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  • In Prison, Learning Magic by Mail

    August 14, 2020 |

    The New York Times |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States

    A community of incarcerated magic enthusiasts formed spontaneously around a column published by a magic magazine, thanks to their own initiative and the willingness of Joshua Jay, the magician/columnist, to respond to fan mail. The incarcerated people formed an underground exchange of tips on magic tricks and how to make props from the limited availability of materials in prisons. By perfecting their skills, this community used magic as performative art therapy, easing their sense of isolation and increasing their sense of power and personal worth. One even went pro after his release.

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  • How the World's Largest Garbage Dump Evolved Into a Green Oasis

    August 14, 2020 |

    The New York Times |

    Multi-Media |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Staten Island, New York

    The former Fresh Kills Landfill in Staten Island is turning into a public park that will accept visitors in 2021. By capping the trash site with plastic, covering it with soil, and planting native grasses, city officials are restoring the area’s former tidal wetlands and scrublands; nearly 314 plant and animal species have already been sighted. While the successful closing of the dump nearly 20 years ago means that the trash is being sent to other neighborhoods in the United States where people dealing with economic hardship live, the project could be a model for sustainability and urban renewal.

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  • Can an Army of Feral Cats Solve New York City's Rat Problem?

    August 14, 2020 |

    InsideHook |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, New York, New York

    New York's Hard Hat Cats turns feral cats into working animals, deploying teams in outdoor spaces and indoor workplaces with rat infestations. Breweries, a prison, and other buildings have seen their rat populations plummet once cats are welcomed and cared for. The feral cats come from colonies of rehabilitated animals who have been trapped and neutered. The colonies prove less annoying to people once they are fed. Despite a lack of help from city officials, the working cats have earned their keep by addressing a problem that New Yorkers often complain about.

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  • Waiting for a New Deal job program? These US parks are already hiring

    August 14, 2020 |

    The Guardian |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Asheville, North Carolina

    With many people out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some cities and nonprofits are creating outdoorsy job programs to relieve unemployment. Inspired by the conservation corps programs created during the Great Depression, North Carolina, Alaska, and Texas have these initiatives. The reliance on fundraising to pay workers can be a challenge, but these programs are providing jobs for nearly 250 people and are making some conservation progress. For example, the Carolina Climbers Coalition crew has already completed projects at state parks in the Southeast.

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  • This Denver Group is Keeping Immigrants' Restaurant Dreams Alive

    August 14, 2020 |

    Bitterroot |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Denver, Colorado

    Comal Heritage Food Incubator trains immigrant and refugee women to start their own businesses in the food industry. Comal offers coaching, financial support, and connections to social services. It also pays trainees, which has been vital to endure the food industry shutdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic. The group also ensures members have food, rent assistance, school supplies, or diapers for their children. They partner with the Denver Metro Emergency Food Network, delivering about 290,000 meals since the pandemic began. The model is working in other cities, including Seattle and San Francisco.

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  • From life in prison to out on parole: One group easing the transition

    August 14, 2020 |

    The Christian Science Monitor |

    Text |

    Over 3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

    California, home to an unprecedented number of prison "lifers" who served decades since their teens and then were released under revised parole policies, created the Peer Reentry Navigation Network (PRNN) to have fellow former lifers coach and hold accountable the newly released. Now in 28 communities, PRNN has formed a community of peer mentors helping the formerly incarcerated remake their lives on the outside after lives of violence and trauma. The mentors' 24/7 help covers behavioral advice, job leads, and rebuilding family relationships. Despite some missteps, most mentees have stayed out of trouble.

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  • This AI startup is tackling the coronavirus disinformation deluge

    August 14, 2020 |

    Wired |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United Kingdom

    Logically is a fact-checking app that combines AI technology and human research to assess and label the truthfulness of news articles. The app has about 20,000 users after a soft launch in the UK, with a full launch planned for late 2020. The AI technology, a feature that makes the app unique, tries to match news claims to other sources and then human researchers take over to make a final judgment. The app has been busy fact-checking the extensive Covid-19 related misinformation. Some aspects, like technology glitches and slow fact-checking responses from researchers, still need to be worked out.

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  • The faces behind the Apthamitra helpline for COVID-19 in Karnataka

    August 13, 2020 |

    The News Minute |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: India, Karnataka

    Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, with its medical care system already overwhelmed, the government of Karnataka collaborated with businesses to start the Apthamitra helpline. More than 7,000 people per day could connect via a mobile app to doctors on call. A triage system determined if people could be helped remotely, or if they needed higher-level care. Though no substitute for an adequate healthcare infrastructure, the helpline provided immediate counseling and connections to services for people fearful of getting infected or getting sicker.

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  • Why most top Foreign Office posts are held by women

    August 13, 2020 |

    The Economist |

    Text |

    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: United Kingdom

    More women are serving in top positions of the United Kingdom’s diplomatic corps with a female ambassador to the United States for the first time since the position was created in 1791. Women now hold about a third of Britain’s ambassadorships and the increase can be traced to several changes, including a public pledge to increase women in leadership positions. A reliable pipeline of women to fill the top spots was also nurtured, with nearly 60% of new foreign service employees now female. Grouping interviews forces management to see the big picture and diplomatic life has become more flexible for families.

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  • Contact Tracers in Massachusetts Might Order Milk or Help With Rent. Here's Why.

    August 13, 2020 |

    KFF Health News |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Brockton, Massachusetts

    In Massachusettes, contact tracers for COVID-19 are tasked with an additional responsibility that includes acting as a care resource coordinator to better help those they're interacting with make "the best choice for the public." So far, approximately 10-15% of those who have been contacted as part of contact tracing efforts have utilized the assistance service which has helped them stay isolated while still having access to necessities such as "food, medicine, masks and cleaning supplies."

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