Philly Researchers Pilot AI Robots for Aging Autistic Adults

Philadelphia’s Saint Joseph’s University are partnering with New Jersey-based nonprofit Bancroft to pilot an AI technology robot to interact with autistic people in assisted living communities.

This long-term pilot is measuring how AI-programmed robots can support aging adults with autism and other intellectual or developmental disabilities, who may benefit from cognitive stimulation as they age.

The research will also gather data on physical and cognitive changes in aging autistic adults, as current data is limited. 

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Humor Therapy Fund Founder Reflects on 20th Anniversary, Future Events

Jeannine Luby, founder of the Humor Therapy Fund of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, is celebrating the fund’s 20^th anniversary this year.

The nonprofit aims to empower individuals and organizations and promote healing through humor and laughter.

This year’s grant recipient is Clark Summit’s Abington Community Library, which will host a Laughter Lab, where youths aged 12 or older can participate in several workshops and activities that inspire humor. 



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Shapiro Administration Celebrates Earth Day with New Growing Greener Grants

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is celebrating Earth Day by starting a new round of Growing Greener Grants.

The largest single investment of state funds in Pennsylvania history, this program addresses growing concerns in the environment, such as weather events and clean energy.

This is one of the most successful conservation efforts in the state, allowing communities to make healthier ecosystems.

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Recapitalizing the GSEs Through Administrative Action 

Government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs), in conservatorship since 2008, is now going through administrative action to release it from conservatorship, which would have a significant impact on the mortgage market.

GSEs hold 45 percent of outstanding single-family mortgage debt and nearly half of multi-family debt.

The Urban Institute discusses the history of GSEs and how they affect mortgage debts.

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Racial Disparities in Youth Centers are the Widest in Decades

Federal data released this year shows that the justice system treats children of color more harshly than white children, and that the gap is widening.

Studies report that Black children are approximately six times more likely to be incarcerated, and American Indian children are nearly four times more likely to be incarcerated than white, respectively.

NPR discusses the racial gaps in youth detention centers, factors contributing to the data found, and how these matters in justice system reform. 



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How Did This Suburb Figure Out Mass Transit?

Despite its low-density development, Brampton, Ontario has achieved high-transit ridership.

Rather than investing in capital projects or new avenues of transit, the city used funds to upgrade existing services, streamline schedules, and introducing core routes, which resulted in a nearly 288 percent increase in routine riders.

Bloomberg Research discusses the success story behind this suburb transit development and how it can be used as a blueprint for mass transit improvements.



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