Celebrating Good Things

"😎😎😎😎 GOOD THINGS CAN STILL HAPPEN 😎😎😎😎"

Welcome to What’s Helping Today, a newsletter about the everyday work of staying alive on earth β€” written by author and journalist Sandy Ernest Allen.

Hey folks,

I admit lately I have felt really low (if you all couldn’t tell).

Like many, I really needed a win like last night’s historic victory in New York City and beyond. I think a lot of us did.

What’s Helping Today: Last night’s many victories and what they mean …

I will keep this post brief. First, ICYMI, the latest WHT from two days ago, with my thoughts on the Mamdani campaign … and then other links to things that made me nod my tired, trans head and/or smile etc.:

😎😎😎😎 GOOD THINGS CAN STILL HAPPEN 😎😎😎😎

β€” Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@aoc.bsky.social)2025-11-05T05:22:43.125Z

AOC: I have to tell you, in my traveling across the country, I am hearing and have been seeing consistent things from everyday people. And it is that they are terrified, they are frustrated, they are angry, and they are shocked by a president violating the values that we hold dear

β€” Acyn (@acyn.bsky.social)2025-11-05T03:17:47.581Z

Watch Zohran Mamdani’s entire speech from last night (if you haven’t already); it was, as many are saying, just sensational:

I watched it at like 4:30 a.m. this morning and felt feelings. I also watched an old public access piece about his mom, the director Mira Nair (which was great).

LOL:

Some worthwhile analysis …

remember all those hot takes during the primary about how Mamdani was the candidate for rich white liberals? a "champagne socialist" ? yeah, about that

β€” G Elliott Morris (@gelliottmorris.com)2025-11-05T20:14:00.905Z

Heck yeah to other wins from last night, like:

Erica Deuso is the first openly transgender person to be elected mayor in Pennsylvania. The longtime Democratic advocate defeated Republican Rich Bryant Tuesday to serve as the next mayor of Downingtown. πŸ”΄ Live election updates: www.inquirer.com/politics/ele...

β€” Philadelphia Inquirer (@inquirer.com)2025-11-05T13:50:28.232Z

Heck yeah to this:

BREAKING: Colorado voters approved a ballot measure that would raise state income taxes on higher-earning households to fund free meals for all public school students. Follow AP for live updates.

β€” The Associated Press (@apnews.com)2025-11-05T03:33:02Z

And to this:

A 13-year-long supermajority in the Mississippi State Senate has been broken after Tuesday’s special election with Dems flipping 2 seats. Reps still outnumber Dems but must cross the aisle for votes requiring 2/3 majority to to override gov vetoes.

β€” Riki Wilchins (@rikiwilchins.bsky.social)2025-11-05T20:13:40.011Z

And to this:

Georgia Democrats had not won a statewide race that wasn't for a federal office since 2006. They won two races tonight, both against GOP incumbents. The margins? 62% to 38% in both.

β€” Taniel (@taniel.bsky.social)2025-11-05T05:37:45.305Z

Some other links to maybe click on …

A big yikes to this (and a heads up to those who fly):

Fellow media professionals especially, please take note:

One last thing:

Dearest subscribers, I have a favor to ask of you … If you enjoy this newsletter, I would appreciate it if you’d forward it to a friend or two, anyone you know who may like it, too … and/or share it wherever you share things online.

I am at about ~750 subscribers and have set a random goal in my mind of 1000 by the year’s end. A bit ambitious perhaps but I’m hoping with you all helping out … perhaps I can get there. Thank you!!!

Also, any fellow newsletter writers using beehiiv, consider adding What’s Helping Today as one of the other newsletters yours recommends. (This is a huge help, traffic-wise!)

Sending love and gratitude,
Sandy

Thanks for reading What’s Helping Today, a newsletter by me β€” author and journalist Sandy Ernest Allen. If you were forwarded this message, WHT is free; you can subscribe here. If you appreciate my work and want to keep it going: Please consider contributing any amount to my Buy Me a Coffee. The suggested these days for those who can is $5 a month, which gets you access to some perks. Thank you for your support!!! πŸ’“