The Smile: 1/26

Hi friend,

Happy Monday 💛. Last weekend, Minneapolis was shaken by the killing of Alex Jeffrey Pretti — an intensive-care nurse, a friend, and a community member — after Border Patrol agents opened fire during an encounter caught on video. As grief and outrage ripple across the city, people are demanding truth, accountability, and an end to the reckless federal crackdowns that have already cost too many lives.

✍️ Applaud Senate Democrats for drawing a line — and threatening to block DHS funding unless real guardrails and accountability are put in place.

And there’s more hopeful news to take in today: a federal judge is stepping in to protect evidence after the Minneapolis shooting, Maryland Democrats are fighting back against gerrymandering, and courts are continuing to reject Trump’s election power grabs.

Let’s dive in. 💛

Senate Democrats threaten partial government shutdown over DHS funding after Minnesota shooting

Court dismisses DOJ’s Georgia voter roll lawsuit … because it filed in the wrong district

Inside the Largest Effort Ever to Save the Great Barrier Reef

One day, 1,000 trees: Preserving a rare California pine

Federal judge blocks DHS from ‘destroying or altering’ evidence after fatal Minneapolis shooting

Philadelphia sues over removal of slavery exhibit at Independence National Historical Park

If Anyone Can Pull Off a General Strike, It’s Minnesotans

Donald Trump Is Losing White Voters—Poll

'Kitty Fat Camp' helps overweight cats find homes

Maryland Democrats make a new play to redraw their House map for 2026

Today’s user-submitted photo comes from Linda C., who shared this great photo from Tucson, AZ! If you want the chance to have your photo featured, reply to this email 😄

Thank you for reading, and we hope these articles shine a light on your day.

In solidarity,

Emily from The Smile

P.S. Know someone who could use a dose of good news? Forward this email and encourage them to subscribe to The Smile. Let’s spread the positivity together. 🌟