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 2025 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

Some court systems are texting people to get them to show up. Could it work here?

Matt Rocheleau

February 18, 2018 |

The Boston Globe |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

When a defendant misses a court date, it can lead to more severe charges for the defendant, more work for justice professionals, and difficulties for people involved in the case such as witnesses. In order to decrease the amount of missed dates, New York City has began texting people providing a reminder about the time and location. While the large percentage of people who own cell phones make this a cheap and—as early results has shown—effective tool, the spread of the idea is hampered by a lack of cell phone numbers on file.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Introducing the cool way to keep fruits fresh

Leopold Obi

February 17, 2018 |

Nation Africa |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Massi

To prolong the shelf life of mangos, a cash crop in Kenya, members of the Masii Horticultural Farmers Cooperative in Machakos County have found a way to build innovative coolers that will work without a need for electricity. Although not without problems, like the ability for the farmer's to actually transport their fruit to the coolers, this innovation has allowed the deterioration process to stall for more than 15 days.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How one community beat the system, and rebuilt their shattered streets

Aditya Chakrabortty

February 14, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Liverpool

Eleanor Lee is one of many women leading the charge to restore the Granby neighborhood in Liverpool. The few households that remained inhabited after the neighborhood was forgotten came together and formed a community land trust. This major step allowed them to get private development funding. Now, the Granby area is offering affordable housing and attracting business back to Liverpool.

Read More
Go to Original Story
In Rural Kentucky Nursing Homes, Art May Be Key To Quality Of Life

Elizabeth Kramer

February 11, 2018 |

WFPL News |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Louisville, Kentucky

A program called Time Slips is aiming to make nursing homes in Kentucky hubs for artistic expression and creativity. They are tracking how expressing creativity and engaging in art therapy improves residents' health outcomes and family satisfaction. This program also engages nursing home residents in their community, making them feel less stigmatized by their age.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Less water, no soil, more fodder: Kenya farmers beat drought

Justus Wanzala

February 09, 2018 |

Thomson Reuters Foundation |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Timau

Over 5000 farmers across Kenya have begun using hydroponic techniques to grow fodder for their cows. This trend ensures milk production is still high in time of drought, when traditionally grown grass doesn’t do well. Groups including Hydroponics Kenya and Grandeur Africa have trained farmers in these water-saving techniques.

Read More
Go to Original Story
A Brighter Future for Run-Down Basketball Courts

Natalie Daher

February 07, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, St. Louis, Missouri

Dozens of basketball courts around the United States have received a beautiful and functional make-over. Project Backboard cleans, fixes, and beautifies outdoor basketball courts, effectively revitalizing the social practices of sport. The nonprofit hires local artists to work with communities, and those communities need to approve the artists’ designs before they are painted. Foundations have invested in this initiative, with its value being a key component to urban renewal.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Farmers Are Using Flowers To Beat Back Pests Instead Of Chemicals

Aimee Lutkin

February 06, 2018 |

Green Matters |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: England, Lancaster, Lancashire

Scientists are experimenting with a natural form of pesticide by planting flowers amongst their crops to attract insects that eat the pests that damage the crops. One study in Switzerland found a 61% reduction in leaf damage after ladybugs visited the mixture of wheat, poppies, cilantro, and dill.

Read More
Go to Original Story
From Bozeman to Bend, how two cities are responding to growth

Katheryn Houghton

February 04, 2018 |

Bozeman Daily Chronicle |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Bend, Oregon

Bozeman, Montana can look to Bend for a creative mix of solutions that tackle the issue of affordable housing. As both mountain towns increase in size, Bend has been successful at finding innovative ways to ensure affordable housing remains as average home prices rise. By placing a small fee on building permits, Bend has created a pot of money to ensure housing stays affordable for those who need it most.

Read More
Go to Original Story
'I used to see them as a bunch of rioters': Brazil's radical farmers

Ignacio Amigo

January 25, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Brazil, Ribeirão Preto

In Brazil, 45% of agriculturally viable land is owned by 1% of tenants. To combat this inequitable ratio, the Landless Workers’ Movement formed and took a stand for seizing lands that are "not fulfilling a productive or social use." The group successfully reclaimed an area known as Mario Lago and has since begun a reforestation process alongside agroforestry which has allowed for an increase in diversity of food produced. The farmers haven't stopped there, however. To sell their produce, they have implemented a system of turning the consumer into a co-producer thus ensuring economic stability.

Read More
Go to Original Story
No Price Tags: These Neighbors Built Their Own Economy Without Money

Araz Hachadourian

January 24, 2018 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, St. Louis, Missouri

Time-banking is a way of trading goods and skills using labor hours rather than cash. The system connects neighbors to fulfill each other’s needs, everything from bike repairs to cooking and cleaning. More than 2,000 hours have been exchanged through St. Louis’ Cowry Collective, one of the nearly 500 time banks in the United States.

Read More
Go to Original Story