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In the headlines...

👏 Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a ban on assault firearms and high-capacity magazines into law, making the state the 11th in the U.S. to ban assault weapons.

💵 Senators unanimously approved a measure to withhold their own pay during federal government shutdowns, while ensuring they receive back pay once it reopens.

🗳️ Thousands of people gathered in Montgomery, Alabama, the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement, for the “All Roads Lead to the South” National Day of Action for Voting Rights.

Good progress

In April, Baltimore saw its fewest monthly homicides in over 50 years

With four cases reported April, Baltimore recorded its fewest monthly homicides since at least 1970. The city has seen its “safest” period in more than 50 years, with significant declines in violent crime overall.

So far this year, the city has seen 33 homicides and 89 non-fatal shootings, compared to 37 and 101 over the same period last year — a 10.8% decrease in homicides and 11.9% decline in non-fatal shootings.

The city’s mayor credits its Group Violence Reduction Strategy, which launched in 2022 and is a partnership between police, the mayor’s office, and prosecutors. It’s since expanded to more neighborhoods in the city and has connected hundreds of people to resources, seizing firearms and ghost guns, and more.

Even better: Data shows that some non-violent crime is down, too, with carjackings down 38%, burglaries down 17%, auto thefts down 11%, and robberies down 16% compared to last year.

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More Good News

​A former poacher in India now protects the land and animals he grew up hunting. Rustom Basumatary is a naturalist and an avid birder from the remote Indian village, and received the Assam Guarav Award for his wildlife conservation efforts.

​Rather than decreasing negative emotions, a promising new depression treatment focuses on creating joy pathways. (Gifted link) While psychotherapy and medication can be very effective at reducing negative emotions, it’s been more challenging to help people with depression or anxiety actually feel good.

​High school students created a makeshift stretcher to rescue an injured hiker. Using tarp poles, a hammock, and their outdoor education training, the students hiked for two hours to get the man to safety.

​Plans for a 2,100-acre data center in Northern Virginia were derailed after locals lobbied against it for 27 hours straight. In addition to its proximity to the historic Manassas National Battlefield Park, locals cited concerns for pollution and energy consumption.

​An architect unveiled his design for a “fireproof home” that can withstand a fire for up to 24 hours. Ardie Tavangarian began working on the design after he lost his own house in the Palisades fire last year.

​Sudan and South Sudan have both eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus. Despite widespread conflict and displacement across the region, health workers, midwives, and vaccinators worked together to deliver life-saving vaccines.

People doing good

Hantavirus cruise passenger moved to tears by stranger’s act of kindness during his 42-day quarantine

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Global health

Scientists created teabags that remove arsenic from drinking water

Man-made activities like mining can cause minerals to leech into groundwater supplies, causing buildups of concentrated arsenic. According to the World Health Organization, 140 million people in at least 70 countries have been exposed to arsenic contamination in their drinking water.

Fortunately, researchers at the City University of New York’s ASRC Nanoscience Initiative have created a 7-cent bag of tea that removes 90% of the arsenic ions in contaminated water.

In their study, researchers set out to create an affordable solution to “one of the world’s most urgent public health crises.” Their results prove that solutions can be affordable and scalable.

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More Good bits

🎨 A new longevity hack: Eat well, exercise, and make art.

🐶 These doggies broke a record and made a difference.

✍️ Cursive translations are preserving the writing of women.

🩺 One of our favorite TV doctors spent his final real-life days advocating for an ALS cure.

📰 When journalists are killed in conflict, their stories don’t have to.

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