91 Comments
User's avatar
Rhonda Schmit's avatar

Nailed karoline

Jess Craven's avatar

I know I was wondering why she didn’t have that on!

Darci's avatar

Check out @lisandravcomedy she does Karoline with so many different crosses, Melanoma, Krusty Gnome and she’s adding to her characters. I just think she does a great job!

Jocelyn B's avatar

Is that who did this? (SO funny!) The credit went by too fast.

Darci's avatar

No the video above is Kendal (I can’t read it either) something. I’ll tag you on Lisandras posts here on this app but she’s on most social media under the same handle.

Amy Baron-Evans's avatar

The Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance posted this update on October 24 at 10:00 AM, https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-transitional-assistance:

"President Trump is currently choosing to not issue November SNAP benefits that help you and many families put food on the table. You also may have your benefits further cut starting in November because of changes Congressional Republicans and President Trump enacted in the "One Big Beautiful Bill"."

Jocelyn B's avatar

Good. If the r can blow off the Hatch Bill, so can we. Excellent.

Anna-Marie Booth's avatar

Good News - always welcomed! Thanks, Jess! FYI Re Mayor Lurie - the billionaires got Trump's ear. https://techcrunch.com/2025/10/23/trump-credits-benioff-huang-for-decision-not-to-surge-fed-troops-into-san-francisco/. This is why I think we must continue to try to reach the wealthy - some can become allies on various issues. (shifty coalitions) So glad re Jeffries supporting Mamdani - will tell him so.

Pam Birkenfeld's avatar

Thank you Anna-Marie. The link in Jess’s column went to a Governor Whitmer statement. I was glad to read your link. For once billionaires are doing something good.

Pam Birkenfeld's avatar

Benioff’s board of Directors was all over him, about all of these issues, and one big venture capitalist left his board. So that’s what changed the course of that guys thinking. You have to hit them in the pocketbook! And as my friend said who told me about this, she lives in San Francisco, keep yelling!

Anna-Marie Booth's avatar

Agree "You have to hit them in the pocketbook! "

Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

Oh yeah, Benioff has his tail between his legs now because that was his best friend who left his board!

Pam Birkenfeld's avatar

And my friend told me a little while ago that Benihof is the one who suggested to Trump that he send ICE into San Francisco! I take back what I said about billionaires doing good!

Jocelyn B's avatar

Well, what I read was that Benioff said he would welcome troops. Then had to retract & apologize. I also read a quote from 47 along the lines of, I decided to not send troops to SF because I have some very good friends there. So, yet more corruption. I don't know if he was speaking of Benioff or other(s).

Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

Hmmm…I wondered about that too. Benioff blew it. His employees were aghast when he said what he did and they let him know it.

Jocelyn B's avatar

Yes: I'm so glad Jeffries finally came around.

sharon marks's avatar

It has taken a painful stretch of time, but voices are joining together and demanding that trying to destroy this country must stop. Please read the Ferlinghetti poem as he reminds of us what is important:

Pity the nation whose leaders are liars,

Whose sages are silenced and whose bigots haunt the airwaves.

Pity the nation that praises conquerors and acclaims the bully as hero.

Pity the people who allow their freedoms to erode and their rights to be washed away.

My country tears of thee. Sweet land of liberty!

bLUEduRham's avatar

You have made my Sunday night ✨

Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

I loved Ferlinghetti’s poems. Came to CA in the early 70’s and was introduced to his writings. He only died in 2021 at the age of 101 years old. He wrote “Pity the Nation in 2007 when he was 2007.

martina N's avatar

"I am perpetually awaiting for the American eagle to stand up and fly right!" from a Coney Island of the Mind

Susan Troy's avatar

What a lovely piece of poet history. Thank you.

Alan Unell Ph.D.'s avatar

As always, outstanding and so needed. Thank you, Jess.

Jess Craven's avatar

Thank you, Alan!

Pat Robinson's avatar

Actually, a lot of good news!!! Sort of amazing that Alabama mentioned twice, a state not know for doing progressive or amazing things!!! And the statistics on solar energy are great!!!! Think how much more progress we would be making if we had a government like say China that supports solar energy (or better yet democracies like the European nations that are making huge strides in converting to fossil free energy). While it's great that SS recipients will get an increase, it's important to remember that Medicare premiums will go up by 11% from about 185 a month to about 206 and my medicare advantage plan will also go up by 11% so while I will get a SS increase, it won't be the actual 2.28% and it's important that folks understand that the increase mean a lot of senior citizens will just about break even. I love love love that you include good news about the environment and animals!! Turns out doctors and the like are finding out these things are really valuable for our well being so whenever there is a new protection we need to celebrate!

Jocelyn B's avatar

Pat, thanks for posting about Medicare premiums. I missed that - where did you find it. Also, I thought medicare advantage was going to be the same ... ? :-( Anyway, not so much with the breaking even.

Pat Robinson's avatar

I just googled it about the Medicare premiums. I think all medicare advantage plans are different. I get mine through my employer and they just sent out a notice about how much more my monthly cost would be.

martina N's avatar

"Medicare Advantage" is a cost-saver to the patients, because it is thin in what it actually covers. It is truly much better to have real Medicare. "Medicare Advantage" is heavily marketed, and is allowing the insurers to siphon off "administrative costs" to their for-profit businesses, of a billion dollars a year OF TAXPAYERS' money! Our tax money should go to the real costs-- doctors, hospitals, nurses and therapists, and SNFs. NOT to the insurance industry!

Jocelyn B's avatar

Thanks. I get it through me. As it were. I should probably call them.

Paula Simmons's avatar

Yes, it’s the largest increase in Medicare premiums in history. Our Oregon Medicare Advantage plan is non-profit (https://news.regence.com/blog/what-do-we-mean-when-we-say-regence-is-nonprofit); however, costs are still passed along, and our monthly premium is going from $29 to $59.

Pat Robinson's avatar

To many, that $30 a month may be at best an inconvenience, but for many others, that's $360 a year, which may be more than a whole month's utility bill (oh wait, they are going up too....). Of course health insurance IS big business but other big business that relies on consumer spending will at some point notice more disposable income is going to insurance companies than to their profits. I don't know what they will do about it though. Oh maybe put pressure on trump to remove the tariffs????

CN's avatar

Thank you for shouting out ProPublica - they really do incredible, impactful journalism!!

Jess Craven's avatar

They are the best. Literally indispensable.

Carol's avatar

Thanks for the good news! I just have to share this, a song called "The Ballad of the Portland Frog Brigade," which made my whole day yesterday. Sorry about the ads. https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=PM2KFGTs85Q

Jocelyn B's avatar

I just love the Portland Frogs! Thanks for the link - I'll go listen now. Then I really must get on with the day .....

Jocelyn B's avatar

Carol: OMG, I just listened to the Ballad! It's just perfect. But I couldn't find a credit. Do you know who the musician(s) is/are? I must post on FB, etc.

Carol's avatar

I looked it up and got several different answers. I've posted it widely and not gotten much response, but it just makes me so happy!

Jocelyn B's avatar

I just finished listening to HCR & Joyce Vance talk. That made me happy also. Now I must go sweep the floors & stuff. A woman's work ...

Judy's avatar

I refer to her as Karo -Lyin’ Leavitt

Jocelyn B's avatar

Me too! I even posted that above (or below?). But I said "Leave-it."

MLRGRMI's avatar

Thank you Jess, for all that you do do for us. I am always amazed at the hard fighters for democracy. If anyone had=s any bandwidth left for another worthy voice in this struggle, please read this investigative Journalism article by Carol Cadawalldr, formerly of The Guardian: https://open.substack.com/pub/broligarchy/p/the-cleavage-shot-no-uk-tabloid-will?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

Susan Meeker's avatar

You did it again Jess!! I found so many stories very encouraging that I in spent more time than usual clicking the links for a deeper dive & was not disappointed. Thank you for continually bringing us down from the ledge. I LOVE this newsletter ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Susan Meeker's avatar

I also love the fact that you actually read our comments & reply ♥️ Thanks again!

Sandi R.'s avatar

I've been forwarding this to a group of friends. Several are now subscribers! We all need and appreciate your Good News to cut through the noise of the chaos. Thank you!

Jess Craven's avatar

I’m so grateful thank you!

Susan Miller's avatar

Thank you, Jess, for all the good things that are occurring even in bad times ! We all need that lift and you are providing it!!

Cynthia Bishop's avatar

Lots of good news. And then, the Karoline video. Hard to tell the difference between them. Thank you for the lift to my spirits.

Jess Craven's avatar

Of course! Thanks for reading!

Nilla's avatar

It's not a violation of the Hatch Act?

Pennsylvania, California, and Illinois posted notices to their state government websites blaming the GOP for the government shutdown.

Jess Craven's avatar

It would normally be less than ideal but right now we are having to get down in the gutter with them. Otherwise their propoganda overwhelms everything.

Amy Baron-Evans's avatar

These are states so the Hatch Act doesn't apply. Unless the state has a similar law. And what they're saying is just true.

Jan F's avatar

Hatch Act is for federal employees, only for state and/or local govt employees that work with federally funded programs.

Nilla's avatar

Thanks for the info.

I worked for our country auto registration office and we weren’t allowed to accept a bag of chips and dip that someone brought in. I can't remember who that person was. I don't know if they were an elected official and I now wonder if that would have even mattered? Maybe there's a state law that is similar to the Hatch Act.

May's avatar

Let's fight fire with fire

Nancy Wastcoat's avatar

Jess, this string of great news is exactly what we need. The more the better, and it will become contagious . Thank you for leading the way

Nancy

Jess Craven's avatar

I’m trying! ❤️