Artwork stating 'Education Destroys Barriers', 'We Demand Treatment', and 'I Need A Chance'

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  • In Slumping Energy States, Plugging Abandoned Wells Could Provide an Economic Boost

    September 23, 2020 |

    Stateline |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Watford City, North Dakota

    North Dakota is using some of its COVID-19 pandemic relief funds to plug 239 abandoned oil wells and reclaim 2,000 acres of lands. Abandoned wells can contaminate groundwater and leak methane that is hazardous to human health and contributes to climate change. While not everyone agrees that the funds should be used to plug wells, state officials say the economic relief program is keeping about 600 oilfield workers employed.

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  • How to prevent drowning

    September 22, 2020 |

    BBC |

    Podcast |

    Over 15 Minutes

    Response Location: Israel

    Three projects show how effective national strategies can be to reduce accidental drownings, which kill an estimated 320,000 people worldwide each year. In Israel, artificial intelligence software processes video feeds from beaches to alert lifeguards to emergencies. The three African nations sharing Lake Victoria have invested in inexpensive weather forecasting gear and public information services to alert people who fish or traverse the lake. And Bangladesh's systems of daycare and swimming lessons are saving the lives of previously unsupervised children at highest risk of drowning.

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  • Waiving Regulations for Affordable Housing Shows Results in Austin

    September 22, 2020 |

    Next City |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Austin, Texas

    Affordable housing requirements for developers were eased in Austin through legislation known as Affordability Unlocked. As a result of less stringent parking, set-back and height codes, developers are able to maximize the number of units per building and deliver a bigger impact per project. These projects are generally built through government subsidies, therefore giving tax payers a higher return on investment.

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  • The US police department that decided to hire social workers

    September 19, 2020 |

    The Guardian |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Alexandria, Kentucky

    When Alexandria, Kentucky's police chief realized how many of his officers' calls were for mental health crises or minor interpersonal disputes, and then how many of these unresolved problems resulted in repeat 911 calls, he hired a social worker to follow up with people to offer health and social services after the police leave. Now the department's two staff social workers do that work, costing less than hiring more police and reducing repeat calls. Alexandria is a small town, but now its approach is being copied in nearby Louisville.

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  • ‘Vigilantes' on a mission to reunite owners with their stolen bikes Audio icon

    September 19, 2020 |

    The Guardian |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: England, Cambridge

    Facebook groups are reuniting bicycle-theft victims with their property by creating a place to report thefts and alerting others to be on the lookout for the bikes. A pandemic-inspired boom in bicycling, as a means to avoid public transportation, has fed a concurrent boom in bike thefts. Police praise the Facebook groups' public spirit and effectiveness, but warn of risks when confronting those trying to sell stolen bikes. More than 90% of bike theft reports to police hit a dead end, lowering faith in the police as a solution.

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  • Citizens' assemblies are increasingly popular

    September 19, 2020 |

    The Economist |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: Ireland

    Citizens' assemblies have been used in a number of countries to give groups of ordinary people the chance to grapple with big, difficult problems and then recommend what actions their governments should take. Assemblies in Ireland led to referenda on subjects long considered intractable, same-sex marriage and abortion, leading to public approval of liberalized policies. As in France, the key to success is when politicians actually listen. By hearing from experts and giving a range of views space to be heard, citizens' assemblies can move people off extreme positions toward compromise.

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  • Three Approaches to Rural Rejuvenation

    September 18, 2020 |

    Sentinel Source (The Keene Sentinel) |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States

    Despite the pandemic-induced economic slowdown, three small cities have managed to thrive due to successful economic development plans that have led to “rural rejuvenation” in an effort to attract young families to live there. The city of Taos, New Mexico has used a regional strategy to increase tourism while Durango, Colorado, chose to diversify the economy by focusing on its other resources such as high education, natural gas, and healthcare. Bozeman, Montana focused on nurturing local business instead of enticing outside businesses.

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  • Jersey City's Composting Program Expands During a Pandemic

    September 16, 2020 |

    Next City |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Jersey City, New Jersey

    Since the Jersey City composting program, over 50,000 pounds of disposable waste has been used to fertilize home gardens, parks, and community gardens, instead of going into landfills. While scaling the program is a challenge due to the lack of infrastructure for integrating composting as part of the city’s waste removal, residents were eager to participate.

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  • How a Charlotte Nonprofit Links Landlords With People Experiencing Homelessness

    September 15, 2020 |

    Next City |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Charlotte, North Carolina

    A real estate developer has teamed up with homelessness service organizations to house working families. The Lotus Campaign gives landlords $1,000 a year to rent a unit to a family that is at risk of homelessness or is already experiencing it. Rent is paid by the organization and any damages to the unit are covered. Landlords taking part in the program waive security deposits, credit checks, records of employment, and provide a 30-day window before seeking evictions. The pilot program intends to demonstrate that the private housing sector can alleviate homelessness if given the chance and the incentive.

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  • The New York City Schools That Didn't Close

    September 14, 2020 |

    The New Yorker |

    Text |

    Over 3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, New York, New York

    In New York City, “regional enrichment centers,” or schools for the children of essential workers, popped up. The centers provided a place where workers, who couldn’t take care of their kids when schools shut down during the pandemic, could send their children to. Nurses, administrators, and officials quickly created a network of these centers. “It was people who were willing to put themselves at risk in order to serve the city. They were just, like, ‘People need us, so we’re here.’” Fourteen thousand families registered to send their children to one of the 93 centers.

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