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 1197 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

California Wildfires Destroy Homes and Lives. Why Do Regulators Encourage Building in Fire Zones?

Christian Britschgi

November 14, 2018 |

Reason |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, California

In California, Proposition 103 – a decades-old ballot initiative – disincentivizes homeowners affected by wildfires to rebuild in less fire-prone zones. The proposition – which can only be reversed through another ballot initiative – bars insurers from raising their rates based on future risks, meaning people who live in fire zones are not paying a higher rate. Furthermore, because of these regulations and the lack of response to the problem, insurance agencies often err on the side of caution and won’t sell policies at all, leaving some people uninsured entirely.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Cities are Making Left Turns Safer with ‘Wedges'

Angie Schmitt

November 09, 2018 |

Streetsblog USA |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

In 2016 and 2017, New York City installed infrastructure designed to slow down drivers making left-hand turns in more than 200 locations and banned left turns at high-risk spots as a way to curb pedestrian crashes. Since then, median left-turn speeds have dropped 19 percent at those intersections and the number of vehicles cutting turns so closely they cross the double yellow lines declined by 79 percent. Now cities like San Jose and Los Angeles are looking to follow New York’s lead.

Read More
Go to Original Story
In Sacramento, trying to stop a killing before it happens

Wesley Lowery Steven Rich

November 09, 2018 |

The Washington Post |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Sacramento, California

Sacramento is implementing a program developed in 2011 in Richmond, Calif., that showed success curtailing gun violence among young men caught up in gangs or potential shootings. They get numerous social services and mentoring from men previously incarcerated. Stipends are a controversial part of the program, but a review of the Richmond program in 2015 found most participants were still alive and had not suffered a gun related injury, or been arrested for gun-related activity.

Read More
Go to Original Story
The Country That Can Jail You For Using Plastic Bags

Sam Judah

November 06, 2018 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Kenya

Countries across the world are aiming to reduce their plastic waste. African countries, however, are leading the way with a variety of techniques. Kenya in particular has taken one of the most drastic approaches by having plastic bags in one's possession punishable by $40,000 or even jail time.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How a city in China became the world's first to make all buses electric

Huang Benjun Jemilah Magnusson

November 06, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: China

China is a major contributor to the rising levels of CO2 emissions, but they are also one of the most active players in mediating their impact. Their new energy buses have not only drastically reduced gas consumption but are far more energy efficient.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Seattle's radical plan to fight big money in politics

Sarah Kliff

November 05, 2018 |

Vox |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

Seattle tripled the number of people who contributed to local political campaigns by giving each resident $100 in “democracy vouchers” to contribute to the candidate of their choice. The concept was to counter the effect of big money in politics. Although the program was a widely popular idea, it ended up being expensive to run and only 3.3 percent of residents who received the vouchers actually used them.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Could you float for four hours? Drowning prevention program saves kids

Julie Power

November 04, 2018 |

The Sydney Morning Herald |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Thailand, Surat

Thailand's Surat Thani province, consists of more than 100 waterways making drowning a very real concern – especially for children – but strategic preventions have resulted in no child drownings in the last two years. Children as young as two are taught water safety tactics and eventually are trained how to float for up to four hours to survive.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Sit in a circle. Talk to other pregnant women. Save your baby's life?

Sarah Kliff

November 02, 2018 |

Vox |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Greenville

In South Carolina, doctors are scaling programs based off of CenteringPregnancy, an initiative that uses group doctor appoints to better infant health and decrease infant mortality. Research shows that providing prenatal care in a group setting helps to build a sense of community and reduce stress among women who might not have stability during their pregnancy otherwise.

Read More
Go to Original Story
100 Years After New York's Deadliest Subway Crash

Sam Roberts

November 01, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

A deadly subway crash in New York in 1918 killed an estimated 100 people and prompted major changes in public transportation because the crash was so preventable. Thanks to lessons from the tragedy, subways banned wooden cars and now have timed signals, headlights, speedometers and brakes that engage automatically if a driver runs a red light. It also prompted major changes in oversight and ownership of the transportation systems, moving away from profit-driven private ventures.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Solutions: Federal Policy

Tristan Scott

October 31, 2018 |

Flathead Beacon |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

In the United States, federal policies are expanding as a response to growing awareness of the number of missing and murdered Indigenous women. The Violence Against Women Act has expanded to include a statute called the Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction, which gives Indigenous communities the authority to provide criminal jurisdiction to non-Native Americans who inflict abuse and violence on Native Americans. Added in 2013, advocates and legislators seek to reauthorize the statute.

Read More
Go to Original Story