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The U.S. Government Is Wasting Billions on Ineffective Wildfire Policy

Aaron Labaree

November 30, 2021 |

Slate |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

The U.S. Forest Service and the state of California's Cal Fire pour billions of dollars into waging all-out war on massive wildfires. Huge camps for firefighters, heavy equipment, and elaborate airborne resources make up the arsenal thrown at a problem that is growing thanks in part to climate change. But the efforts are largely wasteful and ineffective because of the scope of the problem and the lack of focus on aspects of the problem that can be controlled better, such as fires at the "wildland-urban interface" where human habitation meets the forest.

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The Judge Who Keeps People Out of Jail

Ted Alcorn

November 30, 2021 |

The Washington Post Magazine |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Rio Arriba, New Mexico

Since 2018, Judge Jason Lidyard of Rio Arriba County, N.M., has forged a new model for a drug court. Instead of demanding abstinence from drugs as the price to stay out of jail, Lidyard uses respect and personal relationships to seek a redefinition of success: making substance abuse less deadly and less socially crippling. Violating the court's requirements to get treatment results in more help, not jail. The less punitive approach seemed to reduce overdoses until a new fentanyl surge complicated the picture. Almost all of the people who've gone through the court have avoided new felony arrests.

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Not Paying For Housing Is More Expensive Than You Think

Alexis Kenyon

November 30, 2021 |

KGNU Community Radio |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Denver, Colorado

Denver’s “Housing First” program, Social Impact Bond, prioritizes getting people experiencing chronic homelessness housed over sobriety or work requirements. The program has housed 300 people since 2016, 99% of whom remain in the program. The approach has saved Denver millions of dollars because providing housing is far more cost effective than paying for emergency room care, the jail system, and shelters. “Housing First” programs work because once people are off the streets they are no longer exposed to daily traumas or focused on immediate survival, which allows people to make substantial life changes.

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'It seemed like our lives didn't matter'

Margaret Coker

November 30, 2021 |

The Current (Georgia) |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Glynn County, Georgia

The murder of Ahmaud Arbery sparked nationwide rage, but the people most affected by local racism felt it most keenly. A Better Glynn formed to seek reforms in Glynn County law enforcement after years of status-quo racism and resistance to change. The group worked with an existing group of Black pastors and other leaders and found success in the firing of the police chief, his replacement by the county's first Black chief, the district attorney's reelection defeat, and the beginnings of police reforms.

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What can Mount Vernon learn from Mansfield's approach to remedying year-round homelessness?

Grant Pepper

November 29, 2021 |

Knox Pages |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Mansfield, Ohio

Year-round shelters for people experiencing homelessness are uncommon in north central Ohio, making Harmony House a vital resource for the community. The organization provides a place to sleep in addition to wraparound services for people to get back on their feet. The organization relies on government grants and community support.

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'You're not alone': New Summit court program helps parents reunite with children

Stephanie Warsmith

November 29, 2021 |

Akron Beacon Journal |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Akron, Ohio

Summit County, Ohio's juvenile court's Multidisciplinary Team Representation assigns a parent advocate and social worker to child-custody cases to help parents reunite with their children much more quickly than the system typically processes cases. The program has just begun in the county, helping a handful of families reunite, but a study in New York City showed the same approach reunited families 43% more often than if just an attorney were helping the family. Parents whose troubles lead to the temporary loss of their children need supports that help them get on firmer ground.

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St. Paul police credit jiu-jitsu training for reducing injuries — and excessive force settlements

Mara H. Gottfried

November 28, 2021 |

Twin Cities Pioneer Press |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, St. Paul, Minnesota

When St. Paul police studied controversial cases in which officers used physical force, they found troubling examples that were products of the training given to officers. So they began training new and veteran officers to use tactics inspired by the Brazilian martial art jiu-jitsu, which prizes teamwork by two officers to use leverage to restrain resistant people rather than using brute force, weapons, or chemicals. In the six years after the training began, St. Paul officers used force far less often, injured far fewer people, and cost the city much less money in settlements payments.

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How Abuja farmers use organic pesticides, disease control to reduce climate change effects

Abdulkareem Mojeed

November 28, 2021 |

Premium Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Nigeria

In Nigeria, climate change has led to food scarcity causing some farmers in rural Abuja communities to adopt sustainable agricultural practices. Also known as smart agriculture it encompasses things like reducing pesticide use, using extracts from neem plants, and using warm castings as a fertilizer. Farmers say the practice has improved the soil, increasing water retention, and sequestered carbon.

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‘An utter failure': Law meant to clear old convictions, including for marijuana possession, helps few

Dan Adams

November 28, 2021 |

The Boston Globe |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Massachusetts

In 2018, Massachusetts legislators passed a law allowing people with certain lower-level criminal records to seal the records or expunge convictions altogether. The law was meant to remove the burden that a criminal record imposes on people seeking jobs or renting apartments, particularly when the conduct is no longer illegal, such as marijuana possession. Thousands have managed to get their records sealed. But relatively few have sought or won expungement, thanks to an overly restrictive and complicated process that hasn't been explained well to those who could benefit.

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¿Qué pasa cuando el surf incluye a todos?

Katherine Stanley Obando

November 27, 2021 |

El Colectivo 506 |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Costa Rica

De costa a costa, en Costa Rica y también en Nicaragua, organizaciones comunitarias están abriendo paso para surfistas que antes no tenían acceso a este deporte por su género, sus limitaciones físicas, o su falta de recursos económicos.

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