Cities Saving States

http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/03/02/cities-saving-states-lagos-nigeria

Seth Kaplan

Foreign Policy

2 March 2015

Text / 800-1500 Words

Although Nigeria "is arguably the worst-run of the world’s major countries," it's biggest city is providing a model for how to turn poor governance around. Lagos, a historically fragile city like the rest of Nigeria, has devolved more power to civilian rule, which has shown positive results for the health of the city.

Drugs, Risk and the Myth of the ‘Evil' Addict

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/27/drugs-risk-and-the-myth-of-the-evil-addict

Maia Szalavitz

The New York Times

27 September 2011

Text / 1500-3000 Words

While critics argue that Naloxone isn't safe for over-the-counter use, some cities have found success distributing Naloxone to community members to help save lives of addicts who overdose. Naloxone can be administered to help those overdosing survive and jump-start the withdrawal process.

New Mortgage Program Helps Cambodia's Poor Find Better Homes

http://www.npr.org/2013/04/04/176121367/new-mortgage-program-helps-cambodias-poor-find-better-homes

Daniel Zwerdling

NPR

4 April 2013

Radio / 5-15 Minutes

An innovative program by an unusual bank allows low-income people in Cambodia to take out a 15-year fixed mortgage with little or no documentation - contradicting traditional loan assumptions and creating means for some of the country's poorest people to completely change their lives. The bank and its investors are now making a profit, and more than 700 mortgages and building loans have been provided.

Out of Debtors' Prison, With Law as the Key

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/03/27/shutting-modern-debtors-prisons

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

27 March 2015

Text / 1500-3000 Words

Rampant misconduct by judicial systems across the country brought to light a crippling practice of debtors' prisons—where disadvantaged individuals unable to pay fines and fees were continually and wrongfully imprisoned, creating a vicious cycle. The American Civil Liberties Union stepped in to work with governments and private companies to increase transparency, eliminate abuse, and reeducate law enforcement officials. The state of Ohio has emerged as a leader in reforming debtors' prisons, though there is still work to do.

How to Topple a Dictator (Peacefully)

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/13/a-military-manual-for-nonviolent-war

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

13 February 2015

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The Center for Applied Nonviolent Action and Strategies provides a "blueprint" for peaceful and democratic revolution, busting myths about the process of nonviolent revolt and helping dissidents in countries around the world to accomplish political goals, such as fighting corruption or protecting the environment.

A Simple Fix for Drunken Driving

http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-simple-fix-for-drunken-driving-1439564251

Keith Humphreys

Wall Street Journal

14 August 2015

Text / 800-1500 Words

South Dakota’s “24/7 Sobriety” initiative breathalyzers tens of thousands of people every day in an effort to curb drunk driving. Rather than legislation that takes penalizes offenders by taking away their license, the state addresses the behavioral issue instead. In counties that use the “24/7 Sobriety,” they’ve seen a 12% decrease in repeat drunken-driving arrests.

Former Black Panther Launches Oakland Urban Farm to Give Ex-Prisoners a Fresh Start

http://civileats.com/2015/09/09/former-black-panther-launches-oakland-urban-farm-to-give-ex-prisoners-a-fresh-start

Sarah Henry

Civil Eats

9 September 2015

Text / 800-1500 Words

After incarceration, Black men and women have a difficult time re-integrating into society without financial and educational resources. A former Black Panther activist has created the non-profit Oakland &the World Enterprises to offer an urban farm as a prisoner re-entry program and community center. The Oakland project supports self-sufficiency, self-determination, and empowerment for Black people.

A Racial Gap in Attitudes Toward Hospice Care

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/25/health/a-racial-gap-in-attitudes-toward-hospice-care.html

Sarah Varney

The New York Times

21 August 2015

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Despite years of change, African Americans feel ostracized from the medical care community that is dominated mainly by white people, especially when it comes to hospices. Some are trying to remove the stigma of hospice care as well as make health care systems more fair.

How Cincinnati Revitalized Police-Community Relations

http://www.thetakeaway.org/story/policing-police-how-cincinnati-police-community-relations

John Hockenberry

The Takeaway

25 June 2014

Podcast / 5-15 Minutes

After a policeman shot and killed a teenage African American, a community in Cincinnati blamed law enforcement for racial profiling and riots expanded throughout the city. With the help of the Department of Justice as a mediator, Cincinnati made policy changes. The city now has an African American Police Association that brings police officers in communication with representatives of communities.

Education in Indian Country: Obstacles and Opportunity

http://www.edweek.org/ew/projects/2013/native-american-education/running-in-place.html

Lesli A. Maxwell

Megan Garner

Swikar Patel

Education Week

4 December 2013

Text / Over 3000 Words

Native American student graduation rates are much lower than that of any other demographic. The Red Cloud school teaches students on a reservation in South Dakota about the Lakota history to empower the kids and encourage resilience.