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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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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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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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Austin Just Brought Paid Sick Leave to the South

Jimmy Tobias

February 16, 2018 |

The Nation (New York) |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Austin, Texas

After a coalition of activists launched a campaign that included phone banking, door to door canvassing, and social media advertising to get the city to pass a universal paid leave policy, they won. Austin passed one of the most progressive paid leave policies, ultimately benefiting more than 200,000 workers.

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Spokane Hopes Tiny Homes and Cottages Will Spur Infill Density

Josh Cohen

February 15, 2018 |

Next City |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Spokane, Washington

The city of Spokane has made it easier for multiple smaller housing units to be built on a plot of land by changing their zoning requirements. The change makes it easier for affordable housing to be built, among other things. It also attracts development within the city limits, rather than sprawling into the suburbs.

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Australia's Ambassador Says His Country's Gun Laws Can't Save America

Molly McCluskey

February 09, 2018 |

Pacific Standard |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Australia, Sydney, New South Wales

Since Australia’s National Firearms Act, passed over 20 years ago, the country has seen zero mass shootings. The legislation mandates a 28-day waiting period, bans automatic and semi-automatic firearms, and offers no-questions-asked gun buybacks. As mass shootings continue to plague the United States, many look to Australia’s legislation as a model of success, but with very different cultures and histories, some think that kind of legislation isn’t possible for America.

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Norway: Recidivism Rates

Fi Glover Henrietta Moore Martha Lane Fox

January 30, 2018 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Norway

Prisons in Norway are designed to simulate life on the outside. Inmates are encouraged to work and get an education, and officers chat and do activities alongside them. Norway spends a lot of money per prisoner, but the system seems to contribute to the country’s low recidivism rates.

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Germany: Refugee Integration

Fi Glover Henrietta Moore Martha Lane Fox

January 23, 2018 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Germany, Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia

When Germany opened its doors to refugees, the country invested heavily in integration assistance, including free but compulsory language and civics courses. Though political division has formed in Germany over immigration issues, the focus on integrating refugees recognizes, and furthers, the potential of new arrivals to contribute to society.

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A group of janitors started a movement to stop sexual abuse

Bernice Yeung

January 16, 2018 |

Reveal |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

After a documentary brought to light the prevalence of sexual assault experiences by women janitors, a California janitors union decided it was going to do something about the issue. Women leaders within the union convinced leadership to take on the issue, got a state representative to sponsor a bill to curb sexual harassment in the janitorial industry, and workers held a hunger strike at the state capitol. Every janitor must now have "anti-sexual harassment training," and employers must integrate the law into practice in order to do business.

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After a Debacle, How California Became a Role Model on Measles

Emily Oster Geoffrey Kocks

January 16, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Berkeley, California

In 2014, Disneyland experienced a measles outbreak that was linked back to the alarmingly low vaccination rates among Californian children. Following this outbreak, California passed a law that removed two of the most commonly used vaccination exemptions: personal belief exemptions, and conditional exemptions. Two years later, most children in California attend schools that meet herd immunity standards, and the chances of another outbreak are minimal.

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