But first...

☀️ Three Republican lawmakers in Florida whose families fled Cuba are pushing back on the Trump administration’s efforts to end programs that protect many of the region’s immigrant communities from deportation.

🥘 While the government of Israel continues to block humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, it’s not stopping organizations like World Central Kitchen from preparing warehouses full of aid if those blockades are lifted. (Instagram)

Animals

An ‘extremely fearful shutdown foster dog’ is inspiring millions on ‘Tiki Tok’ with his transformative recovery

With a combined 1 million+ following on Instagram and TikTok, writer Isabel Klee is a dog-centric content creator who takes her audience along on her fostering journey.

But no dog she’s fostered has captured the attention of the internet quite like her 23rd, Tiki. His time with Klee and her family was a test to see if being out of a shelter would help him overcome his debilitating anxiety.

Klee believes “every dog deserves a chance,” and Tiki got his. It took time, but in just over 25 days of Klee’s care, he’s hopped on the couch, sat in her lap, accepted lots of pets and kisses, ventured outdoors, and most recently, played with toys.

Even better: Together with Muddy Paws Rescue, the organization that saved Tiki, Klee created a “Be Brave Like Tiki” T-shirt — 100% of the proceeds go back to Muddy Paws to “save so many more dogs just like Tiki.”

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More Good News

​Scientists discovered a deep-sea “pancake” octopus species on a monthslong voyage in Australia. The “flapjack” octopus is a subset of the dumbo family that is named after its incredible shapeshifting abilities, which allow it to balloon out “like a tiny gelatinous umbrella” and flatten its body like a pancake to evade predators.

​Teaching them the art and science of winemaking, inmates are crafting fine Italian wine on a remote Tuscan island. It all started with a wine family dynasty, who recognized the land’s potential for making wine and for the wine to “be a part of something greater, a part of the rehabilitation of these men.”

​An immigrant- and family-owned dry cleaner offers free services for unemployed people going to a job interview. Ali Shirkhodaei’s newest service at Lux Cleaners & Alterations provides free, speedy outfit cleanings to any unemployed customer heading to a job interview — and about 5 to 10 customers use the service every week.

​Belgium’s parliament voted to officially abandon its decades-old plan to phase out nuclear power. In response to growing interest and investment in nuclear power as a clean energy source ​— it already accounts for 40% of the country’s total power generation, followed by gas at 21% and wind at 19%.

People doing good

‘Hacks’ star Hannah Einbinder raises $60K on Instagram for doctors on the ground in Gaza

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Climate action

Documenting what needs restoring, Indigenous women in India are making “dream maps” to protect lands from climate change

In India’s eastern state of Odisha, Indigenous villagers have continued traditional practices of fishing, farming millet and rice, and foraging leaves and fruit for millennia.

Now, those practices are under threat from the climate crisis, with dwindling fish and other resources, and increasingly unpredictable monsoon rains.

With help from a local NGO, Indigenous women from 10 villages have surveyed and mapped out the resources that are dwindling, and what needs restoring on “dream maps” — depicting their villages in their most ideal states. They plan to submit their maps and data to government officials as a first step in requesting funds to preserve and restore them.

→ Read more

More Good bits

🎧 Lin-Manuel Miranda is non-stop … so you can take a breather.

🐟 From ugly underwater underdog to the best fish in the sea.​

🌱 No mow May year.

🪙 No more pinching pennies.​

🖥 An iconic computer chime is helping Gaza victims, too.​

What’s good?

I feel really refreshed after enjoying a weekend filled with lots of quality time with family and loved ones.

What’s something good that happened to/for you over the weekend?

I’d love to know your highlight!

— Megan