In this episode of Good News for Lefties, host Beowulf Rochlen shines a light on the transformative movements and inspiring stories that remind us hope is alive and well in America. We kick off with a thrilling update from New York City, where progressive candidate Zorhan Mamdani is making waves in the mayoral race, leading by a substantial margin over former Governor Andrew Cuomo. His bold platform advocating for affordable housing, fare-free public transit, and a $30 minimum wage is energizing young voters and challenging the status quo.
Next, we take a closer look at the challenges faced by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as they struggle to recruit new agents despite significant budget increases. With a focus on the agency's aggressive tactics and the growing resistance from sanctuary cities, we explore how communities are banding together to protect immigrant rights and create safe havens for vulnerable populations.
We also spotlight Joshua Aaron, an innovative app developer who created ICE Block, a mobile app designed to alert users to nearby ICE activity. Despite facing backlash from the Trump administration, Aaron remains committed to empowering immigrant communities and ensuring their safety.
In a heartwarming listener-suggested story from Pittsburgh, we celebrate the California Area School District's groundbreaking initiative to 3D print violins for students, making music education accessible to all. This innovative program not only fosters creativity but also helps boost the confidence and academic performance of young learners, proving that the arts can thrive even in challenging times.
Finally, we turn our attention to the labor movement, as unionized employees at Libby Glass in Toledo, Ohio, prepare to strike over unfair labor practices. Their determination to secure fair contracts highlights the ongoing struggle for workers' rights and the importance of solidarity in the face of corporate greed.
Join us for this uplifting episode filled with stories of resilience, creativity, and the unwavering belief that positive change is not just possible, but happening every day across America!
More about today's stories:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/12/nyc-mayoral-election-mamdani-cuomo?utm_source=www.readthesmile.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=the-smile-8-13
https://time.com/7308862/trump-ice-agent-salary-deportation/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
https://progressive.org/magazine/a-sanctuary-fights-back-duda-20250812/
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/13/ice-alert-app-trump
https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/school-3d-prints-violins
https://www.13abc.com/2025/08/22/unionized-libbey-glass-employees-plan-begin-strike/
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/12/nyc-mayoral-election-mamdani-cuomo?utm_source=www.readthesmile.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=the-smile-8-13
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 beowulf@twosquaredmediaproductions.com.
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