Hi, all, and happy Sunday! Time to rouse yourself from your Sunday snooze—I’ve got a new list of wins for you! As always, we’ve been notching a lot! Times are tough. Take time to soak up the victories. Remember: what we focus on grows. Also, celebration and gratitude are restorative. We need this in order to stay strong.
I've been offline for a week (something I haven't done in years). So how wonderful to step back into the news with your newsletter! Just forwarded to everyone in my family. You are a gift as always. Many thanks for the inspiration, insights and information.
Thank you for the link to Gov John Bel Edwards' line by line veto excoriating the legislature in passing such a 🤬 bill, pointing out ALL the facts and discrepancies of logic. Masterful! And I loooove Gov Evers ensuring education is funded in WI for the next 400 years!!!! Also, masterful! And twice the number of signature necessary in OH - that's aMAzing. 👏🤸♀️🎉
Jess! You are such an amazing human. Thanks for this. Also — I’m hosting Vote Forward letter writing party for Ohio because I heard about the upcoming special election from you! 💪🏽
I loved the Louisiana governor’s letter. We have been so blasted by culture war bs coming so loudly from Southern states that you forget there are rational ,thoughtful and intelligent people in government who actually read and not just react. The governor’s letter really put the LGBTQ culture war issue in perspective. The letter also added greatly to my understanding of this issue. Thank you for publishing it. Thanks also for sharing the article about pushback against extremism is Temecula. Encouraging and maddening at the same time.
Such a treasure trove of good news to start the week! I found it hard to pick a favorite, but glad you posted the news about the Anacostia River in D.C. Thanks, Jessica.
Sorry, I can’t remember if I posted here before.⬇️
I’m not a mom( just of a four-legged🐾) or social media user but wanted to share. This is a closed Facebook group ,for obvious reason. The founder of this group is a respected, retired educator in my FL county where Moms For ( Not) Liberty was founded. Looks like they are approaching 10k members !
I urge you to vigorously investigate Supreme Court corruption including its finances. Reporting shows that justices are shockingly open to gifts—bribery in plain language—from billionaire “dear friends.” Now the Times reports on a bizarre billionaire secret society using the court room, at Clarence Thomas’s behest, for “knighting” new members and graduations of scholarship recipients.
This is a court that has run completely amok. Its right wing members have broken an institution that is necessary to democracy. Please investigate and find ways to regulate rogue justices.
Karen Fetty
📜 Success! Tell your friends to text SIGN PRBZNZ to 50409 or share:
Two weeks ago, Jessica posted this bit of good news about 3M Co. "The chemical and manufacturing giant 3M reached a $10.3 billion settlement on Thursday with U.S. cities and towns over their claims that the company contaminated drinking water with so-called forever chemicals used in everything from firefighting foam to nonstick coatings." This bit of good news raises the question - Where does the money go? Is it used for remediation, or does it just go to the municipal general fund leaving the water just as polluted as it is now? Is there a 'cease and desist' agreement that prevents 3M from continuing the dumping or do they just move along with business as usual? The settlement amount is roughly 70% of 3M's 2022 reported profit which will hurt if they have to pay it out all at once but those are the sorts of details that we don't hear.
The answer to those questions is a little complicated, but the case is bigger than it first seemed. There were a total of 23 named defendants, including 3M, and 49 'John Doe' defendants, many of whose cases are still pending. DuPont and two associated companies have settled for a total of $1.18 billion which, like the 3M payment, will be distributed to the plaintiff cities, counties and other organizations. The money will be distributed over 13 years, thereby mitigating the financial impact on 3M's shareholders and executive bonuses and could increase to as much as $12.5 Billion. There is no 'cease and desist' order, although 3M has stated a policy intention to end PFAS production by the end of 2025. While the intent stated in the suit is for the money to 'help' cover the cost of testing and filtration, there is no clear instruction to that effect, and reports from city officials in Pleasanton, CA and Boston, MA indicate that plans are unclear and there is no restriction on how the money can be spent. The good news is that, although everyone involved acknowledges that this amount, huge as it is, may not be enough, it is a start and will make a huge dent in the total required without the need for further litigation. Not, perhaps, the good news we'd all have liked, but certainly a step in the right direction.
Reporting is from the Associated Press and two local outlets.
Once again expressing my deep gratitude for the Sunday good-news collection, which, unlike practically everything else I consume, makes me feel optimistic, encouraged, and just happy overall. Thank you thank you!
Yes, it is. I'm really working against being blindly prejudiced about the South because I know there are some really thoughtful and engaged people there. The MAGAphone grabbers just make everyone look dumb, bigoted, and reactionary. I guess it's just "bird by bird", but I really wish we could help out rational people in "Red States". It's just plain wrong for a reactionary minority to both make so much noise and have so much power over the rest of us. It is sickening. Apologies for the rant.
Jessica, you are a wonderful wealth of information!! My head is spinning with all of the news. I follow Jess Piper as she too, tells the absolute truth but seeing her crack up was hilarious. I want to share this video that my daughter sent to me. Enjoy, y’all!
I've been offline for a week (something I haven't done in years). So how wonderful to step back into the news with your newsletter! Just forwarded to everyone in my family. You are a gift as always. Many thanks for the inspiration, insights and information.
Thank you Heather! So glad you took some time off!
Thank you for the link to Gov John Bel Edwards' line by line veto excoriating the legislature in passing such a 🤬 bill, pointing out ALL the facts and discrepancies of logic. Masterful! And I loooove Gov Evers ensuring education is funded in WI for the next 400 years!!!! Also, masterful! And twice the number of signature necessary in OH - that's aMAzing. 👏🤸♀️🎉
Yeah there was some really good news this week, right? Democrats really do deliver!
😂😂😂minivan Taliban, assholes with casseroles. LMAO!
Thanks for the great news! I look forward to your weekly good news reports. They always lift my spirits.
Thanks Linda! Just curious: did the Tiktok play in Substack or did it take you to Tiktok to watch it?
I was not able to watch it, and I do not have a TikTok account.
I do not have a TikTok account, but was able to play it in Substack.
Jess! You are such an amazing human. Thanks for this. Also — I’m hosting Vote Forward letter writing party for Ohio because I heard about the upcoming special election from you! 💪🏽
OMG you really know how to make my day!! That reminds me--I need to work on my Working America letters right now!
Lotsa good news. The TikTok made me grin. Thanks, Jess.
Yay! I know. I love Jess Piper.
Since I am not on TikTok, I would not have known of her. So thanks again.
“Mini van taliban”😂
The best.
Great summary of encouraging progress, Jess! Thanks!
Always! It’s truly my pleasure.
I loved the Louisiana governor’s letter. We have been so blasted by culture war bs coming so loudly from Southern states that you forget there are rational ,thoughtful and intelligent people in government who actually read and not just react. The governor’s letter really put the LGBTQ culture war issue in perspective. The letter also added greatly to my understanding of this issue. Thank you for publishing it. Thanks also for sharing the article about pushback against extremism is Temecula. Encouraging and maddening at the same time.
Yeah pretty good considering he's in Louisiana.
Such a treasure trove of good news to start the week! I found it hard to pick a favorite, but glad you posted the news about the Anacostia River in D.C. Thanks, Jessica.
Wasn't that article beautiful?
Indeed, it was. Sometimes I think if it wasn't for black people this country would surely be in hell via a handbasket!
I love these beyond words Jess
😊 so glad.
Sorry, I can’t remember if I posted here before.⬇️
I’m not a mom( just of a four-legged🐾) or social media user but wanted to share. This is a closed Facebook group ,for obvious reason. The founder of this group is a respected, retired educator in my FL county where Moms For ( Not) Liberty was founded. Looks like they are approaching 10k members !
https://m.facebook.com/groups/stopmomsforliberty/?ref=share
They sound great. I applied to get into the group. We'll see if they take me.
✉️ Your letters to Sen. Gillibrand, Sen. Schumer, President Biden and 1 more were sent! #️⃣ Tag with #resistbot if you share!
Subj: Senate, Investigate & Regulate Rogue Supreme Court
I urge you to vigorously investigate Supreme Court corruption including its finances. Reporting shows that justices are shockingly open to gifts—bribery in plain language—from billionaire “dear friends.” Now the Times reports on a bizarre billionaire secret society using the court room, at Clarence Thomas’s behest, for “knighting” new members and graduations of scholarship recipients.
This is a court that has run completely amok. Its right wing members have broken an institution that is necessary to democracy. Please investigate and find ways to regulate rogue justices.
Karen Fetty
📜 Success! Tell your friends to text SIGN PRBZNZ to 50409 or share:
OK if I put this in tomorrow's newsletter?
Sorry! Just saw this--I’m a little late but you have my permission to use anything I post going forward. 🥰
Yes! Perfect!
Two weeks ago, Jessica posted this bit of good news about 3M Co. "The chemical and manufacturing giant 3M reached a $10.3 billion settlement on Thursday with U.S. cities and towns over their claims that the company contaminated drinking water with so-called forever chemicals used in everything from firefighting foam to nonstick coatings." This bit of good news raises the question - Where does the money go? Is it used for remediation, or does it just go to the municipal general fund leaving the water just as polluted as it is now? Is there a 'cease and desist' agreement that prevents 3M from continuing the dumping or do they just move along with business as usual? The settlement amount is roughly 70% of 3M's 2022 reported profit which will hurt if they have to pay it out all at once but those are the sorts of details that we don't hear.
The answer to those questions is a little complicated, but the case is bigger than it first seemed. There were a total of 23 named defendants, including 3M, and 49 'John Doe' defendants, many of whose cases are still pending. DuPont and two associated companies have settled for a total of $1.18 billion which, like the 3M payment, will be distributed to the plaintiff cities, counties and other organizations. The money will be distributed over 13 years, thereby mitigating the financial impact on 3M's shareholders and executive bonuses and could increase to as much as $12.5 Billion. There is no 'cease and desist' order, although 3M has stated a policy intention to end PFAS production by the end of 2025. While the intent stated in the suit is for the money to 'help' cover the cost of testing and filtration, there is no clear instruction to that effect, and reports from city officials in Pleasanton, CA and Boston, MA indicate that plans are unclear and there is no restriction on how the money can be spent. The good news is that, although everyone involved acknowledges that this amount, huge as it is, may not be enough, it is a start and will make a huge dent in the total required without the need for further litigation. Not, perhaps, the good news we'd all have liked, but certainly a step in the right direction.
Reporting is from the Associated Press and two local outlets.
Thank you so much for that update!
Once again expressing my deep gratitude for the Sunday good-news collection, which, unlike practically everything else I consume, makes me feel optimistic, encouraged, and just happy overall. Thank you thank you!
Yes, it is. I'm really working against being blindly prejudiced about the South because I know there are some really thoughtful and engaged people there. The MAGAphone grabbers just make everyone look dumb, bigoted, and reactionary. I guess it's just "bird by bird", but I really wish we could help out rational people in "Red States". It's just plain wrong for a reactionary minority to both make so much noise and have so much power over the rest of us. It is sickening. Apologies for the rant.
Jessica, you are a wonderful wealth of information!! My head is spinning with all of the news. I follow Jess Piper as she too, tells the absolute truth but seeing her crack up was hilarious. I want to share this video that my daughter sent to me. Enjoy, y’all!
https://twitter.com/dldeprille/status/1677989371469758464?s=46&t=EOOumJOPwoxhVWOAXAd1Bw