Good to know...

🐊 Protesters lined a highway in the Florida Everglades to oppose the state’s construction of “Alligator Alcatraz,” an immigrant detention center.

🚢 In what could have had a horrifying ending, a father jumped after his daughter, who fell overboard on a Disney cruise ship that was out at sea. The two were quickly rescued by crew members.

War & Conflict

Providing a safe place to play, a summer camp in Ohio hosted wounded children from Gaza

Three dozen wounded Palestinian children and their families got a break from the war raging in Gaza at a summer camp in Ohio’s Mohican State Park.

They were hosted by HEAL Palestine, which helps the youngest victims of the war in Gaza, running field hospitals and food kitchens, and providing educational programs.

After realizing they were confronting “the largest population of child amputees in modern history,” the nonprofit organized the summer camp for the dozens of children they’ve brought to the U.S. to receive specialized care.

Why is this good news? All children deserve to laugh, play, and grow in safety, peace, and stability. At the camp, the children could experience all of those things alongside others like them, in a space designed for them.

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More Good News

​The U.S. Supreme Court ruled to save free access to HIV prevention medication, cancer screenings, and vaccines. The court upheld a key provision of the Affordable Care Act, ruling that health insurance companies must continue covering preventive services recommended by a federal task force.

​The largest group of flamingos seen in the state in over a decade was spotted in the Florida Everglades. The group of 115 flamingos was the latest indication of the iconic bird’s renewed interest in the Sunshine State, where the native population was obliterated more than a century ago. (Paywall)

​A new study proves the “deterrence logic” behind criminalizing homelessness doesn’t reduce homelessness. The analysis found that policies like encampment bans did not reduce homelessness in any of the cities studied as a result of such ordinances.

​People incarcerated at a Florida county jail are growing mangrove seedlings to protect the state's coastlines. The initiative in Volusia County is part of a broader inmate rehabilitation effort that includes growing fresh foods using hydroponic towers, with future donations of produce going to local homeless shelters and community programs.

Environment

Elementary schoolers invent remote-control ‘orca’ robot to clean up beach trash

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good data

Charitable giving grew to nearly $600 billion in 2024

An annual report found that U.S. charitable giving increased 3.3% to US$593 billion in 2024, the second-highest level on record after adjusting for inflation.

Giving grew at the fastest pace since 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic led many Americans to make larger-than-usual donations. It was also the first time since then that growth in giving outpaced inflation.

The report found that a strong economy, which grew 2.8% in 2024, bolstered individual and corporate giving and allowed foundations to maintain historically high levels of giving. Additionally, stock markets performed well that year, personal income rose, and inflation eased.

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More Good bits

🖼 This artwork for your home comes with free air conditioning.​

🐘 Wild elephants never run out of food at their very own diner.​

🐳 And killer whales are, surprisingly, down to share a meal.​

💔 USAID is officially shuttered, and two former presidents say it’s a “colossal mistake.”​

🌳 Take a look at what could be the next generation of national parks.​

What’s good?

I was so excited to see the news that charitable giving is getting back on what’s been a reliably consistent upward trend.

Which good news story were you happiest to read today?

Reply to this email and let me know!

— Megan