The Smile: 6/15

Hi friend,

Happy Tuesday! Maryland Democrats are preparing to let voters decide the future of congressional redistricting, responding to a wave of partisan gerrymandering efforts across the country by putting the question directly in the hands of the people.

👏 Applaud these efforts to protect fair representation, strengthen democracy, and ensure voters have a voice in shaping the districts that determine who represents them in Congress.

There’s more encouraging news today: a court has dismissed a MAGA lawsuit seeking access to Georgia’s election operations center, lawmakers are fighting to save a critical ocean research project, and new polling shows Democrats holding an advantage heading into the midterms.

Let’s dive into the good news! 💛

Maryland Democrats prepare special session to counter GOP gerrymanders, send redistricting to voters

Mom says her 10-year-old daughter saved family from house fire

Republicans are losing young, Latino and independent support

Court tosses MAGA lawsuit seeking access to Georgia’s election operations center

Lawmakers fight to stop the Trump administration’s dismantling of a $386M ocean observatory project

Democrats hold 5-point edge over GOP ahead of midterms: Poll

High school graduate in Georgia accepted into 264 colleges and offered $17 million in scholarships

Japan fans use blue bags to uphold a cleansing World Cup tradition after draw

Senators Interrogate Big Oil Over ‘Egregiously High Prices at the Pump’ During Iran War

Judge blasts Trump’s ‘censorship’ of national parks and museums

Today’s user-submitted photo comes from Jean B., who shared this cute photo from Columbus, Ohio! 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. 🌟