Politics
Having a difficult time finding positive news about national and global politics? Search no further! From public policy to positive leadership to democracy efforts, find the latest good news stories in the world of politics at The Optimist Daily.
The Supreme Court has fully restored DACA protections
The federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was fully restored this week after the US Supreme Court ruled the program to be constitutional in June. DACA protects people who immigrated to the US with their guardians as children, shielding them from deportation, regardless Read More...
UN reclassifies cannabis as a less dangerous drug
In 1961, The United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs classified marijuana as a Schedule IV drug, the most dangerous category. Now, cannabis has been removed from the list per the World Health Organization’s recommendation. The drug’s declassification opens up the door for more research Read More...
House passes bill to protect big cats across the US
Netflix’s popular documentary series “Tiger King,” sheds light on the prolific issues surrounding wild cats kept in captivity across the US. To address the threats that captivity poses to communities and these cats, the House of Representatives has passed the Big Cat Public Safety Act. The Read More...
San Francisco votes to ban cigarette smoking in apartments
Big cities can have some strange odors, but one thing you won’t smell anymore if you live in a San Francisco apartment building is tobacco smoke. Last week, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 10-1 to outlaw tobacco smoking in the city’s apartments. The ban applies to apartments Read More...
Scotland becomes first country to make period products free for all
Scotland is making history in public health as it becomes the first country in the world to make period products free to anyone who needs them. The Scottish Parliament unanimously passed the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill last week to ensure that menstrual products are free and Read More...
Spain may incentivize companies to move to 4-day work week
We recently shared how Unilever is shifting their New Zealand office to a four-day workweek. Other companies, like Microsoft, have also begun to explore the concept of a shortened workweek. The idea seems to be gaining traction as the country of Spain is considering an ambitious plan to introduce Read More...
14 nations come together to launch plan to safeguard our oceans
In 2018, a panel of world leaders was established with the goal of creating a plan to achieve a ‘sustainable ocean economy’ in which our precious oceans are guarded against exploitation. The panel featured a mix of 14 developed and developing nations from around the world, including Norway, Read More...
Want to make a donation this holiday season? Here’s a guide to help you
During Thanksgiving, we shared how you can still safely give back during the pandemic, but when it comes to choosing which organization to support, it’s not always so simple. Today we share a guide on choosing a nonprofit (or multiple!) to support this holiday season. Think about the work Read More...
Anchorage introduces team of mental health first responders
Starting next year in Anchorage, Alaska, a new team of mental health first responders will replace police for emergency calls for someone with a mental health issue. The Mobile Crisis Team is funded by a new local alcohol tax and the team is trained to be dispatched to situations police do not have Read More...
Key West bans large cruise ships from docking to protect coral reefs
On election day, residents of Key West, Florida, voted to impose new restrictions on cruise ships docking in the city — a move that’s expected to give a much-needed respite to fragile marine habitats in the area. The island’s residents voted on three ballot initiatives, including one Read More...