Ahead, Scott
plans to expand mission aligned investments that not only fund,
but also multiply the impact of her philanthropy in economic, mobility, education,
and health. Her visionary approach transforms equality goals into enduring
(09:34):
institutional strength, especially across HBCUs and scholarship ecosystems supporting underrepresented students.
Mackenzie Scott's generosity and strategy set a powerful example in philanthropy,
demonstrating how focused, flexible funding can drive transformative change. Pennsylvania
(09:56):
Republicans are renewing their efforts to unseat Congressman Scott Pays Perry,
a staunch ally of Donald Trump, who represents the state's
tenth congressional district. The Republicans Against Perry group, which emerged
in late twenty twenty three, is backing the Democrat Janelle
Stellson in this challenge. Stelson came close in the twenty
(10:17):
twenty four election, losing by less than two points, emboldening
Republicans Against Perry to relaunch their grassroots campaign with the
addition of electronic billboards across the district to amplify their message. Perry,
a retired Army National Guard brigadier general and a key
figure in conservative Republican circles, has been a prominent supporter
(10:38):
of Trump and played a significant role in efforts to
overturn the twenty twenty presidential election results. His record includes
voting against the impeachment of Trump and opposing major Democratic
legislation like the American Rescue Plan Act of twenty twenty one.
Perry's deep involvement in partisan efforts to challenge election outcomes
(10:58):
has heightened tension within his party and with voters in
his district. The Republicans Against Perry coalition underscores a growing
rift within the GOP between supporters of Trump aligned lawmakers
like Perry and those who seek to reclaim a more
moderate or traditional Republican approach. The group's renewed push highlights
concerns about Perry's alignment with far right conspiracy theories and
(11:21):
devisive politics, aiming to present voters with an alternative that
could shift the competitive balance in the district ahead of
upcoming elections. The unfolding contest signals a critical moment for
Pennsylvania's tenth district, as Republicans debate their identity and future
direction amidst the broader national political landscape. Up Next, a
(11:44):
listener suggested story back in a Minute and Now a
listener suggested story from Cadence in Talent, Oregon. A former
Wyoming library director, Terry Leslie, has won a seven hundred
thousand dollars settlement after being fired in twenty twenty three
for refusing to remove books featuring LGBTQ plus themes and
(12:06):
information on sexual health from the Campbell County Public Library. Leslie,
who had worked nearly three decades in the library system
and served as director for eleven years, filed a federal
lawsuit claiming her termination was retaliatory and a violation of
her First Amendment rights. The settlement resolves her legal dispute
(12:28):
with county officials, though a separate lawsuit she filed against
individuals who challenged the books remains ongoing. The controversy began
in twenty twenty one when a group of local residents
objected to books including This Book Is Gay by Juno
Dawson and Sex Is a Funny Word by Corey Silverberg,
(12:49):
prompting calls to ban or relocate them from the library's
children and young adult sections. Despite pressure from some community
members and library board members, Leslie stood firm on her
belief in free access to information and opposed censorship. Her
legal team emphasized that public institutions and officials must respect
(13:11):
constitutional obligations and guard against discrimination, especially in politically charged environments.
Campbell County officials denied that the book dispute was the
cause of Leslie's firing, instead attributing her termination to performance issues.
Apparently she didn't perform like they wanted her to. Politically, however,
(13:31):
the suit painted a different picture, alleging that Leslie faced
a hostile work environment and was targeted for defending LGBTQ
plus materials and welcoming library users from marginalized communities. The
case attracted significant attention amid a broader wave of book
bands across the United States, especially in conservative areas, where
(13:52):
thousands of titles have been challenged or removed on similar grounds.
Leslie described the settlement as a personal vindication and a
victory for free speech. She said that standing up for
the First Amendment was worth the difficult journey and hoped
her case would serve as a warning to other library
districts and counties facing pressure to suppress diverse voices. The
(14:15):
settlement signals a crucial moment in the fight to keep
public libraries inclusive open spaces that support the rights of
all community members to access information without fear of censorship
or discrimination. Thanks for that story, Cadence. If you have
thoughts ideas are more good news to share, we'd love
to hear from you. Call or message us at two
(14:37):
zero two six five six six' 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 a
dedicated group OF us, researchers, physicians and public health specialists
are volunteering their, time often working nights and, weekends to provide,
(15:00):
independent science based vaccine guidance amid shifts in OFFICIAL us vaccine.
Policy this, effort known as The Vaccine Integrity PROJECT, vip
was launched by The center For Infectious Disease research And
policy at The university Of. Minnesota the volunteers review the
(15:21):
latest scientific literature and produce recommendations to assist professional medical
societies and state health authorities in guiding immunization, practices filling
a gap left by recent controversial changes in The Advisory
committee On Immunization. Practices you know BECAUSE Rfk. Junior THE
(15:42):
vip initiative gained urgency AFTER Us Health Secretary ROBERT. F Kennedy,
junior who has a history of anti vaccine, activism dissolved
the LONGTIME acip panel and appointed new members who have
raised doubts about vaccine efficacy and. Safety, notably THEMED acip
recently recommended restricting a widely used childhood vaccine and stopped
(16:05):
short of ENDORSING covid nineteen, vaccination reversing former policies and
putting millions in. Danger the volunteer scientists comprehensive, review spanning
over seventeen thousand research abstracts and five hundred final, studies
aims to bring clarity and evidence based perspective back into
vaccine guidance amid this. Upheaval among the findings shared BY
(16:29):
vip volunteers is reassuring data for pregnant individuals showing THAT
covid nineteen flu AND rsv vaccines pose no increased risk
of miscarriage or congenital anomalies when compared with unvaccinated. Peers
the team made its data publicly accessible and conducted live
(16:49):
briefings to promote transparency and informed decision making in vulnerable,
populations including pregnant, people, children and the. Immunocompromised The Vaccine
Integrity project volunteers work highlights a vital independent watchdog role
at a critical, time ensuring that vaccine advice remains rooted
in solid science and that healthcare professionals and the public
(17:13):
received trustworthy. Information by stepping in where government guidance has,
faltered this scientific community exemplifies dedication to public health and
the importance of evidence driven policy in protecting. Lives that's
a wrap for today's edition Of Good news For. Lefties
remember if these stories brighten your, outlook please help us
(17:34):
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 Roosevelt hein And Aaron watson for
making all of this possible behind the. Scenes i'm baiable
For rocklin weird Name Good news For lefties And.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
America here's what you've been missing on The Stephanie Miller
Happy hour. Podcast Latest PAUL i Saw chris thirty seven.
(18:20):
Percent he's at thirty seven, percent which still makes me
think thirty seven percent think this is? Good this is
all Going, seriously how many airports are shut down.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
Now, no you know what are the?
Speaker 2 (18:30):
People or traffic? Control not? Important not important now.
Speaker 1 (18:33):
Like Reagan airport yesterday had to have their traffic control
come out Of. Philadelphia, yeah because of problems.
Speaker 2 (18:40):
There, YEAH i, mean ladies and, gentlemen we're gonna be
circling for a while because our traffic controller is on
a bus From. Philadelphia subscribe to The Stephanie Miller Happy
hour podcast On Apple, Podcasts Stephanie miller dot com or
wherever you get your favorite, podcasts.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
And in case you missed, it here's this good news.
Headline voters across the country are sending a clear. Message
President trump's promises on revitalizing the economy aren't matching up
with reality for Most. Americans according to a New Pew
research poll released in Early, october despite last year's campaign,
(19:23):
claims a majority now believed that the president's policies have
actually worsened economic, conditions a sharp turnaround from his supposed
economic edge Over democratic leaders like Former President Joe biden
And Vice President Kamala. Harris the, poll which surveyed more
than thirty four hundred adults, nationwide reveals that fifty three
percent Feel trump's approach has hurt the, economy while only
(19:47):
one in five think his policies have led to, improvement
and optimism overall is hard to come. By just twenty
six percent Of americans rate the economy as excellent or.
Good even Among republicans and right leaning, voters the numbers are,
tepid with less than half offering a positive. Assessment these
(20:08):
findings underscore a growing disconnect between political talking points and
the lived experiences of ordinary. People americans cite rising, prices burdensome,
tariffs and the daily strain of a higher cost of
living as major factors dragging down their evaluation of the. Economy,
notably negative mentions Of TRUMP gop register prominently among the
(20:33):
reasons people list when grading economic conditions as poor or.
Fair this widespread dissatisfaction represents a sea change from the
optimism reported midway Through trump's first, term when nearly six
to ten believe the outlook was. Bright this poll suggests
that many are ready for genuine solutions that put working families.
(20:54):
First progressive voices have long advocated for bold, investments stronger worker,
protections and constructive reforms that truly lift. Communities as voters
reassess who delivers real, results not just. Promises democratic leaders
are poised to offer a vision rooted in practical progress and,
fairness aiming to restore hope and stability for. All
Good News for Lefties and America. Hello and thank you
for joining another episode of Good News for Lefties. I
am your host, Beowolf Rocklin, and I'm ready to help
you swap out doom scrolling for hope scrolling with uplifting
stories for progressives, liberals, democracy defenders, leftists, socialists, and anyone
(00:30):
who believes in making America a better place for everyone.
Today's difficult 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 difficult news makes it easy
to lose sight of hope, and that's exactly why it's
vital to highlight the positive progressive wins that are still
(00:54):
happening every day in the United States of America to
help 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
hear more good news stories and stay positive and motivated
(01:15):
for the days ahead. Now, let's get to some good
news headlines designed to brighten your day. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention has taken a welcome steck back
from a troubling situation that unfolded last week when about
thirteen hundred employees were abruptly notified of their layoffs. In
a significant reversal, approximately seven hundred of those employees have
(01:39):
now been reinstated, ensuring that critical public health work can
continue during a challenging period. Many of those we hired
are frontline scientists and experts leading efforts against infectious diseases
like measles and imbola, whose expertise is indispensable as the
nation faces ongoing public health challenges. This sudden cycle of
(02:03):
layoffs followed by rapid rehiring has understandably shaken morale within
the agency, but it also shines a light on the
dedication and resilience of the CDC staff. These workers are
vital to tracking, investigating, and responding to emerging health threats
both domestically and globally. Restoring these roles reinforces the importance
(02:25):
of maintaining robust scientific resources, especially during the government shutdown
that is placed strain on numerous federal agencies. The quick
correction affirms the value of CDC's essential teams, including those
managing the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a crucial source
of health surveillance information. The ongoing government shutdown precipitated workforce
(02:50):
reductions intended to trim federal payroll expenses and gut everything
that we care about in government by the Trump administration.
While some layoffs were initially imposed on the CDC, many
were the result of procedural errors, and the corrections made
by officials highlight the power of organized federal workers and
unions advocating for the agency's frontline defenders, and they also
(03:14):
highlight the fact that Trump administration officials have no idea
what the fuck they're doing. This episode underscores the need
to safeguard public health infrastructure against unnecessary disruption amid political gridlock.
The ACLU of New Hampshire has taken a crucial stand
against the state's outdated loitering and prowling law, which has
(03:36):
long been used as a tool to unfairly target and
criminalize people experiencing homelessness. Filed as a class action lawsuit,
this legal challenge spotlights a law that criminalizes everyday public
behaviors like standing, walking, or resting, simply based on police
officers subjective judgment of whether someone warrants alarm to those
(03:58):
around them. The law US It reveals how this vague
language essentially hands over unchecked power to law enforcement, leading
to discriminatory enforcement that overwhelmingly impacts unhoused individuals. Over the
past several years, the ACLUS investigation uncovered troubling enforcement patterns.
(04:18):
A striking example is in the city of Manchester, where
more than half of the loitering charges brought before the
courts since mid twenty twenty one involved homeless people, a
stark over representation considering homeless individuals make up less than
one percent of the local population. Likewise, Conquered saw a
(04:39):
significant percentage of similar cases targeting unhoused residents. These figures
underscore a harsh reality. Rather than receiving support, people simply
trying to exist in public spaces face repeated harassment and
punitive action under a law that offers no clear guidelines
or protections. The legal action charges that Hampshire's loitering statute
(05:01):
violates core constitutional protections guaranteed by the Fourth and fourteenth Amendments.
By imposing penalties on vague conduct and enabling police to
make arbitrary arrests without solid cause, The law undermines fundamental
rights and perpetuates systemic inequalities. The ACLU lawsuit comes at
(05:22):
a time when national policies have escalated efforts to criminalize homelessness,
including presidential executive orders mandating forced removals of homeless encampments
and increased policing tactics, making this challenge not only timely
but urgent in defending vulnerable communities. Community advocates affirm that
(05:42):
punitive measures like these do more harm than good, creating
barriers to exiting homelessness and fostering mistrust between those in
need and service providers. The acl USE lawsuit is an
important pushback against these policies that punish poverty instead of
addressing its causes, demanding the state overhaul practices that have
(06:04):
long forced unhoused people further into the margins. By challenging
deep seated, unjust laws, this legal battle paves the way
for more humane, effective approaches to homelessness, recognizing the dignity
and rights of all Granite staters. Before we get back
to the news, I want to tell you about an
important podcast called This Week Again, hosted by Suzanne Posel.
(06:30):
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,
is the largest single repository of creatively insulting names for
Donald Trump. Mango Mussolini, and Orange Julius Caesar are just
(06:51):
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
with Suzanne Posel s USA, n n E POSEE L
This Week Again, Listen, Laugh, repeat. Billionaire philanthropist Mackenzie Scott
(07:19):
has reaffirmed her commitment to creating expansive opportunities for historically
marginalized communities with a forty two million dollar donation to
ten Thousand Degrees, a San Francisco Bay area nonprofit dedicated
to increasing college access for low income and largely students
of color. This gift, the largest in the organization's forty
(07:42):
five year history, underscores Scott's vision of empowering first generation
and underrepresented learners by providing them with the resources to
unlock their fullest potential and positively impact their communities. Scott's
philanthropic approach centers on trust based, no strings attached funding
that allows organizations to allocate resources where they are most
(08:06):
urgently needed. Alongside this transformative gift to ten thousand Degrees,
she recently committed tens of millions of dollars to Native Forward,
the nation's largest scholarship provider for Native students, and a
landmark seventy million dollar gift to the United Negro College
Fund to strengthen endowments across thirty seven historically black colleges
(08:29):
and universities. These efforts help create durable funding streams that
address entrenched financial disparities and expand access to higher education
for communities that have long been under resource. Mackenzie Scott's
giving strategy has been marked by speed, scale, and flexibility,
enabling grantees to respond immediately to emerging opportunities. Over the
(08:54):
past five years, she has donated more than nineteen billion
dollars to thousands of organizationsans focused on economic security, housing, education,
and healthcare. Her recent contributions continue this pattern of empowering
organizations that sent her racial justice, educational access, and amplify
(09:14):
lasting social impact through bold financial support. Looking Ahead, Scott
plans to expand mission aligned investments that not only fund,
but also multiply the impact of her philanthropy in economic, mobility, education,
and health. Her visionary approach transforms equality goals into enduring
(09:34):
institutional strength, especially across HBCUs and scholarship ecosystems supporting underrepresented students.
Mackenzie Scott's generosity and strategy set a powerful example in philanthropy,
demonstrating how focused, flexible funding can drive transformative change. Pennsylvania
(09:56):
Republicans are renewing their efforts to unseat Congressman Scott Pays Perry,
a staunch ally of Donald Trump, who represents the state's
tenth congressional district. The Republicans Against Perry group, which emerged
in late twenty twenty three, is backing the Democrat Janelle
Stellson in this challenge. Stelson came close in the twenty
(10:17):
twenty four election, losing by less than two points, emboldening
Republicans Against Perry to relaunch their grassroots campaign with the
addition of electronic billboards across the district to amplify their message. Perry,
a retired Army National Guard brigadier general and a key
figure in conservative Republican circles, has been a prominent supporter
(10:38):
of Trump and played a significant role in efforts to
overturn the twenty twenty presidential election results. His record includes
voting against the impeachment of Trump and opposing major Democratic
legislation like the American Rescue Plan Act of twenty twenty one.
Perry's deep involvement in partisan efforts to challenge election outcomes
(10:58):
has heightened tension within his party and with voters in
his district. The Republicans Against Perry coalition underscores a growing
rift within the GOP between supporters of Trump aligned lawmakers
like Perry and those who seek to reclaim a more
moderate or traditional Republican approach. The group's renewed push highlights
concerns about Perry's alignment with far right conspiracy theories and
(11:21):
devisive politics, aiming to present voters with an alternative that
could shift the competitive balance in the district ahead of
upcoming elections. The unfolding contest signals a critical moment for
Pennsylvania's tenth district, as Republicans debate their identity and future
direction amidst the broader national political landscape. Up Next, a
(11:44):
listener suggested story back in a Minute and Now a
listener suggested story from Cadence in Talent, Oregon. A former
Wyoming library director, Terry Leslie, has won a seven hundred
thousand dollars settlement after being fired in twenty twenty three
for refusing to remove books featuring LGBTQ plus themes and
(12:06):
information on sexual health from the Campbell County Public Library. Leslie,
who had worked nearly three decades in the library system
and served as director for eleven years, filed a federal
lawsuit claiming her termination was retaliatory and a violation of
her First Amendment rights. The settlement resolves her legal dispute
(12:28):
with county officials, though a separate lawsuit she filed against
individuals who challenged the books remains ongoing. The controversy began
in twenty twenty one when a group of local residents
objected to books including This Book Is Gay by Juno
Dawson and Sex Is a Funny Word by Corey Silverberg,
(12:49):
prompting calls to ban or relocate them from the library's
children and young adult sections. Despite pressure from some community
members and library board members, Leslie stood firm on her
belief in free access to information and opposed censorship. Her
legal team emphasized that public institutions and officials must respect
(13:11):
constitutional obligations and guard against discrimination, especially in politically charged environments.
Campbell County officials denied that the book dispute was the
cause of Leslie's firing, instead attributing her termination to performance issues.
Apparently she didn't perform like they wanted her to. Politically, however,
(13:31):
the suit painted a different picture, alleging that Leslie faced
a hostile work environment and was targeted for defending LGBTQ
plus materials and welcoming library users from marginalized communities. The
case attracted significant attention amid a broader wave of book
bands across the United States, especially in conservative areas, where
(13:52):
thousands of titles have been challenged or removed on similar grounds.
Leslie described the settlement as a personal vindication and a
victory for free speech. She said that standing up for
the First Amendment was worth the difficult journey and hoped
her case would serve as a warning to other library
districts and counties facing pressure to suppress diverse voices. The
(14:15):
settlement signals a crucial moment in the fight to keep
public libraries inclusive open spaces that support the rights of
all community members to access information without fear of censorship
or discrimination. Thanks for that story, Cadence. If you have
thoughts ideas are more good news to share, we'd love
to hear from you. Call or message us at two
(14:37):
zero two six five six six' 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 a
dedicated group OF us, researchers, physicians and public health specialists
are volunteering their, time often working nights and, weekends to provide,
(15:00):
independent science based vaccine guidance amid shifts in OFFICIAL us vaccine.
Policy this, effort known as The Vaccine Integrity PROJECT, vip
was launched by The center For Infectious Disease research And
policy at The university Of. Minnesota the volunteers review the
(15:21):
latest scientific literature and produce recommendations to assist professional medical
societies and state health authorities in guiding immunization, practices filling
a gap left by recent controversial changes in The Advisory
committee On Immunization. Practices you know BECAUSE Rfk. Junior THE
(15:42):
vip initiative gained urgency AFTER Us Health Secretary ROBERT. F Kennedy,
junior who has a history of anti vaccine, activism dissolved
the LONGTIME acip panel and appointed new members who have
raised doubts about vaccine efficacy and. Safety, notably THEMED acip
recently recommended restricting a widely used childhood vaccine and stopped
(16:05):
short of ENDORSING covid nineteen, vaccination reversing former policies and
putting millions in. Danger the volunteer scientists comprehensive, review spanning
over seventeen thousand research abstracts and five hundred final, studies
aims to bring clarity and evidence based perspective back into
vaccine guidance amid this. Upheaval among the findings shared BY
(16:29):
vip volunteers is reassuring data for pregnant individuals showing THAT
covid nineteen flu AND rsv vaccines pose no increased risk
of miscarriage or congenital anomalies when compared with unvaccinated. Peers
the team made its data publicly accessible and conducted live
(16:49):
briefings to promote transparency and informed decision making in vulnerable,
populations including pregnant, people, children and the. Immunocompromised The Vaccine
Integrity project volunteers work highlights a vital independent watchdog role
at a critical, time ensuring that vaccine advice remains rooted
in solid science and that healthcare professionals and the public
(17:13):
received trustworthy. Information by stepping in where government guidance has,
faltered this scientific community exemplifies dedication to public health and
the importance of evidence driven policy in protecting. Lives that's
a wrap for today's edition Of Good news For. Lefties
remember if these stories brighten your, outlook please help us
(17:34):
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 Roosevelt hein And Aaron watson for
making all of this possible behind the. Scenes i'm baiable
For rocklin weird Name Good news For lefties And.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
America here's what you've been missing on The Stephanie Miller
Happy hour. Podcast Latest PAUL i Saw chris thirty seven.
(18:20):
Percent he's at thirty seven, percent which still makes me
think thirty seven percent think this is? Good this is
all Going, seriously how many airports are shut down.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
Now, no you know what are the?
Speaker 2 (18:30):
People or traffic? Control not? Important not important now.
Speaker 1 (18:33):
Like Reagan airport yesterday had to have their traffic control
come out Of. Philadelphia, yeah because of problems.
Speaker 2 (18:40):
There, YEAH i, mean ladies and, gentlemen we're gonna be
circling for a while because our traffic controller is on
a bus From. Philadelphia subscribe to The Stephanie Miller Happy
hour podcast On Apple, Podcasts Stephanie miller dot com or
wherever you get your favorite, podcasts.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
And in case you missed, it here's this good news.
Headline voters across the country are sending a clear. Message
President trump's promises on revitalizing the economy aren't matching up
with reality for Most. Americans according to a New Pew
research poll released in Early, october despite last year's campaign,
(19:23):
claims a majority now believed that the president's policies have
actually worsened economic, conditions a sharp turnaround from his supposed
economic edge Over democratic leaders like Former President Joe biden
And Vice President Kamala. Harris the, poll which surveyed more
than thirty four hundred adults, nationwide reveals that fifty three
percent Feel trump's approach has hurt the, economy while only
(19:47):
one in five think his policies have led to, improvement
and optimism overall is hard to come. By just twenty
six percent Of americans rate the economy as excellent or.
Good even Among republicans and right leaning, voters the numbers are,
tepid with less than half offering a positive. Assessment these
(20:08):
findings underscore a growing disconnect between political talking points and
the lived experiences of ordinary. People americans cite rising, prices burdensome,
tariffs and the daily strain of a higher cost of
living as major factors dragging down their evaluation of the. Economy,
notably negative mentions Of TRUMP gop register prominently among the
(20:33):
reasons people list when grading economic conditions as poor or.
Fair this widespread dissatisfaction represents a sea change from the
optimism reported midway Through trump's first, term when nearly six
to ten believe the outlook was. Bright this poll suggests
that many are ready for genuine solutions that put working families.
(20:54):
First progressive voices have long advocated for bold, investments stronger worker,
protections and constructive reforms that truly lift. Communities as voters
reassess who delivers real, results not just. Promises democratic leaders
are poised to offer a vision rooted in practical progress and,
fairness aiming to restore hope and stability for. All
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