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Promising Crime Solutions Are Being Undermined by Flawed Federal Ratings, Researchers Say

Champe Barton

March 19, 2021 |

The Trace |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

The National Institute of Justice created CrimeSolutions in 2011 to rate crime-reduction programs as effective or not, based on a review of research literature. The service aims to inform crime policymaking with the best available evidence of effectiveness. But its rigid standards mean that few programs get rated "effective," and many with mixed results get lumped in with truly ineffective programs for having "no effects." Critics say it misses the nuances in published studies by making ratings overly reliant on a strict reading of statistical significance.

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How Do You Kill an Invasive Species? Bring in a Bigger, Meaner Species to Eat It

Moira Donovan

March 16, 2021 |

The Walrus |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

An insect that makes its home on eastern hemlocks in Nova Scotia has the power to wipe out the tree species if left unchecked. Scientists are looking to a strategy called biological control — a historically controversial approach — that would introduce a new predatory species to kill the insect. After rigorous lab testing showed a small black beetle only attacked their targets and didn’t disrupt other ecosystems, they released them in 2003 at an orchard on Vancouver Island. Results show they have been somewhat effective, but it’s unclear if it will completely solve the problem.

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How the West Lost COVID

David Wallace-Wells

March 15, 2021 |

New York Magazine |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Although no universal set of policies were likely to have prevented the spread of Covid-19, the general inaction and lax interventions by countries in the western hemisphere prevented Europe, North America, and South America from containing the spread of the virus. Comparatively, actions taken by governments and citizens in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia allowed that region to prevent a high death toll. Similarly in East Asia, South-East Asia, and Oceania, the region experienced "inarguable success."

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A California town was promised police reform – then police got involved

Aaron Miguel Cantú

March 12, 2021 |

The Guardian |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chico, California

A series of killings by the police sparked a community-led movement urging greater accountability and better training. The campaign bore fruit when the Chico mayor formed a committee to examine use of force policies. While police-reform advocates got appointed to the committee, the panel was dominated by the police and their political allies. Use of force policies never got examined. The city, in fact, ended up giving the police more resources and power. One policing critic concludes from this episode that professionalizing the police without scrutinizing their mission is bound to fail.

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How Rhode Island Fell to the Coronavirus

Apoorva Mandavilli

March 05, 2021 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Rhode Island

At the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Rhode Island was commended by many for keeping the case rate relatively low, but a combination of factors quickly reversed that trend. Although some reasons for the state's failure had to do with demographics – such as a heavily elderly population – other failures that could have been avoided included a general lack of precautions for medical staff who were treating potential, but unconfirmed Covid patients.

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Human trafficking operations surrounding the Super Bowl result in dozens of arrests for prostitution

Kylie McGivern

March 04, 2021 |

WFTS-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Tampa, Florida

Law enforcement and a private organization, Rahab's Daughters, attacked human sex trafficking at the 2021 Super Bowl in Tampa by tracing leads from tens of thousands of advertisements for sexual services. While the private group says it provided housing, food, and clothing to 40 women, and the police said they identified six trafficking victims and connected them with needed protection and services, far more women were arrested on prostitution charges, along with a handful of men on trafficking charges. Critics say the harm from those arrests can overshadow the benefits from looking for actual victims.

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House Rules

Leah Cantor

March 03, 2021 |

Santa Fe Reporter |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Santa Fe, New Mexico

A shortage of available affordable housing in Santa Fe, New Mexico was exacerbated by inclusionary zoning laws that discouraged real estate development. Restrictions on new rental properties drastically increased rents due to a dearth of available housing and supply has increased as the law was reversed.

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Doula work is ‘taxing' with little pay. Can Minnesota make it more sustainable?

Ashley Nguyen

March 01, 2021 |

The Washington Post |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Minnesota

In 2013, Minnesota’s Medical Assistance Medicaid program expanded to include access for those who were providing support as doulas, but many barriers faced those who tried to get on the registry. From a registration fee to complicated billing system, the new policy has especially been challenging for individual practitioners or small non-profits to navigate. But despite the limitations, the expansion has still helped some organization's "ability to serve families while compensating doulas for their work."

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43 Cases, No Convictions: Prosecuting the Police Falters in New York

Jonah Engel Bromwich Sarah Maslin Nir Benjamin Weiser

February 26, 2021 |

The New York Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York

In the more than five years since New York's governor ordered the attorney general to take charge of investigations and prosecutions when police kill unarmed people, only three police officers have been charged with crimes and none has been convicted. By taking control of such cases away from local prosecutors, officials hoped to instill greater trust in outcomes, because of the close ties local prosecutors have with local police. But the narrow scope of the rule establishing the special prosecutions unit, plus a host of other systemic and legal barriers, have meant that the outcomes have not changed.

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The EV tax credit can save you thousands — if you're rich enough

Shannon Osaka

February 26, 2021 |

Grist |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

A tax credit was supposed to incentive Americans to buy electric vehicles, but testimony from car buyers and research has shown that only people who can afford the full purchase are getting access to the benefit. The tax break gives electric car purchasers a credit on their taxes the following year, but only as much as they owe the government. The purchase could end up costing more than buyers expected, which can be a barrier for people who want to switch to electric.

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