Zorhan Mamdani's Mayoral Surge, Union Victories, and States Unite for Healthcare Justice

In this episode of Good News for Lefties, host Beowulf Rochlen dives into an array of uplifting stories that demonstrate the power of progress amidst challenging times. We start with the remarkable rise of Zorhan Mamdani, a 33-year-old assemblyman and proud Democratic socialist, who is making waves in New York City politics. Recent polling shows him leading the mayoral race with an impressive 50% support, signaling a strong desire for transformative change among voters. His campaign is not just about winning an election; it's a movement redefining what's possible in the nation's largest city. Next, we celebrate the Safeway grocery workers in Northern California who have successfully negotiated a tentative agreement with the company, averting a strike. This hard-fought victory includes significant wage increases and improved working conditions, underscoring the power of union solidarity and community support in the face of rising living costs. We also discuss a coalition of nearly two dozen states, including New York and California, that are suing the Trump administration over a controversial provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill act that threatens to defund Planned Parenthood. This legal challenge highlights the ongoing fight for reproductive rights and essential healthcare services for low-income communities. In a landmark move, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, has forgiven nearly $66 million in jail debts owed by formerly incarcerated individuals, a decision that aims to alleviate the financial burdens that often hinder successful reentry into society. This progressive step reflects a growing momentum for reform in the criminal justice system. We also feature a listener-suggested story about New York's lawsuit against the USDA, challenging invasive data collection demands on SNAP beneficiaries, which critics argue could lead to discrimination and undermine trust in vital assistance programs. Lastly, we highlight California Assembly Bill 1127, which seeks to ban the sale of new Glock-style pistols that can easily be converted into fully automatic weapons, a significant step toward enhancing gun safety in the state. Join us for this empowering episode filled with stories of resilience, hope, and the belief that change is not only possible, but actively happening across America! 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. More on theses stories here: https://www.newsweek.com/zohran-mamdani-andrew-cuomo-eric-adams-nyc-mayor-2105971 https://www.ktvu.com/news/safeway-worker-strike-deadline-looms https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2025-07-17/missouri-ends-luxury-tax-on-menstrual-products-diapers https://boltsmag.org/jail-debt-and-pay-to-stay-in-dauphin-county-pennsylvania/ https://www.timesunion.com/state/article/new-york-suing-usda-requested-immigration-status-20790292.php https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/07/california-glock-ban-kamala-harris-newsom/ 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 .