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Why Are Millions Paying Online Tax Preparation Fees When They Don't Need To?

Tik Root

June 18, 2018 |

ProPublica |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Thanks to an agreement between the U.S. government and a consortium of companies including Intuit and H&R Block, 70 percent of taxpayers are supposed to have access to free online tax preparation services. But Free File is confusing and poorly publicized. Only about 3 percent of eligible tax returns over the last 16 years used the system.

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Cities are getting more crowded: better design could stop violence

Edward Siddons

June 15, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Researchers found that more greenery in urban spaces reduces crime and this idea of combatting crime with good design is part of a discipline called Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, or CPTED. It spread around the world, but there also downsides. A new generation of CPTED advocates are expanding the field to consider social factors underlying crime and engage with local communities when designing projects because just discouraging crime is not enough to make spaces inviting.

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Detroit's demolition program under fire for lack of diversity

Katrease Stafford

June 15, 2018 |

Detroit Free Press |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Detroit had an opportunity to use its huge budget for demolitions to help minority-owned and Detroit-owned businesses, specifically by using Hardest Hit Fund federal dollars. However, the winning contractors largely were not as diverse or as local as many would have liked. Despite public outcry, the city continues to award contracts to large firms, maintaining the status quo stays. Their minimal efforts to change have not gone far enough, and locals are looking to states like Tennessee and South Carolina, hoping its leaders can learn from the success of others and bring more positive change to Detroit.

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How a Low-Tech Solution Helped Anchorage, Alaska's Gardeners

Sara Hudson

June 13, 2018 |

Slate |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Anchorage, Alaska

Starting small has had a big impact in Anchorage, Alaska as the city looks at low-tech composting solutions that could alleviate their growing landfill problem. By revisiting a once-failed attempt to encourage composting, the local government found a way to not only build trust with the community, but also increase sustainability and resiliency efforts city-wide.

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Australia's visas for seasonal workers: aid or exploitation?

Fergus Peace

June 11, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Australia

The Seasonal Workers Program in Australia was implemented when there was a need to be met for more farming laborers. Although not without issue, the program is drawing many Pacific Islanders as a means for them to boost their incomes, while Australia ensures the labor they need to thrive.

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Domestic violence: Police failed to ask 11 questions that might have saved Anako Lumumba

Jess Aloe Elizabeth Murray

June 06, 2018 |

Burlington Free Press |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Burlington, Vermont

Lethality assessments have proven effective at avoiding domestic violence homicides and such a tool might have saved a Vermont woman who was murdered. The 11 questions help victims understand the danger they are in and also help law enforcement connect them with services. But officers in many counties in Vermont are either not using the tool or not doing it systematically even though an advocacy organization has pushed for its implementation and even when police chiefs embrace its use.

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Domestic violence: Convictions are hard and the safety net has many holes

Jess Aloe Elizabeth Murray

June 06, 2018 |

Burlington Free Press |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Burlington, Vermont

Vermont lawmakers tried to make it easier for domestic violence victims to seek a special type of restraining order even if law enforcement does not have enough evidence to make an arrest. If it's granted the accused abuser cannot contact the victim or possess guns, but there are many holes in the system that make getting a permanent order more challenging. Resources are tight although one officer to work part-time in the State Attorney's office to create more uniform policies around the state.

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Could Vermont's new gun law have saved Anako Lumumba's life?

Jess Aloe Elizabeth Murray

June 06, 2018 |

Burlington Free Press |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Burlington, Vermont

Extreme risk protection orders can be effective in removing guns from dangerous people, but even though Vermont has such a law on the books, making it work effectively is difficult because it places most of the burden to prove the danger on the victim. Even if a risk protection order exists, law enforcement cannot take someone's guns if that person refuses unless they get a search warrant. The law's pitfalls were evident after the shooting death of a Burlington woman by her estranged partner.

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How Denmark lost its MindLab: the inside story

Jennifer Guay

June 05, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Denmark

Denmark’s MindLab pushed experimentation and innovation in government for more than 16 years, inspiring imitators around the world. Now shut down, the innovation lab fell victim to a swift shift in political priorities, say former directors. Digital transformation of the civil service is now the focus.

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Gun Studies: Permit Laws Reduce Murders; Red Flag Laws Cut Suicides

Martin Kaste

June 04, 2018 |

NPR |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Indiana

New research on “red flag laws,” which allow the removal of guns police or courts deem someone is a danger to themselves or others, shows they have been effective at reducing firearms-related suicides when there is effective enforcement. However there is little data on how they affect murder rates, while gun permit laws requiring people to have licenses to buy guns do appear to decrease murder rates, according to another new study.

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