Here’s a reminder that alongside the chaos, a lot of positive change is happening.
From politics to culture to the environment, there were notable wins across the board recently. Thanks to Joyce Craven of the Substack Chop Wood, Carry Water (whom we’ve been following for over a year now), we have a handy list. This is only a summary of what she had to say this week, but you can also read her full post here.
Internationally: Hungary saw a major shift as voters elected opposition leader Péter Magyar, ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule.
In the U.S.: Several legal and political developments stood out. Courts dismissed key lawsuits tied to Donald Trump, blocked restrictions on voting and gender-affirming care, and halted controversial mergers and policies. Voting rights expanded in places like Indiana and Virginia, while Montana’s Supreme Court affirmed strong constitutional protections for transgender people.
Major philanthropic and cultural action: MacKenzie Scott donated $70 million to Meals on Wheels, NPR received an $80 million gift, and a historic Black church in Memphis secured funding for preservation. Independent bookstores are on the rise, and a struggling newspaper in Pittsburgh found new life through nonprofit ownership.
Environmental and science news: This brought optimism too, with Chinook salmon returning to the Klamath River after dam removal and new renewable energy efforts launching in multiple states.
On the activism front: Protests continue to grow, with many first-time participants signaling increased civic engagement. Meanwhile, some institutions and corporations are facing greater accountability through lawsuits, investigations, and public pressure.
All in All: It was a week that highlighted progress, civic action, and signs of change across many areas—proof that even in difficult times, momentum in multiple directions continues.
Let’s Go With That: With all of the terror, frustration, and cataclysmic events going on in the world, let’s take a breath, and take a moment, and celebrate what is going right and just. Breathe in. Breathe out. We can do this.
A summary of “Extra! Extra! 4/19: What a Week of Good News” by Jess Craven, Chop Wood, Carry Water, April 19, 2026.