The Smile: 9/8

Hi friend,

Happy Tuesday! While it’s true that Donald Trump and his administration is attacking the rights of workers, yesterday showed that all across America, workers are fighting back — and Americans support for unions is near a half-century high.

👏 Add your name to applaud workers across America for organizing, standing up, and building power from the ground up.

States and cities are stepping up to fill the gap. Virginia put $10 million into a new worker protection unit, Illinois expanded its attorney general's workplace rights bureau, and more than two dozen localities now run dedicated worker offices. Even in red states, local leaders are finding room to act. Houston's mayor raised the minimum wage at city airports to $20 an hour, and Harris County passed new safety protections for construction workers.

Let’s dive into the good news! 💛

This Labor Day: Darkness in Washington, but Sunshine Across America

Good News: Students transform school buses to help their community

China’s Carbon Pollution Fell in Recent Months as Oil Demand Plummeted

Trump’s Approval Tanks to Disastrous Low Before America Votes

This group has given domestic violence survivors cash with no strings attached for 10 years. It's working

Gloria Steinem’s Life Between Art and Activism

This girl just made history in Little League baseball

Mamdani Opens Office of Worker Power

Today’s user-submitted photo comes from Barbara H., who shared this adorable photo of her kitty, Olive! 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. 🌟