Facebook Instagram Threads

Three to Get Ready for
January 28, 2026

Three things you should know about the U.S. government.
Three reasons to believe things can get better.
Three things you can do to help.
Three times a week.
Let’s go!
Share

Bad News First

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

  1. Consistent with reports out of Minnesota and Maine, citizen observers of ICE activity are coming under increased federal investigation, with the FBI investigating Signal chats, an officer threatening an observer that “We have a nice little database, and now you’re considered a domestic terrorist,” and Tom Homan, who is now overseeing ICE operations in Minnesota, boasting, “We’re going to create a database … and put their face on TV.”

  2. The Department of Energy has “slashed hundreds of pages of requirements” for nuclear reactor safety, communicating the changes to companies without notifying the public.

  3. In 2025, more than ten thousand STEM PhDs left their federal jobs, representing a loss of more than 106,000 years of federal work experience. Perhaps not coincidentally, nearly half of CDC databases are not being updated, creating gaps in health data.

But Here's the
Good News!

Encouraging developments don’t always make the headlines, But good news can provide us with hope and momentum, so let's take heart!

  1. Greg Bovino has been removed as Border Patrol Commander, 160 House Democrats have signed on to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem–with two Republican Senators calling for her resignation–and Senate Democrats are opposing federal government funding necessary to avoid a shutdown because it includes money for the Department of Homeland Security.

  2. A federal judge in Minnesota has ordered the acting ICE director to appear in court, threatening contempt, while another judge has ordered two U.S. attorneys representing the government in an immigrant detention case to file a written response showing why they should not be sanctioned.

  3. A group of local prosecutors from jurisdictions in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Texas, and Virginia have launched a project called Fight Against Federal Overreach (FAFO), to hold federal authorities to account. 

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 and see!

  1. Scroll through the Ice Out for Good toolkit and see how you can make a difference by opposing federal funding, demanding corporate action, or preparing to observe ICE enforcement in your neighborhood.

  2. Find your state on this list of Immigrant Rights and Mutual Aid Groups or this list of Immigration System Bail Funds and see if there’s a group you can support.

  3. If you’re a podcast person, subscribe to What’s the Plan? with Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin, for weekly encouragement, discussion, and action ideas.

Past Issues

Opposition is growing, in the streets, courts, and even in congress. Let's keep it up!
Forgive me, readers, for this momentary lapse of pettiness. In my defense, it's all true.
Bad news getting you down? Focus on ushering in change with the midterms! Here are some great questions to ask candidates. Plus, opportunities for connecting with voters in other states.
All you need is a piece of chalk and a dry-ish forecast to promote democracy and encourage your fellow humans. How great is that?
Look what people can do! Get inspired and try a democracy quickie to start your weekend right.
Good news if you don't love infectious disease or financial fraud. Less than good news if you're expecting a coherent Middle East energy policy. But look! Exciting new candidates!

Get 15% off

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.