Politics & Government Good News

Ways that people, organizations, and governments are fighting to strengthen democracy in the United States and around the world

Two women stand side-by-side at a climate protest. One holds up a cardboard sign that reads "change the system, not the climate" in black and red marker. The photo is cropped, only making the women's hands and torsos visible amongst the crowd.

New study confirms public pressure can lead to shifts in climate policy — even among anti-environmental officials

University of California San Diego researchers studied the public pressures faced by the Brazilian government in the wake of wildfires in 2019.

Three screenshots of a TikTok, side by side. On the left, a young woman in her twenties wears a blue and pink tie-dye shirt and a backwards baseball cap. She speaks directly into the camera in her kitchen, saying "guess what, it's election season." In the center, the same woman appears smaller on screen, with a screenshot of a Hinge conversation behind her. On the right, the same woman is speaking in her kitchen again, saying "like, how to get involved."

TikTok users 'go undercover' in swing states, convincing their dating app matches to vote in November

By changing their locations, these TikTok influencers used their dating apps to reach matches in swing states.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz sits in a park next to his dog, Scout, a Black labrador mix. Behind them are luscious green trees. Walz wears a khaki hat that reads "Minnesota Grown," with a black quarter-zip shirt, as he pets the dog, who wears a black collar.

Tim Walz says his rescue dog's 'sense of empathy' has made him a better leader — and human

The Vice Presidential hopeful joined WeRateDogs for a walk in the park with his rescue pup, Scout.

President Jimmy Carter smiles at Egyptian President Anwar Sadat at the White House, Washington, D.C.

Jimmy Carter at 100: How his faith influenced his public service and human rights advocacy

On Carter’s 100th birthday, as journalists and historians consider his legacy, this prelude to Carter’s campaign offers insight into how he wanted to be known and how he might like to be remembered.

A road in North Carolina is destroyed after Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene will impact survivors' mental health. The Disaster Distress Helpline provides free, multilingual support

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, this national helpline is providing crisis counseling to those in need.

A side-by-side comparison image shows the difference between a colorblind view of fall leaves, compared to one that uses an EnChroma filter, highlighting vibrant red, orange, and yellow leaves.

Colorblind visitors hoping to see autumn leaves can use new viewfinders in all of Virginia's state parks

Just in time for stunning fall vistas, Virginia’s 43 state parks are now home to special viewfinders for colorblind visitors.

An aerial view of Parr Hill Park in Joplin, Missouri

Local parks get record $254 million boost from Interior Department. Here's a full list of cities benefitting

A historic grant from the Department of the Interior will redevelop or create new parks in “park-deprived” areas across the country.

A subway train rolls into a station in Barcelona.

How Barcelona's subway system is powering EVs with regenerative braking

The ultra-fast EV charger outside the Bellvitge station is among four electrolineras — Spanish for “electric gas stations” — that went up in July whose powers are generated by the city's trains.

A group of elementary children wearing winter coats and backpacks stand on a street corner outside an elementary school waiting for crossing guards

Study shows London's 'emissions zone' helps more kids walk and bike to school

Four in 10 London children stopped driving and started walking to school a year after the city's clean air zone went into effect.

A close-up of a man playing a djembe drum with his hands. He wears rings and traditional African garb

USPS debuts new Kwanzaa stamp, fostering 'African unity and pride'

The stamp was dedicated at a ceremony at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh.

An aerial view of MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey

NFL teams up with FEMA, designating these stadiums as emergency shelters

A first-of-its-kind partnership officially links the NFL with FEMA to aid in disaster relief.

Illustration of library shelves full of brown and blue books

14 Ideas for Celebrating Banned Books Week

When it feels like our reality has crumbled into a dystopian nightmare, what do we do? We use the power of books, form our own team of heroes, and fight against censorship and for stories that matter!