Hi, all, and happy Sunday!
Hope you’ve been enjoying the final dregs of the holiday season. Tomorrow we officially get back to work!
But first, here’s a list of all the great stuff that happened this week (and the week before, as there was no newsletter last Sunday). I know everything is a mess, but some really terrific things are nevertheless also occurring all across the country—and the world! So read more about them below and tell a friend!
As usual, I’ve popped an 🪓 next to every item that everyday activists like you helped make happen, and a 🪣 next to every one that got done by lawmakers or administrations that we helped elect.
Read This 📖
Here are 144 ways the world got better in 2024, via “Reasons to be Cheerful.” Really worth a read.
Celebrate This! 🎉
President Biden announced that he is commuting the sentences of 37 individuals on federal death row. Those individuals will have their sentences reclassified from execution to life without the possibility of parole. WOW! 🪓 🪣
Minnesota’s PFAS ban goes into effect this week! 🪓 🪣
Also in MN, starting this week, health plans will be required to cap co-pays at $25 per one-month supply of prescription drugs used to treat chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, and allergies requiring the use of epinephrine auto-injectors. Bravo! 🪣
The Pentagon repatriated a Tunisian detainee who was brought to the U.S. military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, the day it opened, was never charged at the war court and was approved for transfer more than a decade ago.
Tokyo announced it will provide free daycare for all preschool-aged children.
A federal appeals court panel upheld a jury’s verdict finding President-elect Trump liable for sexually abusing advice columnist E. Jean Carroll and ordering him to pay $5 million.
President Biden announced that the United States would offer almost $2.5 billion in defense assistance to Ukraine. 🪣
The U.S. Mint has revealed the five historical female figures who will appear on the reverse sides of quarters for 2025. They include Ida B. Wells, Juliette Gordon Low, Dr. Vera Rubin, Stacey Park Milbern and Althea Gibson. Images of the coins can be found here. 🪣
The City of Alexandria, VA swore in Mayor Alyia Gaskins, the first Black woman to serve as mayor in the city’s history. 🪓
All city buildings in Chicago now use 100% clean power. 🪓 🪣
President Biden signed into law a bill that prohibits members of Congress convicted of crimes related to public corruption from receiving their retirement payments. 🪣
The S&P 500 gained more than 23% in 2024 after rising 24% in 2023. The back-to-back gains of over 20% is the best performance for the benchmark index since 1997 and 1998. 🪣
In one of his final acts in office, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper commuted the death sentences of 15 men convicted of murder to life in prison without parole on Tuesday, reducing the state's death row population by more than 10%. 🪣
On Monday Seattle’s minimum wage officially rose to $20.76 per hour — one of the highest minimum wages in the country. 🪓 🪣
The Quebec government passed a bill that will prohibit the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035.
President Biden announced he would sign memorandums to block oil drilling across 625 million acres of U.S. waters. This is HUGE! 🪓 🪣
Judge Juan Merchan rejected Donald Trump’s request to throw out the guilty verdict in his hush money case as a result of his victory in the November election.
President Biden awarded Medals of Freedom to Bono, José Andrés, Lionel Messi, Hillary Clinton, Jane Goodall and many more. Read about all 19 recipients here. 🪣
California’s state electricity grid ran on 100 percent renewables with no electricity blackouts or cost increases for a record 98 days last year.
Nancy Mace’s gross bathroom ban was not included in the GOP’s House rules package unveiled this week—a surprise omission less than two months after Speaker Mike Johnson reportedly assured Mace it would be included.
The snow leopard population in Kazakhstan has rebounded to near-historic levels, with an estimated 152 to 189 individuals now residing in the country. This marks a significant achievement in conservation efforts, as such numbers were last observed in the 1980s. 🪓
President Biden formally recognized the cultural heritage of the Indigenous Peoples and communities of the Pacific Islands by renaming the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument as the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument. He also became the first President to formally honor the Hui Panalāʻau, Native Hawaiians sent to secure United States territorial claim to the islands in the run up to World War II. 🪓 🪣
In Illinois, Democratic Governor Pritzker announced an expansion in Medicaid coverage to include doula and lactation consultant services. 🪓 🪣
An appeals court rejected an Arizona official’s argument that felony charges against him for delaying certification of his rural county’s 2022 election results should be dismissed because he has legislative immunity.
Most plastic foam food containers are now effectively banned in California. As of January 1, users of polystyrene foam are required to show that at least 25 percent of the products are recycled or stop using them. 🪓 🪣
Gov. Kathy Hochul of NY signed a law requiring companies that are big fossil fuel polluters to help pay to repair damage caused by extreme weather. 🪓 🪣
The EPA has granted California two waivers to enforce stricter-than-federal vehicle emission standards, which means the state now has the go-ahead to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035 and establish stronger standards for heavy-duty vehicles. 🪣
Medicare’s new $2,000 cap on prescription drug costs took effect on January 1st. As a result, 19 million people are expected to save an average of $400 each. 🪣
The EPA says funds for the $7 billion Solar for All program have already been “obligated,” meaning initiatives to bring solar power to households across the country will get underway this year, and are likely protected from any rollbacks the Trump administration may initiate. 🪣
The Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law TODAY, extending benefits to around 3 million retirees. WOW! This historic victory, by the way, follows decades of relentless organizing by people like you. Amazing work, Team! 🪓 🪣
In the third quarter of 2024 US EV sales hit 346,309—making up 8.9% of car sales, the highest number ever. 🪣
Teva Pharmaceuticals lost an appeal in court on Friday. It’s a bit complicated, but the upshot is that because of this lawsuit, initiated by Biden’s FTC, it’s now possible that a widely used inhaler will become more affordable. 🪣
It’s official—Ruben Gallego has replaced Kyrsten Sinema in the U.S., Senate! WOOT! Good job, team! 🪓
Watch This! 👀
Also found in Jay Kuo’s delightful “Just for Skeets and Giggles” this week:
Good news!! In dreary times, these victories are a godsend. And, you are too, Jessica 💕🎉🥂❣️🇺🇸
Welcome back, and what a great pile of good news to return with.