Just when you thought Virginia ran out of insane laws to pass, they come up with another.  A newly introduced law, SB624, states that if you have hatred or bias toward Islamists, you will go under a new hate crime classification. You really can’t make up the horrors that Gov. Spanberger and her Bolshevik legislature […] The post New Law Coming to Virginia: You Can’t Be Biased Against Islamists appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL On a chilly, damp evening in south London, a group of runners is doing something a little different. There are no weight racks, treadmills, or gym mirrors in sight. Instead, on a rooftop garden tucked above a concrete car park, they’re shoveling compost, clearing weeds, and smiling through the mud. Their warm-up was a one-mile jog through the city to get there. This is GoodGym in action. It’s a growing movement that’s redefining what it means to work out. The organization invites people to “get fit by doing good,” blending physical activity with hands-on community service. Members run, walk, or cycle to local projects that could range from sorting cans at a food bank, planting fruit trees, visiting an older adult, or moving furniture for someone in need. “I go to the normal gym usually and I do other sorts of exercise,” said Jason Kurtis, 42, a regular volunteer. “But this is my mandatory once-a-week run with the GoodGym group. It’s really fun, and it forces me to get out, especially on a Monday night when it’s cold and in the middle of winter.” For thousands across England and Wales, GoodGym offers more than just an alternative to the gym. It’s become a community powered by kindness, sweat, and a shared commitment to making a difference. Building a better kind of workout The idea began back in 2007 when founder Ivo Gormley started running to deliver a newspaper to an older neighbor. At the time, he was feeling out of shape and missed the camaraderie of his old basketball team. “I just didn’t like that idea of going to a gym, going into a sweaty basement and lifting things that don’t really need lifting,” Gormley said. “I thought I could do something more useful in my exercise.” He started organizing runs to places in need of helping hands; no project was too big or too small. The very first group tore down outdated posters in his east London neighborhood. Since then, GoodGym has grown into a registered charity with over 26,000 members in 67 locations. Now it’s aiming to expand into Scotland and Northern Ireland. The pandemic temporarily halted group runs, but also revealed just how vital the organization had become. Volunteers pivoted to delivering food and prescriptions to isolated older adults, many of whom had no other support. Today, GoodGym continues those one-on-one visits while also bringing back its signature group workouts. Some tasks are solitary like mowing lawns or helping someone move, but participants are encouraged to run, walk, or bike to each mission. “You can just sign up today and have a go tonight,” said Gormley. “We try to reduce the barriers as much as possible. You don’t have to come back if you don’t like it. It’s a really easy way to get involved.” Community, movement, and meaning In Battersea, southwest London, local leader Anastasia Hancock begins a typical Monday night session with lunges and stretches, prepping her group for the run to Doddington and Rollo’s rooftop garden, a green oasis surrounded by 1970s-era high-rises. One of their past workouts involved hauling hundreds of compost bags up a narrow stairway to the rooftop. “That was an amazing workout,” she said, smiling. Hancock rarely cancels, even during London’s cold, rainy winters. The group keeps showing up. For many, especially women, the runs offer a safer way to stay active after dark on top of a little dose of midweek motivation. “I really love coming,” said Sophie Humphrey, 33. “I think it’s just a boost of positivity in the week. It’s amazing to get together a group of people who just want to help somebody they don’t know.” And after the digging and lifting? Sometimes there’s a post-run pint at the local pub. The science of doing good GoodGym’s warm spirit is matched by real evidence. Dr. Christian Krekel, assistant professor at the London School of Economics, led a two-year study to examine whether combining volunteering with exercise produced extra mental health benefits. Surveying over 3,600 participants, the team found improvements across all six measures of wellbeing, including less loneliness, higher life satisfaction, and a stronger sense of belonging. “Because of this unique combination of volunteering or pro-social activity and physical activity, we do find stronger well-being impacts than what the literature suggests for volunteering and for physical activity alone,” Krekel said. “It’s actually quite powerful.” A simple but transformative idea Though few other organizations blend exercise and volunteering in quite the same way, Gormley believes the concept taps into something timeless. “It’s what people have always done, right?” he said. “You grow some food and literally through the action of planting and digging, that’s where your exercise comes from.” Today, in a world where screen time is high and community connection can feel out of reach, GoodGym offers something refreshingly grounded: movement with purpose, kindness in motion, and a reminder that fitness can feel good and do good at the same time.     Did this solution stand out? Share it with a friend or support our mission by becoming an Emissary.The post Where fitness meets kindness: GoodGym is getting people moving and giving back first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM It’s not just you; winter really can bring a certain mood. The shorter days, chilly weather, and long, dark evenings can leave anyone feeling a bit off or down. But have you ever looked at your dog curled up, snoozing more than usual, and wondered are they feeling it too? Turns out, your four-legged friend might also be dealing with their own version of the winter blues. Dr. Gary Richter, D.V.M., the founder of Ultimate Pet Nutrition and a holistic veterinarian with nearly three decades of experience, says that seasonal changes can definitely influence your pet’s behavior. Signs your dog might be feeling the winter slump Let’s get the big question out of the way first. Can dogs actually get seasonal depression? “From a medical perspective, there is no clinical diagnosis of seasonal depression in animals,” says Dr. Richter. But that doesn’t mean your dog (or cat) is immune to the emotional effects of winter. “It is without question that animals can suffer from emotional and mental distress,” he explains, “and there can be clear changes in pet behavior based on time of year.” Just like people, pets may become sleepier, more withdrawn, or even a little grumpy during the darker, colder months. You might notice your pup is less eager for walks or playtime, or that they seem more anxious, vocal, or destructive than usual, especially if they’re spending more time indoors. “Problem behaviors like excessive barking, chewing, or general restlessness may come from boredom,” Richter adds. While these changes may not seem like obvious indicators of winter blues, they can still signal that your pet could use a little extra attention. Why winter affects your pet’s mood So what’s behind these behavioral changes? Much of it comes down to routine disruption and environmental shifts. “When it’s cold or icy, pets may not get as much outdoor exercise, which leads to frustration and boredom,” says Richter. Plus, the reduced sunlight during winter can throw off their natural rhythms. “Dogs are diurnal, so it may be that when it’s dark out, they’re going to be less active,” he explains. “Cats are more active at night, so they might be running around more in winter because there are more nighttime hours.” The lack of mental and physical stimulation can affect a pet’s emotional state, just like it does in humans. How to keep your dog or cat happy all season long The good news is that there are simple, practical ways to help your pet stay upbeat, even when the weather outside is frightful. “Maintaining a regular routine is key,” says Richter. That means sticking to consistent meal times, play sessions, and bedtimes, even if your own schedule feels a little off. If daily walks aren’t always doable, look for creative ways to help your pet burn off energy. Try taking them to a pet-friendly indoor space, like a garden center or hardware store, for a change of scenery. You can also bring the fun indoors with puzzle feeders, treat-dispensing toys, or new training games. And don’t underestimate the power of simple affection. Cuddling on the couch, playing a gentle game of tug, or just chatting to your pet while making dinner can offer comfort and engagement. “Spending quality time together can help both you and your pet cope with the winter blues,” Richter notes. A little love (and routine) goes a long way While your pet might not have a formal case of seasonal affective disorder, they’re still creatures of habit and creatures that thrive on connection. Paying attention to subtle shifts in their behavior, keeping their daily routine consistent, and finding ways to play and bond can make a real difference. After all, winter is easier to face when you’ve got a warm, furry friend by your side. Likewise for them, your companionship is the best mood booster of all.     Did this solution stand out? Share it with a friend or support our mission by becoming an Emissary.The post Can dogs get the winter blues? What to know about seasonal depression in pets first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Bad Bunny's Super Bowl LX halftime show was nearly entirely in Spanish. In fact, the artist only said one line in English.'The only thing more powerful than hate is love.'The rest of the English-speaking was left to singer Lady Gaga, who appeared as a wedding singer for some Puerto Rican nuptials before dancing with Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, aka Bad Bunny.Singer Ricky Martin also made a guest appearance during the well-shot and well-produced performance that saw Bad Bunny sing on top of a pickup truck, a convenience store, and throughout a grass maze. Bad Bunny did not wear a dress — but the show did include two men dancing sexually with each other up against the truck as Ocasio performed on the roof. Other than that, the only likely contentious part of the performance was that it was almost completely in Spanish.Bad Bunny performed a medley of songs, taking obvious pride when he sang about his native territory of Puerto Rico, and held the flag high.However, the singer did stop at one point to say just one sentence in English: "God bless America!"RELATED: Liberal media goes after comedian for not knowing everything about Bad Bunny: ‘I don’t care’ Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images Bad Bunny yelled the line before shouting out around a dozen other countries, including Canada. As a crowd followed the singer off the field, background performers carried and waved flags that were seemingly limited to North and South American countries.At the same time, Levi's Stadium's video screen in Santa Clara, California, read, "The only thing more powerful than hate is love," in plain black letters.Elsewhere, Turning Point USA's alternative, "The All-American Halftime Show," garnered millions of views across different platforms — particularly on YouTube, as more than 4.4 million viewers tuned in concurrently to watch artists like Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, and Lee Brice.RELATED: Bad Bunny, Green Day, and ICE: ‘The most political Super Bowl ever’ Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images Rock band Green Day's pregame performance could possibly be considered controversial, given the band's heavy anti-President Trump bias, but they seemingly exhausted their political statements the night before when they told ICE agents during a performance to quit their jobs.To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, the public address announcer at Levi's Stadium spoke about the Declaration of Independence before the singing of "America the Beautiful."Cheers for troops in the Middle East capped a fairly patriotic opening ceremony for the game.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

HOT TAKES: Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show Performance Was a Middle Finger to America

Cheap doesn't mean poorly manufactured. If you look hard enough, you can find a nice 65-inch TV from a reputable brand like Samsung for about $500.

Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell intends to refuse to answer questions at a Monday deposition before the House's Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, according to a Sunday letter from Rep. Ro Khanna.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman is expected to announce Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino as his running mate in New York's 2026 race against Gov. Kathy Hochul, according to sources cited by the New York Post.

President Donald Trump said on Sunday in a social media post that the Super Bowl halftime show fronted by singer Bad Bunny was "absolutely terrible."