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A Grassroots Call to Ban Gerrymandering

Erick Trickey

September 23, 2018 |

The Atlantic |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Lansing, Michigan

In Michigan, a group of people decided they were done with gerrymandering: a political process in which district maps are redrawn to favor one party over another. They formed a group called “Voters Not Politicians,” and did what no one thought they would be able to do. “The crowdsourced campaign held 33 town-hall meetings in 33 days, wrote a ballot proposal to give redistricting powers to a citizens’ commission” and “collected 425,000 petition signatures in four months to secure a spot on Michigan’s ballot—a rare feat, usually accomplished only by hiring paid signature gatherers.”

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In Sweden, Trash Heats Homes, Powers Buses and Fuels Taxi Fleets

Amy Yee

September 21, 2018 |

The New York Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Sweden, Linköping

In Sweden, waste is not just waste, or so the country explains with a total of 34 waste-to-energy power plants that turn garbage into electricity. With an already staggering low percentage of waste ending up in landfills, 50 percent of the portion that does is transformed into energy through an incineration process that plays a large part in heating many homes throughout the winter.

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In London, Electric Trucks Are Helping UPS Make ‘Eco-Friendly' Deliveries

Stanley Reed

September 21, 2018 |

The New York Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, London

UPS has converted about one-third of its diesel vehicles to electric power, a move backed by the British government to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and air pollution in London. While making the switch to electric reveled challenges with the city’s power grid, officials said they have been encouraged by the results of the pilot program, which could also be applicable to other modes of transportation like buses and ambulances in other cities around the world.

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What does a more thoughtful disaster response look like?

Eillie Anzilotti

September 20, 2018 |

FastCompany |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, North Carolina

A new coalition of nonprofits is working to change the way corporations and philanthropists think about disaster assistance. Most efforts and money funnel to communities in the early days and weeks after a disaster, while very little goes toward long term recovery efforts. The coalition has created a framework to guide more effective assistance to minimize waste and get appropriate resources to communities when they need them.

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On Hurricane Maria Anniversary, Puerto Rico Is Still in Ruins

Frances Robles Jugal K. Patel

September 20, 2018 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Punta Santiago, Puerto Rico

FEMA’s response to Puerto Rico post-Hurricane Irma has been the “longest sustained domestic airborne food and water mission in the nation’s history. The agency has never distributed more food or installed more generators.” However, due to bureaucracy and delayed decision making, there are still thousands of Puerto Ricans who have not received aid, or were underserved.

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San Francisco is cracking down on tent camps. Will Seattle do the same?

Vianna Davila

September 20, 2018 |

The Seattle Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco

San Francisco is following through on a controversial, aggressive plan to move people experiencing homelessness from encampments and tents, responding to complaints that the city's growing number of homeless people are a detriment to tourism and property values. Seattle, a city experiencing a similar problem, is considering the same approach because encampments have gone down by 50%, but critics say it is a compassionless approach that doesn't actually solve the problem, only move it.

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As with birth control, Colorado makes anti-smoking drugs available at pharmacies — no doctor visit required

Jennifer Brown

September 19, 2018 |

The Colorado Sun |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Colorado

With a new prescribing protocol in place, drug store pharmacists can prescribe anti-smoking medications. People often visit a pharmacy more than their doctor, and the new protocol allows greater access to necessary medications for those wishing to quit.

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Detroit welcomes immigrants to spur the city's revival

Jason Margolis

September 18, 2018 |

Public Radio International (PRI) |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Michigan, and Detroit in particular, has focused on bringing in immigrants to help the area grow. Several programs are helping migrant business owners succeed in their new home. Hatch Detroit helped Hamissi Mamba, a refugee from Burundi, start his own African-inspired restaurant. Motor City Match supplies funding for businesses, and Global Detroit helps make “Detroit more attractive and welcoming for immigrants.” Together, these groups are succeeding.

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How to brand a country: why our governments are hiring PR specialists

Jennifer Guay

September 18, 2018 |

Apolitical |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: Russia, Tatarstan

Building a country’s “brand identity” has shifted from a tourist-attracting gimmick to an exercise in nation building. Consultants meet with citizens, identifying common values and attitudes that can be used to support policy objectives. For example, Tatarstan used brand messaging geared towards youth to reduce brain drain in the region.

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'It's a revolution': Indian officials deliver public services at people's doorsteps

Amrit Dhillon

September 17, 2018 |

The Guardian |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, New Delhi

To reduce corruption, the Delhi government has begun delivering public services to residents’ doorsteps. Now it’s possible to get a driver license, marriage certificate, and more from the comfort of home—no long lines or bribes required.

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