Virginia and Maryland Take Bold Steps Against ICE

In Maryland, both the House and Senate have overwhelmingly approved bills to prohibit local police from collaborating with federal immigration agencies, marking a significant victory for civil rights advocates.On a lighter note, we highlight the new season of the podcast Band Camp, where hosts Dan and Jen dive into J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, exploring the reasons behind its controversial status while also featuring a special segment on book banning.In higher education news, NYU’s contract faculty union is gearing up for a strike authorization vote amid stalled contract negotiations, advocating for better pay and benefits.Innovative solutions are also on the rise, as a University of Missouri researcher develops a method to remove microplastics from water using a revolutionary strain of algae, aiming to protect both wildlife and human health.A listener-suggested story introduces us to Little Break, a co-working space in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that offers affordable childcare, creating a supportive community for working parents.Lastly, we spotlight a startup from the University of Texas at Austin that is revolutionizing rare earth element refining with a clean, efficient process that captures critical minerals from waste, promising a brighter future for sustainable technology.Today's Stories: Spanberger orders state agencies to end agreements with ICE – The Virginian-PilotSenate, House overwhelmingly approve bills banning local-federal immigration agreements - Maryland MattersContract faculty union to vote on strike - Washington Square NewsLab-grown algae remove microplastics from waterThe Affordable Daycare That Keeps Parents CloseThis 'chemical sponge' sucks up the valuable minerals in polluted water - Fast CompanyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/good-news-for-lefties-daily-news-for-democracy--6256627/support.