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Iowa Civility Workshop

Richard Davies Jim Meigs

October 18, 2018 |

How Do We Fix It? |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Des Moines, Iowa

At a time when American politics are more divisive and uncivil than ever before, Revive Civility Iowa and the National Institute of Civil Discourse hosted a two hour workshop to encourage civil conversation among politically opposed members of the same community. Using skill-building exercises like active listening, the workshop sought to engender tolerance in participants to reach resolutions. As one of the organizers pointed out, "The biggest mistake most of us make when we try to solve problems with others is we suggest they change their minds."

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This professor wants to power Puerto Rico with a little help from Reddit

Justine Calma

October 17, 2018 |

Grist |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Puerto Rico, San Juan

After Hurricane Maria devastated much of Puerto Rico, much of the country was left without power and some were subsequently left sick due to fumes from generators. After receiving a call from a relative in his home county, Professor Monxo Lopez of New York City’s Hunter College was determined to create affordable solar for his home country.

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This 24-year-old lawsuit could radically alter public education in North Carolina

Michael Cooper

October 15, 2018 |

Scalawag |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, North Carolina

Twenty years ago, five, poor, rural counties sued the state of North Carolina for failing to provide students with a good education, and won. In 1997 the Chief Justice Supreme Court judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in the case known as Leandro v. State. However, the decision wasn’t really enforced by the government, and until 2017 a court appointed agency was hired to investigate the state. “Leandro sets the bar but you still need to have elected officials, school officials and court officials willing to uphold it,”

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Unequal Discipline

Jessica Pupovac Kari Lydersen

October 14, 2018 |

Chicago Reporter |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Illinois

In 2017, Illinois passed a bill to re-establish the Women’s Correctional Services Division in response to the disproportionate level of discipline handed out to female inmates and in an effort to create more trauma-informed practices. An initial audit showed declines in discipline and there is now mandatory training for correctional officers on working with female inmates. But the main reform champion retired after the law passed and the state wouldn’t provide updated data on discipline.

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Beyond Hot Wings: How Architecture Is Helping Buffalo Make Its Comeback

Joseph Darius Jaafari

October 13, 2018 |

NationSwell |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Buffalo, New York

Buffalo uses its historic architecture to attract international visitors. The city offers tax credits to developers who remodel and renovate old buildings. The effort also helps attract young people back to the city.

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Mass tourism is ruining historic cities. Only government can stop it

Jennifer Guay

October 11, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Spain, Barcelona

With tourism on the rise, governments are figuring out how to limit overcrowding and environmental damage. Replicable ideas include marketing beaches and other attractions off the beaten path, regulating hotels and vacation rentals, and even requiring that every tourist must be accompanied by a local guide.

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Banning refugees from having jobs hurts, not helps, local workers

Fergus Peace

October 09, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Turkey

Host governments tend to be wary of allowing refugees to move freely and work legally. However, integrating refugees into the labor market as quickly as possible reduces the concentration of newcomers in the informal sector, benefiting both locals and refugees in the long run.

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Chicago hotel workers join #MeToo, demand protections against sexual assault

Allison Herrera

October 09, 2018 |

Public Radio International (PRI) |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Hotel workers and members of the union, Unite Here, successfully lobbied for a law that makes it mandatory for hotels in Chicago to provide a safety device, known as a panic button, to workers. The ordinance also includes a retaliation clause which forbids employers from firing women after reporting sexual abuse. ‘This is incredible.' Because like, we all had the same feeling like we've started something.”

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Can Chinese students revive the American heartland?

Jingnan Peng

October 09, 2018 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Clinton, Iowa

The town of Clinton, Iowa was struggling both economically and with student retention until a partnership with an American businessman and a Chinese company brought 72 Chinese students to fill empty seats in the public high schools. Not only does this stir up the local economy with businesses jumping at the chance to serve a new audience, but the students all benefit from the cultural and educational exchange. The Clinton school board and district representatives all voted unanimously for the program, and both sides are looking forward to continuing to develop and grow the program.

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Evidence-based policymaking: is there room for science in politics?

Jennifer Guay

October 07, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom

In the UK, the What Works Centres are bringing scientific rigor into the realm of government by promoting evidence-based policymaking (EBPM). By evaluating policies through an unbiased, empirical approach like a randomized controlled trial, the What Works Centres, and now hundreds of U.S. cities, can implement only the most effective policies. However, critics point to the fact that success in certain trials does not guarantee success elsewhere.

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