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First in the nation: Natural Bridge State Park pioneers accessibility for the blind

Jenna Zibton

September 04, 2024 |

WSLS-TV |

Video |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Natural Bridge State Park, Virginia

RightHear, an app for smartphones, is helping people who are blind or have low vision navigate and understand their surroundings in Natural Bridge State Park. As people hike, the app's narrator shares information that others could read on signs throughout the park, giving users a sense of freedom and widening accessibility.

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Schools are providing access to doctors and therapists before, during and after the school day

Jenna Zibton

August 16, 2024 |

WSLS-TV |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Roanoke, Virginia

A partnership between Hazel Health and the local school district is bridging the gap between students and mental and physical healthcare by providing therapy and telehealth resources before, during and after the school day. Care is provided without any necessary out-of-pocket costs and from November 2023 to June 2024, Hazel Health provided 630 therapy sessions to students across 25 schools.

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How affordable screening is helping firefighters find cancer early

Jenna Zibton

June 07, 2024 |

WSLS-TV |

Multi-Media |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Roanoke, Virginia

United Diagnostics Services sets up screening events across the country to test firefighters for early signs of cancer, as it’s the leading cause of death among firefighters. The scan is easily accessible and covers nine parts of the body, and also screens for other health issues, like cardiovascular or other high-risk conditions, that need to be monitored by a doctor.

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Distressed hotels turned into apartments for affordable housing

Jenna Zibton

April 08, 2024 |

Solutionaries |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Roanoke, Virginia

The “Lodging to Living Fund” at Saul Urban identifies vacant or problematic commercial properties — like old hotels — acquires them and converts them into affordable housing. Repurposing existing buildings cuts project costs in half, allowing developers to offer affordable rates to renters. The Heights at Gateway Park is the first such project and has converted 180 hotel rooms into 88 new apartments.

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Children in the courtroom: How Virginia judges are giving kids a voice

Jenna Zibton

March 05, 2024 |

Solutionaries |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Roanoke, Virginia

Judges in Roanoke, Virginia, are ensuring children have a voice in the courtroom to improve the way cases are handled and the outcomes for children in foster care. They encourage children to speak up, ask them what they want, prepare them in advance with worksheets and letters, and even offer them gifts like a book or stuffed animal.

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How police are using cameras in school zones to catch speeders

Jenna Zibton

February 21, 2024 |

Solutionaries |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Altavista, Virginia

The police department in Altavista, Virginia, installed traffic cameras in school zones that help catch people going 10 miles per hour or more above the speed limit during the beginning and end of the school day. The $100 tickets issued for speed violations deter the behavior and reduce the occurrence of accidents involving pedestrians.

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See how technology is linking guns used in crimes, helping investigators solve cases

Jenna Zibton

October 16, 2023 |

WSLS-TV |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States

NIBIN, the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, uses imaging technology to help law enforcement agencies solve gun-related crimes faster by identifying and linking bullet casings found at different crime scenes. With 280 U.S. agencies using NIBIN, and a traveling van with portable technology that supports high-crime areas, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives estimates NIBIN produced 189,000 investigation leads in 2022.

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The Lifesaving Tech That's Stopping Gun Violence

Jenna Zibton

October 06, 2023 |

Solutionaries |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Danville, Virginia

The National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, or NIBIN, uses ballistics imaging to help law enforcement agencies connect separate shootings perpetrated using the same firearm. In Danville, Virginia, the system has produced roughly 400 hits since it was instituted in 2018.

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Harm Reduction: Is it saving lives, or helping enable addicts?

Jenna Zibton

September 12, 2023 |

WSLS-TV |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Roanoke, Virginia

The Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition (VHRC) uses harm reduction strategies to help those suffering from addiction by providing free supplies like overdose reversal spray, safe smoking kits and clean syringes, as well as connection to education and treatment options when people are ready. Those who access services through a harm reduction program are five times more likely to enter treatment programs. Last year alone, the VHRC distributed more than 20,000 doses of Narcan which they know reversed at least 2,000 overdoses.

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How Harm Reduction is Saving Lives

Jenna Zibton

August 24, 2023 |

Solutionaries |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Roanoke, Virginia

The Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition provides services and supplies to help drug users stay safe and stay alive with the goal of eventually getting into treatment, offering syringe exchange services, testing and treatment connection for Hepatitis C and HIV, case management support, and more. The coalition safely disposes of 100,000 syringes per year, and research shows that people who access services through a harm reduction program are five times more likely to seek treatment for substance abuse.

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