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How Medellín went from murder capital to hipster holiday destination

Stanley Stewart

January 04, 2018 |

The Telegraph |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Colombia, Medellín

Medellín is a hub of growth and innovation, re-born after years of devastating violence. Building a metro system was an early step in the city’s transformation. “It was the first positive thing that had happened in this city for decades,” says Julian, a local guide. “With this metro, we suddenly realized things could be different, that progress and change were possible.”

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Can putting the least-experienced teachers in the highest-risk schools ever result in success?

Peggy Barmore

December 25, 2017 |

The Hechinger Report |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, McDowell County, West Virginia

High rates of teacher turnover plaguing McDowell County were the reason behind a new initiative, Reconnecting McDowell, to reverse the trend. The district began creating a number of incentives to attract teachers, such as student loan support, higher salaries, and providing mentors for younger teachers. Two other efforts—to improve roads and build an apartment complex for younger residents—were stalled due to funding cuts. This article was written on the sixth anniversary of Reconnecting McDowell, and while there have been many challenges, change is slowly coming and people are still optimistic.

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In Harvey's wake, Dutch have much to teach Houston

Tony Freemantle

December 22, 2017 |

Houston Chronicle |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Netherlands

Moving away from brute force and impermeable dams, projects that focus on spatial planning and long-term investment in dynamic infrastructure projects prove more resilient to flooding and natural disasters. In the Netherlands, the Room for the River project is one part of the country’s comprehensive approach toward protecting its citizens from the threat of floods. Instead of relying on private flood insurance, citizens in the Netherland’s pay higher taxes, which help to fund water management projects.

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Newark DIG: Doing Infrastructure Green

Scott Morris

December 19, 2017 |

CivicStory |

Video |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Newark, New Jersey

Due in part to an outdated infrastructure, Newark's storm sewers get overwhelmed with litter, oil and other materials that end up impacting the cleanliness of the community's drinking water. To combat this issue, a group of passionate community members formed Doing Infrastructure Green (DIG) to help bring education to residents about sustainable solutions around the water supply.

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Officials patched and prayed while pressure built on Houston's dams

Mihir Zaveri

December 15, 2017 |

Houston Chronicle |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Houston, Texas

Following Hurricane Harvey, Houston officials are taking steps to better prepare the city for flooding. Two damns, Addicks and Barker, have long been in need of repairs to increase their capacity and resilience, and after decades of putting it off – and thousands of homes flooded – the city is hoping to invest in one of the large-scale remedies that have been recommended in the past.

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Harvey overwhelmed some levee systems. Future storms could do worse.

Emily Foxhall

December 14, 2017 |

Houston Chronicle |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Houston, Texas

The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey left many Houston residents questioning the efficacy of one of the city’s only protections, the Levee Improvement Districts (LID), responsible for providing flood protection. In neighborhoods prone to flooding, there has been much debate about the actual protection the current levees provide, leading many to call for solutions like the expansion of the LIDs through elections (rather than appointees) or raising the levees.

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Can red-light cameras help curb Milwaukee's reckless drivers?

David D. Haynes

December 13, 2017 |

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |

Video |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

A columnist looks at the proposal to bring red light cameras to Milwaukee after a string of horrific car accidents where a driver blew through traffic lights. The piece covers a good deal of data on the efficacy of red light cameras in Chicago and elsewhere, pointing out the positive results of fewer crashes while pointing out the flaws, such as an increase in rear-end collisions. The author also explains how he reported the story and provides numerous links to resources so readers can continue to explore the topic.

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Meet India's dam-building grandmother

Aamir Rafeeq Peerzeda

December 12, 2017 |

BBC |

Multi-Media |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: India, Rajasthan

In Rajasthan, India, the Aakar Charitable Trust is building dams in previously drought-ridden areas using traditional practices that use the contours of the land to retain water. These check dams are cost-effective, partially owned by local communities, and do not displace residents; the trust builds an average of 30 dams each year, but they hope to ramp up construction in the future while cautioning that the method will not work for every topography.

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First Nations powering up B.C.

Emilee Gilpin

December 04, 2017 |

National Observer |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Canada

From solar to geothermal to biomass projects, First Nations are finding ways to confront and combat fossil fuel concerns head on. In fact, over 30 Nations have some type of renewable energy source powering their communities, while 15 more have projects underway. Despite a lack of governmental funding assistance, First Nations are acting as a collective model for how communities can provide their own clean power to their own people.

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With storms intensifying and oceans on the rise, Boston weighs strategies for staying dry

Eric Bender

October 24, 2017 |

Ensia |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

Boston and other flood-vulnerable areas are having to build for the future to prevent water damage from hurricanes and other natural disasters, especially as climate change makes storms stronger and bigger. Boston is researching the feasibility of a seawall as well as building other barriers at critical points, attention is being paid to preventive efforts in order to minimize future damages.

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