I know there is a lot of sh*t happening on the planet right now. AND... There is STILL so much good to focus on, too. Mamdani is delivering on his campaign promises, students are designing the "last car you'll ever need", and countries are banning forever chemicals for good. Let's take a look at the highlights from this week:
Mayor Mamdani's New Policies: Just eight days into his term, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivered on one of his top campaign promises: free universal childcare for every New York City family, regardless of income. New York State is covering the full cost to launch "2Care Universal Daycare" for 2-year-olds. Not to mention, he's also expanding public bathroom access citywide. When you build the right team and keep people organized, transformative policy happens fast.
Dating App Rape Survivors Sue Hinge and Tinder: Six women who were drugged and sexually assaulted by the same Denver cardiologist have filed a lawsuit against Match Group, accusing the dating app giant of "accommodating rapists" by allowing known abusers to remain on Tinder and Hinge even after being reported for rape. Despite one survivor reporting the predator to Hinge in 2020, he remained active on the platform—even promoted as a "Standout" match—and continued assaulting women until 2023.
Wyoming Supreme Court Strikes Down Abortion Bans: In a 4-1 ruling, the Wyoming Supreme Court struck down the state's abortion bans, so abortion is still legal. The court stated each Wyomingite has the right "to make his or her own health care decisions". This is the first major state supreme court decision based on a "health care freedom" amendment, and it could become a model for challenging abortion restrictions across the country.
Tennessee Launches First-in-Nation Domestic Violence Registry: Tennessee is becoming the first state in the nation to launch a public domestic violence offender registry, created under "Savanna's Law". Named after Savanna Puckett, a deputy murdered by an ex-boyfriend with a hidden history of domestic violence. The registry will include names, photos, dates of birth, and conviction information for repeat domestic violence offenders, giving people access to information that previously required digging through court records across multiple jurisdictions.
Neighborhood Associations Tackle "Medium-Sized Problems": T
he North Chattanooga Neighborhood Association is modeling what community action looks like—closing streets for kids to play and launching a sidewalk clearing program that's rolling back vegetation like carpet from forgotten walkways. By tackling problems too big for individuals but too small for city prioritization, they're not just improving infrastructure—they're building trust with their Public Works Department and earning the city's attention. When we stop waiting for someone else to fix things and show up collectively, we transform our neighborhoods one doable project at a time.
Students Design the Last Car You'll Ever Need: Students from three Dutch universities created ARIA (Anyone Repairs It Anywhere)—a fully electric, modular car with click-off panels, removable batteries, a built-in toolbox, and an app that walks you through repairs at home. Their goal is to inspire the EU's right-to-repair legislation to expand beyond tech and appliances to include vehicles, reducing waste and putting power back in the hands of regular people. This is the blueprint for a future where we stop being forced to buy replacements and start owning products designed to last.
North America's Largest Wildlife Overpass Opens in Colorado: Colorado just opened the largest wildlife overpass in North America—a 209 by 200 foot bridge spanning Interstate 25 near Castle Rock. The overpass connects 39,000 acres of wildlife habitat and has already helped reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions in the corridor by 91% alongside existing underpasses and fencing.
France Bans Forever Chemicals in Cosmetics and Clothing: France's ban on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)—toxic "forever chemicals" linked to cancer—officially went into effect, prohibiting the sale, production, or import of cosmetics, clothing, and other products where alternatives already exist. The landmark bill passed after more than 140,000 citizens called on their MPs to support it.
Record Year for Wind and Solar in Great Britain: Wind, solar, hydro, and biomass generated more than 127 terawatt hours of electricity in Great Britain in 2025—a new record—with solar power rising nearly a third thanks to the UK's expansion of solar panels across the country. On roughly a third of days in 2025, at least half of Britain's electricity came from renewables.
Courts are striking down abortion bans. Communities are cleaning up their neighborhoods. Countries are banning forever chemicals. The shift is here, and a new paradigm is being ushered in.
How will you shift this week?
