Good News headlines 4/22/2024
Photo caption and credit: Natalie Gilliard and her husband John Yacko. Photo courtesy Natalie Gilliard.
Millions Of Wildflowers Now Delight The Town After Vermont Couple Got Tired Of Mowing The Lawn All Day
by Andy Corbley, Good News Network
From a small Vermont countryside community comes the story of two Long Islanders who ditched mowing their massive lawn and planted wildflowers instead—delighting the neighbors, birds, bees, and butterflies. They’ve steadily grown their wildflower meadow to 2-1/2 acres, which has become so popular that it’s inspired others nearby to do the same. Jonathan Yacko and Natalie Gilliard started their makeover during the pandemic when Gilliard lost her job and Yacko’s hours were cut. He still worked remotely for the same company he had when they lived on Long Island, and told the Washington Post that their 5-acre property in Chittenden used to boast a sea of grass that required a whole day to mow and trim.
‘Greenest Ever Games’: How The Paris Olympics Hopes To Inspire A New Era Of Global Sporting Events
by Angelique Chrisafis, The Guardian
Beneath the undulating wooden roof of the Paris Olympics’ new aquatics centre, the architect Laure Mériaud hoped the groundbreaking low carbon building would bring a kind of calm to the intersection of motorways near the Stade de France stadium in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis. “It’s not just about technical innovation,” she said. “It’s about creating a more pleasant, greener space for local people’s daily lives here after the Games.” The organisers of the Paris Olympics – which begin in July – have vowed they will be the “greenest ever Games”, halving the carbon footprint of London 2012 and Rio 2016 from their average of 3.5m tonnes of CO2 to about 1.75m tonnes.
Biden Administration Sets First-Ever Limits On ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Drinking Water
By Michael Phillis, AP News
The Biden administration finalized strict limits on certain so-called “forever chemicals” in drinking water that will require utilities to reduce them to the lowest level they can be reliably measured. Officials say this will reduce exposure for 100 million people and help prevent thousands of illnesses, including cancers. The rule is the first national drinking water limit on toxic PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are widespread and long lasting in the environment. Health advocates praised the Environmental Protection Agency for not backing away from tough limits the agency proposed last year. But water utilities took issue with the rule, saying treatment systems are expensive to install and that customers will end up paying more.
3 Cities That Became Better Places For Young Black Men
by Edgar Mendez, Reasons to Be Cheerful
Less than 24 hours after Trayvon Martin was shot and killed in Florida then-President Barack Obama addressed a rattled nation. Standing among a group of Chicago-area teens, he announced the launch of My Brother’s Keeper, an initiative to address the persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color, and to ensure all young people can reach their full potential. Martin’s death became a catalyst for a national reckoning against structural racism, prompting many cities to respond with efforts to uplift communities of color. But ten years after its launch, My Brother’s Keeper, now known as the MBK Alliance, has seen remarkable progress in three cities in particular, helping them prove that the power of collaboration can solve deeply entrenched problems.
LEGO Stores Just Completely Changed The Way They Support Autistic Shoppers
By Meghan Cook, Good Good Good
In recognition of Autism Awareness Month, LEGO is partnering with KultureCity to make stores more accessible for all LEGO lovers. In an official announcement video for the LEGO Group, KultureCity executive director Uma Srivastava talked about the nonprofit’s collaboration with LEGO House in Denmark and stores across North America. “KultureCity is a nonprofit focused on sensory inclusion and accessibility,” said Srivastava. “We train employees to be more empathetic for those who have sensory needs that might vary from person to person.” The KultureCity stamp of approval comes with all-new comprehensive staff training across the board and ensures that every LEGO store offers “sensory bags” created by a team of research professionals.
