Hi, all, and happy Sunday!
I’m still laid out with COVID—oy, the fatigue!—but had to rouse myself to send out this week’s list of great news. If it’s a bit shorter than usual blame that on “the Vid,” not a lack of available content.
One bit of personal good news I did want to share— this newsletter recently won the distinction of being a “Substack Featured Publication.” THAT is something I’m really bowled over by, so I’m telling you here. It seems that out of even the worst things—such as Trump’s being elected—good things can come. My ability to do this work via this newsletter, and in the process find such a huge, large-hearted, brilliant, and energized group of co-conspirators, is one of the greatest gifts of my life.
Thank you over and over, again, for giving it to me through your readership and support.
Now enjoy the below.
Jess
Read This 📖
How we beat an anti-abortion amendment in deep-red Kentucky. This is GREAT, and well worth the read (about 3-5 minutes).
Celebrate This! 🎉
The Biden administration is providing $13 billion in assistance to help cut energy costs this winter.
Mary Peltola won! Again, and for a full term this time!
A lawsuit forced Georgia to provide early voting for the runoff on Saturdays!
As a result, LOADS of people voted yesterday!!
A bill limiting the enforcement of non-disclosure agreements in sexual harassment disputes is headed to President Biden’s desk after the House of Representatives passed the legislation in a bipartisan vote.
Lisa Murkowski beat a Trump-endorsed challenger to win her seat again. Yes, she’s a Republican but she’s been a harsh critic of Trump so I’ll take this as a win.
Young Latino voters were a crucial voting bloc in slowing down the so-called Republican red wave in the 2022 midterm elections, according to exit polls.
India saved $4.2 billion in fuel costs in just the first half of 2022 thanks to solar power. A new report also found solar power prevented the burning of 19.4 million tons of coal.
In July, Best Buy implemented a 10-cent charge for plastic bags at all of its stores, and use dropped by 80% in September compared to last year.
Democrat Kris Mayes has a 510-vote lead in the Arizona attorney general race, with all ballots counted. She was running against a horrifying Republican.
Democrats will take control of the Riverside, CA Board of Supervisors—Riverside is America's 10th-most populous county—following Moreno Valley Mayor Yxstian Gutierrez's victory over incumbent and Libertarian Jeff Hewitt. This victory came the same month that Team Blue flipped the Board of Supervisors in neighboring Orange County, which is the nation's 6th largest.
The Supreme Court denied the former president’s request that it block the Treasury Department from turning over his tax returns.
The bipartisan Planning for Animal Wellness (PAW) Act, which was passed by the U.S. House and Senate earlier this year, has officially been signed into law by President Biden! Yay for safer pets!
The education secretary is extending the pause on student loan payments while the administration seeks relief from the courts on the student debt forgiveness plan.
Colgate University is returning 1,500 artifacts to the Oneida Indian Nation. The collection of culturally significant artifacts were buried with ancestral remains and include pendants, pots, and more dating back hundreds of years.
A recent poll found that Americans overwhelmingly support the protesters in Iran. Especially in times where it feels like we’re divided with our neighbors on most things, polls like this remind us we agree on more than we might think.
Feel better soon, Jess! And kudos on your acknowledgement for all of your phenomenal work on behalf of democracy ❣️
Hang in there JESS! It does end, but you have to really rest and take very good care of yourself.