🚌 Free Laundry in a Bus

We hope you had a great weekend. Ready for something new? We’re now the Good News Break.

Today, we’re officially launching the premium version of this newsletter, bringing together all the extra features and thoughtful additions we’ve been previewing over the past few weeks.

With a premium subscription, you can receive Good News Break five days a week, starting your weekdays with more uplifting stories, grounding moments, and perspective. You can upgrade for $5 per month or $45 per year. The best part? 10% of proceeds will support nonprofits and good causes.

👉 You can upgrade to premium here.

Now, back to regularly scheduled programming.

In Maryland, a retired police officer is restoring dignity to people experiencing homelessness by transforming a bus into a mobile laundromat that offers free laundry services and a fresh start.

A veteran’s life is changed by the gift of a tiny home, reuniting him with his young daughter. And in a moving display of resilience, an 11-year-old girl is back on the dance floor thanks to a specially designed wheelchair, proving that joy and self-expression can flourish in new forms.

—Stephanie S

After retiring from the Frederick Police Department, Wade Milyard felt called to serve his community in a new way. Inspired by a conversation with a homeless couple who washed their clothes in a creek, he launched Fresh Step Laundry, a mobile laundromat offering free laundry services to the unhoused.

Milyard drives his converted van around Maryland, providing clean clothes and a boost of dignity to those in need. He never charges for his service, relying on donations and his own funds to keep the project running.

Clients say having clean clothes helps them feel better and more confident. In just a few weeks, Fresh Step has washed over 2,000 pounds of laundry.

Milyard hopes to expand with a second vehicle, reaching even more people and continuing his mission of compassion and dignity for all.

Singing in a group offers greater health benefits than singing alone. Research shows that group singing boosts wellbeing, immune function, and even heart health, thanks to the social and physical demands of harmonizing together.

Humans are wired for connection, and singing together helps us bond quickly, sometimes even more than team sports.

If you’re looking for a mood lift, consider joining a choir or gathering friends for a singalong.

After years of struggle and homelessness, Navy veteran Tim found hope and stability through the Veterans Community Project, which provided him with a tiny home and a new address. This crucial step allowed him to regain custody of his young daughter, Majesty.

Tim’s journey from addiction and hardship to becoming a licensed drug counselor is a testament to resilience and the power of community support.

Today, Tim and Majesty are thriving, building a future together filled with love and possibility.

After a car accident left 11-year-old Desa Kaiser paralyzed from the waist down, she found her way back to the dance floor with a specially modified wheelchair.

Desa can now spin, lean, and express herself in ways that remind her of her ballet and jazz days. She says it feels cool to be different and unique.

With support from her family and therapists, Desa is regaining strength and confidence, inspiring others to embrace their individuality.

🐳 Ireland/USA: A rare endangered whale surprised scientists by appearing in Ireland and then migrating to the US.

🧬 Tennessee: Children and teens with spinal muscular atrophy dramatically improved movement abilities thanks to a single-dose gene therapy trial.

🦕 Bolivia: Scientists have documented over 16,000 dinosaur footprints at the Carreras Pampas, making it the world’s most extensive dinosaur tracksite.

🏄‍♂️ California: Surfers are riding new 3D-printed, plant-based surfboards that are both sensational to use and help prevent microplastic pollution in the ocean.

🚆 Canada: Montreal's new fully autonomous metro system opened with major cost savings, setting a new standard for public transit across the country.

70 years ago today, Johnny Cash released the single “Folsom Prison Blues,” a stark, haunting song that helped define his career and reshape country music. Written while Cash was serving in the U.S. Air Force in Germany, the song blended folk and blues influences with a raw moral tension that felt shocking for its time. Its most famous line, “I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die,” was later described by Cash as his attempt to imagine the coldest possible motive for murder.

Recorded without a drummer, Cash created a snare-like rhythm by slipping paper under his guitar strings and strumming sharply. The song became his signature opener for decades, introduced simply with “Hello, I’m Johnny Cash.” In 1968, a live version recorded at Folsom State Prison reached No. 1 on the country charts and helped cement Cash’s image as a voice for the imprisoned and the marginalized. Today, the song ranks among the greatest in country music history.

Other notable December 15 events:

1791: The United States Bill of Rights became law after Virginia’s ratification.

1939: Gone with the Wind premiered, becoming one of the most successful films in history.

1970: Soviet spacecraft Venera 7 became the first probe to soft-land on another planet.

1982: Spain reopened its border with Gibraltar after 13 years of isolation.

— Edward Abbey

Every day brings amazing advances and uplifting moments that remind us just how wonderful the world can be. Here are five reasons why today is the best time ever to be alive:

🦜 Conservation Maps: AI-powered conservation mapping is identifying critical habitats for protection.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Collectives: Online learning collectives are empowering rural teachers with advanced teaching skills.

🌳 Food Forests: Community food forests are supplying free produce and fostering neighborhood unity.

🚴 Shared E-Bikes: Shared electric bike programs are providing commuters with greener, healthier travel options.

⛵ Floating Schools: Floating schools are educating children in flood-prone regions year-round.

Spread a little good news, and good things come back your way.

When you share your unique link, you’re not just passing along uplifting stories; you’re earning a few surprises from us, too. Brighten someone’s day, grow the circle, and enjoy some goodies while you’re at it. You’re currently at {{rp_num_referrals}} referrals.

Click the button below, then copy and paste the link to share.

If that button doesn’t work, you can copy and share your referral link with your friends: {{rp_refer_url}}

Manage your referrals here