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Can Metro Detroit's municipalities cooperate?

Ellen Vial

November 14, 2016 |

Model D |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Faced with insufficient revenue to fund key services like fire departments thanks to state laws limiting tax rates, two communities in Southeast Michigan used another state law to form a regional services authority that levies a property tax to fully fund both cities' fire departments. The authority is looking to mentor other communities on how to do this. Similar regional cooperative agreements are in place at a larger scale in Minneapolis/St. Paul and Pittsburgh addressing things like transportation, regional planning and affordable housing.

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Cook County, Home of Chicago, Becomes Largest Locale With a Soda Tax

Hal Dardick

November 14, 2016 |

Chicago Tribune |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

To create revenue and avoid damaging cuts for public health and public safety systems, Cook County has approved a controversial penny-an-ounce pop tax.

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As Columbia meal-sharing app stalled, NYU counterpart soared

Rahil Kamath

November 14, 2016 |

Columbia Daily Spectator |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

To address the food insecurity problem among its low-income students, Columbia University launched Swipes, a meal sharing app in which students with a surplus of “meal swipes” could donate them to students in need. But when that app struggled to function and roll out properly, Columbia looked downtown to New York University, where student Jon Chin launched a similarly purposed but more effectively designed app, Share Meals. So far, the app has enabled over a thousand meal donations, and is hoping to work with Columbia to share its code and expand its donor services.

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LA Metro Bus Project to Lift Up Disadvantaged Workers

Johnny Magdaleno

November 11, 2016 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

The Los Angeles Metro service is working to use the U.S. Employment Plan model to upgrade its fleet with eco-friendly buses. Through this model, the manufacturers who invest in and hire disadvantaged workers and support the local economy receive extra points which help them in obtaining contracts from Los Angeles Metro. This create jobs locally and helps disadvantaged communities grow while creating a fleet of zero-emissions buses.

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A day to expunge criminal records is hugely popular in Philly

Jane M. Von Bergen

November 11, 2016 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, people with certain types of misdemeanors can ask the courts to seal their records from public view. When this law was passed, a team of 175 lawyers, paralegals, and law students volunteered to help eligible people start the process of sealing their records. The event was a big hit with 1,853 people signing up for help, so many that registration had to close. Of the applicants, 1,200 will likely get their records sealed.

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Americans Are Getting Their Voluntourism Fix on a New Carnival Cruise

Jacob Kushner

November 07, 2016 |

Vice |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Fathom is the world's first-ever cruise line for people who want to vacation and volunteer as a way of helping poor families in the Dominican Republic have concrete floors, water filters etc. However, the impact of this organization is unknown given a lack of data and contrasting anecdotal evidence.

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Cash and Tech Replace Bags of Rice in Urban Humanitarian Aid

Molly McCluskey

November 04, 2016 |

Diplomatic Courier |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Jordan, Amman

Refugees often find cold cash far more helpful than bags of rice or other products foundations provide. Iris scanners can make identity verification much easier for refugees to access money that is distributed to them at banks.

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Stored Snow Makes A Great Alternative To Summer Air Conditioning

Charlie Sorrel

November 04, 2016 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Sweden, Stockholm

In Sweden, snow is used as a cooling solution that replaces air conditioning. This is a more environmentally friendly solution for places where the climate permits such as Canada. The key is to store the snow and use it when the climate is hot.

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A Renewable Energy Revolution in Small-Town America

Nicolas Pollock, Deborah Fallows, James Fallows

November 03, 2016 |

The Atlantic |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Spearville, Kansas

Small towns across America are leading the shift towards renewable energy. Part of a series called "American Futures", this video visits Kansas, Pennsylvania, and California to learn more about green initiatives in biofuel, wind, and solar power. Although each solution is different, each are a new way of generating income for the residents of the towns and often comes with societal acceptance as well.

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There's No Business Like Snow Business

Marlene Cimons

October 28, 2016 |

Popular Science |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Japan, Tokyo

Instead of treating fallen snow as waste, several countries are using it as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel for cooling and air conditioning applications. Countries like Japan and Sweden collect snow and use snow cooling systems during warmer months.

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