Zorhan Mamdani's Lead Grows, NYC Thrives with Congestion Pricing, and LA Fights Back Against Immigration Raids

In this episode of Good News for Lefties, host Beowulf Rochlen presents a series of compelling stories that highlight progressive victories and community resilience in the face of adversity. We kick off with the exciting news of Zorhan Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City's mayoral race, who has surged ahead in the polls with a commanding 35% support among registered voters. His historic primary victory has energized a diverse coalition, bringing new voters into the democratic process and demonstrating the power of grassroots activism in a city yearning for change. Next, we celebrate the success of New York City's congestion pricing program, which has led to significant improvements in traffic flow, public health, and environmental conditions. With a notable reduction in vehicle entries into Manhattan and a decrease in traffic-related injuries, this initiative is setting a new standard for urban mobility while generating critical funding for public transit upgrades. In Los Angeles, a dramatic immigration enforcement operation sparked immediate backlash from residents and activists, showcasing the community's fierce resistance against federal overreach. Mayor Karen Bass's bold confrontation of federal agents highlights the ongoing struggle for immigrant rights and the importance of local leadership in protecting vulnerable communities. We also discuss Oregon's innovative laser tattoo removal program, which offers incarcerated youth a chance at redemption by helping them erase visible reminders of past mistakes. This transformative initiative underscores the importance of restorative justice and the potential for second chances in breaking the cycle of incarceration. Listeners will be inspired by a listener-suggested story about Bishop Alberto Rojas's extraordinary decree excusing Catholics from attending Sunday Mass due to fears of ICE raids, emphasizing the profound impact of immigration enforcement on daily life and religious practice. Finally, we highlight the decisive legal action taken by Los Angeles city officials to challenge unconstitutional federal immigration raids, reinforcing the city's commitment to defending constitutional rights and protecting its diverse communities. Join us for this empowering episode filled with stories of activism, hope, and the unwavering belief that positive change is not only possible but actively unfolding! 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.politico.com/news/2025/07/09/zohran-mamdani-leads-general-election-poll-00443469 https://www.commondreams.org/news/nyc-s-congestion-pricing-has-caused-quality-of-life-improvement-in-just-six-months https://www.commondreams.org/news/los-angeles-border-patrol-raid https://www.ijpr.org/law-and-justice/2025-07-09/tattoo-removal-youth-prison-oregon https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/bishop-san-bernardino-diocese-sunday-mass-immigration-ice/ https://mayor.lacity.gov/news/mayor-bass-joins-city-attorney-announce-legal-action-against-unlawful-raids-la 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 .