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Vermont adopts the most comprehensive plastics ban in U.S.

Laura Parker

June 18, 2019 |

National Geographic |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Vermont

Vermont’s governor has signed into law legislation that bans four different kinds of single-use plastics, including straws, bags, drink stirrers, and foam take-out containers. Such legislation is the only kind that covers so many products, but is part of a growing, global movement to ban such plastics.

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Portugal, drugs and decriminalisation

Kathleen Hawkins Hannah McNeish

June 18, 2019 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Portugal

In 2001, facing a 20-year opioid epidemic, Portugal decriminalized all personal drug use, meaning people carrying drugs for personal use could no longer face prosecution or jail. The approach, met with public support, offered people access to services like safe injection sites and counseling and showed demonstrable success in declining opioid related deaths, the spread of infectious diseases, and drug use all together. As the rest of the world faces a similar crisis, Portugal could be a model response.

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Blight is eating American cities. Here's how Mobile, Alabama, stopped it

Hana Schank

June 10, 2019 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Mobile, Alabama

While the entire nation struggles to combat blight and rundown housing, the city of Mobile, Alabama put together a task force and managed to slow the spread of blight in the town and even change the state constitution. Now, the city is able to purchase blighted houses, make necessary repairs, and combat racial inequality while doing it.

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This California Neighborhood Was Built to Survive a Wildfire. And It Worked

Lauren Sommer

June 03, 2019 |

KQED |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Diego, California

In the Rancho Santa Fe neighborhood of California, one neighborhood was designed and built to protect homes from wildfires. Included in the design were certain regulations, like regulating weeds, brush, and mulch, and installing noncombustible siding and roofs. Because of climate change, the strength and frequency of wildfires have increased across the state, prompting residents, firefighting professionals, and legislators to become more resilience- and prevention-oriented.

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'It's a miracle': Helsinki's radical solution to homelessness

Jon Henley

June 03, 2019 |

The Guardian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Finland, Helsinki

In Helsinki, Finland, the "Housing First" model, where housing is offered to those experiencing homelessness unconditionally is showing results. The program, which also can include services and is made possible in part due to an intentionally large supply of housing in Finland, has helped Finland become the only country in the EU to see a decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness.

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‘Some river!' The Cuyahoga River, 1969—present

Rosalie Murphy

June 03, 2019 |

The Devil Strip |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Akron, Ohio

Fifty years ago, Ohio's Cuyahoga River was filthy, so much so that an infamous fire had to help spark the conversation around water pollution and cleanliness. Now, the river is making a comeback after the introduction of federal level legislation and community efforts to make the river cleaner and safer.

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Washington State Debuts Unique Tool to Reduce Gun Suicides

Elizabeth Van Brocklin

May 28, 2019 |

The Trace |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Olympia, Washington

In Washington, state legislators have passed an innovative measure that would allow individuals to suspend their own gun rights. The bill was started as a proactive measure for those experience mental health issues to be able to prevent themselves from harming themselves in the future. While they’re still working on publicizing the new measure, those that do know about it simply have to fill out a short form at any count clerk’s office – the rest is taken care of within 24 hours.

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Oakland tries a new way to prioritize city improvement projects: by considering equity

Katey Rusch

May 14, 2019 |

Oakland North |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Oakland, California

The city of Oakland reviewed the process for distributing city funds in order to efficiently address equity in community projects. Oakland officials and community members created a scoring system that ranks each project based on equity, health & safety, and more, relying on a larger picture of impact the project could have on surrounding populations.

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Mississippi Leads the Nation in Criminal Justice Reform

Casey Leins

May 03, 2019 |

U.S. News & World Report |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Jackson, Mississippi

The state of Mississippi has taken drastic steps in reforming their criminal justice system, pointing to a nationwide cultural shift as a driving force. State legislation, such as expanding parole eligibility, eliminating mandatory minimum sentences, and barring licensing boards from discriminating against individuals who used to be incarcerated are just a handful of policies the state has championed. The reform has led to a prison population decrease of 11% and state savings of $46 million

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Fishermen fight to survive on the world's second largest lake

Alec Jacobson

May 03, 2019 |

National Geographic |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Uganda, Kasensero

To reduce illegal fishing on Lake Victoria, Uganda overhauled management systems and sent in soldiers, who seized and burned illicit gear. Fish stocks appear to be rebounding, and outside investors are bringing in new development. However, some poor fishers lost their livelihoods and houses, and allegedly even their lives, in the crackdown.

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