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Kenya's Women Farmers Get Business Boost From Weather Texts

Sophie Mbugua

November 23, 2016 |

News Deeply |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Makueni

When unexpected weather patterns began affecting crops in Kenya, the Government of the Makueni region provided a group of local leaders with weather information, through text messages, to distribute to the community to assist in food crop planning.

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Dutch police use augmented reality to investigate crime scenes

Timothy Revell

November 21, 2016 |

New Scientist |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Netherlands

Police officers often need to investigate a crime scene quickly, sometimes before other investigators can arrive. In the Netherlands, researchers and police are teaming up to develop an augmented reality system that allows remote investigators to watch a live video feed and provide suggestions and information in real time to officers on the ground.

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Cash Cards For Syrian Refugees

Sahar Zand

November 20, 2016 |

BBC |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Lebanon, Beqaa Valley

In a creative twist, Syrian refugees are being given cash cards to spend as they wish rather than being given food boxes or in-kind donations. Agencies and refugees themselves say that it gives them dignity and choice, which are important in the survival process. It was also much more efficient and cheaper to distribute money than buying food. This podcast cites a study done to prove its efficacy, talks to a couple refugee families, and notes that results could vary from country to country.

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Cities Closely Watching Chicago's Version of a Fitbit

Tod Newcombe

November 15, 2016 |

Governing |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Already a model for the 'Smart City Trend', Chicago is now continuing its innovative streak by launching an "urban sensing" project, which will gather, analyze and publicize sensory data on the city’s air quality, traffic flow, and hyperlocal weather conditions. These sensors will not only provide the public with immediate and practical information about traffic, air and weather safety, but also guide city planners’ in designing energy efficient infrastructure.

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For fossil fuel-reliant towns, a solar alternative grows

Lyndsey Gilpin

November 15, 2016 |

High Country News |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Delta, Colorado

A local energy cooperative in Colorado, Delta Montrose Electric Association, is spurring economic development through renewable energy. The program has allowed Delta County to diversify energy sources, and has become a tool for economic revitalization.

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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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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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Teaching Teens Financial Literacy

Arielle Dreher

November 09, 2016 |

Jackson Free Press |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Jackson, Mississippi

Students at Provine High School will soon be able to open up accounts with Hope Credit Union, right in their own hallway. The partnership is helping students realize that having a relationship with a financial institution can create a more stable financial future, breaking the cycle of poverty.

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How Forensics Are Boosting the Battle Against the Wildlife Trade

Heather Millar

November 08, 2016 |

Yale Environment 360 |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Mombasa

In recent years, advances in technologies such as genetics testing, forensic sciences, and online database management have allowed governments and organizations to tackle poaching and the illegal trade of wildlife at a whole new level. Where before law enforcement generally focused on capturing poachers and traders red-handed - usually resulting in the arrest of players low down on the chain - technology is helping investigators target the ringleaders and instigate preventative, rather than reactionary, measures.

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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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