Hatboro-Horsham Student Duo Spreading Good News

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread and people went into isolation, news reports have largely focused on the negative side of things. However, there is a tremendous amount of good news around us all that an increasing number of individuals are proactively seeking out to not only spark hope through positivity, but also to help enhance their own mental health.

Google has seen about a 400 percent increase in the popularity of the search term “good news” since the middle of February. Various news sources have seen positive stories receive over 12 times the clicks as compared to negative news items. Sites that focused on good news, like Upworthy, have reported a 65 percent growth in followers on social media since the pandemic hit. In other words, more and more people are craving good news.

Enter a pair of Hatboro-Horsham students, who happen to be sisters. They felt that there was too much of a focus on the negative side of news and wanted to shine a spotlight on the positive stories out there. So, in late March they created “Good News Now,” a Facebook page that features bi-weekly video reports dedicated to sharing positive news covering a wide range of topics.

“Our reports try to cover everything from individuals who are making a difference to environmental benefits being seen around the world to medical advancements with the virus,” explained Katie Harrington, a 9th grader at Hatboro-Horsham High School and GNN anchor. “I think a lot of people have been a bit down with all the negativity, so we thought it was important to be reminded regularly that there is a lot of good things happening all over the place.”

“Doing GNN has shown me there really is good all around us,” said Molly Harrington, a 5th grader at Simmons Elementary School and GNN anchor. “I really enjoy the local stories and seeing how people around our community are supporting food banks or making masks or just helping others in all sorts of ways. That really makes me happy.”

GNN has already been featured by media outlets across the Philadelphia region and beyond including Fox 29's "Heroes" series, 95.7 BEN FM's "Around Philly" show, and 6abc Action News' "Hometown Heroes" feature, as well as positive news sites like Inspire More, Oh My Goodness News and the Coronavirus Kindness Project.

So far, “Good News Now” has reached tens of thousands of people across the Delaware Valley, around the nation and beyond. And while the page puts a focus on stories around the Hatboro-Horsham community at large, it also provides national and international good news stories. “We report on everything from sea turtle population growth in Brazil and Thailand to Irish citizens raising money for Native American tribes,” Katie said. “We also love local stories that highlight the good our neighbors are doing like businesses supporting HAT Packs and citizens helping food drives for St. Vincent de Paul and St. John food pantries. We look to highlight stories that show the positive side of things and the everyday heroes all around. These are the types of stories that help lift the spirits of GNN viewers.”

While GNN’s traffic and followers are largely from the Hatboro-Horsham area and surrounding community, it also has followers from around the nation. People from California to Connecticut and Nevada to New Hampshire and even some from Europe are watching GNN reports. “I am excited that we able to provide good news to people from all over and maybe make them a little happier,” Molly said.

You can visit and follow “Good News Now” at facebook.com/TellUsTheGoodNews. GNN video reports are released weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays.