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Why Swedish gangs use hand grenades (and what the country is doing about it)

Lee Roden

February 28, 2018 |

The Local |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Sweden

Sweden confiscated thousands of explosive items within months of changing customs laws. The move, along with an amnesty program, are efforts to combat a seeming rise in grenade use by criminal gangs.

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How a small town reclaimed its grid and sparked a community revolution

Aditya Chakrabortty

February 28, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Germany, Wolfhagen

In Wolfhagen, Germany, one man led the quest to take back the electricity supply into the hands of the public. By entering a lengthy negotiation with E.ON, one of the biggest energy companies in the world, Martin Rühl demonstrated that public ownership of utilities would save residents money and empower them, as well. The small German town is now using its extra funding to explore renewable energy, acting as a leader for municipalities across Europe.

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Want to prosper? Act like a region, proponents say

Tom Condon

February 28, 2018 |

The Connecticut Mirror |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Indianapolis, Indiana

As America’s economy becomes increasingly concentrated in metropolitan areas, smaller cities and towns are coming together to act like cohesive regions, thereby generating economic benefits that can be shared. Northeast Ohio has raised over $100 million in funding for research projects for the region, Denver created a caucus of mayors to address regional development challenges, and Indianapolis used similar tactics to attract people locally. All three projects are models for what other regions can accomplish.

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Why good policies go wrong: Seattle's botched bikeshare model

Jennifer Guay

February 27, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

Traffic for both everyday commuters and tourists in big cities has increasingly become more of a hassle across nations. Various cities like Portland, Oregon have found success with bikeshare models. Seattle, however, found failure with this approach first. By learning from what didn't work, the city has been able to pilot new bikeshare models that so far are showing more potential than limitations.

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3 Far-Flung Cities Offer Clues to Unsnarling Manhattan's Streets

Christina Anderson Winnie Hu Weiyi Lim Anna Schaverien

February 26, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Sweden, Stockholm

Cities like New York that are trying to decrease traffic congestion are looking to Stockholm, London, and Singapore. These three cities have all implemented forms of congestion pricing, in which they charge drivers a fee to enter a core congestion area during peak commuting hours. Despite challenges in implementation, the congestion taxes have decreased traffic and increased driving speed in each of these cities.

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Fed up with high rates, a Colorado city considers ditching its utility and relying on the sun

Jason Margolis

February 26, 2018 |

Public Radio International (PRI) |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Pueblo, Colorado

Residents in Pueblo, Colorado pay some of the highest electricity rates despite being one of the lowest-income cities in the state. In an attempt to become independent of the corporate utility company that determines the price of energy, the community is working to become powered by 100 percent renewable energy and convince local government to implement a city-run utility.

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In El Salvador, this program lays out a path to escape gang violence

Fred de Sam Lazaro

February 25, 2018 |

PBS NewsHour |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: El Salvador, San Salvador

YouthBuild El Salvador is a program, partly funded by the United States, that teaches participants leadership and marketable skills, with an underlying emphasis on empathy, responsibility, and conflict resolution. In a country wrought with violence and gang activity, the hope is to give participants another option. At the end of their time in the program, participants are more likely to find employment – something that is hard to come by in the country.

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A Year of Bail Reform in New Jersey

Brian Lehrer

February 21, 2018 |

WNYC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, New Jersey

As New Jersey continues to reform its cash bail system, other states in the region look to it as an example. The state developed an algorithm called the Public Safety Assessment that considers an individual’s likeliness to appear for their court date and whether they pose a risk of committing another crime and presents these findings and corresponding recommendations to a judge. Since the reforms have been in place, the state has seen a 20% decrease in the pre-trial jail population and an overall decrease in crime.

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A Western town says ‘no' to guns in schools

Maddy Butcher

February 20, 2018 |

High Country News |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Mancos, Colorado

In Mancos, Colorado, the school board voted “no” to arming school staff in the traditionally Western town. Across the United States, the question of arming teachers is being brought up as a response to the increase in school shootings. The policy is highly contested, with some saying it provides students with a feeling of safety, but others saying the risks associated are too high. For the Mancos community, such a vote is a surprise given the town’s gun-friendly history, but is explained by the increase in new residents.

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Years-old rape kits are finally being tested. No one can agree on what to do next.

Jessica Contrera

February 20, 2018 |

The Washington Post |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Virginia Beach, Virginia

In Virginia, a bill was passed to test around 2,902 rape kits that had never been tested. Then, the state passes another law that rules police agencies have to notify all victims that their kits have been tested. Advocates and law enforcement agents fear informing all victims will be triggering and traumatic, and prefer to inform only those whose kits result in a match. The Virginia Beach police meets with legislators in attempt to change the law, but fails. Ultimately they try to decide the best way of informing hundreds of survivors of sexual assault.

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