Hi friend,

Happy Friday! As we head into the weekend, the looming possibility of a government shutdown is on many of our minds. For me, it’s incredibly frustrating to see Elon Musk and Donald Trump playing a huge role in this chaos, prioritizing their own agendas over the well-being of millions. But even in moments like this, it’s important to focus on the progress being made and the strength of our communities.

Today’s newsletter is here to bring a little positivity and hope, with stories that remind us that even when challenges arise, there’s always light to hold onto.

Let’s dive into some good news together!

Biden Sets Goal of Cutting Greenhouse Gases by More Than 60%

U.S. life expectancy rose significantly last year, hitting highest level since pandemic

After waiting for years, Gilbert mom gets super rare lung transplant

Anti-Trump forces build a network to aid potential political targets of the incoming administration

Senate advances bill to boost Social Security benefits for millions of people

LA Zoo hatches first-ever perentie lizards, one of largest lizard species in the world

US economic growth beats expectations in final snapshot of Biden presidency

A 20-year-old blind cat is rescued from an icy Massachusetts pond after some quick thinking

Beshear says food company to create 925 jobs in Kentucky, adding to the state’s economic momentum

FTC bans hidden junk fees in hotel, event ticket prices

Thank you for reading, and we hope these articles shine a light on your day.

In solidarity,

Emily from The Smile

P.S. Know someone who could use a dose of good news? Forward this email and encourage them to subscribe to The Smile. Let’s spread the positivity together. 🌟