Good News Headlines 10/12/2026
Photo courtesy Meredith Lee/Humane World For Animals
Switzerland Becomes First Country To Ban Fur Imports And Sales
by Kitty Block, Humane World for Animals
In a historic stand against animal cruelty, Switzerland has become the first country in the world to ban both the import and sale of fur. Last year, the Swiss Federal Council banned all imports of fur and fur products produced using “methods that involve cruelty to animals.” Now, the country has taken the next logical step, banning the sale of fur products within its borders, and thus setting a hugely important example for other countries to follow.
Bike Buses Give Portland Commuters A ‘More Fun’ Way Around The I-5 Closure
by Lillian Karabaic, OPB
As the Interstate 5 southbound closures through Portland’s Rose Quarter continue to disrupt metro area commutes, some people are getting to work on two wheels — together. They say it helps create a sense of community, a sense of safety and relief that they’re not caught in traffic. Every Wednesday through Oct. 14, the Portland Bureau of Transportation is running special bike buses from North and Northeast Portland to downtown.
The ‘Lionesses’ Who Sued To Get Air Conditioning In Every Texas Prison — And Won
by Candice Norwood, Jessica Kutz, 19th News
These Texas advocates call themselves “lionesses” for a reason: They say backing down is not in their nature. In 2022, a small group of formerly incarcerated women formed the nonprofit Lioness Justice Impacted Women’s Alliance to empower communities to challenge harmful practices within the criminal legal system. Since that time, they have put a spotlight on what they argue are dangerous conditions caused by extreme heat and cold in Texas prisons.
Analysis: Lula Presidency Saved At Least 20,000km2 Of Brazilian Amazon Since 2022
by Orla Dwyer, Josh Gabbatiss, Carbon Brief
An area of Amazon forest roughly the size of the US state of New Jersey has remained standing due to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s leadership of Brazil, according to Carbon Brief analysis. Lula beat Jair Bolsonaro in the 2022 election to become president of the nation that is home to nearly 60% of the Amazon rainforest. Forest loss surged during Bolsonaro’s far-right presidency and dropped sharply under the left-wing Lula, with Amazon deforestation likely to hit its lowest level on record this year.
A New Fleet Of Electric School Buses Hits New York City Streets
by Maria Gallucci, Canary Media
School districts nationwide are grappling with record diesel prices this fall as they resume shuttling students back and forth. But filling up isn’t a problem for some of the newest buses in New York City. That’s because these 10 long, yellow vehicles plug into the electric grid. On a clear, sunny morning in mid-September, the gleaming battery-powered buses were parked at a depot in East New York, a residential neighborhood on the outer edges of Brooklyn.
