October 10, 2025 • 20 mins
In this episode of Good News for Lefties, we dive into a series of uplifting stories that highlight the resilience of our democratic institutions and communities standing up for justice. We begin with a powerful trend as Trump-appointed judges increasingly reject his administration's overreach, issuing rulings that protect constitutional rights and uphold the rule of law. From blocking mass deportations to safeguarding press freedom, these judges are demonstrating their commitment to justice, even amidst political pressure.
Next, we celebrate a senior federal prosecutor in Virginia who has refused to pursue politically motivated charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, showcasing the independence of the Justice Department's career attorneys in the face of intimidation. This act of defiance sends a strong message that facts and ethics will prevail over political vengeance.
We also highlight a significant victory for environmental justice, as the EPA stands firm on a rule requiring polluters to fund the cleanup of toxic PFAS chemicals, ensuring that corporate responsibility is upheld despite industry pushback. This ruling is a crucial step towards protecting public health and holding corporations accountable for environmental harm.
In the world of theater, we report on the potential for Broadway's first actors strike in over 50 years as performers demand fair treatment and humane working conditions. With support from over 1,000 artists, the movement underscores the importance of dignity and safety in the arts.
Lastly, we share an inspiring story from Pennsylvania, where innovative Health to Go kiosks are providing essential resources like naloxone and hygiene kits to those in need, breaking down barriers to care and saving lives in the process. These machines exemplify the power of community-driven solutions to address public health crises.
Join us as we celebrate these remarkable stories that remind us of the progress being made toward a more just and equitable society. 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 beowulf@twosquaredmediaproductions.com.
For more about today's stories:
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/06/trump-judges-ruling-against-him-00595511
https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/top-prosecutor-trump-pressure-charge-new-york-ag-rcna235922
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/18/climate/epa-pfas-forever-chemicals.html?unlocked_article_code=1.n08.LikU.v1M2SsdRfuyL&smid=url-share&utm_source=convertkit&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=%F0%9F%97%9E%EF%B8%8F%20Good%20News:%20New%20conservation%20school%20established%20with%20historic%20grant%20-%2019102241&sh_kit=7a2950363f4b90b1881ae76c68d24551846eea9063b67a6a14e9fa39bc419e40
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/broadway-actors-prepare-strike-first-180621979.html
https://fresnoland.org/2025/09/24/federal-funding/?emci=8f2ef373-1d9b-f011-8e61-6045bded8ba4&emdi=a9ff7197-1d9b-f011-8e61-6045bded8ba4&ceid=24376453&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
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 senior federal prosecutor in Virginia who has refused to pursue politically motivated charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, showcasing the independence of the Justice Department's career attorneys in the face of intimidation. This act of defiance sends a strong message that facts and ethics will prevail over political vengeance.
We also highlight a significant victory for environmental justice, as the EPA stands firm on a rule requiring polluters to fund the cleanup of toxic PFAS chemicals, ensuring that corporate responsibility is upheld despite industry pushback. This ruling is a crucial step towards protecting public health and holding corporations accountable for environmental harm.
In the world of theater, we report on the potential for Broadway's first actors strike in over 50 years as performers demand fair treatment and humane working conditions. With support from over 1,000 artists, the movement underscores the importance of dignity and safety in the arts.
Lastly, we share an inspiring story from Pennsylvania, where innovative Health to Go kiosks are providing essential resources like naloxone and hygiene kits to those in need, breaking down barriers to care and saving lives in the process. These machines exemplify the power of community-driven solutions to address public health crises.
Join us as we celebrate these remarkable stories that remind us of the progress being made toward a more just and equitable society. 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 beowulf@twosquaredmediaproductions.com.
For more about today's stories:
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/06/trump-judges-ruling-against-him-00595511
https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/top-prosecutor-trump-pressure-charge-new-york-ag-rcna235922
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/18/climate/epa-pfas-forever-chemicals.html?unlocked_article_code=1.n08.LikU.v1M2SsdRfuyL&smid=url-share&utm_source=convertkit&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=%F0%9F%97%9E%EF%B8%8F%20Good%20News:%20New%20conservation%20school%20established%20with%20historic%20grant%20-%2019102241&sh_kit=7a2950363f4b90b1881ae76c68d24551846eea9063b67a6a14e9fa39bc419e40
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/broadway-actors-prepare-strike-first-180621979.html
https://fresnoland.org/2025/09/24/federal-funding/?emci=8f2ef373-1d9b-f011-8e61-6045bded8ba4&emdi=a9ff7197-1d9b-f011-8e61-6045bded8ba4&ceid=24376453&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/good-news-for-lefties-daily-news-for-democracy--6256627/support.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Good News for Lefties and America. Hello, and thanks for
joining another episode of Good News for Lefties. I'm bable
for Rockland, your host, ready to help you swap out
doom and gloom for some genuine hope with uplifting stories
for democracy defenders, progressives, liberals, socialists, leftists, and anyone who
(00:29):
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.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Some of them today.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
All the bad news makes it easy to lose sight
of hope, and that's exactly why it's vital to highlight
the positive progressive wins happening every day in the United
States of America. To help us spread the positivity. If
you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your podcast platform of choice. It
(01:03):
helps more lefties like you hear more good news stories
and stay positive.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
And motivated for the days ahead.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
Now, let's get some good news headlines designed to brighten
your day. 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,
(01:31):
a series of Trump appointed 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, US District Judge
(01:56):
Karen Immergut called Trump's order to deploy the National Guards
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 that the government's
(02:17):
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 refusing to adopt Trump's Gulf of America rebred,
a move that struck at the heart of press freedom.
(02:39):
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 efforts to detain immigrants indefinitely
(03:02):
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 tosstred invalidated the latest plan to
lock up millions of people without due process. Their decisions
reaffirm a basic constitutional principle that every person in the
(03:25):
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 them unprecedented and unfortunate. Meanwhile, judges Dabney
(03:49):
Friedrich and Mary McElroy struck down efforts to misuse pardons
withhold democracy funding and strip FEMA aid from bluestates. Together,
their rulings revealed that despite Trump's attempt to bend institutions
to his will, the courts, including those he helped populate,
are standing firm as guardians of constitutional democracy. A senior
(04:13):
federal prosecutor in Virginia is refusing to bend to Donald
Trump's demands for politically motivated charges against New York Attorney
General Letitia James, a decision that underscores the resilience of
the Justice Department's career ranks despite a White House campaign
of retaliation. Elizabeth Usey, who leads major criminal prosecutions in
(04:35):
the Eastern District's Norfolk office, told colleagues she sees no
legal basis for the mortgage fraud allegations Trump has been pushing.
Fellow prosecutors say she is preparing to formally present her
conclusion to Trump's newly installed interim U S Attorney Lindsay
Halligan in the coming weeks. Trump's effort to target James,
(04:55):
who won a five hundred million dollar civil fraud judgment
against him last year, Mirror's other recent attempts to weaponize
federal prosecutors against his perceived enemies. Halligan, a former Trump
defense lawyer with no prosecutorial background, replaced a previous US
attorney who resigned after also refusing to bring cases against
(05:16):
James and former FBI director James Comy. Within days of
taking the post, Halligan pushed through an indictment of Comy
on charges career attorneys had already deemed too weak to proceed,
fueling wider alarm inside the office. Veteran prosecutors warned that
Ucy could be fired for protecting her staff from political interference.
(05:38):
Legal experts say her stance reflects both her oath and
the enduring independence of the Justice Department's nonpartisan professionals. This
supervisor clearly is doing the right and ethical thing, said
Randall Eliason, a former top federal corruption prosecutor. The concern
among career attorneys is that loyalty tests, not facts law,
(06:00):
are driving the administration's actions, a shift they say undermines
the justice system and public trust. The showdown comes amid
broader resistance inside the Eastern District of Virginia, where top
national security prosecutor Michael ben Aari was recently fired after
criticizing political appointees for following Trump's directives instead of the law.
(06:23):
For many in the legal community. USI's refusal to charge
James without evidence sends a defiant message that a climate
of presidential vengeance, prosecutors committed to facts over politics still
stand ready to defend the principles that keep American justice
free from authoritarian control.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Before we get.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
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, progress ussive, sarcastic,
hilarious podcast that drops every Sunday, and, in my opinion,
(07:05):
is the largest single repository of creatively insulting names for
Donald Trump. Mango Mussolini and Orange Julius Caesar are just
the beginning. So if you want to recap of the
week and you want a laugh into the bargain, listen
to This Week Again with Suzanne Posel on this platform
or wherever you listen to podcasts. That's This Week Again
(07:27):
with Suzanne Posel s U S A N N E
PO s E L This Week Again, Listen, laugh, repeat.
In a rare break from the Trump administration, Steady March
to dismantle environmental protections. The Environmental Protection Agency will keep
in place a rule that forces polluters, not taxpayers, to
(07:51):
fund the cleanup of toxic forever chemicals. The decision by
EPA administrator Lee Zelden means companies that created or discharged
pifos will remain legally responsible for removing them from contaminated
soil and water, despite intense pressure from the chemical industry
to reverse course. Pifos, used for decades in products from
(08:14):
nonstick pans to firefighting foam, have been tied to cancers,
fertility problems, and other serious health risks, and have contaminated
the drinking water of millions of Americans. The move preserves
one of the few remaining safeguards from recent years, a
regulation that designates certain pifos compounds as hazardous under the
Superfund Law, a key tool that lets the federal government
(08:37):
compel clean up by polluters themselves. Environmental advocates say this
approach not only ensures justice, but speed's remediation by keeping
financial responsibility where it belongs, it is not too much
to ask the corporations that dump forever chemicals into the
environment to pay for the cost of cleaning them up.
Said Jonathan Kalmus, Cats of Earth Justice, which is defending
(09:00):
the rule in court against industry lawsuits. Zelden's decision comes
even as the administration has rolled back dozens of clean air,
water and conservation rules and gutted the EPA's scientific workforce.
It also defies internal lobbying from Stephen Cook, a former
industry lawyer who this year joined the EPA and pushed
(09:23):
to undo the PIFAs designation. For communities already reeling from contamination,
including on Long Island, where Zelden once represented a district
in Congress, the ruling is a lifeline local water districts
there recently secured a two hundred and fifty million dollar
settlement from three M to remove PIFAs from public drinking water,
(09:43):
while legal challenges from chemical manufacturers are ongoing. Environmental and
public health groups see the decision as a hard fought
win for people over corporate polluters, from farm fields laced
with tainted fertilizer to neighborhoods shadowed by industrial DEAs charges.
The ruling of firms that the costs of decades of
pollution must be borne by the industries that profited from
(10:07):
it a principal environmental justice advocates have long championed one
they vow to defend. Broadway is on the verge of
its first actor strike in more than half a century,
as members of Actors' Equity gear up to take their
fight for fair treatment to the picket lines. With their
(10:27):
three year contract expired and negotiations with the Broadway League stalled,
the Broadway League sounds like a convocation of supervillains.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Ooh, the Broadway League.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
The union is pressing producers to meet demands that center
on humane work schedules, safe staffing, and increased health care contributions.
More than one thousand performers, including Brookshields, Darren Chris, sean Aston,
Brandon Iranowitz, and other stage favorites, have signed a letter
of solidarity, signaling the depth of support behind the potential
(11:04):
work stoppage. At the heart of the dispute is healthcare funding.
Actors' Equity is seeking an additional four million dollars in
annual contributions from producers, an amount equal to just zero
point two one percent.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
Of Broadway's weekly grosses.
Speaker 1 (11:19):
The Union points out that this request comes after Broadway's
highest grossing season ever in twenty twenty four to twenty five,
with revenues topping one point eight billion dollars. Executive Director
al Vincent Junior called a proposal exceedingly reasonable and reminded
producers that their shows are generating billions. If they can't
(11:40):
pay their fair share, he said, instead of performing in
the theater, we may be walking on picket lines outside
the theater. Negotiations between Actors Equity and the Broadway League,
which represents theater owners, producers, and general managers, began in
late August. While both sides are set to meet again,
there's little sign of breakthrough yet. The League said it
(12:02):
prefers to resolve matters through good faith negotiations rather than
public statements, citing rising production costs as a counterpoint to
the union's call for greater benefits. But that's exactly what
the Broadway League would tell you. For the performers and
stage managers at the heart of Broadway, this struggle is
about ensuring workplaces where art can flourish without sacrificing health
(12:26):
or safety. If talks fail, the lights will dim on
thirty two productions, and for the first time since nineteen
sixty eight, the sound in the theater will be replaced
by voices on the street, rallying for dignity and fairness.
Up next a listener comment back at a Moment, and
(12:51):
now a listener comment from Holly, who listens to us
on Spotify. She says, thanks for these podcasts. I've pulled
away from many that I consumed before November twenty twenty four,
back when I had hope. I have to limit and
carefully curate my news intake to stay mentally stable and
(13:11):
positive enough to get through my days. This one is
in my regular rotation. Well, Holly, thank you so much
for those kind comments. Thank you for listening to the podcast,
and I hope we do give you a little hope
and allow you to get through the day, get through
the weeks, because we all need to stay together and
keep one another positive. Holly, thank you so much for listening.
(13:33):
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
(13:57):
In Fresno california city leaders are set celebrating a major
courtroom victory after a federal judge blocked The trump administration's
attempt to strip more than two hundred and fifty million
dollars in funding from the city and other local. Governments
the ruling protects crucial grants for, airports, housing environmental, protection
and public safety that had been threatened by new federal
(14:19):
conditions requiring localities to dismantle diversity and inclusion. Programs city
Attorney Andrew jens Said fresno had been forced into an
impossible situation either forfeit desperately needed funds or signed off
on unconstitutional and illegal terms that could expose city employees
to legal. Liability the, decision issued BY Us District Judge
(14:42):
Richard seborg In San, francisco ensure if that projects like
the ongoing expansion Of Fresno Yosemite International airport can continue
without political. Interference our, plans our progress were not going
to let that go up in, flames said council Member Nick.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
Richardson he and.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
Other city officials stressed that the lawsuit was about protecting
local autonomy and honoring already awarded federal, commitments not taking partisan.
Sides this really was like the carpet being pulled from under,
us Added City Council President Mike, carbasi noting the city
had already spent funds on housing and infrastructure. Contracts Mayor Jerry,
(15:23):
dyer in a written, statement called the ruling a relief
For fresno residents and emphasized that complying with The trump
administration's order would have forced the city to violate state
and federal laws tied to housing and transportation. Funding the,
ruling he, said Allows fresno to move forward with applying
for and receiving Funding fresno is entitled, to and in some,
(15:44):
instances has already been. Awarded city officials also warned that
had they followed the administration's new, requirements it could have
cost the city millions in overlapping state funds earmarked for, roads,
parks and emergency. Services ciant tone of the news conference
captured the mood of a city standing up for its
(16:04):
right to self, govern As richardson put it in a
line that spread quickly across social. Media our message to
those In sacramento And washington who think they can pull
the strings On fresno is. Simple don't mess with, us
don't fuck With. Fresno that's a wrap for today's edition
Of Good news For. Lefties remember if these stories brighten your,
(16:27):
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 hin
And Aaron watson for making all of this possible behind the.
Scenes I'm Beowulf, rocklin weird. Name good news For lefties And.
Speaker 3 (16:48):
America here's what you've been.
Speaker 4 (17:07):
Missing on The Stephanie Miller Happy Hour. Podcast Latest PAUL
i Saw chris thirty seven. 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? Now?
Speaker 2 (17:22):
No you know what are the?
Speaker 4 (17:24):
People or traffic?
Speaker 1 (17:25):
Control not?
Speaker 4 (17:25):
Important not important Now.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
Like Reagan airport yesterday had to have their traffic control
come out Of.
Speaker 2 (17:32):
Philadelphia, yeah because the problems.
Speaker 4 (17:34):
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 (17:56):
And in case you missed, it here's this good news.
Headline In, pennsylvania a new kind of vending machine is
saving lives and breaking down barriers to. Care instead of
offering ships or, soda help to, Go kiosks In reading
And harrisburg provide free, neloxone pregnancy, tests fentanyl test, strips hygiene, kits,
(18:19):
socks and woundcare, supplies all without cost and without. Judgment the,
machines installed through a Penn state led, partnership are designed
to meet people where they, are offering anonymous access to
resources that prevent, overdoses reduce, stigma and address basic needs
often out of reach for people experiencing homelessness or. Addiction
(18:42):
the response has been. Overwhelming in just a, year the
two machines have dispensed more than eleven thousand, items including
nearly nineteen hundred doses, ofnoloxone medication that reverses opioid, overdoses
and thousands of hygiene and woundcare. Care surveys of users
show that four and five struggle with meeting basic, needs
(19:05):
and nearly a quarter are unhoused or facing housing. Insecurity
many reported they had avoided a traditional healthcare settings due
to fear of, stigma making these machines a, rare judgment free.
Lifeline what makes health To go stand out is that
users can remain anonymous while still connecting with broader. Services
(19:27):
the interactive screens not only dispensed, supplies but also list
local resources from food banks and clinics to recovery, programs
and even play videos on how to use items like fentanyl.
Strips each tap on the screen becomes a connection point to, health,
safety and. Dignity as one user put it, simply they're
(19:48):
saving people from. Overdosing they're saving people from. Dying with
opioid deaths still a crisis and overdose numbers In pennsylvania
only beginning to, ease these machines meanes represent more than an,
experiment their proof of what harm reduction looks like when
it's put directly into the. Community the project's success is
(20:09):
fueling plans for, expansion with more machines expected across Central.
Pennsylvania for the people who rely on, them they aren't
just vending. Machines they're portals to, survival, dignity and.
Speaker 2 (20:22):
Hope
Good News for Lefties and America. Hello, and thanks for
joining another episode of Good News for Lefties. I'm bable
for Rockland, your host, ready to help you swap out
doom and gloom for some genuine hope with uplifting stories
for democracy defenders, progressives, liberals, socialists, leftists, and anyone who
(00:29):
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.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Some of them today.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
All the bad news makes it easy to lose sight
of hope, and that's exactly why it's vital to highlight
the positive progressive wins happening every day in the United
States of America. To help us spread the positivity. If
you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your podcast platform of choice. It
(01:03):
helps more lefties like you hear more good news stories
and stay positive.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
And motivated for the days ahead.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
Now, let's get some good news headlines designed to brighten
your day. 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,
(01:31):
a series of Trump appointed 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, US District Judge
(01:56):
Karen Immergut called Trump's order to deploy the National Guards
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 that the government's
(02:17):
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 refusing to adopt Trump's Gulf of America rebred,
a move that struck at the heart of press freedom.
(02:39):
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 efforts to detain immigrants indefinitely
(03:02):
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 tosstred invalidated the latest plan to
lock up millions of people without due process. Their decisions
reaffirm a basic constitutional principle that every person in the
(03:25):
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 them unprecedented and unfortunate. Meanwhile, judges Dabney
(03:49):
Friedrich and Mary McElroy struck down efforts to misuse pardons
withhold democracy funding and strip FEMA aid from bluestates. Together,
their rulings revealed that despite Trump's attempt to bend institutions
to his will, the courts, including those he helped populate,
are standing firm as guardians of constitutional democracy. A senior
(04:13):
federal prosecutor in Virginia is refusing to bend to Donald
Trump's demands for politically motivated charges against New York Attorney
General Letitia James, a decision that underscores the resilience of
the Justice Department's career ranks despite a White House campaign
of retaliation. Elizabeth Usey, who leads major criminal prosecutions in
(04:35):
the Eastern District's Norfolk office, told colleagues she sees no
legal basis for the mortgage fraud allegations Trump has been pushing.
Fellow prosecutors say she is preparing to formally present her
conclusion to Trump's newly installed interim U S Attorney Lindsay
Halligan in the coming weeks. Trump's effort to target James,
(04:55):
who won a five hundred million dollar civil fraud judgment
against him last year, Mirror's other recent attempts to weaponize
federal prosecutors against his perceived enemies. Halligan, a former Trump
defense lawyer with no prosecutorial background, replaced a previous US
attorney who resigned after also refusing to bring cases against
(05:16):
James and former FBI director James Comy. Within days of
taking the post, Halligan pushed through an indictment of Comy
on charges career attorneys had already deemed too weak to proceed,
fueling wider alarm inside the office. Veteran prosecutors warned that
Ucy could be fired for protecting her staff from political interference.
(05:38):
Legal experts say her stance reflects both her oath and
the enduring independence of the Justice Department's nonpartisan professionals. This
supervisor clearly is doing the right and ethical thing, said
Randall Eliason, a former top federal corruption prosecutor. The concern
among career attorneys is that loyalty tests, not facts law,
(06:00):
are driving the administration's actions, a shift they say undermines
the justice system and public trust. The showdown comes amid
broader resistance inside the Eastern District of Virginia, where top
national security prosecutor Michael ben Aari was recently fired after
criticizing political appointees for following Trump's directives instead of the law.
(06:23):
For many in the legal community. USI's refusal to charge
James without evidence sends a defiant message that a climate
of presidential vengeance, prosecutors committed to facts over politics still
stand ready to defend the principles that keep American justice
free from authoritarian control.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Before we get.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
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, progress ussive, sarcastic,
hilarious podcast that drops every Sunday, and, in my opinion,
(07:05):
is the largest single repository of creatively insulting names for
Donald Trump. Mango Mussolini and Orange Julius Caesar are just
the beginning. So if you want to recap of the
week and you want a laugh into the bargain, listen
to This Week Again with Suzanne Posel on this platform
or wherever you listen to podcasts. That's This Week Again
(07:27):
with Suzanne Posel s U S A N N E
PO s E L This Week Again, Listen, laugh, repeat.
In a rare break from the Trump administration, Steady March
to dismantle environmental protections. The Environmental Protection Agency will keep
in place a rule that forces polluters, not taxpayers, to
(07:51):
fund the cleanup of toxic forever chemicals. The decision by
EPA administrator Lee Zelden means companies that created or discharged
pifos will remain legally responsible for removing them from contaminated
soil and water, despite intense pressure from the chemical industry
to reverse course. Pifos, used for decades in products from
(08:14):
nonstick pans to firefighting foam, have been tied to cancers,
fertility problems, and other serious health risks, and have contaminated
the drinking water of millions of Americans. The move preserves
one of the few remaining safeguards from recent years, a
regulation that designates certain pifos compounds as hazardous under the
Superfund Law, a key tool that lets the federal government
(08:37):
compel clean up by polluters themselves. Environmental advocates say this
approach not only ensures justice, but speed's remediation by keeping
financial responsibility where it belongs, it is not too much
to ask the corporations that dump forever chemicals into the
environment to pay for the cost of cleaning them up.
Said Jonathan Kalmus, Cats of Earth Justice, which is defending
(09:00):
the rule in court against industry lawsuits. Zelden's decision comes
even as the administration has rolled back dozens of clean air,
water and conservation rules and gutted the EPA's scientific workforce.
It also defies internal lobbying from Stephen Cook, a former
industry lawyer who this year joined the EPA and pushed
(09:23):
to undo the PIFAs designation. For communities already reeling from contamination,
including on Long Island, where Zelden once represented a district
in Congress, the ruling is a lifeline local water districts
there recently secured a two hundred and fifty million dollar
settlement from three M to remove PIFAs from public drinking water,
(09:43):
while legal challenges from chemical manufacturers are ongoing. Environmental and
public health groups see the decision as a hard fought
win for people over corporate polluters, from farm fields laced
with tainted fertilizer to neighborhoods shadowed by industrial DEAs charges.
The ruling of firms that the costs of decades of
pollution must be borne by the industries that profited from
(10:07):
it a principal environmental justice advocates have long championed one
they vow to defend. Broadway is on the verge of
its first actor strike in more than half a century,
as members of Actors' Equity gear up to take their
fight for fair treatment to the picket lines. With their
(10:27):
three year contract expired and negotiations with the Broadway League stalled,
the Broadway League sounds like a convocation of supervillains.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Ooh, the Broadway League.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
The union is pressing producers to meet demands that center
on humane work schedules, safe staffing, and increased health care contributions.
More than one thousand performers, including Brookshields, Darren Chris, sean Aston,
Brandon Iranowitz, and other stage favorites, have signed a letter
of solidarity, signaling the depth of support behind the potential
(11:04):
work stoppage. At the heart of the dispute is healthcare funding.
Actors' Equity is seeking an additional four million dollars in
annual contributions from producers, an amount equal to just zero
point two one percent.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
Of Broadway's weekly grosses.
Speaker 1 (11:19):
The Union points out that this request comes after Broadway's
highest grossing season ever in twenty twenty four to twenty five,
with revenues topping one point eight billion dollars. Executive Director
al Vincent Junior called a proposal exceedingly reasonable and reminded
producers that their shows are generating billions. If they can't
(11:40):
pay their fair share, he said, instead of performing in
the theater, we may be walking on picket lines outside
the theater. Negotiations between Actors Equity and the Broadway League,
which represents theater owners, producers, and general managers, began in
late August. While both sides are set to meet again,
there's little sign of breakthrough yet. The League said it
(12:02):
prefers to resolve matters through good faith negotiations rather than
public statements, citing rising production costs as a counterpoint to
the union's call for greater benefits. But that's exactly what
the Broadway League would tell you. For the performers and
stage managers at the heart of Broadway, this struggle is
about ensuring workplaces where art can flourish without sacrificing health
(12:26):
or safety. If talks fail, the lights will dim on
thirty two productions, and for the first time since nineteen
sixty eight, the sound in the theater will be replaced
by voices on the street, rallying for dignity and fairness.
Up next a listener comment back at a Moment, and
(12:51):
now a listener comment from Holly, who listens to us
on Spotify. She says, thanks for these podcasts. I've pulled
away from many that I consumed before November twenty twenty four,
back when I had hope. I have to limit and
carefully curate my news intake to stay mentally stable and
(13:11):
positive enough to get through my days. This one is
in my regular rotation. Well, Holly, thank you so much
for those kind comments. Thank you for listening to the podcast,
and I hope we do give you a little hope
and allow you to get through the day, get through
the weeks, because we all need to stay together and
keep one another positive. Holly, thank you so much for listening.
(13:33):
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
(13:57):
In Fresno california city leaders are set celebrating a major
courtroom victory after a federal judge blocked The trump administration's
attempt to strip more than two hundred and fifty million
dollars in funding from the city and other local. Governments
the ruling protects crucial grants for, airports, housing environmental, protection
and public safety that had been threatened by new federal
(14:19):
conditions requiring localities to dismantle diversity and inclusion. Programs city
Attorney Andrew jens Said fresno had been forced into an
impossible situation either forfeit desperately needed funds or signed off
on unconstitutional and illegal terms that could expose city employees
to legal. Liability the, decision issued BY Us District Judge
(14:42):
Richard seborg In San, francisco ensure if that projects like
the ongoing expansion Of Fresno Yosemite International airport can continue
without political. Interference our, plans our progress were not going
to let that go up in, flames said council Member Nick.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
Richardson he and.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
Other city officials stressed that the lawsuit was about protecting
local autonomy and honoring already awarded federal, commitments not taking partisan.
Sides this really was like the carpet being pulled from under,
us Added City Council President Mike, carbasi noting the city
had already spent funds on housing and infrastructure. Contracts Mayor Jerry,
(15:23):
dyer in a written, statement called the ruling a relief
For fresno residents and emphasized that complying with The trump
administration's order would have forced the city to violate state
and federal laws tied to housing and transportation. Funding the,
ruling he, said Allows fresno to move forward with applying
for and receiving Funding fresno is entitled, to and in some,
(15:44):
instances has already been. Awarded city officials also warned that
had they followed the administration's new, requirements it could have
cost the city millions in overlapping state funds earmarked for, roads,
parks and emergency. Services ciant tone of the news conference
captured the mood of a city standing up for its
(16:04):
right to self, govern As richardson put it in a
line that spread quickly across social. Media our message to
those In sacramento And washington who think they can pull
the strings On fresno is. Simple don't mess with, us
don't fuck With. Fresno that's a wrap for today's edition
Of Good news For. Lefties remember if these stories brighten your,
(16:27):
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 hin
And Aaron watson for making all of this possible behind the.
Scenes I'm Beowulf, rocklin weird. Name good news For lefties And.
Speaker 3 (16:48):
America here's what you've been.
Speaker 4 (17:07):
Missing on The Stephanie Miller Happy Hour. Podcast Latest PAUL
i Saw chris thirty seven. 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? Now?
Speaker 2 (17:22):
No you know what are the?
Speaker 4 (17:24):
People or traffic?
Speaker 1 (17:25):
Control not?
Speaker 4 (17:25):
Important not important Now.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
Like Reagan airport yesterday had to have their traffic control
come out Of.
Speaker 2 (17:32):
Philadelphia, yeah because the problems.
Speaker 4 (17:34):
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 (17:56):
And in case you missed, it here's this good news.
Headline In, pennsylvania a new kind of vending machine is
saving lives and breaking down barriers to. Care instead of
offering ships or, soda help to, Go kiosks In reading
And harrisburg provide free, neloxone pregnancy, tests fentanyl test, strips hygiene, kits,
(18:19):
socks and woundcare, supplies all without cost and without. Judgment the,
machines installed through a Penn state led, partnership are designed
to meet people where they, are offering anonymous access to
resources that prevent, overdoses reduce, stigma and address basic needs
often out of reach for people experiencing homelessness or. Addiction
(18:42):
the response has been. Overwhelming in just a, year the
two machines have dispensed more than eleven thousand, items including
nearly nineteen hundred doses, ofnoloxone medication that reverses opioid, overdoses
and thousands of hygiene and woundcare. Care surveys of users
show that four and five struggle with meeting basic, needs
(19:05):
and nearly a quarter are unhoused or facing housing. Insecurity
many reported they had avoided a traditional healthcare settings due
to fear of, stigma making these machines a, rare judgment free.
Lifeline what makes health To go stand out is that
users can remain anonymous while still connecting with broader. Services
(19:27):
the interactive screens not only dispensed, supplies but also list
local resources from food banks and clinics to recovery, programs
and even play videos on how to use items like fentanyl.
Strips each tap on the screen becomes a connection point to, health,
safety and. Dignity as one user put it, simply they're
(19:48):
saving people from. Overdosing they're saving people from. Dying with
opioid deaths still a crisis and overdose numbers In pennsylvania
only beginning to, ease these machines meanes represent more than an,
experiment their proof of what harm reduction looks like when
it's put directly into the. Community the project's success is
(20:09):
fueling plans for, expansion with more machines expected across Central.
Pennsylvania for the people who rely on, them they aren't
just vending. Machines they're portals to, survival, dignity and.
Speaker 2 (20:22):
Hope
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