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He stole a $1 lemonade, smoked pot - then nearly had to die in prison

Samantha Melamed

September 27, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has a compassionate release law for inmates who are terminally ill so they don't die in prison, but in practice it has become even more difficult for inmates and their families to take advantage of it. The number of elderly prisoners in the state has soared. Advocates recommend prisoners get an automatic compassionate release when they receive a terminal diagnosis so the family is not burdened with trying to figure out the complex process and paperwork.

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Let down and locked up: Why Oklahoma's female incarceration is so high

Ziva Branstetter

September 20, 2017 |

Reveal |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Oklahoma currently locks up more women than any other state in the country, incarcerating females at more than double the national rate, and harshly deals out ever-longer sentences to prisoners, disproportionately targeting poor women and those of color. Tulsa is the one exception, thanks to a charitably-funded, intensive programs like The Education and Employment Ministry and Women in Recovery, which combine shorter prison terms with rehabilitative treatment and supportive probation, including drug addiction recovery, employment assistance, and life skills classes.

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Want a Better Health Care System? Check Out Japan

Noah Smith

September 19, 2017 |

Bloomberg |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

The USA is currently at odds over its healthcare system. Perhaps, a solution can be found by looking to Japan's system which is a public-private hybrid where most is covered by the government and a smaller percentage is covered by employment sponsored or private insurance.

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A Down Payment With a Catch: You Must Be an Airbnb Host

Tara Siegel Bernard

September 18, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

A Seattle-based entrepreneur has a creative idea to help people buy their first homes: give them money for a down payment, provided that they pay the money back by listing an extra room in their homes on Airbnb. Though unconventional, the enterprise (called Loftium), aims to help people overcome the hurdle of paying a large down payment. It is hoping to make home ownership accessible to people all across the country.

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Meet the Male Champions Supporting Kenya's New Women Politicians

Sophie Mbugua

September 15, 2017 |

News Deeply |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Nanyuki

In Kenya, men have been overrepresented in government positions, sparking new legislation that women should occupy at least one-third of the public elected body. Men have become increasingly involved in helping women get elected by helping them campaign, protecting their safety, overseeing election procedures etc.

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Should California look to Massachusetts to fix its housing crisis?

Matt Levin

September 13, 2017 |

CalMatters |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

The California Legislature, inspired by a decades-old Massachusetts affordable housing bill, recently passed SB 35. However, a few differences distinguish the two bills. In Massachusetts, the 40B bill fast-tracks development projects that include 20% affordable units in cities that have below the mandated amount of affordable housing. California’s bill rewards affordable housing projects, but it also rewards projects with above-average income housing. Still, the bill is a big step forward in the fight for more affordable housing at the state level.

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These Alabama schools have narrowed or closed the achievement gap

Trisha Powell Crain

September 13, 2017 |

AL.com (Alabama Media Group) |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Montgomery, Alabama

Magnet schools in Alabama were created by the Board of Education as a way to combat white flight in the 1970's. Today, especially in Montgomery, magnet schools boast the smallest achievement gap between white and black students. Their success is attributed to a number of things, including a standardized admissions lottery that ensures diversity and a high degree of interest and participation from parents.

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How Philly plans to ditch cash bail and what stands in the way

Anna Orso

September 11, 2017 |

Billy Penn |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A candidate for district attorney in Philadelphia is pushing to do away with cash bail entirely as other places have done, including Washington D.C., and New Jersey. Both of those places have seen their jail populations drop, and Philadelphia has taken some initial steps that reduce pre-trial populations in jail, but it faces a number of challenges in implementing no-cash bail. Those include getting widespread buy-in and a conservative legislature.

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D.C. offers amnesty to parents who are behind in child support

Michael Alison Chandler

September 07, 2017 |

The Washington Post |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

Billions of dollars in child support goes unpaid every year in the United States, but not all of those parents missing payments are negligent deadbeats - many are unemployed, incarcerated, or have disabilities that are prohibitive to earning enough money. A new amnesty program in Washington D.C. is taking a closer look at individual cases to determine which parents may just need an extra boost to help find a job or otherwise make their payments, and is forgiving debt while providing grants and other resources to help them support their children.

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How Cities Say No to Military Equipment for Their Police

Tanvi Misra

August 31, 2017 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

Putting more military weapons and other tactical gear in the hands of local law enforcement has little or no effect on crime, but does make police violence more likely. After the Trump administration lifted a loophole-ridden Obama-era policy restricting the distribution of such gear to local agencies, some local lawmakers sought to impose their own restrictions. But police continue to find ways to arm themselves as if for war, making them more likely to overreact to routine problems, with predictably violent outcomes.

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