Celebrating courage this good-news Friday
Minnesotans and Jerome Powell are receiving 2026 Profile in Courage Awards from the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.
The award was created in 1989 by President Kennedy’s family to “recognize and celebrate the quality of political courage that he admired most,” the JFK Library says.
“The award recognizes a public official (or officials) at the federal, state, or local level whose actions demonstrate the qualities of politically courageous leadership in the spirit of Profiles in Courage, President Kennedy’s 1957 Pulitzer prize-winning book, which recounts the stories of eight U.S. Senators who risked their careers by embracing unpopular positions for the greater good.”
The people of the Twin Cities of Minnesota are being honored “for risking their lives to protect their neighbors and immigrant community members from an unprecedented federal law enforcement operation, peacefully defending the human rights and values that serve as the foundation of our Constitutional democracy.”
And Jerome Powell is being honored “for protecting the independence of the Federal Reserve, which is critical to the stability of the global economy, despite years of personal attacks and threats from the highest levels of government.”
Former recipients of the award include Mike Pence, public servants of 9/11, John Lewis, John McCain, and peacekeepers in Northern Ireland.
Good news on global health, women’s rights, environment
Among the items in the free section of this week’s Fix the News:
— India is launching the world’s largest HPV vaccination campaign, targeting 60 million girls
— Across Africa, women’s rights reforms are advancing from declarations to enforcement
— China has reduced air pollution even as it’s grown its economy
Also in the news
Iran updates: Netanyahu says Iran no longer can enrich uranium or make ballistic missiles, Pentagon wants $200 billion, other news
AP: Education Department hands off part of student loan portfolio to Treasury Department; borrowers don’t need to do anything
Commemorative gold coin with image of Trump is approved by president's hand-picked panel
Two dozen states, 10 cities sue EPA over repeal of ‘endangerment’ finding central to combating climate change
States are moving to unmask federal immigration agents and their own police
Second top Republican is retiring in battleground Wisconsin, fueling Democratic hopes
Minneapolis family of boy in bunny hat denied asylum and ordered deported to Ecuador; they’re appealing
Big banks score win under new plan to ease capital rules
FCC green-lights Nexstar $6.2 billion merger with TV station owner Tegna; new entity would cover 60 percent of U.S. households
Robert Reich: 'Get ready for March 28 No Kings!’
Judge rules that RFK Jr. overstepped his legal authority on transgender care
KFF: The shifting guidelines for controlling blood pressure
You can call the Capitol switchboard, (202) 224-3121, and be connected to the offices of your representative and senators. To email your House member and your two senators, you can connect to their websites at Congress.gov. Most lawmakers seem to only accept emails from their constituents, but these leaders accept emails from Americans nationwide, at:
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer
Senate Majority Leader John Thune