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When public restrooms fail, rent them out as churches?

Anthony Langat

February 14, 2019 |

Devex |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Kibera, Nairobi

On World Toilet Day in 2014, the Kenyan government promised to build 180 public toilets in an ambitious move to combat the issue of public sanitation. The program went well once the keys were handed off to the National Youth Service of Kenya as a means of income, but issues quickly arose that could not be resolved because of a lack of further funds. The youth has since transformed their toilets into a rental space for local churches, such as Christ Miracle Church for All Nations in Laini Saba.

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Desperate for Recruits, Police Consider Non-Citizens

Simone Weichselbaum

February 14, 2019 |

The Marshall Project |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

As police departments across the country face a shortage in recruitments, states like Tennessee and Colorado have lifted the ban on non-citizens from becoming officers. As a result, jurisdictions that allow this have not only seen an increase in recruits, but a more diverse force that can represent their communities. Politicians and members of law enforcement across the country seek to do the same.

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How to Cut U.S. Emissions Faster? Do What These Countries Are Doing.

Brad Plumer Blacki Migliozzi

February 13, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Canada

Across the world, countries are taking heavy swings to reduce their impact on climate change. From British Columbia’s carbon tax, to Norway’s incentivization of electric vehicles, to the European Union’s legislation that ends the use of hydrofluorocarbons, the United States could learn a lot from these initiatives. As American lags behind in this effort, citing these initiatives, or even better yet, applying them all, could have a drastic impact.

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In a world drowning in trash, these cities have slashed waste by 80 percent

Terrence McCoy

February 13, 2019 |

The Washington Post |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Berkeley, California

What started as a far-out concept in Berkeley, California, the goal of becoming zero-waste has spread to cities across the world. The idea makes individuals, communities, and governments think differently about what they do with their garbage and take responsibility for their environments. In places like Shikoku, an island in Japan, they’ve implemented waste categorization, creating 34 different categories to help residents more effectively recycle and reuse their waste.

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Is the Answer to Crime More Cops?

Simone Weichselbaum

February 13, 2019 |

The Marshall Project |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Memphis, Tennessee

As cities across the United States grapple with the decline in law enforcement applications and officers, New York is adapting by using a workload allocation model to figure out the number of police officers actually needed and in what positions. While other cities, like Memphis, seek private funding to hire more police officers – a model that hasn’t shown demonstrably to decrease crime.

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'Choose Purpose': Cities Launch Ad Campaigns to Convince YOU to Work for Them

Graham Vyse

February 13, 2019 |

Governing |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

Denver, Minneapolis, and San Francisco are a few of the cities zeroing in on the millennial desire for purpose in their careers by incorporating purposeful narratives in recruitment. Viewing government more as a brand, the cities use slogans like "Be a part of the city that you love," "Choose purpose," and "Serving community. Building careers" in their advertisements.

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Revised San Diego Law Allows for More Parklets, Pop-Ups

Rachel Kaufman

February 12, 2019 |

Next City |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, San Diego, California

San Diego residents may be seeing more placemaking projects, like murals or pedestrian plazas, because of a more streamlined permitting process. The city, notorious for making such projects difficult and expense to install, passed legislation and will be reviewing it to assess whether it should be expanded. San Diego has also created a fund that can help offset the costs of permit fees and other expenses.

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People with disabilities can save for college, life expenses with new Washington state savings plan

Katherine Long

February 12, 2019 |

The Seattle Times |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle

Washington State is pioneering savings accounts for people with disabilities that won't penalize them for saving for financial stability by barring them from essential federal aid programs. The accounts are tax-free and allow participants to save at least $15,000 a year, which can be withdrawn at any time or saved until retirement, with some limitations to who is eligible for the account. As word of the ABLE Savings Plan spreads, the self-supporting program is helping ensure that people with disabilities are not relegated to living in destitution to qualify for federal benefits.

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Conversations about Confederate Monuments in the Former Confederate Capital

Emily Nonko

February 12, 2019 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Richmond, Virginia

In the midst of heated debates surrounding the removal of Confederate monuments in Richmond, Virginia, a partnership between a university design collective and a community nonprofit welcomed student suggestions to keep conversation flowing - and respectful. Students submitted ideas to redesign Monument Avenue, a historical boulevard lined with Confederate statues, in a way that takes into account race, cultural history and the modern community.

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Putting the sun in Sunshine State? Florida's about-face on solar power

Eva Botkin-Kowacki

February 11, 2019 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Miami, Florida

“We’re in the midst of one of the largest solar expansions in the country,” says Alys Daly, a spokesperson for Florida Power and Light, the largest utility provider in the state of Florida. This statement represents a shift in which Florida has seized on decreasing costs of solar power and is working to increase its capacity tenfold. Power companies are helping residents save costs in an environmentally conscious way.

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