Politics & Government Good News

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

Trees stand before the Melbourne skyline

Australians send emails to trees in 'Tree-Mail' project designed to improve urban green space

Ideally, your messages are finding the trees well, but you can also report damaged limbs or declining health to ecology experts.

A mother and daughter snuggled up at home, behind a laptop

New study: Denmark's child care and parental leave policies are saving working moms thousands

Denmark is a test case that shows what’s possible when governments make financially supporting parents a high priority.

The Colorado state flag flies on a home flagpole in front of a mountain scenery

Colorado is the first state to give cash back to renters, in a program designed to put home ownership in reach

The program is a first-in-the-nation effort to reward low-income tenants for paying rent on time.

A woman wearing a knitted hat, a person hands money to a cashier, a wide shot of windmills and people on a hill, a woman prays in front of a vigil, and a knitted hat

Good News This Week: January 31, 2026 - Taxis, Monks, & Knitted Hats

Your weekly roundup of the best good news worth celebrating...

Tim Walz speaks into a megaphone outside of the Minnesota Governor's Mansion

Tim Walz urges 'good trouble' to protesters outside governor's mansion: 'Do it with Minnesota decency'

In a casual address in the front of his home, Gov. Walz spoke to protestors about “speaking up” amid ICE occupation across the state.

A close-up of the hands of a therapist and patient during a treatment session

England's new '10-minute clinics' treat emergency mental health crises and ease burden on hospitals

Units are staffed with specialist doctors and nurses to provide 24/7 support for patients feeling suicidal or experiencing symptoms of psychosis or mania.

Small town street at dusk with American flags

One way to strengthen democracy? 'Local patriotism,' or getting people to love where they live

A political scientist found that people who loved their town were more likely to attend city council meetings, contact local officials, volunteer for campaigns, and discuss local issues with friends.

Portrait of Martin Luther King Jr in color

3 Ways To (Actually) Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day

It's important we don't reduce Martin Luther King Jr. Day to a “day off” or a quote on social media.

A block of New York City apartment buildings

New study: Surprising mental health benefits came from Biden-era rental assistance

Researchers suggest fiscal policies like the emergency rental assistance program are also a tool for improving public health.

A person walks down a flight of stairs into a cave at Craters of the Moon National Monument

These national monuments are 10 of the best hidden gems in the whole national park system

National monuments are areas of federal land protected for their significant historical, cultural, or scientific importance.

An aerial view of a wildlife overpass over six lanes of highway on I-25 in Colorado.

North America's 'largest wildlife overpass' is finally complete. It's expected to reduce wildlife-vehicle crashes by 90%

Elk, black bears, mountain lions, and more can now safely cross a six-lane highway thanks to an overpass that connects 39,000 acres of habitat.

Children (photographed from the knees down) paint a sidewalk yellow

Florida removed colorful sidewalks in the name of 'safety.' This city in Greece proves that painted roads can save lives

This intersection in Athens was causing near-constant car crashes. Then Asphalt Arts stepped in.