Three to Get Ready for April 23, 2026

Bad News First

The news can be disheartening, but it can also inspire or focus our engagement. Let’s gird our loins and take a quick peek.

1. In a 9-8 decision, a federal appeals court upheld a Texas law requiring that the Ten Commandments be displayed in public school classrooms.
2. U.S. health officials blocked publication of a study showing that the COVID-19 vaccine reduces hospitalizations and the U.S. military will no longer require service members to get flu shots.
3. A federal indictment has been issued against the Southern Poverty Law Center, weirdly arguing that paying hate group informants constitutes fraud.

But Here’s the Good News

Bad news drives clicks, so encouraging developments don’t always show up in the headlines. But good things are happening every day, so buck up!

1. Virginia narrowly passed a redistricting plan that could boost the number of Democratic seats in the House. (Legal challenges are already underway.)
2. It appears that the SAVE America Act is stalled, and Republicans delayed a bill that would have gutted the Endangered Species Act.
3. A federal judge blocked administration attempts to halt renewable energy projects by complicating the federal permitting process.

And Here’s What You Can Do

Even small efforts have the potential to ripple out in ways we don’t expect. Plus, doing good is good for you. Give it a try!

1. For the latest on redistricting, check out VoteHub’s tracking page.
2. Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich has updated his list of ten things you can do right now.
3. Comment before June 22 on whether the FCC should require content warnings on “transgender and gender non-binary programming.”