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  • American cities have long struggled to reform their police – but isolated success stories suggest community and officer buy-in might be key

    One police-reform program that outperformed and outlasted most cities' attempts was Cincinnati's "collaborative agreement," an unusual team effort focused on community involvement at every step. Sparked by a controversial police shooting of an unarmed Black man, the program went beyond federal government and court oversight to include other key stakeholders in the community and police unions. Changed policies on use of force, crime prevention, and police accountability led to lower crime, improved police-community relations, fewer injuries, and fewer racially biased traffic stops.

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  • Michigan aiming to reduce seclusion and restraints at institutions that care for children

    After the death of a 16-year-old boy who was tackled and restrained by staff at a juvenile justice facility, Michigan children's services officials imposed emergency rules limiting the use of restraints. In the past year, the use of restraints – which include handcuffs, straitjackets, even chemicals and medication – dropped from about 600 cases per month to fewer than half that. The state now is considering permanent rules restricting their use and is requiring more training for staff in preventing physical conflicts. One advocate says Pennsylvania serves as a model for nearly eliminating the problem.

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  • Can “democracy dollars” keep real dollars out of politics?

    Democracy Vouchers, a tax-payer-funded program that sends four $25 certificates to residents to donate to local candidates, made Seattle the national leader by increasing the percent of the electorate donating to local campaigns to nearly 8%. They also allow more non-establishment candidates, who lack connections to wealthy donors, to run for office. Four of the nine 2019 city council candidates used vouchers to help fund their campaigns and the vouchers are being expanded to the city’s mayoral races. A national pilot program was also approved to try vouchers for congressional candidates in three states.

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  • Undocumented but Unstoppable: The Undocumented Filmmakers Collective

    The Undocumented Filmmakers Collective provides a safe, inclusive, and non-competitive space for people to discuss issues they face in their careers. The nearly 40 members are spread out across the U.S. and use Zoom to form deep connections, share resources, and support one another. Navigating employment and funding issues within the filmmaking industry is a main priority, and members have collaborated on projects to bring attention to issues facing people without documentation in the film industry. Acting collective provides a louder and more powerful voice to help expand career opportunities for members.

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  • City officials expand free internet access to Philadelphia prekindergarten students

    Families with students in prekindergarten in Philadelphia now are eligible for PHLConnectED, a program that provides students with free internet access during remote learning. The program has already reached out to over 12,000 families.

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  • Prioritizing Incarcerated People for Vaccine Quickly Reduced COVID in Illinois Prisons

    After incarcerated people, their families, and advocates pressured the state of Illinois to prioritize offering the Covid vaccines to those in prison, the rate of Covid transmission among the population significantly declined. Although the rollout did not go entirely smoothly and guards have been reluctant to receive the shot, 69% of the incarcerated population in the state have been vaccinated.

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  • Cash payments spread from Congress to Stockton to Brazil — but notion of ‘universal basic income' far from reality

    Guaranteed income is gaining popularity across the world. In Stockton, California, monthly cash payments boosted mental and physical health and increased full-time employment levels. The idea has spread to dozens of other cities and a group, Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, is providing funding and guidance for leaders to enact similar programs in their cities.

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  • Crypto power: Can solar boost cheap, green homes in S.Africa?

    Watergate Estate is working on two issues in South Africa: affordable housing and renewable energy. The housing development is installing solar panels for its residents that are being bought by people all over the world using cash or bitcoin as a way to offset their own carbon costs. Not everyone agrees that gated communities like this are helping to fight social inequalities, crime, and unemployment, but about 470 people bought solar cells for the apartment complex and some residents say they feel safer in their community.

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  • In Nation's Incarceration Capital, a New D.A. Is Freeing People From Prison

    In his first months as the New Orleans district attorney, Jason Williams has pushed a prosecution-reform agenda that not only limits who gets sent to prison on the front end, but also takes a backward look at who should be let out of prison. Nearly two dozen people convicted by non-unanimous juries have been granted new trials. Some people have been granted early release from prison after conviction under unduly harsh sentencing laws that no longer will be enforced. Williams' ultimate goal is to restore community trust so that necessary prosecutions have community support.

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  • Laws We Can Actually Understand

    Law Rewired, run by law students and an advisory board of legal scholars, translates complex laws and landmark court decisions into plain language so people can understand them. Real-world examples, easy to read bullet-points, videos, and a glossary of legal terms make the legal explanations more widely accessible. Summaries also explain why a law was enacted, when it can be applied, and any amendments that were added to it. The materials are available for free online and via social media and the organization answers 10 to 25 questions from readers every month about a variety of legal issues.

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