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Latinos hold almost half of all elected positions in Fresno County. Here's how they made gains

Nadia Lopez

October 09, 2020 |

The Fresno Bee |

Multi-Media |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Fresno, California

Latino and Latina politicians hold 48% of Fresno County’s elected positions. These gains were facilitated by the California Voting Rights Act, which calls for the use of district elections instead of citywide races in areas where communities feel disenfranchised. Districts are smaller units, so candidates are elected by their immediate community rather than the entire city. Financing a district election campaign is also more reasonable. District elections lessen the disproportionate influence of populations that historically have higher voter turnout. About 130 of 450 cities have adopted district elections.

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Who ya gonna call? Remote learning helpline for teachers...and parents

Javeria Salman

October 07, 2020 |

The Hechinger Report |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Rhode Island

The School Support Hotline in Rhode Island is helping teachers and parents experience smoother virtual classroom experiences by answering questions and providing support for tech issues, along with translation services in over 200 languages. The hotline was started by the Highlander Insitute, an education nonprofit, and is staffed by 40 fellows, who are part of Fuse RI Initiative, and are educators themselves. After its first month of operation, over 200 parents had called into the hotline with questions.

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Minnesota has figured out a way to help stressed farmers. Can it be replicated?

Marissa Plescia

October 07, 2020 |

Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Minnesota

The Rural Mental Health Outreach program in Minnesota is helping farmers in the region to tackle mental health challenges that are related to the stresses involved in their profession. Other states have taken notice of the program's success and are now piloting similar programs as a means of addressing a rising concern of suicide within the farming industry.

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How to fix America's voter registration system so more people can vote

Jen Kirby

October 06, 2020 |

Vox |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Oregon

Over a dozen states have adopted some variation of automatic voter registration, which is common in many European democracies. Voters in Oregon are mailed a notification when they are enrolled, which they can send back to opt out if they want. Prior to the 2016 election, 225,000 Oregonians were registered that way and 100,000 of those voted, a turnout rate of 43%. Some believe it is a more accurate way to maintain and update voter rolls. For voter data, states can use DMV and state tax records or join the over 30 states who are members of the nonprofit Electronic Registration Information Center.

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Behind the new picture of food insecurity in Detroit, and those fighting it

Anna Clark

October 06, 2020 |

Planet Detroit |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

When the lockdown first began, Detroit Public School Community District (DPSCD) alleviated food insecurity by providing 18,000 meals and learning packets weekly to children as well as any Detroiter in need. Now students who are taking classes virtually can still receive meals in person. Anyone else in Detroit can also come by Monday to Thursday to pick up food to go. Food banks and pantries are also pivoting to meet the needs of the community during the pandemic.

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Minnesota nonprofits boost voter outreach for 2020 election

Kelly Smith

October 05, 2020 |

Minneapolis Star Tribune |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Minnesota

Nonprofits increased voter engagement in communities that face barriers to voting. Deaf Equity posted videos on social media in ASL to educate voters on how to register to vote and track mail-in ballots. The Native American Community Development Institute is engaging with voters in rural Minnesota, religious leaders at mosques, churches, and temples are encouraging members to vote, and volunteers at food shelves are handing out voter registration forms. Several groups have received funding to conduct voter outreach with Black and Muslim communities as well as neighborhoods where people have lower incomes.

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How can students learn online if they don't know the language? This city tackled the issue

Alia Wong

October 05, 2020 |

The Seattle Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Tulsa, Oklahoma

The city of Tulsa took a variety of steps to make sure English as a Second Language learners didn’t fall behind in their virtual classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. First, school officials made sure students had their basic needs by providing them with meals, hotspots, Chromebooks, and classroom supplies. Families were also given access to social workers that check in one of them, had support from teachers, and could network with other ESL parents through the English Learner Parent Advisory Committee. “Everything they’ve given us has been a miracle.”

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How diverse is your government? These two laws changed who holds power in California

Kim Bojórquez

October 05, 2020 |

Sacramento Bee |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, California

In California, two laws have helped to open opportunities for less experienced candidates to win state and local offices, which has increased representation among people of color. A 1990 law set term limits for the state legislature, which forces turnover, and the California Voting Rights Act allowed communities of color to demand electoral changes, including by-district elections that have increased Latinx and Black representatives at the local level. These laws have helped to level the playing field but the benefits have not occurred across all districts, instead they tend to be driven by a few cities.

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The Work Is All Of Us

Kimberly Meyer

October 05, 2020 |

Texas Observer |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Texas

What started as an informal support group in Texas for undocumented workers who had been injured while working, has morphed into a mutual aid organization that helps connect immigrants and those who are uninsured with health necessities and resources. The group is unique in the U.S., as it advocates for both disability rights and immigrant rights, while also providing support for disaster relief efforts.

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Tucson program helping women- and minority-owned small businesses access COVID-19 relief money

Veronica Cruz

October 03, 2020 |

This is Tucson |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Tucson, Arizona

To help small businesses survive the coronavirus pandemic, the city of Tucson launched the Small Business Continuity Grants to supplement the federal government's Paycheck Protection Program. Although the fund can only provide so much for businesses and still requires an application process, it has helped over 170 businesses so far, with the majority being woman-owned or minority-owned businesses.

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