Politics & Government Good News

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

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.

A menorah contains eight blue candles, all lit, with a ninth being placed into the structure by a hand

USPS unveils Hanukkah stamp, honoring struggle for religious liberty & human rights

This year’s stamp was dedicated at a ceremony at the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum.

Three photos side-by-side. On the left, Stephen Curry dribbles a basketball while in a royal blue and yellow jersey. In the center, a mockup of an iPhone shows a voter registration webpage. On the right, Olivia Rodrigo sits in a chair, holding a microphone, in front of a violet curtain

Olivia Rodrigo, Steph Curry encourage voter registration at the link in their bios

The stars are part of a National Voter Registration Day effort to leverage their platforms for civic engagement.

A group of teachers and students work together on a rooftop, analyzing solar panels

Solar power in US schools has quadrupled in the last decade, new report finds

Tax incentives and federal investments have made solar power much more accessible for schools.