Mutual Defense Compacts, Wolf Comebacks & Book Brigades: Good News for Democracy, Ecology & Community

Welcome to Good News For Lefties, the daily news antidote for progressive hearts! This week, host Beowulf Rochlen—with his signature old-time radio charm and a dash of cheeky wit—delivers uplifting stories proving democracy, ecology, and people power are alive and kicking.First, universities nationwide defy Trump’s authoritarian crackdowns, forming mutual defense compacts to protect academic freedom, DEI programs, and student protesters from ICE raids. Then, Oregon’s gray wolves hit a historic population milestone—200 strong!—thanks to relentless conservation efforts (despite ranchers’ grumbling).In the courts, a federal judge smacks down Trump’s freeze on climate and environmental justice grants, safeguarding lead-poisoning prevention and green infrastructure. Meanwhile, blue states like California and New York double down on climate superfund laws and cap-and-trade programs, spitting in the face of federal overreach.Plus, heartwarming dispatches from the frontlines of community solidarity: a heroic ranch dog named Buford rescues a missing toddler in Arizona, and a Michigan town forms a human book brigade to save their beloved indie bookstore.It’s liberal, it’s leftist, it’s the daily news you actually want to hear. Share it, rate it, and remember: the future’s still worth fighting for.

Listen to our friends Jennifer and Dan of the Banned Camp podcast at BannedCampPodcast.com

Listen to This Week Again with Susanne Posel.

If you have thoughts, ideas, or more good news to share, we’d love to hear from you! Call or message us at 202-656-6271, or drop us a line at [e-mail]

You can find out more about GNFL's daily news stories here:

https://www.commondreams.org/news/campus-protest

https://www.ijpr.org/environment-energy-and-transportation/2025-04-17/oregon-wolf-population-surpasses-200-for-first-time-in-8-decades

https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/ri-federal-judge-orders-trump-administration-resume-grant-payments-environmental-nonprofits

https://pluribusnews.com/news-and-events/state-leaders-dismiss-trump-order-attacking-climate-policies/

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/dozens-searched-missing-2-year-old-arizona-desert-buford-dog-was-real-rcna201654

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/hundreds-of-volunteers-form-a-human-chain-to-get-9000-books-to-new-location-for-indie-bookstore/

More good daily news for democracy on Facebook, Bluesky, and Instagram.

If you like Justice Matters with Glenn Kirschner, IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, The MeidasTouch Podcast, and Pod Save America, you'll LOVE Good News For Lefties!

Thanks to Rosabelle Heine and Aaron Watson for production assistance.




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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
Good news for lefties and America. Ladies and gentlemen and
compatriots of all persuasions. Welcome to Good News for Lefties.
I'm your host, Beowulf Rockland. This is the show where
we hope scroll instead of doom. Scroll before we dive
in a quick request. If you love hearing about democracy

(00:28):
and action, progressive policies actually passing, and corporate greed getting
a well deserved SmackDown, do us a favor, Share this
podcast with a friend, leave a glowing review on Apple Podcasts,
or shout our name from the nearest rooftop. Now to
the news. A powerful wave of resistance is building within

(00:48):
the university community nationwide, as faculty, students, and staff unite
to defend academic freedom and inclusive education against the Trump
administrations escalating attacks. Weeks after Rutger's University's Senate boldly passed
a resolution to form a mutual Defense Compact, a coalition
of universities is solidifying, determined to protect their institutions from

(01:13):
political interference and safeguard the principles of free thought and
open inquiry. The Day of Action for Higher Education saw
rallies and demonstrations at over one hundred and fifty campuses
where students and faculty courageously voiced their opposition to Trump's
draconian policies. These policies include devastating funding cuts to vital

(01:36):
research programs, the dismantling of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives,
and the suppression of academic freedom, and the chilling reality
of ice detentions targeting student organizers. The signs displayed at
rallies starkly illustrated the breadth of Trump's assault on higher education,
from slashing billions in funding for the National Institutes of

(01:59):
Health to jeopardizing critical scientific research, to the targeted arrests
of international students who dared speak out against injustice. This
movement is a direct response to Trump's demand that universities
collaborate in punishing students who participated in nationwide pro Palestinian
solidarity protests and against the genocide in Gaza. The administration's actions,

(02:24):
exemplified by Columbia University's alleged betrayal of student organizers like
Mahmud Khalil and Mohsen Madawi, highlight the urgent need for
universities to stand as bulwarks against authoritarian overreach. In stark contrast,
faculty senates at Big ten institutions, including the University of

(02:46):
Nebraska at Lincoln, Indiana University at Bloomington, Michigan State University,
and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, have joined Rutgers
in passing resolutions advocating for mutual defense comp These compacts
aimed to shield universities from the legal, financial, and political
incursion of the Trump administration. At the University of Michigan,

(03:11):
faculty members are pushing for a resolution to defend academic freedom,
institutional integrity, and the research enterprise, and to challenge the
administration's capitulation to Trump's demands to dismantle the university's DEI office.
Sociology and Law professor Sandra Levitsky condemned the university's preemptive capitulation,

(03:34):
highlighting the widespread fear and silence that have gripped many institutions.
Indiana University's Professor Emeritus Jim Sherman echoed these concerns, noting
the reluctance of many public university administrators to draw national attention,
hoping to avoid becoming targets. He warned that this approach

(03:55):
only exacerbates the anxiety angst, uncertainty, and instability pervading campuses.
The growing momentum behind mutual defense compacts represents a powerful
act of solidarity and a rejection of fear driven compliance.
These compacts, which call for pooled resources and coordinated legal defense,

(04:17):
offer a lifeline to faculty and students facing politically motivated attacks.
Harvard University's recent defiance of Trump's demands, refusing to expel
pro Palestinian students or dismantle solidarity groups, stands as a
beacon of resistance. The university's willingness to risk its tax

(04:38):
exempt status underscores the gravity of the situation and the
necessity of principled opposition. Labor unions, including United Electrical, Radio
and Machine Workers of America are also playing a crucial
role in this movement, demanding that universities establish international worker
support funds and refuse to cooperate with i unconstitutional requests.

(05:03):
This burgeoning movement represents a powerful assertion of academic autonomy
and a collective stand against the forces seeking to undermine
the principles of open inquiry and inclusive education. It's a
testament to the enduring power of solidarity and the unwavering
commitment to defending the fundamental rights upon which our universities

(05:23):
are built. Oregon's gray wolf population has surpassed two hundred
for the first time in eighty years, marking a significant
milestone for this endangered species in the western part of
the state. This resurgence detailed in the Oregon Department of
Fish and Wildlife's annual Wolf Report. Who Knew there was

(05:44):
such a thing? Underscore is the positive impact of conservation
efforts and the vital role of apex predators in maintaining
healthy ecosystems. The report reveals a promising fifteen percent increase
in wolf numbers from the previous year, with a notable
expansion of breeding pairs west of the Cascades. This westward

(06:06):
movement is particularly encouraging as the species has faced greater
challenges in recolonizing this region due to habitat fragmentation caused
by roads and urban development. The historical context of wolf
extermination in the nineteenth century, driven by ranching interests, serves
as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of human

(06:28):
actions on wildlife populations. The gradual return of wolves to
Oregon since nineteen ninety nine represents a hard fought victory
for ecological restoration and the recognition of the intrinsic value
of these animals. The ongoing tensions between wolf recovery and
some ranching practices, particularly in eastern Oregon, necessitate a shift

(06:50):
towards proactive coexistence strategies. The resurgence of Oregon's wolf population
beyond the two hundred mark is a cause for cautious celebration.
It signifies the potential for ecological healing and the importance
of embracing a holistic approach to wildlife management that prioritizes biodiversity,

(07:11):
ethical stewardship, and the implementation of non lethal conflict resolution strategies.
The future of Organ's wolves depends on our collective commitment
to fostering a landscape where both human and wildlife communities
can thrive. Before we get back to the news, I
want to tell you about an important podcast called This

(07:33):
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, hilarious podcast that drops
every Sunday, and, in my opinion, is the largest single
repository of creatively insulting names for Donald Trump. Mango Mussolini,

(07:57):
and Orange Julius Caesar are just the beginning. So if
you want a 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. It's This Week Again with Suzanne Posel s
us A N N E pos E L This Week Again, Listen, laugh, repeat.

(08:24):
In a significant victory for environmental justice and community well being,
a federal judge has ruled against the Trump administration's politically
motivated freeze on critical funding for environmental nonprofits. Judge Mary
McElroy of the US District Court in Rhode Island ordered
federal agencies to immediately resume payments of grants allocated under

(08:47):
the Biden era Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and
Jobs Act. This ruling protects vital programs addressing childhood lead poisoning,
promoting societ sustainable infrastructure, and advancing climate resilience. The Trump
administration's abrupt halt of these funds, justified by the unleashing

(09:08):
American Energy Executive Order, threatened to dismantle community driven initiatives
crucial for public health and environmental protection. Judge McElroy's sixty
three page ruling forcefully rebuked this overreach, stating agencies do
not have unlimited authority to further a president's agenda, nor

(09:30):
do they have unfettered power to hamstring in perpetuity two
statutes passed by Congress during the previous administration. This decision
directly benefits organizations like the Wunasquatucket River Watershed Council, the
Childhood Led Action Project, and the Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District,

(09:51):
alongside other vital nonprofits nationwide. These groups, dedicated to addressing
systemic inequities and promoting environment mental sustainability, faced devastating consequences
from the funding freeze. They were forced to halt essential projects,
suspend hiring, and contemplate layoffs, jeopardizing their ability to serve

(10:13):
vulnerable communities. The ruling sends a clear message the courts
who will not tolerate politically motivated attacks on vital programs
that protect public health, promote environmental sustainability, and advance social justice.
It reaffirms the commitment to ensuring that government resources are
used to uplift marginalized communities and safeguard our planet for

(10:38):
future generations. Despite a recent executive order from the White
House attempting to obstruct state level climate policies through baseless
legal challenges, leaders in California, New York, and other forward
thinking states are resolutely committed to advancing their crucial efforts
to combat the climate crisis. California's Democratic leadership, including Governor

(11:01):
Gavin Newsom, Senate President pro Temp Mike McGuire, and Assembly
Speaker Robert Reeves, issued a strong statement reaffirming their intention
to extend the state's highly successful greenhouse gas cap and
trade program specifically targeted in the divisive order. This vital program,

(11:22):
set to expire in twenty thirty, demonstrates California's unwavering commitment
to reducing pollution and ensuring climate investments benefit all communities.
California has long been at the forefront of climate action
and acting some of the nation's most ambitious laws, including
landmark twenty twenty three legislation requiring corporate transparency on greenhouse

(11:44):
gas emissions and climate risks. The order also specifically targets
New York's groundbreaking climate Superfund law, enacted in December This
crucial legislation holds big polluters accountable by requiring oil and
gas producers to contribute to a fund dedicated to financing
projects that mitigate the devastating impacts of climate change. Predictably,

(12:08):
this common sense law is already facing legal challenges orchestrated
by the very industries it seeks to regulate. New York
Governor Kathy Hochel and New Mexico Governor Michelle Leuhan Grisham,
co chairs of the US Climate Alliance, a coalition of
twenty four governors committed to climate action, also issued a
strong rebuke of the federal overreach. The federal government cannot

(12:32):
unilaterally strip states of their independent constitutional authority. We are
a nation of states and laws, and we will not
be deterred. The governor's affirmed and a joint statement, we
will relentlessly advance solutions to the climate crisis that safeguard
Americans' fundamental right to clean air and water, create good
paying jobs in the burgeoning clean energy sector, and ensure

(12:55):
a healthier and safer future for all. Up next, a
listener suggested story back in a minute Now. A listener
suggested story from Blue Sky user Future unknown in a
heartwarming display of community concern and interspecies connection. A massive

(13:18):
search effort in the Arizona Desert culminated in the safe
return of a missing two year old boy, thanks in
part to the remarkable actions of a local ranch dog
named Buford. The incident highlights the crucial role of community
vigilance in the often underrecognized contributions of animals in safeguarding
the vulnerable. After the toddler wandered away from his Seligmann home,

(13:41):
dozens of dedicated search and rescue personnel and concerned community
members tirelessly scoured the rugged terrain approximately one hundred miles
south of the Grand Canyon National Park. The Yappa Pai
County Sheriff's Office issued an alert light Monday night, prompting
an outpouring of support and a cal coctive effort to
ensure the child's safe return amidst potentially dangerous conditions. The

(14:06):
remote landscape, characterized by dense forest, steep canyons, and rocky outcroppings,
coupled with night time temperatures in the high forties, raised
serious concerns for the child's well being. The presence of wildlife,
including mountain lions spotted by a surch helicopter further underscored
the urgency of the situation. The positive outcome arrived unexpectedly

(14:27):
Tuesday morning, when Beauford, a six year old Anatolian Pyrenees
who typically patrols his owner, Scottie Duntan's ranch to deter coyotes,
wandered home with the missing toddler. The ranch is located
seven miles from the boy's home, a significant distance for
a small child to traverse alone. The toddler, though understandably distressed,

(14:51):
was physically unharmed. He told adults that he had sought
shelter under a tree during the night, and said Beauford
had indeed found him. Good boy, Buford, thanks for that story.
Future unknown on Blue Sky. If you have thoughts ideas
are more good news to share, We'd love to hear
from you. Call or message us at two zero two

(15:12):
six five six six two seven one, or drop us
a line at bewolf at two squared Media Productions dot com.
Hundreds of volunteers in Chelsea, Michigan, recently came together in
an extraordinary display of solidarity to ensure the seamless relocation
of Serendipity Books, a cherished independent bookstore. Faced with the

(15:35):
daunting task of moving its entire inventory of ninety one
hundred books to a new location, bookstore owner Michelle Tuplin
reached out to her devoted patrons and neighbors for assistance.
The response was nothing short of remarkable, with three hundred
individuals eager to lend their hands and energy to support
this vital community hub. What unfolded was a beautiful illustration

(15:58):
of collective action. Are rather two stretching along the main street,
this book brigade efficiently and joyfully passed the store's entire
collection hand to hand from the old location to the
new space, just a short distance away. The new expanded location,
more than twice the size of the original, is set

(16:18):
to celebrate its grand opening on April twenty sixth, a
fitting date that coincides with America's Independent Books Your Day.
This story is about more than just moving books. It's
about community ownership, mutual support, and the collective valuing of
culture and connection. That's it for today, folks. Thanks to

(16:38):
Rosabel Heine and Aaron Watson for production assistance. Remember share
this podcast, leave us a rating and review, Follow us
on Facebook, Blue Sky, and Instagram, because in these wild times,
we all need a little good news. I'm bea Wolf Rocklin,
weird name good news for lefties and America.

Speaker 2 (17:23):
Hi, I'm John Fugelsang and I'm Professor Corey Bretschneider, and
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the Office, an essential new podcast about the extremely strange
times we find ourselves in.

Speaker 3 (17:33):
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democracy and even the law itself.

Speaker 2 (17:46):
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Speaker 3 (17:56):
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