Friday Hope Blogging

A busy day, but perhaps I can get a few links posted all the same.

Obama administration approves rule that guarantees near-universal contraceptive coverage.

Over 80 mayors unite to support marriage equality.

Massachusetts passes law protecting trans residents.

Catholic leaders tell Gingrich, Santorum "to stop perpetuating ugly racial stereotypes."

Majority of Latina/o population supports reproductive rights.

A new four-lane superhighway to be built only for bikes.

Old electric car batteries to find second life on the power grid.

Army destroying last chemical weapons in Utah cache.

Why Obama rejected Keystone XL.

Over half of Germany's renewable energy owned by citizens and farmers, not utility companies. (h/t: Karin, who also sent me this: Solar power lights up Bangladesh.)

More than 40,000 square miles protected for Pacific Leatherback sea turtles.

Indonesia to set aside 45 percent of Kalimantan for conservation.

Levi's new forest policy excludes fiber from suppliers linked to deforestation.

SOPA and PIPA votes delayed indefinitely.

That's it for now. I hope to do things "properly" next week.

(Image at top: "Evening" by Caspar David Friedrich, ca. 1824.)