Some good news to keep you going.
Week ending July 13, 2025.
Wisconsin’s Supreme Court cleared the way for the state to institute a ban on so-called “conversion therapy.”
On Tuesday, Wisconsin’s Supreme Court ruled that Governor Tony Evers has the legal right to ban so-called “conversion therapy” for LGBTQ+ youth, finding that a GOP-controlled legislative committee had exceeded its authority in blocking a state agency rule that banned the practice.
After Evers became Governor in 2019, his administration’s Department of Safety and Professional Services proposed banning so-called “conversion therapy.” In 2021, Republicans on the Legislature’s Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules blocked the ban from taking effect, then used a procedural maneuver to keep it shelved. They took the same action in 2023. The Court’s ruling means the conversion therapy ban can finally be enacted.
The NYC Health Department is expanding its free or low-cost medication abortion services, with a fourth clinic in Brooklyn.
Beginning on July 14, a fourth sexual health clinic in New York City will begin offering free or low-cost medication abortion (abortion pills).
No ID, insurance, or residency is required and the services are available to anyone ages 12 and older, including those from out-of-state, including international travelers. No one is required to provide their immigration status to obtain the services.
The fourth clinic to offer free or low-cost medication abortion will be in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The other three locations are in the Bronx, Harlem, and Queens.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill into law that will expand free preschool and kindergarten to every state resident.
On Wednesday, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed S3910/A5717 into law, which codifies the state’s preschool funding formula into law, ensuring long-term funding for universal pre-K programs.
The bill also mandates free, full-day kindergarten for all elementary-serving districts by the 2029–2030 school year.
“With today’s bill signing, we are moving forward in making free, universal preschool and free, full-day kindergarten a reality in every corner of our state,” Murphy said.
The world’s first malaria treatment for newborn babies and infants was approved.
The world’s first malaria treatment specifically formulated for infants was approved in Switzerland on Tuesday and will soon be made available in parts of Africa.
The drug (Coartem Baby or Riamet Baby) is a new dose strength of a long-standing malaria drug, with a sweet cherry flavor and the ability to be dissolved in liquids including breast milk.
The treatment, which was developed with scientific and financial support from the Swiss nonprofit group Medicines for Malaria Venture, will be dispensed “on a largely not-for-profit basis,” according to the manufacturer.
A nonprofit in Louisville, Kentucky has launched “Period Pods,” providing free menstrual products to those in need.
A new 24/7 “Period Pod,” similar to a Little Free Library, has been installed in Louisville, Kentucky to offer free menstrual products to those who need them.
Nonprofit For Lady’s Sake hopes to install the pods in more neighborhoods around Louisville to address period poverty.
"Really looking forward to spreading these Period Pods not just in Portland and in District 15, but around the community. Because the need is everywhere," Candice Crawford, founder and CEO of For Lady's Sake, said.
To donate to the initiative, visit forladyssake.com.
Baltimore implemented community-based violence intervention and trauma-informed support systems and saw the city’s fewest homicides in 50 years.
Shortly after taking office, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott rolled out a comprehensive approach to combating gun violence in the city. This approach included investing in community-based violence intervention and trauma-informed support systems. The outcome? The city has seen the fewest homicides in 50 years.
As of July 1, 68 people in Baltimore had died by homicide this year, the fewest during the first six months of the year in more than five decades.
IHH Healthcare Malaysia hospitals will begin offering free cancer treatment to 500 more patients beginning this month.
Malaysia’s Health Ministry and IHH Healthcare Malaysia, Asia's largest private healthcare group, signed their third Memorandum of Understanding to continue to provide free cancer treatment to patients.
The collaboration between the government and IHH facilities first began in 2022 and has served 1,000 patients so far. The agreement signed this week will extend free treatment to an additional 500 patients.
A pub in Ireland raised over €3,000 for Palestine Children's Relief Fund with a screening of Kneecap’s Glastonbury set.
The Blue Note, a pub in Galway, Ireland, held a fundraiser last week for the Palestine Children's Relief Fund by screening Kneecap’s Glastonbury set.
The pub charged €5 at the door, ultimately raising €1,600 which they promised to match.
"It is heartbreaking what is happening in Palestine," the pub wrote online, when announcing the event. "What can we do? Well, what we can do is illegally download and broadcast a set from a bunch of fearless legends. And raise money for children who are affected the most."
At least two dozen bills aimed at improving menopause care have been introduced across 15 states this year.
According to data from the Birnbaum Women’s Leadership Center at the New York University School of Law, at least two dozen bills related to insurance coverage for menopause care, awareness and education, training, or menopause in the workplace have been introduced across 15 states this year,
Seven bills were introduced this year related to education, aiming to enable healthcare providers with more education about menopause treatment or requiring health departments to distribute educational resources for the public. One, in Maine, was signed by the Governor and enacted last week.
California and New Jersey both introduced bills related to enhancing menopause training for clinicians. Five bills have been introduced related to requiring insurance coverage for menopause care. One in New Jersey passed the Assembly, and one in Oregon is awaiting the Governor’s signature.