FYI...

• Today is World Down Syndrome Day! This year’s theme is “Improve Our Support Systems” and we’ve got good news on that front — programs to support the care of those with Down syndrome are growing. (More good Down syndrome news below!)
• And heads up: tomorrow is World Water Day! charity: water has long been at the forefront of advocating for clean water around the world — and this year, you could help end the water crisis in your sleep. ​

Science & tech

The first satellite designed to detect wildfires early and precisely is now in orbit

With the potential to change how we respond to wildfires, the first satellite in a constellation of satellites that is specifically designed to locate wildfires early and precisely anywhere in the world is now in orbit around the Earth.

Launched by the nonprofit Earth Fire Alliance, the FireSat constellation will be made up of 50 satellites and is the first of its kind to be built specifically to detect and track fires.

Current satellite systems use low-resolution imagery, cover a smaller area once every 12 hours, and can only detect large wildfires that span a couple of acres. FireSat will be able to detect fires as small as 270 square feet — about the size of a classroom — and provide high-resolution images every 20 minutes.

Why is this good news? The FireSat project has been in the works for less than 18 months and will be essential in responding to disastrous wildfires — like the ones that hit Los Angeles earlier this year — which are predicted to continue to intensify as the world continues to experience the impacts of the climate crisis.

→ Read more

More Good News

​A Minnesota church surrendered part of its property to build “sacred settlements” for its unhoused neighbors. The model of the Sacred Settlement neighborhoods has been a proven success at other congregations in the Twin Cities, which have seen “deep, wholistic healing” and “zero crime, zero police involvement, and zero neighbor complaints.”

​Kirsty Coventry just made history as the first woman to be elected president of the International Olympic Committee. Coventry is also the first IOC president from Africa and celebrated the power of sport to “unite, inspire, and create opportunities for all” and committed to “making sure we harness that power to its fullest.”

​In a win for animal rights activists, Mexico City is introducing “bloodless bullfighting” in place of the traditional events. While the activists had been pushing for a complete ban, the compromise means matadors can only use their capes to draw the animals to charge, and the animals’ horns will be protected to prevent harm to matadors and other animals.

World Down Syndrome Day

​People with Down syndrome are living longer than ever — and programs are growing to support their care. While predispositions to certain conditions impact the length and quality of one’s life, the lower life expectancy of people with Down syndrome is linked to the historical inhumane practice of institutionalization.

​The viral “Assume That I Can” PSA pushes back against outdated stereotypes and harmful misconceptions about Down syndrome. The ad lays out all of the limitations placed on people with Down syndrome that occur when parents, teachers, and peers operate on outdated assumptions — and what happens when those limits stop.

​As part of its “Fashionista” line, Barbie introduced its first-ever Black Barbie doll with Down syndrome. Like the first Barbie with Down syndrome introduced by Mattel in 2023, this new doll was created in partnership with the National Down Syndrome Society, as well as a group of Black individuals from the Down syndrome community.

People doing good

The owner of the last video shop in an Idaho town is keeping a small section open for a customer with Down syndrome

For Christina Cavanaugh, who has Down syndrome and is mostly nonverbal, going to the video rental store every day has been a vital part of her routine for the last fifteen years.

At Video Stop, the last video rental store in Pocatello, Idaho, new employees were even trained so that Christina could provide her account information and rent movies independently.

When the video store was set to close, Christina’s mom wasn’t sure what they’d do. But she didn’t have to worry very long: the owner of Video Stop moved a collection of movies to “Christina’s corner” in his K & B Kwik Stop location next door — so Christina could continue feeling supported in her routine.

→ Read more​

More Good bits

👀 A new World Down Syndrome Day PSA sends a powerful, important message. (YouTube)

💰 A tech millionaire is spending his fortune on affordable housing.

🚲 We love a neighborhood that prioritizes bike infrastructure.

🏳️‍⚧️ Transgender military members can keep serving their country.​

☕️ Get ready to raise a glass for World Tuberculosis Day on Monday.

What’s good?

This week’s most-clicked good news story was the one about the homeless mom who gave away $2 to help a parent in need — and then the internet generously rewarded her kindness.

What good news story encouraged you most this week?

Reply and let me know!

— Megan