Politics
Having a difficult time finding positive news about national and global politics? Search no further! From public policy to positive leadership to democracy efforts, find the latest good news stories in the world of politics at The Optimist Daily.
Veterans and Gold Star families can now access national parks for free
This year has marked a particularly special Veterans Day as US veterans and Gold Star families have been granted free lifetime access to the country's national parks, wildlife refuges, and other federal lands managed by the Department of the Interior. "With the utmost respect and gratitude, we are Read More...
Thankful Thursdays: A note to non-profits
What is the most impactful organization in your community? In this week's Thankful Thursdays prompt, we look at organizations and non-profits that serve our neighborhoods and the global community. This can be an organization that you have been involved with, have been helped by, or simply just Read More...
Florida votes to increase outdated minimum wage to $15
Voters in Florida tossed their outdated $8.56 per hour minimum wage in this election as the state became the eighth in the country to adopt a $15 minimum wage. Like many other states, Florida will introduce the raise slowly, upping it to $10 next year and raising it by $1 each year until it reaches Read More...
Sarah McBride just became America’s first transgender state senator
History was made on Election Day after voters in Delaware elected the first transgender state senator in American history. On Tuesday, Democrat Sarah McBride defeated Republic Steve Washington to win a seat that became open following the retirement of the longest-serving legislator in Delaware Read More...
Oregon becomes first state to legalize access to magic mushrooms
Back in July, we informed our readers that Oregon would officially vote on legalizing psychedelic psilocybin therapy. Fast forward to today, and the results of that vote are in: adults in Oregon can now legally access hallucinogenic mushrooms. This is a big deal. The Optimist Daily has long been Read More...
These two states may join Maine in implementing ranked choice voting
Back in September, we published a story from Maine where the state’s Supreme Judicial Court upheld the use of ranked-choice voting for its presidential and congressional races. The Optimist Daily celebrated that decision because it allows voters to opt for an independent third-party candidate Read More...
New Zealand PM appoints first female Indigenous foreign minister
After being re-elected in a landslide victory last month, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern continues to make positive progressive change in the country. Yesterday, she appointed Nanaia Mahuta as the country’s first indigenous female foreign minister. Nanaia Mahuta is Māori and Read More...
This school district is keeping snow days alive so kids can be kids
A heavy weekday snowstorm may be a nightmare for adults who must commute through town, but if you’re a kid, it’s the best thing ever. Heavy snow usually means school is canceled for the day, which means it’s time to play in the white fluff and get cozy with books and movies. Or at least, Read More...
Election day: These are the climate measures to keep an eye out for
There is more on the line in the upcoming elections than just the White House. Across the nation, many local ballots feature key measures with regards to clean energy and climate change that voters will decide on. With election day approaching, Inhabitat has highlighted some of the critical Read More...
Internet balloon breaks record by spending 312 days in the stratosphere
Loon, a project developed by Google’s parent company Alphabet, has recently revealed that one of its internet-beaming balloons has broken a flight record, floating in the stratosphere for 312 days straight. The idea behind Loon is to launch a fleet of large communications balloons into the Read More...