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How Raton got its groove back

Staci Matlock

November 15, 2016 |

Small Towns Big Change |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Raton, New Mexico

By investing public money, developing a branch of a local community college, and encouraging locals to invest in their own hometown, the small city of Raton, New Mexico has begun to turn their economic hardships around. City officials have looked beyond cyclical extraction businesses like coal mining in order to think about long-term financial success for their community members.

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Rural economies get high on legal cannabis

Leah Todd Lin

November 15, 2016 |

High Country News |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Trinidad, Colorado

Many small towns in Colorado who have previously struggled economically are now benefitting from the legal marijuana industry. The marijuana sales tax is helping towns pay for infrastructure and development efforts. However, local officials are wary of becoming too reliant upon this industry, as it may not be sustainable. For the time being, towns are using their extra tax dollars to build up their communities.

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Cities Closely Watching Chicago's Version of a Fitbit

Tod Newcombe

November 15, 2016 |

Governing |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Already a model for the 'Smart City Trend', Chicago is now continuing its innovative streak by launching an "urban sensing" project, which will gather, analyze and publicize sensory data on the city’s air quality, traffic flow, and hyperlocal weather conditions. These sensors will not only provide the public with immediate and practical information about traffic, air and weather safety, but also guide city planners’ in designing energy efficient infrastructure.

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Can Metro Detroit's municipalities cooperate?

Ellen Vial

November 14, 2016 |

Model D |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Faced with insufficient revenue to fund key services like fire departments thanks to state laws limiting tax rates, two communities in Southeast Michigan used another state law to form a regional services authority that levies a property tax to fully fund both cities' fire departments. The authority is looking to mentor other communities on how to do this. Similar regional cooperative agreements are in place at a larger scale in Minneapolis/St. Paul and Pittsburgh addressing things like transportation, regional planning and affordable housing.

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Cook County, Home of Chicago, Becomes Largest Locale With a Soda Tax

Hal Dardick

November 14, 2016 |

Chicago Tribune |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

To create revenue and avoid damaging cuts for public health and public safety systems, Cook County has approved a controversial penny-an-ounce pop tax.

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As Columbia meal-sharing app stalled, NYU counterpart soared

Rahil Kamath

November 14, 2016 |

Columbia Daily Spectator |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

To address the food insecurity problem among its low-income students, Columbia University launched Swipes, a meal sharing app in which students with a surplus of “meal swipes” could donate them to students in need. But when that app struggled to function and roll out properly, Columbia looked downtown to New York University, where student Jon Chin launched a similarly purposed but more effectively designed app, Share Meals. So far, the app has enabled over a thousand meal donations, and is hoping to work with Columbia to share its code and expand its donor services.

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LA Metro Bus Project to Lift Up Disadvantaged Workers

Johnny Magdaleno

November 11, 2016 |

Next City |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

The Los Angeles Metro service is working to use the U.S. Employment Plan model to upgrade its fleet with eco-friendly buses. Through this model, the manufacturers who invest in and hire disadvantaged workers and support the local economy receive extra points which help them in obtaining contracts from Los Angeles Metro. This create jobs locally and helps disadvantaged communities grow while creating a fleet of zero-emissions buses.

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A day to expunge criminal records is hugely popular in Philly

Jane M. Von Bergen

November 11, 2016 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, people with certain types of misdemeanors can ask the courts to seal their records from public view. When this law was passed, a team of 175 lawyers, paralegals, and law students volunteered to help eligible people start the process of sealing their records. The event was a big hit with 1,853 people signing up for help, so many that registration had to close. Of the applicants, 1,200 will likely get their records sealed.

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Americans Are Getting Their Voluntourism Fix on a New Carnival Cruise

Jacob Kushner

November 07, 2016 |

Vice |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Fathom is the world's first-ever cruise line for people who want to vacation and volunteer as a way of helping poor families in the Dominican Republic have concrete floors, water filters etc. However, the impact of this organization is unknown given a lack of data and contrasting anecdotal evidence.

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Cash and Tech Replace Bags of Rice in Urban Humanitarian Aid

Molly McCluskey

November 04, 2016 |

Diplomatic Courier |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Jordan, Amman

Refugees often find cold cash far more helpful than bags of rice or other products foundations provide. Iris scanners can make identity verification much easier for refugees to access money that is distributed to them at banks.

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