Experts Explore Philadelphia’s Success on Gun Violence Reduction 

An inaugural forum titled Safer Together: A Forum on Gun Violence Solutions hosted by nonprofit The Trace and WHYY’s Philadelphia studio gathered civic leaders, researchers, youth representatives, and locals to highlight success in urban gun violence prevention and future solutions.

Host city Philadelphia recently recorded its lowest homicide rate in more than five decades, illustrating the power of community-led solutions.

This article discusses study findings, local efforts, and conversation notes on reducing urban violence. 

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PA School Solar Rooftop Program Highlighted in State Budget

The Solar for Schools Initiative has made it into the state budget, allowing schools across the state to spearhead projects to install and utilize solar energy infrastructure.

Pennsylvania, with its natural resources and large reserves of coal and gas, has the potential to be an innovator of renewable energy, but faces challenges regarding bipartisan energy policies.

Spotlight PA explores the question: does the installation of small-scale renewable energy arrays present an opportunity for expanded climate policy in Pennsylvania? 

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Building Power Through Collective Ownership in Philly

Two Philadelphia-based organizations are building community power through ensuring property in their neighborhoods are kept in community ownership.

The Kensington Corridor Trust and The Women’s Community Revitalization Project are both working towards long-term affordable and community-controlled real estate in the city.

This Next City episode features two models for collective ownership that keep homes and store properties affordable and allow growth at the community level.



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Modernizing Employment Records: Public Infrastructure the US Labor Market Needs

During the highly fluctuating pandemic landscape, the United States had no way to quicky identify which workers needed assistance, which skillsets they had, or where workforce demand was shifting.

As artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping most industries, a series of state-level wage records written for the Great Depression is the main method for tracking work.

Brookings Research discusses which public infrastructure can be modernized to better track national labor market needs and opportunities. 

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An Overview of the Rent Reporting Landscape for State and Local Policymakers

Rent reporting refers to the practice of providing data on rent payments to at least one of the three major consumer credit bureaus and is becoming increasingly popular across the nation, with several jurisdictions taking measures to encourage and regulate rent reporting for residents.

State and local policies can help expand access to rent reporting as a credit-building tool for low- and moderate-income renters.

The Urban Institute explains the policy landscape and key decision points for state and local policymakers on how to effectively use rent reporting.



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Strategic Federal Actions Aim to Strengthen AI and Energy Infrastructure

Increasingly implementation of higher capacity in data centers to support artificial intelligence is an emerging contributor to higher demand for energy.

According to a Bipartisan Policy Center report published in February, 25 percent of new domestic energy demand will come from data centers by 2030.

This article explores how federal action can strategically coordinate with energy infrastructure planning to better shape artificial intelligence policy.  



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