Immigrant Rights Triumph, Reproductive Justice in the West, and America's Murder Rate Plummets

In this episode of Good News for Lefties, host Beowulf Rochlen delivers a powerful lineup of progressive victories that uplift and inspire. We start with a significant legal win for Haitian immigrants as a federal judge in New York blocks the Trump administration's attempt to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over 500,000 Haitians. This ruling restores the TPS expiration date to February 3, 2026, providing much-needed stability and security amid ongoing crises in Haiti. Next, we celebrate a landmark decision from the Supreme Court that defends reproductive rights in Montana. By declining to hear a case aimed at reinstating parental consent requirements for minors seeking abortions, the court affirms the right to reproductive autonomy, ensuring that Montana remains a stronghold for access to abortion services. In a hopeful trend, the United States is witnessing a historic decline in homicide rates, with a 14% drop nationwide in 2024. Cities like Detroit are experiencing their lowest murder rates in decades, thanks to community-based violence intervention programs and renewed investments in social infrastructure, demonstrating the power of community support in reducing crime. We also delve into the ongoing municipal workers' strike in Philadelphia, where essential workers are advocating for fair wages and improved benefits. As negotiations continue, the impact on city services is felt across neighborhoods, highlighting the need for a resolution that addresses the vital contributions of blue-collar workers. Listeners will be intrigued by a listener-suggested story from North Carolina, where the state Democratic Party has taken a bold stance by calling for an embargo on U.S. military aid to Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This resolution reflects a significant shift in the party's base and underscores grassroots demands for a reevaluation of U.S. foreign policy. Finally, we highlight a groundbreaking innovation from researchers at Virginia Tech, who have developed a revolutionary recyclable circuit board that could help tackle the global e-waste crisis. This self-healing, flexible material opens the door to a more sustainable future for electronics, showcasing the potential for circular economy practices in tech manufacturing. Join us for this uplifting episode filled with stories of resilience, advocacy, and the belief that positive change is possible! 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 more about this week's stories here: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/judge-blocks-trump-ending-tps-haitians-rcna216431 https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5384083-supreme-court-declines-montana-abortion-case/ https://www.npr.org/2025/06/30/nx-s1-5448852/murders-down-nationwide-covid https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/philadelphia-trash-strike-dc33-cherelle-parker/ https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article309636240.html https://www.thebrighterside.news/post/recyclable-circuit-boards-may-help-solve-the-worlds-growing-e-waste-crisis/ More good daily news for democracy on Facebook, Bluesky, and Instagram. Thanks to Rosabelle Heine 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 .