Story Search Results

Advanced Search

There are so many ways to search the solutions journalism stories in this database. Explore our searchable fields:

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 2458 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

Want More Housing? Ending Single-Family Zoning Won't Do It.

Emily Hamilton

July 29, 2020 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Houston, Texas

Abolishing single-family zoning rules as an affordable-housing solution has failed in places such as Minneapolis and Oregon because their narrowly drawn reforms left other obstacles in place. Houston serves as an example of effective policies that promote "missing middle" housing – denser developments than detached houses – because it combined its lack of single-family zoning with a reduction in minimum lots sizes. The result is far more affordable housing than in other booming job markets. Lot-size restrictions are among several other rules that can frustrate the desire for more housing.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Black voter mobilization efforts begin to bear fruit

Megan Botel Isaiah Murtaugh

July 29, 2020 |

Los Angeles Times |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Georgia

HeadCount, a voter mobilization group, held registration drives at concerts and other events and collaborated with celebrities, music industry leaders, and athletes to form March on Ballot Boxes (M.O.B.B.), an informal coalition harnessing the activism of the Black Lives Matters movement. They provided voter registration tools such as text messaging and QR codes, which protesters could print and display on their signs. They also partnered with Atlantic Records to launch ATL Votes, a digital registration campaign aimed at young voters. They registered over ten times as many new voters in 2020 than in 2016.

Read More
Go to Original Story
College Food Pantries Are Reinventing Ways to Feed Students

Lela Nargi

July 27, 2020 |

Civil Eats |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

University-based food pantries around the U.S. had to quickly rethink the ways they could continue to provide students with access to food during the pandemic, despite students not having the same campus access as before. Fresno City College in California expanded its hours of operations and widened access to the whole community, instead of students only. Other college food pantries in California started using appointment-based apps for students to make appointments and pick up their food. Philander Smith College in Arkansas offered ready-made food baskets and grocery gift-cards, and emergency cash.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How Colleges Are Supporting Students Leaving Abusive Relationships

Claudia Boyd-Barrett

July 27, 2020 |

California Health Report |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, California

Some college campuses in California are finding solutions to help keep survivors of domestic violence in school. In 2015, The University of California initiated Campus Assault Resources and Education across all its campuses, where students are able to access resources like emotional support, legal reporting processes, and medical resources. California State University, Northridge has a dedicated team of advocates who help survivors explore options while being able to stay on track to graduate.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Can simple text messages for parents boost reading scores for kids?

Jackie Mader

July 23, 2020 |

The Hechinger Report |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

Ready4K has turned into a successful combination of technology and education for the San Francisco Unified School District, and for many more schools and districts, after educators saw the effectiveness and accessibility of texting families instead of holding information-heavy workshops. Three times a week, families receive digestible information, tips, and activities to incorporate reading, math, and other topics into daily life. "The program is now used by nearly 130 organizations, including school districts, Head Start agencies, and national organizations."

Read More
Go to Original Story
As Long Waits for Results Render COVID Tests ‘Useless,' States Seek Workarounds

Phil Galewitz Matt Volz

July 23, 2020 |

Kaiser Health News |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Helena, Montana

To better serve those who have been tested for coronavirus, but have experienced a significant delay in receiving their results, states across the nation are experimenting with distributing the load of tests to various lab companies, as opposed to relying on just one. While this isn't the only method in place to fix the testing backlog, states that have already implemented a decentralized model – such as Texas – are seeing results delivered at a much quicker pace, and now other states – such as Montana – are turning to similar systems.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How Lightfoot and housing activists reached an uneasy détente in the battle for Woodlawn's future

Alex Nitkin

July 22, 2020 |

The TRiiBE |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

After tense negotiations and protests, the Coalition for a CBA (Community Benefits Agreement) and the mayor of Chicago agreed to an ordinance guaranteeing a percentage of affordable housing for tenants making below 50% of median income. The coalition expects gentrification to accelerate due to the nearby $500 million Obama Presidential Center, making housing unaffordable for current residents. In addition to negotiations, the coalition organized a blockade of the mayor’s office and set up a “tent city” to emphasize their message. Not all residents want the ordinance and neither side got everything they want.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Why We Should Lower the Voting Age to 16

James A. Anderson

July 20, 2020 |

Next City |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Research shows that voting at a young age leads to lifelong civic engagement and several cities and countries have lowered their voting ages. In the handful of democracies that allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote, they also show that they turnout in large numbers. Austria was the first EU country to allow 16-year-olds to vote and in 2014 their turnout was 64%, compared to 56% for voters 18-20. Takoma Park, Maryland allows 16-year-olds to vote, and in 2015 45% of them turned out compared to 21% overall. The national movement is slow, and not gaining a lot of traction, but changes can happen at the local level.

Read More
Go to Original Story
South Korea's Key Weapon to Stop the Pandemic? Smartphones

Dasl Yoon

July 16, 2020 |

Wall Street Journal |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: South Korea

In South Korea, the government is using smartphone technology, including various independent apps and text messaging, to implement contact tracing. This has enabled the country's economy to avoid a full shutdown. Early results comparing South Korea to other countries shows that this digital strategy is just as successful as implementing complete lockdowns.

Read More
Go to Original Story
During the pandemic, students do field and lab work without leaving home

Elizabeth Pennisi

July 15, 2020 |

Science Magazine |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New Hampshire

Due to the pandemic, university professors teaching field and lab work courses are rethinking ways to provide what was formerly a strictly in-person, hands-on experience. In New Hampshire staff at a marine laboratory are streaming virtual dissections and field trips to students, and geology instructors across the U.S. have developed online courses like “Orienteering in Minecraft” and “Geology of Yosemite Valley,” and virtual land surveying.

Read More
Go to Original Story