Story Search Results

Advanced Search

There are so many ways to search the solutions journalism stories in this database. Explore our searchable fields:

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 2265 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

Kentucky Activists Step In to Deliver on the Promise of Voting Rights Restoration

Alex Burness

October 12, 2023 |

Bolts |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Kentucky

After Kentucky reinstated voting rights for people convicted of nonviolent crimes who have finished their sentence, a coalition of activists and nonprofit organizations started using public records, social media, door-to-door canvassing, and other outreach methods to inform formerly incarcerated people of their rights. The effort has helped register more than 89,000 people since 2019, though advocates say the state itself could be doing much more to reach newly-enfranchised voters.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Making cities 'spongy' could help fight flooding — by steering the water underground

John Ruwitch

October 03, 2023 |

NPR |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: China, Jinhua

The concept of “sponge cities” is taking off as a way to prevent flooding. This style of urban design focuses on creating environments that absorb more water with plants and open ground as opposed to pipes and concrete.

Read More
Go to Original Story
The Newton experiment: How a rural Kansas weekly newspaper refreshed an outdated business model

Kevin Simpson

October 02, 2023 |

The Colorado Sun |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Newton, Kansas

In an age where small, rural newspapers are shrinking and disappearing, local paper Harvey County Now started engaging more with its audience to find ways to better meet their news needs to keep money flowing and the newspaper afloat. From sending out e-newsletters, hosting local events and launching a premium membership program called Press Club, which grants access to benefits like concert tickets and exclusive events, Harvey County Now managed to increase its profits while simultaneously keeping its audience and print paper intact.

Read More
Go to Original Story
The goats fighting fires in Los Angeles

Lucy Sherriff

September 26, 2023 |

BBC |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

Cities in California are turning to goat herders to manage the dead trees and shrubs that become fuel for wildfires. Goats will eat almost anything and are adept at getting to places humans find difficult to reach.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Miyawaki: A little forest with a towering task

Jingnan Peng

September 22, 2023 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Residents of Cambridge, Massachusetts, are planting Miyawaki forests to help regenerate the local ecosystem, sequester carbon, and cool the air. Originally created in Japan, these forests consist entirely of native plants made to mimic a natural forest in a small area of urban land.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Community land trusts can help improve local housing affordability

Duncan Agnew

September 20, 2023 |

Evanston RoundTable |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Evanston, Illinois

Through a land trust, Community Partners in Affordable Housing sells homes to buyers at a fixed cost while maintaining ownership of the land they’re built on, allowing those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford market rate housing to become homeowners. Some of the homes are even built by high school students enrolled in a local Geometry in Construction program.

Read More
Go to Original Story
North County nonprofits help stranded migrants

Samantha Nelson

September 19, 2023 |

The Coast News Group |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Oceanside, California

Several community members and nonprofit organizations like Interfaith Community Services and the North County Rapid Response Network are joining forces to provide aid to the hundreds of migrants being dropped off at local transit centers. So far, the organizations and volunteers have helped 177 people access food, water, clothing, shelter, medical support and other resources like language support and reunification for families that have been separated.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Are Oakland community ambassadors making a difference?

Roselyn Romero

September 19, 2023 |

The Oaklandside |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Oakland, California

In response to public safety concerns and understaffed police departments, community ambassadors are working to improve public safety by building relationships with local business owners and residents, mitigating conflict without force or violence, providing support to people in crisis and keeping the city clean. Since community ambassadors began patrolling the area, local business owners have reported noticing fewer robberies and crime in general

Read More
Go to Original Story
As Chicago Punts on Apartment Safety, Denver Shows What's Possible

Alex Nitkin

September 18, 2023 |

Illinois Answers Project |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Denver, Colorado

A new licensing system that registers landlords and requires safety checks is ensuring tenants have safe places to live that are up to code and meet basic safety standards like having working smoke detectors or being free of mold. So far about 4,000 single-unit rental properties have been inspected and signed off on as safe places to live and the city has issued 1,578 violations to buildings that don’t meet the safety criteria.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Greater Cleveland Congregations is reaching "depressed" voters

Frank W. Lewis

September 15, 2023 |

Signal Cleveland |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

Through the Better for Democracy campaign, which is organized by Greater Cleveland Congregations, neighborhood “captains” are tasked with contacting low-propensity voters in their area at least five times each with phone calls, door-knocking, texts, a printed voters’ guide, and a follow-up thank you call. This relational approach to organizing resulted in 56 percent of those who were contacted showing up to vote in 2022, as compared to a 30 percent turnout rate for the city as a whole.

Read More
Go to Original Story