As we gather around the table with family and friends this Thanksgiving, there are sure to be plenty of disagreements and debates about sports, politics, pop culture, and everything in between. But here are a few things to be grateful for that all too often don’t make the headlines in our doom-and-gloom media landscape.
1. Prices Are Finally Easing — and Working Families Are Catching a Break
After several years of painful inflation and sky-high prices at the pump, Americans finally have some good economic news to celebrate. Gas prices this Thanksgiving are expected to be the lowest since 2021. The cost of a Thanksgiving turkey — one of the most visible staples of the holiday table — is down 16 percent from last year.
Real wages are rising again, already up more than $700 on the year and projected to climb by more than $1,000 by year’s end. And with new policies taking effect — like eliminating taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security — working families can expect to keep more of what they earn. After years of feeling squeezed, the American middle class is beginning to breathe again.
2. Violent Crime Is Trending Down in Many Parts of the Country
Crime remains a serious problem in far too many cities, but there is encouraging news: violent crime is showing signs of retreat. In Washington, D.C., murders are down 60 percent compared to last year, robberies are down 50 percent, and carjackings have plunged by 70 percent. The nonpartisan Council on Criminal Justice also released a report showing declines in several categories of violent crime across 42 major U.S. cities in the first half of 2025.
There is a long way to go before our streets feel completely safe again — but real progress is always worth celebrating.
3. Cancer Deaths Continue to Decline as Breakthrough Treatments Surge
Cancer remains one of the toughest battles many families ever face, but the trendlines are moving in the right direction. According to the 2024 Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer from the National Institutes of Health, overall cancer death rates for both men and women declined steadily from 2001 through 2022. Even cancers that have seen an increase in diagnoses, such as breast cancer, have simultaneously seen declines in mortality.
Meanwhile, groundbreaking innovations are transforming the fight against the disease. Artificial intelligence is giving doctors powerful new tools to detect cancer earlier and more accurately. New tests can identify certain cancers at extremely early stages. And advances in DNA analysis are revealing crucial insights into risk factors and treatment responses. Each year brings renewed hope — and more saved lives.
4. Alzheimer’s Breakthroughs Offer Real Hope for Millions
Alzheimer’s disease, the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, has long been one of the most heartbreaking diagnoses a family can receive. But 2024 marked a historic turning point as the nation saw the first wave of drugs specifically designed to slow the disease enter the marketplace.
More than 120 additional Alzheimer’s drugs are now in the trial stage, signaling a new era of aggressive research. A newly approved blood test can identify the disease in its earliest phases — making diagnosis more accessible, affordable, and timely than ever before. For the first time, scientists believe that finding a cure is a very real possibility.
5. Faith Is Regaining Influence in American Life
After decades of steady decline in church attendance and religious identification, there are signs that America may be rediscovering its spiritual roots. A February 2025 Pew Research poll found that 31 percent of Americans believe religion is gaining influence in American life — a sharp increase from just 18 percent the year before. While most still say religion’s role is declining, this is the strongest uptick Pew has recorded in the 21st century.
Bible sales have surged as well, rising 11 percent this year over 2024. In a culture often marked by anxiety and division, many Americans appear hungry for moral clarity, spiritual grounding, and the enduring truths that faith provides.
6. More Americans Are Getting Outdoors
Despite our digital culture and the constant pull of screens, Americans are heading outside in record numbers. A report released this year showed outdoor recreation participation grew by 4.1 percent in 2024 — reaching a record 175.8 million Americans. From national parks and forests to local trails and lakes, people are rediscovering the beauty and peace of the natural world.
It’s a powerful reminder that even in an age of technology, the great outdoors still calls to the American spirit.
7. America Remains the Most Generous Nation on Earth
Even during tough economic times, Americans give — and give big. According to a report out this summer from Giving USA, charitable donations grew to $592.5 billion in 2024, a 6.3 percent increase over the previous year. Whether it’s supporting churches, local nonprofits, or disaster-relief efforts, Americans consistently show that compassion and generosity are embedded in our national character.
8. Our Nation Approaches 250 Years of Independence
America has endured wars, depressions, political turmoil, and cultural upheaval. At times, it can feel like our country is fraying. But here we stand — just months away from the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Through every trial, the American experiment has not only survived but shaped a freer and better world.
Whatever challenges lie ahead, we can be grateful for the extraordinary gift of these past 250 years: a nation built on liberty, faith, courage, and the belief that tomorrow can be better than today.
It is often easy to focus on what’s going wrong in our lives and in the world. But when we take a step back, we can see the extraordinary progress unfolding all around us — in our economy, our communities, our scientific achievements, and our shared national story. America still has its struggles, but it also has abundant hope. And that is always something worth giving thanks to God for.
Shane Harris is the Editor in Chief of AMAC Newsline. You can follow him on X @shaneharris513.
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