#031 - These are the Top 7 Best News of Last Week - March 14, 2022
🐾 - Here's some good news happening around the world
1. New Mexico's governor just signed a bill to make college tuition-free
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed on Friday Senate Bill 140, otherwise known as the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship Act. First introduced in 2019, the plan will waive tuition for any students attending any in-state public school or tribal college, including community colleges.
"For over a quarter of a century, New Mexico has been a national leader in providing free college to its residents. A fully funded Opportunity Scholarship opens the door for every New Mexican to reach higher, strengthening our economy, our families and our communities," Lujan Grisham said in a statement. "Signing this legislation sends a clear message to New Mexicans that we believe in them and the contributions they will make for their families and the future of our great state."
Airbnb hosts in Ukraine are being flooded with bookings from people all over the world who have no plans to visit. It's part of a creative social media campaign to funnel money to besieged Ukrainians who need financial assistance as Russian forces bombard their country and cut off services.
The idea has picked up momentum. On March 2 and March 3, guests from around the world booked more than 61,000 nights in Ukraine, according to an Airbnb spokesperson. More than half of those nights were booked by Americans, the spokesperson said.
3. Coors Light to Become Largest U.S. Beer Brand to Ditch Plastic Rings
Parent-company Molson Coors announced Tuesday that six-packs of its Coors Light brand would no longer come in the infamous plastic rings that trap marine life, CNN reported. Instead, starting later this year, the beer will come in a recyclable, sustainable cardboard alternative. Coors said it was the largest U.S. beer brand to make the change.
4. Maryland Will Become Second State to Prohibit Cat Declawing
Veterinarians who perform the procedure would face a fine of up to $5,000 for a first offense and up to $10,000 for a second offense, in addition to suspension or revocation of a license.
"When people wrap their head around it, the idea that we would mutilate to protect a furniture item is abhorrent to people," Maryland State Del. Lorig Chakoudin, the House sponsor, said.
Bismack Biyombo will donate his NBA seasonal salary to build a hospital in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and honor his late father.
"I told my agent my salary for this year would be going to the construction of a hospital back home to give hope to the hopeless at home and those individuals that cannot take their family members out," Biyombo said.
"I want to be able to give them better conditions so that they can somewhat have hope that their loved ones will be able to live and see another day.
6. Moderna to share vaccine tech, commits to never enforce COVID-19 jab patents
Moderna has pledged never to enforce its coronavirus vaccine patents in selected low- and middle-income countries and is launching a new initiative to give external researchers access to its technology.
The announcement comes amid increasing pressure on the U.S. biotech firm, which pulled in more than $12 billion in 2021, to share its technology with initiatives aimed at increasing vaccine manufacturing capacity in low- and middle-income countries.
Holiday, a yellow Labrador retriever who was donated by a local breeder and lives with Aroostook County District Attorney Todd Collins in Presque Isle, is being trained to work with people in a courtroom setting.
The dogs are used in a way that does not disrupt legal proceedings or create legal issues.
That's it for this week. Until next week, stay safe and don’t forget to share this newsletter with your friends :)