Defeating Tariffs, Embracing Populism & Empowering Students

In this episode of Good News for Lefties, host Beowulf Rochlen delivers a powerful lineup of stories that highlight the resilience of democracy and the ongoing struggle for justice. We kick things off with a significant ruling from a federal court that dealt a major blow to President Trump's tariff agenda, affirming that he does not possess the unilateral authority to impose tariffs under the guise of emergency declarations. This decision reinforces the principle that Congress holds the ultimate power over trade policy, providing a much-needed victory for small businesses and consumers alike. Next, we dive into a revealing poll that shows a clear preference among Democratic voters for a populist agenda that confronts corporate power and economic inequality. With 72.5% of respondents favoring candidates who challenge corporate monopolies and corruption, this data serves as a wake-up call for party leaders to prioritize the needs of working families over centrist agendas. In a landmark move for educational equity, Illinois lawmakers have passed legislation that prohibits police from ticketing students for minor infractions in schools. This groundbreaking law aims to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline and reduce the financial burdens placed on students and their families, creating a more supportive learning environment. We also celebrate a historic settlement in which Harvard University agreed to relinquish ownership of 175-year-old photographs of enslaved individuals, marking a significant step towards reparative justice. This decision allows the images to be transferred to the International African American Museum, where their stories can be told with dignity and respect. Listeners will be inspired by a listener-suggested story about the grand reopening of the Flamingo Lodge in Florida's Everglades National Park, an eco-friendly hotel built from hurricane-resistant shipping containers. This innovative project showcases how sustainable tourism can thrive amidst the challenges of climate change. Lastly, we discuss a federal judge's ruling that allows lawsuits against Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency to proceed, underscoring the importance of accountability and proper oversight in government appointments. Join us for this empowering episode filled with stories of hope, activism, and the relentless pursuit of progress! 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 You can find out more about GNFL 's daily news stories here: Today's stories: https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5324212-court-blocks-trump-tariffs/ https://www.commondreams.org/news/abundance-agenda https://www.propublica.org/article/illinois-bans-police-ticketing-students-school-price-kids-pay https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/harvard-agrees-relinquish-early-images-enslaved-people-ending-long-leg-rcna209640 https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/flamingo-lodge-everglades-hotel https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/judge-doge-lawsuit-musk/ More good daily news for democracy on Facebook , Bluesky , and Instagram . Thanks to Rosabelle Hein and Aaron Watson for production assistance. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/good-news-for-lefties-daily-news-for-democracy--6256627/support .