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  • How Do You Kill an Invasive Species? Bring in a Bigger, Meaner Species to Eat It

    March 16, 2021 |

    The Walrus |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: Canada, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

    An insect that makes its home on eastern hemlocks in Nova Scotia has the power to wipe out the tree species if left unchecked. Scientists are looking to a strategy called biological control — a historically controversial approach — that would introduce a new predatory species to kill the insect. After rigorous lab testing showed a small black beetle only attacked their targets and didn’t disrupt other ecosystems, they released them in 2003 at an orchard on Vancouver Island. Results show they have been somewhat effective, but it’s unclear if it will completely solve the problem.

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  • How the West Lost COVID

    March 15, 2021 |

    New York Magazine |

    Text |

    Over 3000 Words

    Response Location: United States

    Although no universal set of policies were likely to have prevented the spread of Covid-19, the general inaction and lax interventions by countries in the western hemisphere prevented Europe, North America, and South America from containing the spread of the virus. Comparatively, actions taken by governments and citizens in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia allowed that region to prevent a high death toll. Similarly in East Asia, South-East Asia, and Oceania, the region experienced "inarguable success."

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  • A California town was promised police reform – then police got involved

    March 12, 2021 |

    The Guardian |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Chico, California

    A series of killings by the police sparked a community-led movement urging greater accountability and better training. The campaign bore fruit when the Chico mayor formed a committee to examine use of force policies. While police-reform advocates got appointed to the committee, the panel was dominated by the police and their political allies. Use of force policies never got examined. The city, in fact, ended up giving the police more resources and power. One policing critic concludes from this episode that professionalizing the police without scrutinizing their mission is bound to fail.

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  • How Rhode Island Fell to the Coronavirus

    March 05, 2021 |

    The New York Times |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Rhode Island

    At the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Rhode Island was commended by many for keeping the case rate relatively low, but a combination of factors quickly reversed that trend. Although some reasons for the state's failure had to do with demographics – such as a heavily elderly population – other failures that could have been avoided included a general lack of precautions for medical staff who were treating potential, but unconfirmed Covid patients.

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  • Human trafficking operations surrounding the Super Bowl result in dozens of arrests for prostitution

    March 04, 2021 |

    WFTS-TV |

    Broadcast TV News |

    5-15 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, Tampa, Florida

    Law enforcement and a private organization, Rahab's Daughters, attacked human sex trafficking at the 2021 Super Bowl in Tampa by tracing leads from tens of thousands of advertisements for sexual services. While the private group says it provided housing, food, and clothing to 40 women, and the police said they identified six trafficking victims and connected them with needed protection and services, far more women were arrested on prostitution charges, along with a handful of men on trafficking charges. Critics say the harm from those arrests can overshadow the benefits from looking for actual victims.

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  • House Rules

    March 03, 2021 |

    Santa Fe Reporter |

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    Over 3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Santa Fe, New Mexico

    A shortage of available affordable housing in Santa Fe, New Mexico was exacerbated by inclusionary zoning laws that discouraged real estate development. Restrictions on new rental properties drastically increased rents due to a dearth of available housing and supply has increased as the law was reversed.

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  • Doula work is ‘taxing' with little pay. Can Minnesota make it more sustainable?

    March 01, 2021 |

    The Washington Post |

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    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Minnesota

    In 2013, Minnesota’s Medical Assistance Medicaid program expanded to include access for those who were providing support as doulas, but many barriers faced those who tried to get on the registry. From a registration fee to complicated billing system, the new policy has especially been challenging for individual practitioners or small non-profits to navigate. But despite the limitations, the expansion has still helped some organization's "ability to serve families while compensating doulas for their work."

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  • 43 Cases, No Convictions: Prosecuting the Police Falters in New York

    February 26, 2021 |

    The New York Times |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, New York

    In the more than five years since New York's governor ordered the attorney general to take charge of investigations and prosecutions when police kill unarmed people, only three police officers have been charged with crimes and none has been convicted. By taking control of such cases away from local prosecutors, officials hoped to instill greater trust in outcomes, because of the close ties local prosecutors have with local police. But the narrow scope of the rule establishing the special prosecutions unit, plus a host of other systemic and legal barriers, have meant that the outcomes have not changed.

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  • The EV tax credit can save you thousands — if you're rich enough

    February 26, 2021 |

    Grist |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States

    A tax credit was supposed to incentive Americans to buy electric vehicles, but testimony from car buyers and research has shown that only people who can afford the full purchase are getting access to the benefit. The tax break gives electric car purchasers a credit on their taxes the following year, but only as much as they owe the government. The purchase could end up costing more than buyers expected, which can be a barrier for people who want to switch to electric.

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  • NYC's free pandemic child care program promised to prioritize students with disabilities. Why were so many turned away?

    February 25, 2021 |

    Chalkbeat |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, New York, New York

    When the coronavirus pandemic shut down school buildings and led to many people working from home in New York City, a city child care program was launched to give children a place to go while they were learning from home. However, the program failed to accommodate children with disabilities who required the assistance of a paraprofessional. After realizing the gap in care, the city is now working to increase access.

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