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.
Oregon becomes first state to legalize access to magic mushrooms
Back in July, we informed our readers that Oregon would officially vote on legalizing psychedelic psilocybin therapy. Fast forward to today, and the results of that vote are in: adults in Oregon can now legally access hallucinogenic mushrooms. This is a big deal. The Optimist Daily has long been Read More...
These two states may join Maine in implementing ranked choice voting
Back in September, we published a story from Maine where the state’s Supreme Judicial Court upheld the use of ranked-choice voting for its presidential and congressional races. The Optimist Daily celebrated that decision because it allows voters to opt for an independent third-party candidate Read More...
New Zealand PM appoints first female Indigenous foreign minister
After being re-elected in a landslide victory last month, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern continues to make positive progressive change in the country. Yesterday, she appointed Nanaia Mahuta as the country’s first indigenous female foreign minister. Nanaia Mahuta is Māori and Read More...
This school district is keeping snow days alive so kids can be kids
A heavy weekday snowstorm may be a nightmare for adults who must commute through town, but if you’re a kid, it’s the best thing ever. Heavy snow usually means school is canceled for the day, which means it’s time to play in the white fluff and get cozy with books and movies. Or at least, Read More...
Election day: These are the climate measures to keep an eye out for
There is more on the line in the upcoming elections than just the White House. Across the nation, many local ballots feature key measures with regards to clean energy and climate change that voters will decide on. With election day approaching, Inhabitat has highlighted some of the critical Read More...
Internet balloon breaks record by spending 312 days in the stratosphere
Loon, a project developed by Google’s parent company Alphabet, has recently revealed that one of its internet-beaming balloons has broken a flight record, floating in the stratosphere for 312 days straight. The idea behind Loon is to launch a fleet of large communications balloons into the Read More...
Indian charity serves free meals to underprivileged students in England
A charity feeding millions of poor children in India has recently expanded its focus to put an end to holiday hunger in England by distributing free meals to those facing food insecurity. The charity recently opened its first planned kitchen of three in Watford, a town northwest of London. Serving Read More...
Conservation win: South Carolina bans commercial trade of native turtles
Following increasing pressure from wildlife conservation groups, the state of South Carolina has finally passed legislation banning the commercial trade of native turtles, along with amphibians and other reptiles. Signed by the state’s governor Henry McMaster, the new bill makes it illegal to Read More...
This chef uses food waste to feed and empower her community
After moving from a small town to Rio de Janeiro to become a chef, Regina Tchelly wanted to incorporate food waste reduction into her recipes to help give a second life to ingredients that would otherwise be thrown away. Pumpkin rinds, banana peels, and seeds are just some of the ingredients Read More...
This tax plan wants to help cities address climate change locally
Though it adopted a climate plan in 2009, Berkley, California, hasn’t had the necessary funding to make a significant dent in local emissions. Its transportation and building sectors, in particular, have made little progress in tackling the problem — even though they are among the biggest Read More...