DOJ's Losing Streak, Meta's $942 Million Reckoning

In this episode of Good News for Lefties, host Beowulf Rochlen brings you a wave of uplifting stories that showcase the resilience of democracy and community activism. We begin with a significant legal win as a federal judge dismisses the Department of Justice's case against Washington, D.C. regarding voter registration lists, marking a continued streak of defeats for the DOJ in similar cases. This ruling reinforces the importance of state rights in managing voter information.In a landmark decision, a New Mexico court orders Meta to pay $567 million to address the mental health impacts caused by its platforms, bringing the total penalties to $942 million. This ruling mandates the company to implement stricter age verification protocols and contribute to treatment services for young people, emphasizing accountability in the tech industry.We celebrate the swift action of nurses and community members in Maine, who rallied together to secure the release of nurse Deborah Capecia from ICE detention, demonstrating the power of collective action in advocating for immigrant rights.In Kansas, voters have thwarted a Republican effort to alter the selection process for Supreme Court justices, preserving their abortion rights and upholding a merit-based system that ensures judicial independence.Additionally, we discuss a listener-suggested story about a potential ballot initiative in Washington, D.C. to ban the sale of foie gras, igniting a debate between animal welfare advocates and the fine dining industry.Finally, we highlight record voter turnout in Michigan's primary elections, showcasing the increasing engagement of citizens in the democratic process.Today's Stories: DOJ is 0 for 21 as court dismisses D.C. voter roll grabNew Mexico court orders Meta to pay $567m over harms to children’s mental health | Meta | The GuardianDetained Maine Med nurse released from ICE, returned homeVoters Reject Republicans’ Attempt to Ban Abortion in Kansas Through Back Door - TPM – Talking Points MemoDC voters to decide on foie gras ban in NovemberMichigan 2026 primary shatters turnout record: See how your county ranked - mlive.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/good-news-for-lefties-daily-news-for-democracy--6256627/support.