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Harvey overwhelmed some levee systems. Future storms could do worse.

Emily Foxhall

December 14, 2017 |

Houston Chronicle |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Houston, Texas

The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey left many Houston residents questioning the efficacy of one of the city’s only protections, the Levee Improvement Districts (LID), responsible for providing flood protection. In neighborhoods prone to flooding, there has been much debate about the actual protection the current levees provide, leading many to call for solutions like the expansion of the LIDs through elections (rather than appointees) or raising the levees.

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Can red-light cameras help curb Milwaukee's reckless drivers?

David D. Haynes

December 13, 2017 |

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |

Video |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

A columnist looks at the proposal to bring red light cameras to Milwaukee after a string of horrific car accidents where a driver blew through traffic lights. The piece covers a good deal of data on the efficacy of red light cameras in Chicago and elsewhere, pointing out the positive results of fewer crashes while pointing out the flaws, such as an increase in rear-end collisions. The author also explains how he reported the story and provides numerous links to resources so readers can continue to explore the topic.

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Be Cool, Stay in School

Adam Davidson

December 12, 2017 |

This American Life |

Podcast |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Rochester, New York

Most jobs require at least a high school education, but 80 million Americans don’t have one, leaving millions of people locked out of the social economic ladder. In Rochester, New York, an organization called Pathstone trains people without a high school degree. They created an optics apprenticeship program, graduating 9 students.

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Meet India's dam-building grandmother

Aamir Rafeeq Peerzeda

December 12, 2017 |

BBC |

Multi-Media |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: India, Rajasthan

In Rajasthan, India, the Aakar Charitable Trust is building dams in previously drought-ridden areas using traditional practices that use the contours of the land to retain water. These check dams are cost-effective, partially owned by local communities, and do not displace residents; the trust builds an average of 30 dams each year, but they hope to ramp up construction in the future while cautioning that the method will not work for every topography.

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Estonia, the Digital Republic

Nathan Heller

December 11, 2017 |

The New Yorker |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Estonia

The e-Estonia project eliminates information silos, pairing blockchain with an easy to use data-sharing platform. The X-Road platform platform acts like a bridge, linking the information in places like doctors offices and governmental agencies together, providing a more efficient data management system for users and bureaucrats alike. The e-Estonia program also offers e-residencies to those who wish to use the services outside of the country. Blockchain technology lends the entire system added security.

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How Nigeria Defeated Ebola

Kristin Peterson, Morenike O. Folayan

December 10, 2017 |

Africa Is A Country |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Nigeria, Lagos

Nigeria contained its 2014 Ebola outbreak through rapid emergency response and compassionate care. In less than 10 weeks, health workers visited more than 147,000 people who may have had first or second degree contact with the index patient, tracking body temperatures and other health data while isolating themselves from their own families to prevent further exposure. Patients received psychosocial support, and a massive public awareness campaign encouraged public trust throughout the crisis.

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Build, flood, rebuild: flood insurance's expensive cycle

David Hunn, Ryan Maye Handy, James Osborne

December 09, 2017 |

Houston Chronicle |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Houston, Texas

What was originally conceived of to help protect homes from flooding has instead trapped homeowners in an endless cycle of filing claims and rebuilding their homes. The National Flood Insurance Program was supposed to discourage development in flooding zones and ease the costs after disasters. With lobbying money and power from developers, realtors associations, and others with vested interests, any opportunity to redesign the system through Congress have haven’t gone far.

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Why An Ivy League MBA Went Back To Ghana To Help A Pineapple Farm

Amy Yee

December 08, 2017 |

NPR |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Ghana

Investment in African agriculture has wide-ranging impact because the industry provides 60 percent of employment in the continent. Injaro, founded by an investment banker, is a private equity fund that seeks to invest in African businesses. Injaro’s funds have helped to make Gold Coast Fruits one of Ghana’s largest employers and have helped revive a struggling pineapple farm. The steady investments have improved productivity as Gold Coast Fruits now produces up to 50 tons of pineapple.

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As emerging diseases spread from wildlife to humans, can we predict the next big pandemic?

Karl Gruber

December 07, 2017 |

Ensia |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Zoonotic outbreaks are increasingly a threat to human populations and other species as they spatially converge in the same environments. In preparation, the project PREDICT has discovered over 1000 distinct diseases and helped guide the development of infrastructure to help protect against outbreaks, while the Global Virome Project is identifying and sequencing the DNA of viruses.

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How whisper networks and female friendships help girls overcome sexual violence in conflict zones

Sarah O'Hagan

December 06, 2017 |

Newsweek |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Ethiopia

Around the world, adolescent girls are susceptible to sexual harassment but girls in crisis areas are likely to be forgotten, or the solutions do not reach them. A new training program is designed for such conflict areas. It focuses on the therapeutic importance of female friendships, creates safe spaces, and initiates discussions about gender violence.

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