The Smile: 8/7

New York announces statewide moratorium on data centers, Trump's DOJ continues to suffer loses, and more!

August 07, 2026

Hi friend,

Happy Friday! Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the nation's first statewide moratorium on new large-scale data centers, giving the state time to develop safeguards that protect communities, keep utility costs in check, and ensure these massive facilities don't overwhelm the power grid or strain natural resources.

There's even more encouraging news today: Democrats are expanding their midterm battlefield by targeting a dozen additional Republican-held districts, another court defeat extended the administration's losing streak in its voter roll campaign, and one Houston resident is proving that a single person can inspire an entire community to pitch in and make a difference.

Let’s dive into the good news! 💛

Today’s user-submitted photo comes from Liz L., who shared this cute photo of her cat, Pyewacket! 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. 🌟

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