'the things that are happening, no one could have seen coming'

Nice Stuff #13

Author

Sandy Allen
February 04, 2026

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

Hey folks,

It remains an overwhelmingly tough time.

Just thought I’d share some Nice Stuff …

This sketch was hilarious:

The moment in particular where she carefully says “the things that are happening, no one could have seen coming” = LOLOLOL.

Also LOL:

I Am the Payroll Accountant for Professional Protestors in Minnesota, and I Am Swamped

“House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., slammed Minnesota state leaders after anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agitators disrupted a...

www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/i-am-the-payroll-accountant-for-professional-protestors-in-minnesota-and-i-am-swamped?utm_content=buffer32ef2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=bufferapp.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Thought this was a great conversation …

The Onion’s Ben Collins on Political Satire & Why Trump Isn’t Funny

Podcast Episode · On with Kara Swisher · 02/02/2026 · 58m

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-onions-ben-collins-on-political-satire-why-trump/id1643307527?i=1000747679219

What an amazing sculpture …

Team USA snow sculpture in Stillwater removed over ‘ICE out’ messaging

The World Snow Sculpting Championship work by Team USA included messages spelled out in American Sign Language.

www.twincities.com/2026/01/28/team-usa-stillwater-snow-sculpture-removed

(Noticing always: These fascists are so, so petty.)

This doesn’t surprise me but feels worth sharing …

Homeless Oregon youth got $1,000 a month for two years. Most found housing after • Oregon Capital Chronicle

Oregon is the second of its kind in the nation to implement the direct cash transfer program after New York City.

oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/01/30/homeless-oregon-youth-got-1000-a-month-for-two-years-most-found-housing-after

Healthcare is a human right. Nobody should be in debt over medical care. That being said: Amazing news …

How North Carolina erased medical debt for 2.5 million people

The state partnered with a nonprofit to wipe out the debts. It also has a plan in place to prevent medical debt for people in specific income brackets.

www.npr.org/2026/01/21/nx-s1-5678541/north-carolina-undue-medical-debt-erased

Love to see it …

Amsterdam Defies Last-Minute Lobbying to Become First Capital City to Ban Fossil Fuel Ads

Amsterdam city council has passed a legally binding ban on advertising for fossil fuels and meat products across public spaces in the city, becoming the first capital in the world to prohibit such ads through local law.  The city council voted 27-17 on Thursday (January 22) to approve the measure, which from May 1 prohibits advertising for high-carbon products and services […]

www.desmog.com/2026/01/23/amsterdam-defies-last-minute-lobbying-to-become-first-capital-city-to-ban-fossil-fuel-ads

Love to see it …

The Northern Cheyenne Tribe reclaims sovereignty through solar energy and buffalo restoration - ICT

In Southeastern Montana, an indigenous buffalo herd restoration program finds sustainability in solar energy

ictnews.org/news/the-northern-cheyenne-tribe-reclaims-sovereignty-through-solar-energy-and-buffalo-restoration

You had me at Antifascist Transgender Pitmaster …

‘Barbecue Saved My Life’: Meet Waco’s Antifascist Transgender Pitmaster

Kaleb Blain went from the fast-paced world of 911 dispatching to the “low and slow” of BBQ, where he’s built a following.

thebarbedwire.com/2026/01/21/barbecue-saved-his-life-waco-antifascist-trans-pitmaster

Huge if true re: literal cow tools …

Back-scratching bovine leads scientists to reassess intelligence of cows

Brown Swiss in Austria has been discovered using tools in different ways – something only ever seen in humans and chimpanzees

www.theguardian.com/science/2026/jan/19/back-scratching-cow-veronika-bovine-intelligence?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

And this isn’t “nice” per se but: Vital service journalism for anyone who may need to invest in one of these sometime soon …

Best gas masks

“How did these people go out and get gas masks?” AG Bondi asked.

www.theverge.com/policy/868571/best-gas-masks

What’s Helping Today: Five years ago this week I started Testosterone. I wrote a little thread for the occasion.

What’s Helping Today? Always feel free to reach out and let me know whatever’s helping you through lately, big or small.

Take care,
Sandy

p.s. Reminder I am teaching a nonfiction writing master class focused on revision; it’ll take place over two Saturdays in March. Learn more here.

p.p.s. Reminder I’m also available for one-on-one manuscript consultations …

Nonfiction Prose Manuscript Consultation with Sandy Ernest Allen — The Shipman Agency

I am now available to work with students individually to consult on their longer nonfiction projects. I work with writers who are interested especially in formally innovative nonfiction — whether reported and / or memoir, or blends of both. I am especially interested in working with writers coming f

www.theshipmanagency.com/classes/nonfiction-prose-manuscript-consultation-with-sandy-ernest-allen

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