The Smile: 5/18

Hi friend,

Happy Monday! Texas Democrats just scored a major victory after the Texas Supreme Court rejected efforts to expel lawmakers who stood up against a partisan gerrymander — dealing a blow to attempts to punish elected officials for defending fair representation.

🎉 Celebrate this important win for democracy and voting rights.

There’s more hopeful news today: voters are turning out in record numbers, communities across the South are mobilizing for civil rights, courts are protecting healthcare access, and people everywhere are proving that courage and persistence can still move the country forward.

Let’s dive into the good news! 💛

Texas Supreme Court rejects attempt to expel Democrats for blocking gerrymander, in blow to Abbott

Kansas judge blocks law banning gender-transition treatments for minors

JD Vance Humiliates Himself as Crowd Stays Silent During His Speech

Paralyzed 23-year-old walks at graduation, shares message of hope

Roy Cooper’s Chances of Flipping North Carolina GOP Senate Seat Surge—Poll

Georgia early voters top 1M, breaking primary election record

Ballroom security money nixed by Senate parliamentarian

Overdose deaths in Oregon drop second year in a row

Celebrating 15 Years of Matching Disabled Youth with College Athletes–Over 4,500 Kids Discover the Power of Belonging

‘They may draw racist maps, but we are the south’: thousands rally in Alabama for Black voting rights

Today’s user-submitted photo comes from Kathy C., who shared this beautiful photo of a butterfly! 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. 🌟