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How to help homeless people – without feeding a habit

Stephen Moss

August 29, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Oxford

It's not uncommon for people to hesitate to give money to homeless because of an uncertainty of how the money will be spent. To address this, as well as an increasingly cashless society, an app known as Greater Change is being piloted in Oxford that "allows passersby to make donations via their phones using the QR code."

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Helping Tenants Register to Vote

Alex Braden

August 29, 2018 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, St. Paul, Minnesota

Know how to register to vote? In St. Paul, your landlord is required to tell you. The city passed the ordinance to keep voter turnout high as the number of renters grew.

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Restoring Ex-Convicts' Voting Rights

Nina Sparling

August 29, 2018 |

WhoWhatWhy |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

A digital tool called Restore Your Vote launched in the summer of 2018 to help ex-convicts understand their voting restoration status after re-integrating into society. The initiative, which has been piloted in Alabama, aims to reduce disenfranchisement in ex-convict communities by targeting unclear language, misinformation, and lack of access to education.

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Automated Fact-checking

Tim Harford

August 27, 2018 |

BBC |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United Kingdom

Technology has made it easier to fact-check speeches and interviews in real time. The organization Fullfact has made software that processes dialogue looking for claims and highlights whether those claims match verified data. The tools help fact-checkers contribute to public debate around the world.

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The public education project that targets the 'taboo' subject of child sexual abuse in China

Laurie Chen

August 25, 2018 |

South China Morning Post |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: China

Two young adults from Changshu, China are behind a growing movement to bring attention to and educate students and teachers on the silent subject of child sexual abuse in China. In addition to tackling the big picture, such as China's outdated abuse laws, activists are investing in local measures, hosting documentary screenings and teacher trainings.

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Mapping murders: this new data tool is helping cities understand violent crime

Edward Siddons

August 23, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

A new online tool developed by researchers at New York University offers more current data on homicides for the 80 largest cities in the United States than annual reports by the FBI. The tool offers a more realistic picture of crime that could blunt widespread fear and curtail moves by policymakers to pass legislation rapidly based on inaccurate data. However its growth and success is dependent on data produced by city governments.

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This makeup company is using its supply chain to revitalize the rainforest

Eillie Anzilotti

August 21, 2018 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Guatemala

Much of Guatemala's lands have been degraded due to a consistently burgeoning industrial market for palm oil and cattle farming. As a company that makes makeup using a variety of plants, beauty corporation Lush has committed to investing in natural plant production by buying land that would otherwise be at threat of deforestation. The Sustainable Lush Fund then works with on-the-ground organizations and farmers to sustainably utilize the land and increase the diversity of crops all while supporting local agriculture.

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To curb chronic absence, schools treat parents as partners

Stacy Teicher Khadaroo

August 21, 2018 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Providence, Rhode Island

To shift away from a punitive approach to truancy and emphasize the importance of attendance for student learning, schools across the United States are testing methods of communicating the importance with parents in new ways, including "carefully crafted" letters, texts, and even games. Results from different schools have showed up to a 20% reduction in absenteeism, but educators acknowledge that these solutions affect the simple changes and have yet to provide a comprehensive approach to barriers to attending school.

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In Boerne, a Youth Suicide Prevention Effort that May Actually Work

Christopher Collins

August 21, 2018 |

Texas Observer |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Boerne, Texas

Going above and beyond state-mandated minimums for suicide prevention training in schools reduces teen suicides. In Boerne, Texas, the Boerne Independent School District enrolls teachers, students, staff, and mental health professionals in its suicide prevention program. Boerne ISD developed an aggressive plan, including yearly training, suicide prevention curricula, and a database to help identify and track high-risk teens.

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Cities Sic the Taxman on Vacant ‘Ghost Homes'

Liz Enochs

August 20, 2018 |

San Francisco Public Press |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, Vancouver

Vancouver is one city that has shown benefits of a tax on “ghost homes,” or units that sit empty for a certain period of time. The idea is to encourage development and ensure there is ample housing stock for newcomers to the city. San Francisco is considering implementing this system, but it is still in the very early stages of such a shift. However, in Vancouver, the tax has generated millions in taxes which will fund housing initiatives, while decreasing the vacancy rate significantly.

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