The Smile: 9/3

Hi friend,

Happy Thursday! Rep. Everton Blair was sworn into Congress this week, becoming Georgia's first openly gay member of the U.S. House. Blair's arrival also tightens the math in the House considerably, narrowing the GOP's already thin majority to just 218–213.

👏 Add your name to congratulate Rep. Blair on making history, breaking Speaker Johnson's pattern of delay, and taking his rightful seat in Congress.

There’s even more encouraging news today: California passed a bill to punish school administrators who fail to vet teachers for misconduct. And a solar energy super PAC targeting conservatives against clean energy defeated its fifth incumbent in Republican primaries.

Let’s dive into the good news! 💛

House Republican Majority Turns Razor-Thin as Democrat Is Sworn In

Judge Tells RFK Jr. to Stop Using Fake AI Studies on Teen Pregnancy

Los Angeles Zoo celebrates milestone after their great ape baby boom

Super PAC Targeting Conservatives Against Clean Energy Touts Fifth Republican Primary Win

The World Has More Trees Than It Did 35 Years Ago

Jane Fonda Exclusive: Dolly Parton, a Feminist, Wrote the Anthem for Working Women with “9 to 5”

Transforming toxic: a new vision for urban waterways takes shape in Brooklyn – in photos

California Lawmakers Pass Bill to Punish Administrators Who Fail to Vet Teachers for Misconduct

Today’s user-submitted photo comes from Valerie H., who shared this adorable photo of her cat, Leroy! 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. 🌟