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Did plastic straw bans work? Yes, but not in the way you'd think.

Harvin Bhathal

August 04, 2023 |

Grist |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

After activists campaigned against the use of single-use plastic straws that pollute the environment, cities, states, and companies began banning them or offering alternatives. Because plastic straws are responsible for only a tiny fraction of plastic pollution, the anti-straw movement was seen by some as "greenwashing." However, it also raised awareness of the harm of single-use plastics and helped build momentum for further action, including bans on other single-use products such as plastic bags, cutlery, and stir sticks.

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In some Chicago wards, residents vote on how tax money is spent. Should all Chicagoans get a seat at the budget table?

Mariah Woelfel

August 03, 2023 |

Chicago Sun-Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

In some wards of Chicago, residents are able to directly weigh in on city council spending and projects through an annual participatory budgeting process. Citizen input has helped bring a range of capital improvements to fruition, from public exercise stations in local parks to efforts to replace lead-contaminated water fountains in schools.

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Pa. counties call $45 million in state election grants a success: “Absolutely it was useful”

Carter Walker

July 28, 2023 |

Votebeat Pennsylvania |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Pennsylvania

Act 88 provided $45 million of state funding to counties looking to cover election expenses like ballot sorting machines and poll worker pay. The funds were extremely useful in covering the cost of an election, which can be quite expensive. Several counties that received the money are opting to rework their 2024 budgets to account for another round of funding.

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Can Permitting Barriers Be Overcome to Accelerate Clean Energy?

Ethan Brown Mikaela Gonzalez Hallie Cordingley Mo Polyak

July 21, 2023 |

The Sweaty Penguin |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States

Permitting is an important, and mandatory, part of new development projects in clean energy and forest management to ensure compliance with various regulations relating to the environment and land use. It also gives communities a chance to be heard during public comment. But the process is so lengthy that it can halt projects for years.

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Amid An Intense Election Cycle, An Initiative Made Voting Easy For Nigeria's Senior Citizens

Yusuf Adua

July 17, 2023 |

The Solutions Paper |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Nigeria

To encourage older people to vote amid targeted intimidation and harassment, Age Nigeria Foundation held regular seminars built around political education and also provided emotional support through daily phone calls and access to psychologists. The organization also covered the cost of transportation to the polls, allowing senior citizens who had been hesitant to vote to cast their ballots.

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Tracka, the initiative tackling corruption in Nigeria's public sector

Mohammed Taoheed

July 13, 2023 |

Social Voices |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Nigeria, Kawu, Niger

In an effort to fight government corruption, an initiative called Tracka monitors public spending allocations and holds town hall meetings in communities across Nigeria to educate residents about the budgeting process. The organization has engaged 967 communities and helped hold officials accountable for projects that were funded but never completed, such as an electricity substation in Kawu.

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Oregon Wants to Register Medicaid Recipients to Vote. Will Biden Officials Allow It?

Alex Burness

July 11, 2023 |

Bolts |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Oregon

Oregon was the first state to implement automatic voter registration, which allows government agencies such as the DMV to share residents’ information with election officials. Roughly 94 percent of eligible residents are now registered to vote, and the state hopes to expand its approach to Medicaid recipients, but federal regulations may complicate that process.

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The River Walk transformed San Antonio. Could Panther Island do the same for Fort Worth?

Haley Samsel

July 09, 2023 |

Fort Worth Report |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Antonio, Texas

A grassroots campaign to build out a river walk with walkable commercial and residential districts boosted economic development while improving flood control in San Antonio, Texas.

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As states hunt for new voters, Massachusetts adds thousands via Medicaid applications

Zachary Roth

July 06, 2023 |

Stateline |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Massachusetts

After Massachusetts added automatic voter registration to its Medicaid application process, the number of people in the state who registered through social service agencies jumped from roughly 30,000 to more than 160,000. Residents are given the option to opt out of voter registration when applying for health benefits rather than opting in.

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How NYC students are turning the trauma of gun violence into action

Julian Shen-Berro

July 05, 2023 |

Chalkbeat New York |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

In the wake of violent incidents, administrators at two Brooklyn schools gave students space and agency to organize rallies and events protesting gun violence. Students at Williamsburg Charter High School gathered roughly 4,000 signatures in their petition for improved prevention programs.

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