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  • Literacy push: L.A. libraries allow young people to read away their fines

    June 18, 2018 |

    The Christian Science Monitor |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

    After realizing that their system of fines for lost and late books was actually preventing kids and young people from reading more, L.A. libraries instituted a new program that's already showing results. The program, the Great Read Away, is an opportunity for kids to "read away" their fines, erasing $5 of the fine for each hour spent reading. "During the program’s first 11 months, young readers logged 1.6 million minutes of reading time, and 10,000 accounts were cleared completely of fines."

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

    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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  • Detroit's demolition program under fire for lack of diversity

    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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  • Cities are getting more crowded: better design could stop violence

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

    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?

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

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

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

    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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  • How Denmark lost its MindLab: the inside story

    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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