The Weekly Theme
Each week, we feature a new theme of solutions for those passionate about learning in-depth on how we are building a better world!
Florida votes to increase outdated minimum wage to $15
Voters in Florida tossed their outdated $8.56 per hour minimum wage in this election as the state became the eighth in the country to adopt a $15 minimum wage.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...
Prop 17 restores voting rights for 50,000 paroled citizens in California
50,000 more Californians were welcomed back into the democratic process this election as the state celebrates the passing of Prop 17. The proposition, which passed with support from 59 percent of voters, will allow paroled citizens convicted of felonies to vote. Previously, those convicted of Read More...
Thankful Thursdays: Who makes you laugh and feel at peace?
Research has shown that gratitude promotes new relationships, improves mental and physical health, and boosts self-esteem. Although many of us think about what we are grateful for around the holidays, all too often we let this practice slip during the rest of the year. This is why The Optimist 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...
6 ways to thrive when everything feels negative
You have probably noticed that when you’re in a negative mood, it hinders your ability to focus and makes it painfully difficult to be helpful to others. Fortunately, there is a productive way to counter those effects. It’s called thriving — the psychological state in which people experience Read More...
2020 voter turnout surpassing 2016 already, especially among young voters
By last Friday, more citizens had already voted in Texas than in the entire 2016 election. These early statistics show that 2020 could be a record-breaking year for early turnout across the entire country. Amidst the throngs of early voters is a dramatic increase in voter turnout among young Read More...
This polling place on wheels caters to vulnerable voters
Far more Americans are voting from home this year, but for residents who have lost their home to wildfire, receiving your ballot by mail isn’t always an option. Fortunately, the VoteMobile is here to save the day. The rolling polling station is catering to those who have lost their homes to Read More...
A nonprofit is bringing pizzas to hungry voters waiting in line
After seeing predictions for long polling lines in Ohio, Florida, and Illinois before the election in 2016, Scott Duncombe noted that waiting in line to cast your ballot would be less painful with a free warm meal. Thus, Pizza to the Polls was founded. The non-partisan non-profit organization Read More...
Exercise on your way to the polls with a free bike ride
Back in September, we wrote about an initiative from ride-sharing company Lyft that will allow voters to get free or discounted rides to their local polling stations. All you need to do is use the code 2020VOTE while requesting a ride. In a similar fashion, micromobility companies such as Bird Read More...