October 17, 2025 • 20 mins
In this episode of Good News for Lefties, we dive into a series of uplifting stories that highlight the power of community, justice, and compassion in the face of adversity. We start with a significant ruling from a federal judge who has extended orders preventing President Trump from seizing control of the Oregon National Guard. This decision empowers local leadership and affirms the right to peaceful protest, ensuring that Portlanders can continue to shape their city's future without federal interference.
Next, we celebrate a breakthrough in justice reform as Texas's highest criminal court blocks the execution of death row inmate Robert Roberson, ordering a new review of his case based on evolving medical evidence. This ruling reflects a commitment to truth and integrity in the justice system, highlighting the importance of scientific accountability over outdated practices.
We also share a heartwarming story from Vermont, where a community rallied around Juan de la Cruz, a father facing deportation. His neighbors and friends turned a moment of fear into a powerful display of solidarity, reminding us that compassion can transform lives.
In South Carolina, Waffle House workers initiated a strike demanding fair pay and better working conditions, showcasing a growing wave of labor activism across the South. Their determination serves as a testament to the strength of collective action in the fight for workers' rights.
Additionally, we highlight a new law in New York that mandates insurance coverage for scalp cooling treatments for breast cancer patients, ensuring dignity and choice during a challenging time. This policy change reflects a broader movement toward compassionate healthcare that prioritizes patient well-being.
Finally, we celebrate a monumental shift in the fashion industry as Conde Nast announces a ban on new animal fur in all its publications, marking a victory for animal rights advocates and a commitment to ethical fashion. This decision signals a cultural transformation towards sustainability and compassion in style.
Join us as we embrace these positive developments and the ongoing struggle 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.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/15/trump-national-guard-portland-oregon
https://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/09/robert-roberson-execution-blocked-texas-court-of-criminal-appeals/
https://www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2025-10-07/immigration-authorities-panton-man-ice-check-in
https://www.wtoc.com/2025/10/13/sc-waffle-house-workers-begin-strike-over-pay-working-conditions-union-says/
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/new-york-law-give-breast-cancer-patients-chance/story?id=126109843
https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/conde-nast-bans-fur
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/good-news-for-lefties-daily-news-for-democracy--6256627/support.
Next, we celebrate a breakthrough in justice reform as Texas's highest criminal court blocks the execution of death row inmate Robert Roberson, ordering a new review of his case based on evolving medical evidence. This ruling reflects a commitment to truth and integrity in the justice system, highlighting the importance of scientific accountability over outdated practices.
We also share a heartwarming story from Vermont, where a community rallied around Juan de la Cruz, a father facing deportation. His neighbors and friends turned a moment of fear into a powerful display of solidarity, reminding us that compassion can transform lives.
In South Carolina, Waffle House workers initiated a strike demanding fair pay and better working conditions, showcasing a growing wave of labor activism across the South. Their determination serves as a testament to the strength of collective action in the fight for workers' rights.
Additionally, we highlight a new law in New York that mandates insurance coverage for scalp cooling treatments for breast cancer patients, ensuring dignity and choice during a challenging time. This policy change reflects a broader movement toward compassionate healthcare that prioritizes patient well-being.
Finally, we celebrate a monumental shift in the fashion industry as Conde Nast announces a ban on new animal fur in all its publications, marking a victory for animal rights advocates and a commitment to ethical fashion. This decision signals a cultural transformation towards sustainability and compassion in style.
Join us as we embrace these positive developments and the ongoing struggle 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.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/15/trump-national-guard-portland-oregon
https://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/09/robert-roberson-execution-blocked-texas-court-of-criminal-appeals/
https://www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2025-10-07/immigration-authorities-panton-man-ice-check-in
https://www.wtoc.com/2025/10/13/sc-waffle-house-workers-begin-strike-over-pay-working-conditions-union-says/
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/new-york-law-give-breast-cancer-patients-chance/story?id=126109843
https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/conde-nast-bans-fur
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, folks, and welcome
to another episode of Good News for Lefties. I'm be
able for rockling, your host, and I'm ready to help
you swap out doom and gloom for hope with uplifting
stories for democracy defenders, progressives, liberals, socialists, leftists, and anyone
(00:28):
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 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
(00:49):
in the United States of America. To help us spread
the positivity. If you enjoy the show, please rate and
review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your poet cast
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
(01:10):
headlines designed to brighten your day. In a win for
local leadership and community self determination, a federal judge on
Wednesday extended orders stopping President Trump from seizing control of
the Oregon National Guard and sending troops into Portland. The
decision reinforces the state's authority to manage its own response
(01:31):
to peaceful protest and community organizing without unwarranted interference from Washington.
US District Judge Karen Immergut, herself appointed by Trump, rejected
once again the administration's claim that a small, peaceful demonstration
outside an immigration facility warranted a militarized response. Her extension
(01:53):
of two restraining orders for another fourteen days keeps federalized
troops out of Portland while the sinth Circuit Court of
Appeals reviews the legality of the president's attempted power grab.
Immergodt's ruling signals that even on a conservative leaning bench,
the facts on the ground and the rule of law
still stand taller than political theater. Oregon officials and grassroots
(02:16):
advocates have applauded the court's defense of local autonomy. They
note the protests stemmed from residents opposing harsh immigration rates,
not widespread unrest, rather than escalating tension. Immergod's decision affirms
that communities thrive when dialogue, not deployment, guides policy. Her
earlier opinion calling the White House's depiction of Portland as
(02:38):
a warzone entirely detached from reality, continues to resonate with
those working to protect civil rights and humane governance. A
full hearing set for October twenty ninth will determine whether
Trump's attempt to federalize the organ Guard can be permanently
blocked for now, The extended order insures Portlanders can continue
(03:00):
when new gathering, speaking out and shaping their city's future
on their own terms, reminding the nation that state sovereignty,
protected protest and collective resilience remain core to American democracy.
In a breakthrough for justice reform and scientific accountability, Texas's
highest criminal court has blocked the execution of death row
(03:21):
inmate Robert Robertson, ordering a new review of the evidence
that sent him to death row more than twenty years ago.
The ruling signals a rare opening for truth and a
state long plagued by wrongful convictions and outdated forensic claims.
The five to four decision by the all Republican Texas
Court of Criminal Appeals pauses Robertson's imminent execution and sends
(03:45):
his case back to the trial court under the state's
twenty thirteen Junk Science Law, a reformed champion by criminal
justice advocates to correct convictions based on discredited science. Robertson,
convicted in two thousand and three for the tragic death
of his two year old daughter, Nikki, has always maintained
his innocence, and new medical evidence now shows the child
(04:07):
likely died of natural causes worsened by medical misdiagnosis and
outdated treatment. Advocates called the court's action a necessary step
toward restoring faith in a broken system that too often
prizes finality over accuracy. The same court had previously overturned
a similar shaken baby conviction based on the same evolving research,
(04:30):
a contradiction that even some Republican lawmakers acknowledged could no
longer stand. Robertson's attorney, Gretchen Sween, said the decision reflects
belated recognition that truth and science must have the last word,
not outdated theories or political pressure. For now, Robertson's life
has been spared while the trial court considers whether he
(04:53):
should receive a new trial, one grounded in modern medical understanding,
not discarded dogma. Lawmakers, including Republican Representative Jeff Leech hailed
this stay as proof that Texas can still choose fairness
over vengeance. The truth about what happened Iniki deserves the
light of day, Leech said. The ruling advocates say shows
(05:15):
that integrity and evidence, not ideology, can still chart a
path toward justice in Texas courts. 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 a funny, angry, progressive, sarcastic,
(05:40):
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 the bargain, listen
to This Week Again Again with Suzanne Posel on this
(06:01):
platform or wherever you listen to podcasts. That's This Week
Again with Suzanne Posel. S U s A n N
E p O s E L. This Week Again, Listen, laugh, repeat,
When federal immigration agents ordered Juan de la Cruz to
an ICE check in this week. The Panton father of
(06:25):
six feared the worst until two hundred neighbors showed up
beside him. Their collective presence turned what could have been
a morning of fear into a vivid display of Vermont's
deep bonds of compassion and local strength. Dela Cruz, a
Stonemason who has lived and worked in Vermont for two decades,
faced possible detention and deportation under President Trump's stepped up
(06:49):
immigration crackdowns. But when he arrived at the Ice Field
office Tuesday, a crowd of friends, co workers, students, and
families surrounded the building, singing and hearing in solidarity. Inside,
officials told Delacruz he could remain in Vermont while his
asylum case moves forward. A reprieve greeted outside with tears,
(07:10):
chance and applause. This is my country and my family,
Delacruz told supporters after emerging from the office, visibly relieved.
We will keep fighting for it. His wife, Kirsten, said
ICE scheduled regular check ins every six months while his
case continues, and his next court date isn't until late
(07:32):
twenty twenty six. For their family. She said the outpouring
of friendship from classmates of their children to colleagues waving
homemade signs transformed fear into gratitude and hope. Community members
called the gathering an active conscience against a cruel system
targeting longtime residents who contribute to the fabric of small
(07:54):
town Vermont. One is the kind of neighbor everyone wants,
said Zach Sullivan, a former co worker, holding a sign
that read We've got ninety nine problems, but one ain't one.
From the high school football team to local advocates, the
message rippling across Addison County, Vermont, was unmistakable. Solidarity works
(08:15):
and in Vermont, no one stands alone. The pre dawn
heat around a waffle house in Orangeburg, South Carolina, carried
a new kind of energy this week. A strike line
alive with determination and song, cook and server crews walked
out Sunday demanding fair pay, safety protections, and dignity on
(08:37):
the job in a movement quickly backed by the Union
of Southern Service Workers. For four days, striking employees have
stood in front of the five Chop Road diner, calling
out a corporate system they say to deducts three dollars
per shift for meals many never received, and ignores reports
of harassment and unsafe conditions they take from us. They
(09:01):
silenced us, and we're saying no more, one union member
shouted to cheers from supporters gathered roadside workers are calling
for better scheduling practices, security during late night hours, and
a twenty five dollars an hour minimum wage, demands aimed
at pushing waffle House to respect labor in a region
where service work keeps communities running. Union organizers describe the
(09:24):
strike as part of a wider Southern wave of labor action,
connecting cooks, cleaners, and cashiers who are rising together against poverty,
wages and abusive management. While company executives stayed silent, car
horns blared in solidarity from passing traffic. This is what
a new South looks like, said one local organizer. People
(09:46):
unafraid to stand up for each other and for the
basic right to live on the wages they earn.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
Up.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
Next, a listener suggested story back at a minute.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
Now.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
A listener suggested story from Melissa in Albany, New York.
For countless New Yorkers facing chemotherapy, a new state law
offers something far deeper than comfort, the chance to see
themselves in the mirror and recognize the person fighting to survive.
Beginning next year, private insurers will be required to cover
(10:20):
scalp cooling treatment for breast cancer patients, a move advocates
say restores dignity and choice to those navigating the hardest
weeks of their lives. The treatment, known as cold capping,
reduces hair loss by chilling the scalp during chemo to
protect hair follicles from toxic exposure. Until now, it's been
(10:41):
available mostly to patients who could afford its fifteen hundred
to five thousand dollars price tag. The change, championed by
Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal and Senator Toby N. Stavisky, both Democrats,
will make New York the first state in the country
to guarantee full insurance coverage, closing a gap that has
(11:04):
forced patients to choose between physical health and emotional identity.
This is what justice looks like in healthcare, Rosenthal said
at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where survivors and nurses
cheered the law's passage. Advocates stressed that hair preservation can
carry life changing psychological benefits, helping patients maintain self esteem
(11:28):
and social confidence amid treatment. Oncology nurse leader Andrea Smith
called the insurance mandate a game changer that will let
patients focus on healing instead of hiding. For survivors like
Maureen Green, who tested scalp cooling while receiving chemo, the
law feels personal. You can buy a wig, but nothing
(11:50):
replaces looking like yourself, she said. With everything else going on,
this gave me control over one small part of the fight.
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month unfolds, her words echo a
broader truth. Progress isn't just measured in medical advances. It's
seen in policies that put humanity first. Thanks for that story, Melissa.
(12:14):
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 Squared
Media productions dot, com or send it to us at
Good news For lefties On, Facebook instagram or Blue. Sky
(12:35):
after decades of, protest one of fashion's most powerful institutions
has finally folded its fur coats for. Good Conde, nast
publisher Of, Vogue Vanity, fair And glamour announced this month
it will ban new animal fur across all editorial and advertising,
content a victory long sought by generations of animal rights,
(12:58):
advocates ethical, designers and conscious. Consumers the decision follows a
nine month campaign by The coalition To abolish The Fur,
trade whose protests Outside vogue offices and affiliated stores amplified
a message the industry could no longer. Ignore from mid
century demonstrations To PETA's headline Making i'd rather go naked
(13:22):
than where fur ads activists have spent years challenging fashion's
most entrenched symbols of, luxury condiate. Asks reversal even Under
anna Wind tour's continued, leadership marks a profound cultural, shift
proof that compassion can still reshape global style from the inside.
(13:42):
Out by JOINING L, Magazine, Janelle, prada and other brands
that have gone fur, free the publisher sets a new
baseline for what luxury means in the twenty first, century
creative excellence without. Cruelty as fur bands expand from THE
us To europe And, australia media powerhouses once devoted To
(14:04):
glamour now mirror the values of a generation that prizes, sustainability,
innovation and empathy over. Opulence designers Like stella McCartney are
already leading that charge with plant based alternatives showcased On paris.
Runways while some in fashion still cling to, Furs Allure
(14:25):
conde asks move underscores that change in taste reflects change in.
Conscience the fur era may not end, overnight but its
moral undercurrent has shifted. Irrevocably the glossy pages that once
celebrated mink and fox now spotlight, compassion proving that style
and ethics cannot only, coexist but set the next standard
(14:49):
for global. Fashion 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 Roosevelt hein
(15:09):
And Aaron watson for making all of this possible behind the.
Scenes I'm Baio Wolf, rocklin weird name Good news For
lefties And.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
America here's what you've been missing on The Stephanie Miller
Happy hour. Podcast he wasn't he?
Speaker 3 (15:43):
Shot people look at his, Ear some debris or something hit,
him but it's LIKE i. CAN'T i just. Can't, okay all,
right where WAS?
Speaker 1 (15:52):
I you?
Speaker 2 (15:53):
Said pro?
Speaker 3 (15:54):
Coaching? Right twenty nine hundred pages of lead, Texts so
that's not like one or two random. Right, yes the
chats Included oh there's some more fun FACTS i had
not read. Yet. Yeah references to black people as monkeys
and watermelon. People, wow that's so fresh a reference and
current praise For Adolf hitler and discussions of rape and
(16:17):
guest chambers as fella knows a lot of misogyny and
mixed in with the anti semitism and racism in. GENERAL
i was waiting for. That, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah lots
of how super fun rape. Is, Okay by the, way
CAN i just say here's an? Example so Jd vance,
saying all that's?
Speaker 2 (16:35):
Fine?
Speaker 3 (16:35):
Right did you see this When Elizabeth warren two days
ago posted for two excruciating, Years i've called for the
return of the, hostages brutally kid, left kidnapped On october
seventh and held in. Gaza today is a good? DAY Jd?
Vance was you know post? That and says The president
told me he did this On Indigenous People day and on.
Review what are you surprised that all these Young republicans
(16:59):
are Douche just look at he's the vice. PRESIDENT i.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
Did, okay they're taking troll, online trolling in your real.
Speaker 3 (17:06):
Life, well this is What's bella's. Point they're just. Trolls
they're not people that are interested in helping them in
any way they actually care about.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
Politics they only care about owning The.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
Libs i've been saying that for years and years and
years and. Years that's the only thing they care. About,
congratulations little.
Speaker 2 (17:22):
DOUCHEBAGS i am this liberal is fully on this. Morning
subscribe to The Stephanie Miller Happy hour podcast On Apple,
Podcasts Stephanie miller dot, com or wherever you get your favorite, podcasts.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
And in case you missed, it here's this good news.
Headline judges appointed By Donald trump are increasingly rejecting his
own administration's, overreach a sign that even his handpicked jurists
are unwilling to abandon constitutional. Guardrails in recent, months a
(17:58):
series Of trump upon going to judges have issued rulings
that strike Down White house initiatives ranging from mass deportations
and tariff schemes to suppression of the free. Press the
pattern underscores a fundamental truth That trump allies have long
resisted the judiciary's duty to safeguard the rule of, Law
trump's loyalty to any single. Leader In OREGON U S,
(18:22):
District Judge Karen immergut Called trump's order to deploy The
National guard To portland untethered from, reality warning it threatened
to edge the country toward military. Rule In, washington D.
C Judge Tim kelly dismantled the administration's false claim that
a late night deportation Of guatemalan children was, humanitarian writing
(18:44):
that the government's explanation crumbled like a house of. Cards,
and in another blow to the administration's authoritarian, Impulses Judge
trevor McFadden ruled that The White house unlawfully stripped The
Associated press of access for refuge using to Adopt Trump's
gulf Of america rebred a move that struck at the
(19:05):
heart of press freedom all those judges appointed By Donald.
Trump judges across the, country including Those trump, selected have
also rejected his attempts to target. Immigrants in immigrants rights
advocates From texas To, maryland new rulings have blocked the
administration's sweeping application of The Alien Enemies act and its
(19:26):
efforts to detain immigrants indefinitely without bond, Hearings Judge Stephanie
gallagher ordered the administration to bring back a Deported venezuelan asylum,
seeker while Judges Dominic, Lanza Rebecca, jennings And Eric tostrad
invalidated the latest plan to lock up millions of people
without due. Process their decisions reaffirm a basic constitutional principle
(19:50):
that every person in The United states has the right
to fare treatment under the. Law even judges who once
seemed ideologically aligned With trump are now signaling. Alarm District
Judge Thomas, cullen also appointed By, trump sharply condemned the
president's ongoing personal attacks on members of the, judiciary calling
(20:11):
them unprecedented and. Unfortunate, Meanwhile Judges Dabney friedrich And mary
McElroy struck down efforts to misuse pardons withhold democracy funding
and STRIP fema aid from. Bluestates, together their rulings reveal
that Despite trump's attempt to bend institutions to his, will the,
courts including those he helped populate or standing firm as
(20:35):
guardians of constitutional. Democracy
Good News for Lefties and America. Hello, folks, and welcome
to another episode of Good News for Lefties. I'm be
able for rockling, your host, and I'm ready to help
you swap out doom and gloom for hope with uplifting
stories for democracy defenders, progressives, liberals, socialists, leftists, and anyone
(00:28):
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 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
(00:49):
in the United States of America. To help us spread
the positivity. If you enjoy the show, please rate and
review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your poet cast
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
(01:10):
headlines designed to brighten your day. In a win for
local leadership and community self determination, a federal judge on
Wednesday extended orders stopping President Trump from seizing control of
the Oregon National Guard and sending troops into Portland. The
decision reinforces the state's authority to manage its own response
(01:31):
to peaceful protest and community organizing without unwarranted interference from Washington.
US District Judge Karen Immergut, herself appointed by Trump, rejected
once again the administration's claim that a small, peaceful demonstration
outside an immigration facility warranted a militarized response. Her extension
(01:53):
of two restraining orders for another fourteen days keeps federalized
troops out of Portland while the sinth Circuit Court of
Appeals reviews the legality of the president's attempted power grab.
Immergodt's ruling signals that even on a conservative leaning bench,
the facts on the ground and the rule of law
still stand taller than political theater. Oregon officials and grassroots
(02:16):
advocates have applauded the court's defense of local autonomy. They
note the protests stemmed from residents opposing harsh immigration rates,
not widespread unrest, rather than escalating tension. Immergod's decision affirms
that communities thrive when dialogue, not deployment, guides policy. Her
earlier opinion calling the White House's depiction of Portland as
(02:38):
a warzone entirely detached from reality, continues to resonate with
those working to protect civil rights and humane governance. A
full hearing set for October twenty ninth will determine whether
Trump's attempt to federalize the organ Guard can be permanently
blocked for now, The extended order insures Portlanders can continue
(03:00):
when new gathering, speaking out and shaping their city's future
on their own terms, reminding the nation that state sovereignty,
protected protest and collective resilience remain core to American democracy.
In a breakthrough for justice reform and scientific accountability, Texas's
highest criminal court has blocked the execution of death row
(03:21):
inmate Robert Robertson, ordering a new review of the evidence
that sent him to death row more than twenty years ago.
The ruling signals a rare opening for truth and a
state long plagued by wrongful convictions and outdated forensic claims.
The five to four decision by the all Republican Texas
Court of Criminal Appeals pauses Robertson's imminent execution and sends
(03:45):
his case back to the trial court under the state's
twenty thirteen Junk Science Law, a reformed champion by criminal
justice advocates to correct convictions based on discredited science. Robertson,
convicted in two thousand and three for the tragic death
of his two year old daughter, Nikki, has always maintained
his innocence, and new medical evidence now shows the child
(04:07):
likely died of natural causes worsened by medical misdiagnosis and
outdated treatment. Advocates called the court's action a necessary step
toward restoring faith in a broken system that too often
prizes finality over accuracy. The same court had previously overturned
a similar shaken baby conviction based on the same evolving research,
(04:30):
a contradiction that even some Republican lawmakers acknowledged could no
longer stand. Robertson's attorney, Gretchen Sween, said the decision reflects
belated recognition that truth and science must have the last word,
not outdated theories or political pressure. For now, Robertson's life
has been spared while the trial court considers whether he
(04:53):
should receive a new trial, one grounded in modern medical understanding,
not discarded dogma. Lawmakers, including Republican Representative Jeff Leech hailed
this stay as proof that Texas can still choose fairness
over vengeance. The truth about what happened Iniki deserves the
light of day, Leech said. The ruling advocates say shows
(05:15):
that integrity and evidence, not ideology, can still chart a
path toward justice in Texas courts. 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 a funny, angry, progressive, sarcastic,
(05:40):
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 the bargain, listen
to This Week Again Again with Suzanne Posel on this
(06:01):
platform or wherever you listen to podcasts. That's This Week
Again with Suzanne Posel. S U s A n N
E p O s E L. This Week Again, Listen, laugh, repeat,
When federal immigration agents ordered Juan de la Cruz to
an ICE check in this week. The Panton father of
(06:25):
six feared the worst until two hundred neighbors showed up
beside him. Their collective presence turned what could have been
a morning of fear into a vivid display of Vermont's
deep bonds of compassion and local strength. Dela Cruz, a
Stonemason who has lived and worked in Vermont for two decades,
faced possible detention and deportation under President Trump's stepped up
(06:49):
immigration crackdowns. But when he arrived at the Ice Field
office Tuesday, a crowd of friends, co workers, students, and
families surrounded the building, singing and hearing in solidarity. Inside,
officials told Delacruz he could remain in Vermont while his
asylum case moves forward. A reprieve greeted outside with tears,
(07:10):
chance and applause. This is my country and my family,
Delacruz told supporters after emerging from the office, visibly relieved.
We will keep fighting for it. His wife, Kirsten, said
ICE scheduled regular check ins every six months while his
case continues, and his next court date isn't until late
(07:32):
twenty twenty six. For their family. She said the outpouring
of friendship from classmates of their children to colleagues waving
homemade signs transformed fear into gratitude and hope. Community members
called the gathering an active conscience against a cruel system
targeting longtime residents who contribute to the fabric of small
(07:54):
town Vermont. One is the kind of neighbor everyone wants,
said Zach Sullivan, a former co worker, holding a sign
that read We've got ninety nine problems, but one ain't one.
From the high school football team to local advocates, the
message rippling across Addison County, Vermont, was unmistakable. Solidarity works
(08:15):
and in Vermont, no one stands alone. The pre dawn
heat around a waffle house in Orangeburg, South Carolina, carried
a new kind of energy this week. A strike line
alive with determination and song, cook and server crews walked
out Sunday demanding fair pay, safety protections, and dignity on
(08:37):
the job in a movement quickly backed by the Union
of Southern Service Workers. For four days, striking employees have
stood in front of the five Chop Road diner, calling
out a corporate system they say to deducts three dollars
per shift for meals many never received, and ignores reports
of harassment and unsafe conditions they take from us. They
(09:01):
silenced us, and we're saying no more, one union member
shouted to cheers from supporters gathered roadside workers are calling
for better scheduling practices, security during late night hours, and
a twenty five dollars an hour minimum wage, demands aimed
at pushing waffle House to respect labor in a region
where service work keeps communities running. Union organizers describe the
(09:24):
strike as part of a wider Southern wave of labor action,
connecting cooks, cleaners, and cashiers who are rising together against poverty,
wages and abusive management. While company executives stayed silent, car
horns blared in solidarity from passing traffic. This is what
a new South looks like, said one local organizer. People
(09:46):
unafraid to stand up for each other and for the
basic right to live on the wages they earn.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
Up.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
Next, a listener suggested story back at a minute.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
Now.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
A listener suggested story from Melissa in Albany, New York.
For countless New Yorkers facing chemotherapy, a new state law
offers something far deeper than comfort, the chance to see
themselves in the mirror and recognize the person fighting to survive.
Beginning next year, private insurers will be required to cover
(10:20):
scalp cooling treatment for breast cancer patients, a move advocates
say restores dignity and choice to those navigating the hardest
weeks of their lives. The treatment, known as cold capping,
reduces hair loss by chilling the scalp during chemo to
protect hair follicles from toxic exposure. Until now, it's been
(10:41):
available mostly to patients who could afford its fifteen hundred
to five thousand dollars price tag. The change, championed by
Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal and Senator Toby N. Stavisky, both Democrats,
will make New York the first state in the country
to guarantee full insurance coverage, closing a gap that has
(11:04):
forced patients to choose between physical health and emotional identity.
This is what justice looks like in healthcare, Rosenthal said
at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where survivors and nurses
cheered the law's passage. Advocates stressed that hair preservation can
carry life changing psychological benefits, helping patients maintain self esteem
(11:28):
and social confidence amid treatment. Oncology nurse leader Andrea Smith
called the insurance mandate a game changer that will let
patients focus on healing instead of hiding. For survivors like
Maureen Green, who tested scalp cooling while receiving chemo, the
law feels personal. You can buy a wig, but nothing
(11:50):
replaces looking like yourself, she said. With everything else going on,
this gave me control over one small part of the fight.
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month unfolds, her words echo a
broader truth. Progress isn't just measured in medical advances. It's
seen in policies that put humanity first. Thanks for that story, Melissa.
(12:14):
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 Squared
Media productions dot, com or send it to us at
Good news For lefties On, Facebook instagram or Blue. Sky
(12:35):
after decades of, protest one of fashion's most powerful institutions
has finally folded its fur coats for. Good Conde, nast
publisher Of, Vogue Vanity, fair And glamour announced this month
it will ban new animal fur across all editorial and advertising,
content a victory long sought by generations of animal rights,
(12:58):
advocates ethical, designers and conscious. Consumers the decision follows a
nine month campaign by The coalition To abolish The Fur,
trade whose protests Outside vogue offices and affiliated stores amplified
a message the industry could no longer. Ignore from mid
century demonstrations To PETA's headline Making i'd rather go naked
(13:22):
than where fur ads activists have spent years challenging fashion's
most entrenched symbols of, luxury condiate. Asks reversal even Under
anna Wind tour's continued, leadership marks a profound cultural, shift
proof that compassion can still reshape global style from the inside.
(13:42):
Out by JOINING L, Magazine, Janelle, prada and other brands
that have gone fur, free the publisher sets a new
baseline for what luxury means in the twenty first, century
creative excellence without. Cruelty as fur bands expand from THE
us To europe And, australia media powerhouses once devoted To
(14:04):
glamour now mirror the values of a generation that prizes, sustainability,
innovation and empathy over. Opulence designers Like stella McCartney are
already leading that charge with plant based alternatives showcased On paris.
Runways while some in fashion still cling to, Furs Allure
(14:25):
conde asks move underscores that change in taste reflects change in.
Conscience the fur era may not end, overnight but its
moral undercurrent has shifted. Irrevocably the glossy pages that once
celebrated mink and fox now spotlight, compassion proving that style
and ethics cannot only, coexist but set the next standard
(14:49):
for global. Fashion 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 Roosevelt hein
(15:09):
And Aaron watson for making all of this possible behind the.
Scenes I'm Baio Wolf, rocklin weird name Good news For
lefties And.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
America here's what you've been missing on The Stephanie Miller
Happy hour. Podcast he wasn't he?
Speaker 3 (15:43):
Shot people look at his, Ear some debris or something hit,
him but it's LIKE i. CAN'T i just. Can't, okay all,
right where WAS?
Speaker 1 (15:52):
I you?
Speaker 2 (15:53):
Said pro?
Speaker 3 (15:54):
Coaching? Right twenty nine hundred pages of lead, Texts so
that's not like one or two random. Right, yes the
chats Included oh there's some more fun FACTS i had
not read. Yet. Yeah references to black people as monkeys
and watermelon. People, wow that's so fresh a reference and
current praise For Adolf hitler and discussions of rape and
(16:17):
guest chambers as fella knows a lot of misogyny and
mixed in with the anti semitism and racism in. GENERAL
i was waiting for. That, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah lots
of how super fun rape. Is, Okay by the, way
CAN i just say here's an? Example so Jd vance,
saying all that's?
Speaker 2 (16:35):
Fine?
Speaker 3 (16:35):
Right did you see this When Elizabeth warren two days
ago posted for two excruciating, Years i've called for the
return of the, hostages brutally kid, left kidnapped On october
seventh and held in. Gaza today is a good? DAY Jd?
Vance was you know post? That and says The president
told me he did this On Indigenous People day and on.
Review what are you surprised that all these Young republicans
(16:59):
are Douche just look at he's the vice. PRESIDENT i.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
Did, okay they're taking troll, online trolling in your real.
Speaker 3 (17:06):
Life, well this is What's bella's. Point they're just. Trolls
they're not people that are interested in helping them in
any way they actually care about.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
Politics they only care about owning The.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
Libs i've been saying that for years and years and
years and. Years that's the only thing they care. About,
congratulations little.
Speaker 2 (17:22):
DOUCHEBAGS i am this liberal is fully on this. Morning
subscribe to The Stephanie Miller Happy hour podcast On Apple,
Podcasts Stephanie miller dot, com or wherever you get your favorite, podcasts.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
And in case you missed, it here's this good news.
Headline judges appointed By Donald trump are increasingly rejecting his
own administration's, overreach a sign that even his handpicked jurists
are unwilling to abandon constitutional. Guardrails in recent, months a
(17:58):
series Of trump upon going to judges have issued rulings
that strike Down White house initiatives ranging from mass deportations
and tariff schemes to suppression of the free. Press the
pattern underscores a fundamental truth That trump allies have long
resisted the judiciary's duty to safeguard the rule of, Law
trump's loyalty to any single. Leader In OREGON U S,
(18:22):
District Judge Karen immergut Called trump's order to deploy The
National guard To portland untethered from, reality warning it threatened
to edge the country toward military. Rule In, washington D.
C Judge Tim kelly dismantled the administration's false claim that
a late night deportation Of guatemalan children was, humanitarian writing
(18:44):
that the government's explanation crumbled like a house of. Cards,
and in another blow to the administration's authoritarian, Impulses Judge
trevor McFadden ruled that The White house unlawfully stripped The
Associated press of access for refuge using to Adopt Trump's
gulf Of america rebred a move that struck at the
(19:05):
heart of press freedom all those judges appointed By Donald.
Trump judges across the, country including Those trump, selected have
also rejected his attempts to target. Immigrants in immigrants rights
advocates From texas To, maryland new rulings have blocked the
administration's sweeping application of The Alien Enemies act and its
(19:26):
efforts to detain immigrants indefinitely without bond, Hearings Judge Stephanie
gallagher ordered the administration to bring back a Deported venezuelan asylum,
seeker while Judges Dominic, Lanza Rebecca, jennings And Eric tostrad
invalidated the latest plan to lock up millions of people
without due. Process their decisions reaffirm a basic constitutional principle
(19:50):
that every person in The United states has the right
to fare treatment under the. Law even judges who once
seemed ideologically aligned With trump are now signaling. Alarm District
Judge Thomas, cullen also appointed By, trump sharply condemned the
president's ongoing personal attacks on members of the, judiciary calling
(20:11):
them unprecedented and. Unfortunate, Meanwhile Judges Dabney friedrich And mary
McElroy struck down efforts to misuse pardons withhold democracy funding
and STRIP fema aid from. Bluestates, together their rulings reveal
that Despite trump's attempt to bend institutions to his, will the,
courts including those he helped populate or standing firm as
(20:35):
guardians of constitutional. Democracy
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