Podcasts about Bloomberg Philanthropies

Explore the pitfalls and possibilities between tech, humans, and the planet with experts David Stringer (Bloomberg), Chris Speed (RMIT), Gemma Baxter (MAVlab), Joe Glesta (Climasens), Theodore Galanos (Aurecon; Infraredcity.ai), and Vanessa Toholka (Byte Into IT). Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

So even the people that follow the topic closely are stunned by the digital landscape that engulfs our children, how quickly it evolves, and the potential social cost. Two people in a unique position to explain all this are our guest today, Jeffrey Chester and Kathryn Montgomery, both from the Center for Digital Democracy. Jeff is executive director of the Center, and Kathryn is its research director and senior strategist, as well as professor emerita of communication at American University. Jeff and Kathryn have been pioneers in this work and have been uniquely strong voices for protecting children. Interview Summary Let me congratulate the two of you for being way ahead of your time. I mean the two of you through your research and your advocacy and your organizational work, you were onto these things way before most people were. I'm really happy that you're joining us today, and welcome to our podcast. Kathryn, let me begin with you. So why be concerned about this digital landscape? Kathryn - Well, certainly if we're talking about children and youth, we have to pay attention to the world they live in. And it's a digital world as I think any parent knows, and everybody knows. In fact, for all of us, we're living in a digital world. So young people are living their lives online. They're using mobile phones and mobile devices all the time. They're doing online video streaming. They form their communications with their peers online. Their entire lives are completely integrated into this digital media landscape, and we must understand it. Certainly, the food and beverage industry understand it very well. And they have figured out enormously powerful ways to reach and engage young people through these digital media. You know, the extent of the kids' connection to this is really remarkable. I just finished a few minutes ago recording a podcast with two people involved with the Children and Screens organization. And, Chris Perry, who's the executive director of that organization and Dmitri Christakis who was with us as well, were saying that kids sometimes check their digital media 300 times a day. I mean, just unbelievable how much of this there is. There's a lot of reasons to be concerned. Let's turn our attention to how bad it is, what companies are doing, and what might be done about it. So, Jeff, tell us if you would, about the work of the Center for Digital Democracy. Jeff - Well, for more than a quarter of a century, we have tracked the digital marketplace. As you said at the top, we understood in the early 1990s that the internet, broadband what's become today's digital environment, was going to be the dominant communications system. And it required public interest rules and policies and safeguards. So as a result, one of the things that our Center does is we look at the entire digital landscape as best as we can, especially what the ultra-processed food companies are doing, but including Google and Meta and Amazon and GenAI companies. We are tracking what they're doing, how they're creating the advertising, what their data strategies are, what their political activities are in the United States and in many other places in the world. Because the only way we're going to hold them accountable is if we know what they're doing and what they intend to do. And just to quickly follow up, Kelly, the marketers call today's global generation of young people Generation Alpha. Meaning that they are the first generation to be born into this complete digital landscape environment that we have created. And they have developed a host of strategies to target children at the earliest ages to take advantage of the fact that they're growing up digitally. Boy, pretty amazing - Generation Alpha. Kathryn, I have kind of a niche question I'd like to ask you because it pertains to my own career as well. So, you spent many years as an academic studying and writing about these issues, but also you were a strong advocacy voice. How did you go about balancing the research and the objectivity of an academic with advocacy you were doing? Kathryn - I think it really is rooted in my fundamental set of values about what it means to be an academic. And I feel very strongly and believe very strongly that all of us have a moral and ethical responsibility to the public. That the work we do should really, as I always have told my students, try to make the world a better place. It may seem idealistic, but I think it is what our responsibility is. And I've certainly been influenced in my own education by public scholars over the years who have played that very, very important role. It couldn't be more important today than it has been over the years. And I think particularly if you're talking about public health, I don't think you can be neutral. You can have systematic ways of assessing the impact of food marketing, in this case on young people. But I don't think you can be totally objective and neutral about the need to improve the public health of our citizens. And particularly the public health of our young people. I agree totally with that. Jeff let's talk about the concept of targeted marketing. We hear that term a lot. And in the context of food, people talk about marketing aimed at children as one form of targeting. Or, toward children of color or people of color in general. But that's in a way technological child's play. I understand from you that there's much more precise targeting than a big demographic group like that. Tell us more. Jeff - Well, I mean certainly the ultra-processed food companies are on the cutting edge of using all the latest tools to target individuals in highly personalized way. And I think if I have one message to share with your listeners and viewers is that if we don't act soon, we're going to make an already vulnerable group even more exposed to this kind of direct targeted and personalized marketing. Because what artificial intelligence allows the food and beverage companies and their advertising agencies and platform partners to do is to really understand who we are, what we do, where we are, how we react, behave, think, and then target us accordingly using all those elements in a system that can create this kind of advertising and marketing in minutes, if not eventually milliseconds. So, all of marketing, in essence, will be targeted because they know so much about us. You have an endless chain of relationships between companies like Meta, companies like Kellogg's, the advertising agencies, the data brokers, the marketing clouds, et cetera. Young people especially, and communities of color and other vulnerable groups, have never been more exposed to this kind of invasive, pervasive advertising. Tell us how targeted it can be. I mean, let's take a 11-year-old girl who lives in Wichita and a 13-year-old boy who lives in Denver. How much do the companies know about those two people as individuals? And how does a targeting get market to them? Not because they belong to a big demographic group, but because of them as individuals. Jeff - Well, they certainly are identified in various ways. The marketers know that there are young people in the household. They know that there are young people, parts of families who have various media behaviors. They're watching these kinds of television shows, especially through streaming or listening to music or on social media. Those profiles are put together. And even when the companies say they don't exactly know who the child is or not collecting information from someone under 13 because of the privacy law that we helped get enacted, they know where they are and how to reach them. So, what you've had is an unlimited amassing of data power developed by the food and beverage companies in the United States over the last 25 years. Because really very little has been put in their way to stop them from what they do and plan to do. So presumably you could get some act of Congress put in to forbid the companies from targeting African American children or something like that. But it doesn't sound like that would matter because they're so much more precise in the market. Yes. I mean, in the first place you couldn't get congress to pass that. And I think this is the other thing to think about when you think about the food and beverage companies deploying Generative AI and the latest tools. They've already established vast, what they call insights divisions, market research divisions, to understand our behavior. But now they're able to put all that on a fast, fast, forward basis because of data processing, because of data clouds, let's say, provided by Amazon, and other kinds of tools. They're able to really generate how to sell to us individually, what new products will appeal to us individually and even create the packaging and the promotion to be personalized. So, what you're talking about is the need for a whole set of policy safeguards. But I certainly think that people concerned about public health need to think about regulating the role of Generative AI, especially when it comes to young people to ensure that they're not marketed to in the ways that it fact is and will continue to do. Kathryn, what about the argument that it's a parent's responsibility to protect their children and that government doesn't need to be involved in this space? Kathryn - Well, as a parent, I have to say is extremely challenging. We all do our best to try to protect our children from unhealthy influences, whether it's food or something that affects their mental health. That's a parent's obligation. That's what a parent spends a lot of time thinking about and trying to do. But this is an environment that is overwhelming. It is intrusive. It reaches into young people's lives in ways that make it virtually impossible for parents to intervene. These are powerful companies, and I'm including the tech companies. I'm including the retailers. I'm including the ad agencies as well as these global food and beverage companies. They're extremely powerful. As Jeff has been saying, they have engaged and continue to engage in enormous amounts of technological innovation and research to figure out precisely how to reach and engage our children. And it's too much for parents. And I've been saying this for years. I've been telling legislators this. I've been telling the companies this. It's not fair. It's a very unfair situation for parents. That makes perfect sense. Well, Jeff, your Center produces some very helpful and impressive reports. And an example of that is work you've done on the vast surveillance of television viewers. Tell us more about that, if you would. Jeff - Well, you know, you have to keep up with this, Kelly. The advocates in the United States and the academics with some exceptions have largely failed to address the contemporary business practices of the food and beverage companies. This is not a secret what's going on now. I mean the Generative AI stuff and the advanced data use, you know, is recent. But it is a continuum. And the fact is that we've been one of the few groups following it because we care about our society, our democracy, our media system, et cetera. But so much more could be done here to track what the companies are doing to identify the problematic practices, to think about counter strategies to try to bring change. So yes, we did this report on video streaming because in fact, it's the way television has now changed. It's now part of the commercial surveillance advertising and marketing complex food and beverage companies are using the interactivity and the data collection of streaming television. And we're sounding the alarm as we've been sounding now for too long. But hopefully your listeners will, in fact, start looking more closely at this digital environment because if we don't intervene in the next few years, it'll be impossible to go back and protect young people. So, when people watch television, they don't generally realize or appreciate the fact that information is being collected on them. Jeff - The television watches you now. The television is watching you now. The streaming companies are watching you now. The device that brings you streaming television is watching you now is collecting all kinds of data. The streaming device can deliver personalized ads to you. They'll be soon selling you products in real time. And they're sharing that data with companies like Meta Facebook, your local retailers like Albertsons, Kroger, et cetera. It's one big, huge digital data marketing machine that has been created. And the industry has been successful in blocking legislation except for the one law we were able to get through in 1998. And now under the Trump administration, they have free reign to do whatever they want. It's going to be an uphill battle. But I do think the companies are in a precarious position politically if we could get more people focused on what they're doing. Alright, we'll come back to that. My guess is that very few people realize the kind of thing that you just talked about. That so much information is being collected on them while they're watching television. The fact that you and your center are out there making people more aware, I think, is likely to be very helpful. Jeff - Well, I appreciate that, Kelly, but I have to say, and I don't want to denigrate our work, but you know, I just follow the trades. There's so much evidence if you care about the media and if you care about advertising and marketing or if you care, just let's say about Coca-Cola or Pepsi or Mondalez. Pick one you can't miss all this stuff. It's all there every day. And the problem is that there has not been the focus, I blame the funders in part. There's not been the focus on this marketplace in its contemporary dimensions. I'd like to ask you both about the legislative landscape and whether there are laws protecting people, especially children from this marketing. And Kathy, both you and Jeff were heavily involved in advocacy for a landmark piece of legislation that Jeff referred to from 1998, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. What did this act involve? And now that we're some years in, how has it worked? Kathryn - Well, I always say I've been studying advertising in the digital media before people even knew there was going to be advertising in digital media. Because we're really talking about the earliest days of the internet when it was being commercialized. But there was a public perception promoted by the government and the industry and a lot of other institutions and individuals that this was going to be a whole new democratic system of technology. And that basically it would solve all of our problems in terms of access to information. In terms of education. It would open up worlds to young people. In many ways it has, but they didn't talk really that much about advertising. Jeff and I working together at the Center for Media Education, were already tracking what was going on in that marketplace in the mid-1990s when it was very, very new. At which point children were already a prime target. They were digital kids. They were considered highly lucrative. Cyber Tots was one of the words that was used by the industry. What we believed was that we needed to get some public debate and some legislation in place, some kinds of rules, to guide the development of this new commercialized media system. And so, we launched a campaign that ultimately resulted in the passage of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. Now it only governs commercial media, online, digital media that targets children under the age of 13, which was the most vulnerable demographic group of young people. We believe protections are really, really very important for teenagers. There's a lot of evidence for that now, much more research actually, that's showing their vulnerable abilities. And it has required companies to take young people into account when developing their operations. It's had an impact internationally in a lot of other countries. It is just the barest minimum of what we need in terms of protections for young people. And we've worked with the Federal Trade Commission over the years to ensure that those rules were updated and strengthened so that they would apply to this evolving digital media system. But now, I believe, that what we need is a more global advocacy strategy. And we are already doing that with advocates in other countries to develop a strategy to address the practices of this global industry. And there are some areas where we see some promising movement. The UK, for example, passed a law that bans advertising on digital media online. It has not yet taken effect, but now it will after some delays. And there are also other things going on for ultra processed foods, for unhealthy foods and beverages. So, Kathryn has partly answered this already, Jeff, but let me ask you. That act that we've talked about goes back a number of years now, what's being done more recently on the legislative front? Perhaps more important than that, what needs to be done? Well, I have to say, Kelly, that when Joe Biden came in and we had a public interest chair at the Federal Trade Commission, Lena Khan, I urged advocates in the United States who are concerned about unhealthy eating to approach the Federal Trade Commission and begin a campaign to see what we could do. Because this was going to be the most progressive Federal Trade Commission we've had in decades. And groups failed to do so for a variety of reasons. So that window has ended where we might be able to get the Federal Trade Commission to do something. There are people in the United States Congress, most notably Ed Markey, who sponsored our Children's Privacy Law 25 years ago, to get legislation. But I think we have to look outside of the United States, as Kathryn said. Beyond the law in the United Kingdom. In the European Union there are rules governing digital platforms called the Digital Services Act. There's a new European Union-wide policy safeguards on Generative AI. Brazil has something similar. There are design codes like the UK design code for young people. What we need to do is to put together a package of strategies at the federal and perhaps even state level. And there's been some activity at the state level. You know, the industry has been opposed to that and gone to court to fight any rules protecting young people online. But create a kind of a cutting-edge set of practices that then could be implemented here in the United States as part of a campaign. But there are models. And how do the political parties break down on this, these issues? Kathryn - I was going to say they break down. Jeff - The industry is so powerful still. You have bipartisan support for regulating social media when it comes to young people because there have been so many incidences of suicide and stalking and other kinds of emotional and psychological harms to young people. You have a lot of Republicans who have joined with Democrats and Congress wanting to pass legislation. And there's some bipartisan support to expand the privacy rules and even to regulate online advertising for teens in our Congress. But it's been stymied in part because the industry has such an effective lobbying operation. And I have to say that in the United States, the community of advocates and their supporters who would want to see such legislation are marginalized. They're under underfunded. They're not organized. They don't have the research. It's a problem. Now all these things can be addressed, and we should try to address them. But right now it's unlikely anything will pass in the next few months certainly. Kathryn - Can I just add something? Because I think what's important now in this really difficult period is to begin building a broader set of stakeholders in a coalition. And as I said, I think it does need to be global. But I want to talk about also on the research front, there's been a lot of really important research on digital food marketing. On marketing among healthy foods and beverages to young people, in a number of different countries. In the UK, in Australia, and other places around the world. And these scholars have been working together and a lot of them are working with scholars here in the US where we've seen an increase in that kind of research. And then advocates need to work together as well to build a movement. It could be a resurgence that begins outside of our country but comes back in at the appropriate time when we're able to garner the kind of support from our policymakers that we need to make something happen. That makes good sense, especially a global approach when it's hard to get things done here. Jeff, you alluded to the fact that you've done work specifically on ultra processed foods. Tell us what you're up to on that front. Jeff - As part of our industry analysis we have been tracking what all the leading food and beverage companies are doing in terms of what they would call their digital transformation. I mean, Coca-Cola and Pepsi on Mondelez and Hershey and all the leading transnational processed food companies are really now at the end of an intense period of restructuring to take advantage of the capabilities provided by digital data and analytics for the further data collection, machine learning, and Generative AI. And they are much more powerful, much more effective, much more adept. In addition, the industry structure has changed in the last few years also because of digital data that new collaborations have been created between the platforms, let's say like Facebook and YouTube, the food advertisers, their marketing agencies, which are now also data companies, but most notably the retailers and the grocery stores and the supermarkets. They're all working together to share data to collaborate on marketing and advertising strategies. So as part of our work we've kept abreast of all these things and we're tracking them. And now we are sharing them with a group of advocates outside of the United States supported by the Bloomberg Philanthropies to support their efforts. And they've already made tremendous progress in a lot of areas around healthy eating in countries like Mexico and Argentina and Brazil, et cetera. And I'm assuming all these technological advances and the marketing muscle, the companies have is not being used to market broccoli and carrots and Brussels sprouts. Is that right? Jeff - The large companies are aware of changing attitudes and the need for healthy foods. One quick takeaway I have is this. That because the large ultra processed food companies understand that there are political pressures promoting healthier eating in North America and in Europe. They are focused on expanding their unhealthy eating portfolio, in new regions specifically Asia Pacific, Africa, and Latin America. And China is a big market for all this. This is why it has to be a global approach here, Kelly. First place, these are transnational corporations. They are creating the, our marketing strategies at the global level and then transmitting them down to be tailored at the national or regional level. They're coming up with a single set of strategies that will affect every country and every child in those countries. We need to keep track of that and figure out ways to go after that. And there are global tools we might be able to use to try to protect young people. Because if you could protect young, a young person in China, you might also be able to protect them here in North Carolina. This all sounds potentially pretty scary, but is there reason to be optimistic? Let's see if we can end on a positive note. What do you think. Do you have reason to be optimistic? Kathryn - I've always been an optimist. I've always tried to be an optimist, and again, what I would say is if we look at this globally and if we identify partners and allies all around the world who are doing good work, and there are many, many, many of them. And if we work together and continue to develop strategies for holding this powerful industry and these powerful industries accountable. I think we will have success. And I think we should also shine the spotlight on areas where important work has already taken place. Where laws have been enacted. Where companies have been made to change their practices and highlight those and build on those successes from around the world. Thanks. Jeff, what about you? Is there reason to be optimistic? Well, I don't think we can stop trying, although we're at a particularly difficult moment here in our country and worldwide. Because unless we try to intervene the largest corporations, who are working and will work closely with our government and other government, will be able to impact our lives in so many ways through their ability to collect data. And to use that data to target us and to change our behaviors. You can change our health behaviors. You can try to change our political behaviors. What the ultra-processed food companies are now able to do every company is able to do and governments are able to do. We have to expose what they're doing, and we have to challenge what they're doing so we can try to leave our kids a better world. It makes sense. Do you see that the general public is more aware of these issues and is there reason to be optimistic on that front? That awareness might lead to pressure on politicians to change things? Jeff - You know, under the Biden administration, the Federal Trade Commission identified how digital advertising and marketing works and it made it popular among many, many more people than previously. And that's called commercial surveillance advertising. The idea that data is collected about you is used to advertise and market to you. And today there are thousands of people and certainly many more advocacy groups concerned about commercial surveillance advertising than there were prior to 2020. And all over the world, as Kathryn said, in countries like in Brazil and South Africa and Mexico, advocates are calling attention to all these techniques and practices. More and more people are being aware and then, you know, we need obviously leaders like you, Kelly, who can reach out to other scholars and get us together working together in some kind of larger collaborative to ensure that these techniques and capabilities are exposed to the public and we hold them accountable. Bios Kathryn Montgomery, PhD. is Research Director and Senior Strategist for the Center for Digital Democracy (CDD). In the early 90s, she and Jeff Chester co-founded the Center for Media Education (CME), where she served as President until 2003, and which was the predecessor organization to CDD. CME spearheaded the national campaign that led to passage of the 1998 Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) the first federal legislation to protect children's privacy on the Internet. From 2003 until 2018, Dr. Montgomery was Professor of Communication at American University in Washington, D.C., where she founded and directed the 3-year interdisciplinary PhD program in Communication. She has served as a consultant to CDD for a number of years and joined the full-time staff in July 2018. Throughout her career, Dr. Montgomery has written and published extensively about the role of media in society, addressing a variety of topics, including: the politics of entertainment television; youth engagement with digital media; and contemporary advertising and marketing practices. Montgomery's research, writing, and testimony have helped frame the national public policy debate on a range of critical media issues. In addition to numerous journal articles, chapters, and reports, she is author of two books: Target: Prime Time – Advocacy Groups and the Struggle over Entertainment Television (Oxford University Press, 1989); and Generation Digital: Politics, Commerce, and Childhood in the Age of the Internet (MIT Press, 2007). Montgomery's current research focuses on the major technology, economic, and policy trends shaping the future of digital media in the Big Data era. She earned her doctorate in Film and Television from the University of California, Los Angeles. Jeff Chester is Executive Director of the Center for Digital Democracy (CDD), a Washington, DC non-profit organization. CDD is one of the leading U.S. NGOs advocating for citizens, consumers and other stakeholders on digital privacy and consumer protections online. Founded in 1991, CDD (then known as the Center for Media Education) led the campaign for the enactment of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA, 1998). During the 1990s it also played a prominent role in such issues as open access/network neutrality, diversity of media ownership, public interest policies for children and television, as well the development of the FCC's “E-Rate” funding to ensure that schools and libraries had the resources to offer Internet services. Since 2003, CDD has been spearheading initiatives designed to ensure that digital media in the broadband era fulfill their democratic potential. A former investigative reporter, filmmaker and Jungian-oriented psychotherapist, Jeff Chester received his M.S.W. in Community Mental Health from U.C. Berkeley. He is the author of Digital Destiny: New Media and the Future of Democracy (The New Press, 2007), as well as articles in both the scholarly and popular press. During the 1980s, Jeff co-directed the campaign that led to the Congressional creation of the Independent Television Service (ITVS) for public TV. He also co-founded the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression, the artist advocacy group that supported federal funding for artists. In 1996, Newsweek magazine named Jeff Chester one of the Internet's fifty most influential people. He was named a Stern Foundation “Public Interest Pioneer” in 2001, and a “Domestic Privacy Champion” by the Electronic Privacy Information Center in 2011. CDD is a member of the Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD). Until January 2019, Jeff was the U.S. co-chair of TACD's Information Society (Infosoc) group, helping direct the organization's Transatlantic work on data protection, privacy and digital rights.

Heather McTeer Toney, environmental justice leader, former mayor of Greenville, MS, and Executive Director of Bloomberg Philanthropies' Beyond Petrochemicals campaign joins us to discuss the dangers of petrochemical expansion and the role of local activism in shaping national climate policy. She shares insights on environmental justice, community advocacy, and how pollution affects marginalized communities. She also explains key themes from her book, Before the Streetlights Come On, and how collective action can drive meaningful change in the fight for climate justice. If you want to help us reach our goal of planting 30k trees AND get a free tree planted in your name, visit www.aclimatechange.com/trees to learn how.

Michael Bloomberg ranks as the top philanthropist in the U.S. for 2024, donating $3.7 billion to support various causes including the arts, education, public health, and city improvement. This donation marks Bloomberg's second consecutive year leading the Philanthropy 50 list. His philanthropic organization, Bloomberg Philanthropies, contributed notably with a $1 billion grant to Johns Hopkins University for medical education costs. Other major donors in 2024 include Reed Hastings and Patty Quillin, Michael and Susan Dell, Warren Buffett, Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, and Ruth Gottesman, each donating $1 billion or more, focusing primarily on scientific research and education. Gottesman's donation aimed to make the Albert Einstein College of Medicine tuition-free. Overall, the top 50 philanthropists contributed a collective $16.2 billion, with a median donation of $100 million. Significant contributions include Thomas Golisano's $500 million to support individuals with disabilities and K. Lisa Yang's $74.5 million towards MIT and Cornell University. The Philanthropy 50 has been published for 25 years, with Warren Buffett noted as the largest individual donor at $49.4 billion. Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 years ago, the late Christo and Jeanne-Claude transformed Central Park with The Gates, a temporary public art installation featuring 7,503 saffron-colored gates adorned with free-flowing fabric. After being elected as Mayor of New York City, Mike Bloomberg worked with the artists to bring their vision to life.The results? Over its 16 days on display, the public art piece drew more than four million visitors to Central Park in the middle of winter and brought an estimated $254 million in economic activity to the city.Christo and Jeanne-Claude were known for their site-specific, large-scale public artworks, which often reimagined landmarks or landscapes into surreal spaces with objects, fabrics, textures, and colors. From surrounding 11 islands in Miami's Biscayne Bay with bright pink fabric, to wrapping Paris's Pont Neuf bridge with silky, golden fabric, the pair created bold and brilliant outdoor projects that spanned the globe and garnered international acclaim for their expansiveness and originality. The point of their installations? It was simple; no deeper meaning was contained within the works, but they provided visitors with joy, beauty, and new perspectives on familiar spaces.  For a limited time, the public can experience a portion of The Gates through an augmented reality experience in Central Park powered by the Bloomberg Connects app and learn more about Christo and Jeanne-Claude's NYC projects at Christo and Jeanne-Claude: The Gates and Unrealized Projects for New York City, the latest exhibition at The Shed.On this episode of Follow the Data, Megan Sheekey sits down with Patti Harris, CEO of Bloomberg Philanthropies, and  Vladimir Yavachev, Director of Projects at the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation, to dive deeper into the 20th anniversary of The Gates, the prolific life and works of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, and the critical role public art plays in cities around the world.

In this episode of The Truth in This Art, I'm joined by returning guest Tonya Miller-Hall, Senior Advisor, Office of Arts & Culture for the Mayor's Office in Baltimore City, and acclaimed multidisciplinary artist and first time guest Derrick Adams to discuss "Inviting Light," a groundbreaking public art project transforming Station North. Curated by Derrick Adams and supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, "Inviting Light" will feature five site-specific installations by renowned artists, bringing light and vibrancy to the neighborhood. We explore how this initiative will enhance the community, increase foot traffic, and revitalize Station North through the power of public art.Don't miss this episode to learn more about "Inviting Light" and the inspiring individuals behind it!Be sure to check out Tonya Miller-Hall's previous appearance on The Truth in This Art here Host: Rob LeeMusic: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and TransistorPhotos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.Support the podcast The Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

Today I'm joined in conversation by Brett Jenks, CEO of Rare, a solution orientated global conservation organisation with a distinctly human approach. Unlike our historical models of creating national parks that exclude humans to preserve nature, Rare refuses to view people as the problem, instead embracing them as partners in conservation that enables both people & nature to thrive.  Brett highlights several of Rare's established projects partnering with local communities around the world, giving them the support to become successful stewards of their own natural world. The Fish Forever project a community led approach to restore, protect & manage coastal seas across 8 countries & Lands For Life which teaches Regenerative Agriculture to farmers in Columbia.In this mindset shifting conversation Brett shares how Rare successfully utilises human behavioural insights into their groundbreaking ideas, including creating a video game that literally plants trees, the Climate Action Now App that empowers consumers & an innovative Impact Investment Fund to provide alternative financial backing for conservation.Brett left me truly inspired, imagining what is possible as we break free of traditional conservation models & embrace the unlimited potential available when humans remember their role as stewards & set our intention to work with the amazing wisdom Mother Nature has. Learn more about BrettBrett is the CEO of Rare, a nonprofit that has led environmental conservation projects for 50 years & impacted the lives of millions, helping people & nature thrive together through community-led efforts across 60 countries. Brett was a journalist and film producer before he traveled to Costa Rica in 1992 for a government-partnered English teaching program. There, he designed an award-winning local ecotourism program for Rare and rose through the ranks to become CEO in 2000.   Under Brett's leadership, Rare has grown 3,000% and expanded its budgets to $30M. He notably scaled Rare's Fish Forever program of revitalizing coastal fisheries to reach 2,000 communities across 8 countries, and launched partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and companies like Bloomberg Philanthropies, Meta, Netflix, UNDP, and Nat Geo.He has dedicated 20+ years to changing the behavioral approach to conservation. His views have featured across major publications like The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. In 2017, he was awarded the Rose-Walters Prize for Global Environmental Activism. Website: https://rare.org/Support the showThank you for being part of this journey with me, please Subscribe so you don't miss our future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help these messages ripple out across the world. More information about the Podcast & our host Fiona MacKay: Fiona Mackay Photography WebsiteConnect with us & join the conversation on social media:Instagram @FionaMacKayPhotographyFacebook @FionaMacKayPhotographyTwitter @FiMacKay

In this episode, host Professor Stephen Goldsmith is joined by Amanda Ford from the Mayor's Office of Innovation in San Francisco City to discuss how her team is successfully breaking down data silos to improve services for the city's most vulnerable residents. Amanda provides insights into the Office's innovative approach, which includes leveraging integrated data systems, fostering trust and collaboration across agencies, and a willingness to take risks. She also shares how this work has successfully helped the "high utilizer" population.Music credit: Summer-Man by KetsaAbout Data-Smart City SolutionsData-Smart City Solutions, housed at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University, is working to catalyze the adoption of data projects on the local government level by serving as a central resource for cities interested in this emerging field. We highlight best practices, top innovators, and promising case studies while also connecting leading industry, academic, and government officials. Our research focus is the intersection of government and data, ranging from open data and predictive analytics to civic engagement technology. We seek to promote the combination of integrated, cross-agency data with community data to better discover and preemptively address civic problems. To learn more visit us online and join us on Twitter, Bluesky, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

With Cliff Schecter. The funniest Fox News typo ever. CNN keeps employing known liar Scott Jennings, but Jim Acosta was moved to midnight and was forced to resign. Donald started a trade war with Colombia. Coffee prices jumped. Pardoned insurrectionist shot by a cop. Another pardoned insurrectionist arrested. Donald broke the law by firing 17 inspectors general. You Were Warned: Donald says Palestinians should be cleansed; Newark ICE raid detains American citizens; Consumer confidence takes a hit. Heroes of Democracy: WA governor Bob Ferguson, Judge Mehta, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and pro-DEI retailers. Music by Diggstown, The Husht, and more!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's the start-of-the-new-year episode, where host Stephen Goldsmith and producer Betsy Gardner swap roles to discuss all things data, digital, governance, AI and policy-making from 2024. Listen to Pr. Goldsmith's reflections on the last twelve months and predictions on 2025, with a bonus lightening round of questions!  References include Data-Smart City Pod Episode 67, Episode 65, and Episode 62, and articles about Tacoma, Tucson, and Nashville.  Music credit: Summer-Man by KetsaAbout Data-Smart City SolutionsData-Smart City Solutions, housed at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University, is working to catalyze the adoption of data projects on the local government level by serving as a central resource for cities interested in this emerging field. We highlight best practices, top innovators, and promising case studies while also connecting leading industry, academic, and government officials. Our research focus is the intersection of government and data, ranging from open data and predictive analytics to civic engagement technology. We seek to promote the combination of integrated, cross-agency data with community data to better discover and preemptively address civic problems. To learn more visit us online and join us on Twitter, Bluesky, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

Around the world, public leaders are confronting a growing distrust in government.In these divided times, a mayor's work becomes increasingly important. As the governing body closest to their residents, they are often the ones left reminding their communities of what we have in common—and why those things are worth fighting for.So how can local leaders proactively take the lead on building social solidarity, and rebuilding trust in government, from the bottom up? We looked to Istanbul, Turkey for a bold answer.Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu is addressing this increasingly global challenge in his city with his Bloomberg Philanthropies' Mayors Challenge-winning project, Pay-It-Forward, which leverages municipal data to match residents in need with community members that can provide support. From helping neighbors pay utility bills during the pandemic to rallying global aid during a national earthquake disaster, this city-led platform brings people together to solve challenges. Since its inception, it has delivered over $12 million USD in aid.On this episode of Follow the Data, James Anderson, who leads Bloomberg Philanthropies' Government Innovation program, joins Mayor İmamoğlu on stage at Bloomberg CityLab 2024 in Mexico City to discuss the state of democracy from the ground floor of cities, and how solutions like Pay-It-Forward offer an inspiring path for mayors around the world to build social cohesion locally and around the world, at scale.

In this conversation, Alexis Schwartz, Head of Purpose Partnerships at The Guardian US, discusses how quality journalism can drive social impact and sustainability forward. She explains The Guardian's unique funding model that keeps journalism accessible by eliminating paywalls, which she argues breed inequity. Schwartz explores "the hush" - a recent phenomenon where brands have pulled back from publicly discussing DEI and sustainability initiatives due to fear of backlash and economic uncertainty. Through examples of The Guardian's partnerships with organizations like Doctors Without Borders and Bloomberg Philanthropies, she illustrates how media can effectively humanize sustainability and social justice stories. Schwartz emphasizes the importance of trusted media environments in combating misinformation and shares hope in seeing communities come together to address climate challenges.

We're excited to have the OCTO Innovation Team joining us! Started in 2021, by a partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies and Mayor Muriel Bowser, the Innovation Team – or iTeam –was created to enhance public services and create an exceptional digital experience for District residents.   Key takeaways:  Gratitude Powers DC: Discover how this art and community engagement project is celebrating what DC residents love and is also shaping improvements to the District's recruitment and hiring process.  Data-Driven Storytelling: Learn how Lindsay and Matt are leveraging data to weave compelling narratives about DC government services and their impact on residents' lives.  Cherished Cityscapes: From parks to coffee shops, the podcast highlights the places and experiences that make DC special, showcasing the deep bond between residents and their city.  Supporting Educators: Gain insights into the Innovation Team's focus on community engagement and their upcoming event designed to uplift District educators and school administrators.  Mark Your Calendars: The Gratitude Powers DC initiative will culminate in a special celebration honoring DC's teachers and education administrators on Tuesday, October 8th, at 6:00 PM at the Deanwood Recreation Center. Event details can be found at ⁠Gratitude Powers DC.⁠  

Last night's meeting was the first since school began last week for BPS. The primary focus of the Superintendent report, and the ensuing discussion with School Committee members, was the district's transportation challenges. Over the past week, transportation issues have dominated the news, with reports indicating that nearly two-thirds of buses were late to school, marking the lowest on-time arrival rate in nine years. The Superintendent and her team addressed the situation, citing the complexities involved, including the introduction of a new technology system, Zum. While much of the discussion revolved around why these problems persist, School Committee members urged greater transparency with families, many of whom voiced their frustrations during public comments and in the media. Following the Superintendent's report, the School Committee reviewed a proposal to expand enrollment at the Edward M. Kennedy Academy of Health Careers. Earlier this year, the city announced a $38 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies to increase enrollment and create new pathways with Mass General-Brigham. Last night's request sought formal approval to grow the school's enrollment to 800 students over the next few years. Committee members raised concerns about the need for a new facility, given the school's past challenges securing a permanent space, and stressed the importance of a comprehensive facilities plan to assess the broader impact of this expansion on other high schools. The Committee also voted on two items, including a proposal related to White Stadium. At the previous meeting, the Mayor's office asked the Committee to authorize the Superintendent to enter negotiations with a women's soccer team for a lease agreement. Public comments focused heavily on White Stadium, with speakers unanimously supporting the need for revitalization and improved athletic facilities for BPS students. The vote passed unanimously. The next School Committee meeting will be held in person or via Zoom at 6 p.m. on Wednesday September 25th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“As a marketing team, you need to be celebrating client successes and telling these stories to other prospects.” -Assaf Frances   Assaf Frances is the Director of Marketing and Partnerships at Zencity, where he leads the company's brand, digital and field marketing strategy. He oversees many of the company's key partnerships, presence at events and conferences, content creation, digital campaigns, and design. Assaf also spearheaded the recent rebrand process the company had gone through. Prior to his work at Zencity, Assaf served as Program Manager for the City of Tel Aviv Innovation Team, under the Mayor's office, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies. He holds an MSc in Urban Regeneration from the Bartlett School of Planning, UCL, London, is a Chevening Alumni and a member of the Salzburg Global Forum. He's based in NYC and lives with his husband Yoni and their dog West. In this interview, Assaf discusses community trust, homelessness solutions, and innovative marketing strategies.   Website: https://zencity.io/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/assaf-frances-4a60b938/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/assaffrances/

“As a marketing team, you need to be celebrating client successes and telling these stories to other prospects.” -Assaf Frances   Assaf Frances is the Director of Marketing and Partnerships at Zencity, where he leads the company's brand, digital and field marketing strategy. He oversees many of the company's key partnerships, presence at events and conferences, content creation, digital campaigns, and design. Assaf also spearheaded the recent rebrand process the company had gone through. Prior to his work at Zencity, Assaf served as Program Manager for the City of Tel Aviv Innovation Team, under the Mayor's office, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies. He holds an MSc in Urban Regeneration from the Bartlett School of Planning, UCL, London, is a Chevening Alumni and a member of the Salzburg Global Forum. He's based in NYC and lives with his husband Yoni and their dog West. In this interview, Assaf discusses community trust, homelessness solutions, and innovative marketing strategies.   Website: https://zencity.io/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/assaf-frances-4a60b938/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/assaffrances/

8.9.2024 #RolandMartinUnfiltered: Dolton, Ill.'s Millions in Debt, VA Blocking Voter Restoration, Trump's Lies, MeHarry's $175M Gift Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot's investigation into Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard's misuse of village funds preliminary findings prove the village is more than $3.5 million in debt.   One of Dolton's trustees is here to break down the numbers.  A federal judge in Virginia threw out a lawsuit challenging Gov. Glenn Youngkin's process for restoring voting rights for people convicted of a felony.  The state's NAACP President will explain why the judge said the suit was filed under an incorrect section of law. Former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown says Trump did not tell the truth about their relationship and was not in a helicopter crash with the orange man.  Nashville's Meharry Medical College received a $175 million gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies. The College's president will join us to discuss being the recipient of the $600 million gift given to historically Black medical schools. In our Education Matters Segment, Ventris Gibson, the U.S. Mint's First Black Director, will discuss the educational opportunities the Mint offers students.  #BlackStarNetwork partners:Fanbase

8.6.2024 #RolandMartinUnfiltered: VP Harris picks Minn. Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate Vice President Harris chooses Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to be her running mate.  We'll talk to some lawmakers from the Land of 10,000 Lakes about this decision.  Trump surrogate Republican Congressman Byron Donalds squares off with NBC's George Stephanopoulos about Kamala Harris' racial identity.  We'll show you the heated exchange. Nashville's Meharry Medical College received a $175 million gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies. The College's president will join us to discuss being the recipient of the $600 million gift given to historically Black medical schools. #BlackStarNetwork partners:Fanbase

Vice President Kamala Harris hopes her new running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, can help win over independents and even some Republicans. New analyses find that Hamas has rebuilt some of its fighting capabilities even after nine months of war. The mayor of Charleston, South Carolina has extended a curfew as Tropical Storm Debby drops major rain on the area. A new study finds teens' mental health is still low after the pandemic. Plus, Bloomberg Philanthropies is gifting over half a billion to four historically Black medical schools. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Most medical students at Johns Hopkins University will no longer pay tuition thanks to a $1 billion gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies. Starting in the fall, the donation will cover full tuition for medical students from families earning less than $300,000. Living expenses and fees will be covered for students from families who earn up to $175,000. Bloomberg Philanthropies said that currently almost two-thirds of all students seeking a doctor of medicine degree from Johns Hopkins qualify for financial aid, and 45% of the current class will also receive living expenses. The school estimates that graduates' average total loans will decrease from $104,000 currently to $60,279 by 2029. The gift will also increase financial aid for students at the university's schools of nursing, public health, and other graduate schools. "By reducing the financial barriers to these essential fields, we can free more students to pursue careers they're passionate about–and enable them to serve more of the families and communities who need them the most," Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and Bloomberg LP, said in a statement. Bloomberg received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University in 1964. The gift will go to Johns Hopkins' endowment and every penny will go directly to students, said Ron Daniels, president of Johns Hopkins University.  "Mike has really been moved by the challenges that the professions confronted during the course of the pandemic and the heroic efforts they've made to protecting and providing care to American citizens during the pandemic," Daniels said in an interview. "I think he simply wanted to recognize the importance of these fields and provide this support to ensure that the best and brightest could attend medical school and the school of nursing and public health." Bloomberg Philanthropies previously gifted $1.8 billion to Johns Hopkins in 2018 to ensure that undergraduate students are accepted regardless of their family's income. Johns Hopkins will be the latest medical school to offer free tuition to most or all of their medical students. This article was provided by The Associated Press.

Episode Summary:  Angelica Stiskin, a distinguished artistic director and choreographer, offers a deep dive into her multifaceted dance career and her educational initiatives at the Joffrey Ballet School. From her early beginnings in New Jersey to becoming a global force in dance, Angelica shares the trajectory of her career, including her mentorship under Billy Larson and her innovative work in choreographing for prestigious events like New York Fashion Week. As the artistic director of the Joffrey Ballet School, Angelica has played a pivotal role in broadening the curriculum to include both concert and commercial dance, emphasizing the importance of a diverse education in the arts.  Angelica discusses the challenges and rewards of her career, particularly in adapting to unexpected opportunities and the evolving landscape of dance genres. She stresses the importance of perseverance, believing in oneself, and the pursuit of passion, which she believes are key to thriving in the competitive dance industry. The podcast also touches on the balance between professional and personal life, a theme that resonates deeply with Angelica as she navigates her roles as an educator, choreographer, and director. Her insights into setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care are valuable for anyone looking to sustain a long-term career in dance. Show Notes: (0:03) Dance industry insights with an artistic director. (2:57) Early years of dancer Angelica Siskin, including training, mentors, and education. (6:36) Artistic director role at Joffrey Ballet School. (13:35) Balancing concert and commercial dance education. (19:47) Diversifying dance training and career paths. (22:31) The importance of believing in oneself and pursuing one's passions. (26:54) Work-life balance and prioritizing personal life. (31:11) Balancing personal and professional life. (36:17) Higher education, master's degrees, and relevancy in dance industry. (41:01) Revolutionizing the education system for dancers. (51:29) The importance of reputation and relationships in the dance industry. Biography: Angelica Stiskin is internationally recognized for her versatility as a choreographer, director, performer, and dance educator. She is honored to lead the next generation of artists as the Artistic Director of Joffrey Ballet School's Jazz & Contemporary Trainee Program and Flagship Jazz & Contemporary summer intensive, SPECTRUM. She began her trajectory at Joffrey Ballet School as choreographer and educator in 2008, appointed Artistic Director in 2017, and has directed the worldwide Audition Tour since 2021. She is seen touring the country on faculty for Heat Convention & Competition's National Tour, as well continuing her work as choreographer, director, and creative consultant designing high-level concepts for fashion, editorial, and live entertainment. Most recently, Bloomberg Philanthropies commissioned Angelica to choreograph by request of notable creative, Beth Crandall, for the grand opening of PAC/NYC, Perelman Performing Arts Center (next to the Freedom Tower). This major press event of the “ribbon connecting” ceremony highlighted the students and alumni of the Joffrey Ballet School. Angelica choreographed and consulted (using Joffrey Ballet School Trainees), the opening spectacle for the runway show of Brazilian brand, PatBO (featured on Beyoncé), at New York Fashion Week in February 2024. She continues to experiment with screen dance collaborating with NYC-based filmmakers to design dance for film and provide movement direction for the worlds of dance along with a vast array of artistic mediums. She is now pursuing her Master's in Education Leadership at Harvard University, a part-time program specifically designed for professionals in education carrying full-time careers.  Connect on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/angelicastiskin https://www.facebook.com/AngelicaStiskin

Generative artificial intelligence has the potential to transform local government. That's why city officials everywhere are working to harness its promise—from redesigning infrastructure to reimagining emergency response—alongside managing its pitfalls.Still, it's a new frontier for municipalities, one that's especially difficult to confront without the help of peers. To bridge the gap, in October 2023, our Government Innovation program at Bloomberg Philanthropies together with the Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence (GovEx) at Johns Hopkins University launched City AI Connect: a global learning community and digital platform for cities to trial and advance the usage of generative artificial intelligence to improve public services—together.Building on more than a decade of bolstering data capabilities in city halls, our City AI Connect team has spent the past 8 months in the artificial intelligence-trenches with local officials. Each day on the platform, more than 500 city leaders convene to experiment, strategy-share, and navigate the intricacies of putting this emerging technology to work for residents' benefit.On this episode of Follow the Data, Katherine Oliver sits down with Claudia Juech from our Bloomberg Philanthropies Government Innovation program team alongside Denise Riedl, Chief Innovation Officer of the City of South Bend, Indiana and Kyle Patterson, Chief Innovation Officer of the City of Boise, Idaho—two City AI Connect super users—to hear about the innerworkings of this new effort. They also discuss how their cities—and peers in other cities—are capitalizing on the generative artificial intelligence movement to bring their governments—and communities—into the future, for good.

Education News Headline Roundup [00:02:24]Bloomberg Philanthropies has announced a $1 billion donation to Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. This generous gift aims to cover tuition for a majority of students, addressing the financial barriers to medical education.Dr. Elena Aydarova's recent work critiques Science of Reading reforms, arguing they often disguise motives of standardization, centralization, and privatization. Her analysis, based on advocacy efforts in Tennessee, reveals how these policies may perpetuate inequalities. The discussion highlights the tension between evidence-based teaching methods and the political agendas that influence educational policy. [Bonus content: A brief back and forth with Alfie Kohn, author of Punished by Rewards and many other titles!]Textbook Case: The Making and Marketing of Educational Resources [00:13:45]Textbooks are essential educational resources used to align with standards, provide structured learning, and support lesson planning. The process of creating a textbook begins with identifying a market for the resource and often involves multiple authors or contributors and extensive review. Major publishers such as Pearson and McGraw-Hill dominate the market. Marketing efforts include social media promotion, trade shows, and direct outreach to schools and (increasingly) students. The textbook adoption process for many schools involves evaluation by educators and curriculum coordinators to ensure curricular alignment and often incorporates review committees and pilot testing. Digital versions and supplementary resources such as video, audio, and online coursework are now standard as publishers scramble to appeal to tech-friendly classrooms.Textbooks face criticism for being outdated, expensive, and potentially biased. They have the potential to promote standardization and test preparation over deep learning and critical thinking. Despite these issues, replacing textbooks is challenging due to the extensive effort required to update associated teaching materials, leading to prolonged use of flawed resources.Discussion Questions [00:35:30]1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using textbooks versus original sources?2. What does it mean to treat a textbook as an authoritative source of information? Are we equipping students to interrogate these educational materials and approach them with a critical lens?3. Do textbooks contribute to over-standardization in education?Sources & Resources:Bloomberg Philanthropies Makes Medical School Free at Johns Hopkins Medical SchoolThe Science of Reading (16:1)Bloomberg's donation to Johns Hopkins gives medical students free tuitionWhat You See Is Not What You Get: Science of Reading Reforms As a Guise for Standardization, Centralization, and PrivatizationHow a textbook is made - Oxford University PressThe Schools Our Children Deserve - (Book) - Alfie KohnCengage and McGraw-Hill Terminate Merger AgreementTextbook publishers explore direct-to-student marketing and salesAbout NCPC - National Capital Planning CommissionParis Olympics by the numbers: Participating country stats and facts

In June, global temperatures had surpassed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels for 12 months straight, encroaching on the goal set in the Paris climate accord. We’ll explain why scientists use 1.5 degrees as a key benchmark and why it’s important to have hard conversations about climate change. Then, we’ll get into an investigation revealing how insurers profited from false diagnoses of Medicare patients. And, a billion-dollar donation to a medical school and new developments in textile recycling make us smile. Here’s everything we talked about today: “In a troubling milestone, Earth surpasses 1.5 degrees C of warming for 12 consecutive months” from LA Times “June 2024 marks 12th month of global temperature reaching 1.5°C above pre-industrial” from Copernicus “Burning Questions: What's the deal with 1.5 degrees?” from Marketplace “‘We're Not Dead Yet.' Baby Boomers' Good Times Drive the Economy.” from The Wall Street Journal “Insurers Pocketed $50 Billion From Medicare for Diseases No Doctor Treated” from The Wall Street Journal “How the Journal Analyzed Medicare Advantage Data” from The Wall Street Journal “Why scientists think they may finally have found a way to recycle clothes” from The Washington Post “Johns Hopkins to offer free medical school tuition from $1 billion Bloomberg Philanthropies grant” from The Baltimore Banner “$1 Billion Donation Will Provide Free Tuition at a Bronx Medical School” from The New York Times We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

In June, global temperatures had surpassed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels for 12 months straight, encroaching on the goal set in the Paris climate accord. We’ll explain why scientists use 1.5 degrees as a key benchmark and why it’s important to have hard conversations about climate change. Then, we’ll get into an investigation revealing how insurers profited from false diagnoses of Medicare patients. And, a billion-dollar donation to a medical school and new developments in textile recycling make us smile. Here’s everything we talked about today: “In a troubling milestone, Earth surpasses 1.5 degrees C of warming for 12 consecutive months” from LA Times “June 2024 marks 12th month of global temperature reaching 1.5°C above pre-industrial” from Copernicus “Burning Questions: What's the deal with 1.5 degrees?” from Marketplace “‘We're Not Dead Yet.' Baby Boomers' Good Times Drive the Economy.” from The Wall Street Journal “Insurers Pocketed $50 Billion From Medicare for Diseases No Doctor Treated” from The Wall Street Journal “How the Journal Analyzed Medicare Advantage Data” from The Wall Street Journal “Why scientists think they may finally have found a way to recycle clothes” from The Washington Post “Johns Hopkins to offer free medical school tuition from $1 billion Bloomberg Philanthropies grant” from The Baltimore Banner “$1 Billion Donation Will Provide Free Tuition at a Bronx Medical School” from The New York Times We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

In June, global temperatures had surpassed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels for 12 months straight, encroaching on the goal set in the Paris climate accord. We’ll explain why scientists use 1.5 degrees as a key benchmark and why it’s important to have hard conversations about climate change. Then, we’ll get into an investigation revealing how insurers profited from false diagnoses of Medicare patients. And, a billion-dollar donation to a medical school and new developments in textile recycling make us smile. Here’s everything we talked about today: “In a troubling milestone, Earth surpasses 1.5 degrees C of warming for 12 consecutive months” from LA Times “June 2024 marks 12th month of global temperature reaching 1.5°C above pre-industrial” from Copernicus “Burning Questions: What's the deal with 1.5 degrees?” from Marketplace “‘We're Not Dead Yet.' Baby Boomers' Good Times Drive the Economy.” from The Wall Street Journal “Insurers Pocketed $50 Billion From Medicare for Diseases No Doctor Treated” from The Wall Street Journal “How the Journal Analyzed Medicare Advantage Data” from The Wall Street Journal “Why scientists think they may finally have found a way to recycle clothes” from The Washington Post “Johns Hopkins to offer free medical school tuition from $1 billion Bloomberg Philanthropies grant” from The Baltimore Banner “$1 Billion Donation Will Provide Free Tuition at a Bronx Medical School” from The New York Times We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Give us about fifteen minutes daily, and we will give you all the local news, sports, weather, and events you can handle.   SPONSORS: Many thanks to our sponsors... Annapolis Subaru, the SPCA of Anne Arundel County,  Solar Energy Services, and the Hospice of the Chesapeake. Today... An update on "jugging" and what police are saying about it. New public transit options in Annapolis. The launch of a new program to help families buy groceries for their kids during summer break. Bloomberg Philanthropies gifts $1 billion to Johns Hopkins University. And we have tickets to a show at Rams Head On Stage to give away today for Ticket Tuesday. Daily Newsletter Subscription Link: https://forms.aweber.com/form/87/493412887.htm And as usual, George from DCMDVA Weather is here with your local weather forecast! Please download their app to  keep on top of the local weather scene! The Eye On Annapolis Daily News Brief is produced every Monday through Friday at 6:00 am and available wherever you get your podcasts and also on our social media platforms--All Annapolis and Eye On Annapolis (FB) and @eyeonannapolis (TW) NOTE: For hearing-impaired subscribers, a full transcript is available on Eye On Annapolis.

As gun violence persists in the Gulf South, community members in Shreveport, Louisiana are reckoning with last year's mass shootings and murders. And locals are pointing to the area's history of mass incarceration as a contributing factor.In part two of our series on gun violence in the region, the Gulf States Newsroom's Kat Stromquist traveled to Northern Louisiana and met residents who say decades of locking people up hasn't worked.In the U.S., Black Americans are 40 percent more likely to live in areas where the chance of dying from climate change is higher than average. They're also disproportionately affected by environmental pollution. That's why the national nonprofit, The Hip Hop Caucus, is trying to leverage hip-hop culture to raise awareness. The Coastal Desk's Halle Parker went to last weekend's Essence Fest to learn more about the caucus's latest initiatives. She also spoke with Big Freedia to learn why the iconic New Orleans performer is joining the fight against petrochemicals. Big Freedia isn't the only New Orleanian working on creative solutions to combat climate change. In fact, a new $50,000grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies will invest in environmental initiatives led by youth.Reporter for Verite News Safura Syed joins us for more on the program and how to apply. This summer has been a scorcher, with multiple heat records already broken. But thanks to a new initiative from the Biden administration, some public housing residents might be getting financial assistance to help pay those expensive summertime AC bills.NPR's Ayesha Rascoe spoke with national correspondent Jennifer Ludden for more. ___Today's episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schrieber. Matt Bloom and Aubry Procell are assistant producers. Our engineer is Garrett Pittman.You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at 12 and 7 p.m. It's available on Spotify, Google Play and wherever you get your podcasts. Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you're at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you'd like to listen to.Louisiana Considered is made possible with support from our listeners. Thank you!

About this episode: Public health saved your life today and you didn't even know it. But while public health makes modern life possible, efforts are frequently underfunded, undervalued, and misunderstood. Today we bring you a special episode from Follow the Data, a podcast by the Bloomberg Philanthropies, that discusses "The Invisible Shield," a four-part documentary series on PBS. The series delves into the often unseen public health infrastructure that supports our daily lives and highlights the field's significant achievements. Guests: Dr. Josh Sharfstein is vice dean for public health practice and community engagement at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, a faculty member in health policy, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. Dr. Sandro Galea is dean of the Boston University School of Public Health. Host: Katherine Oliver is a Principal at Bloomberg Associates and the host of Follow the Data, a podcast by Bloomberg Philanthropies. Show links and related content: Follow the Data—Podcast The Invisible Shield—Documentary Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. Follow us: @‌PublicHealthPod on X @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Instagram @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook @‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube Here's our RSS feed

Air pollution is now the second leading risk of death worldwide, accounting for 8.1 million deaths globally in 2021.As the world's urban population grows, it is critical for policymakers and citizens to have access to data-driven scientific research that can empower communities and inform important environmental, air quality, and public health policy decisions.The State of Global Air 2024 report by the Health Effects Institute provides a comprehensive analysis of data for air quality and health impacts for countries around the world. It serves as a key resource for governments and initiatives such as Breathe Cities, informing their work supporting cities to curb their air pollution and climate emissions.On this episode, Katherine Oliver sits down with Antha Williams, who leads the Environment program at Bloomberg Philanthropies, Dr. Pallavi Pant, who leads the Global Health program at the Health Effects Institute, and Jaime Pumarejo, the first-ever Executive Director for the Breathe Cities initiative and the former Mayor of Barranquilla, Colombia, to discuss the state of global air pollution, how policymakers can use air quality data to inform their work towards climate progress, and why it's important to tackle this issue at the local level to improve and save lives.

Data is power. And it takes skill to use data effectively and equitably. Bloomberg Philanthropies' ‘City Data Alliance' has trained hundreds of municipal leaders in capturing, sharing and using data. Some are in Baltimore now -- What are they learning and why? James Anderson, head of Government Innovation programming, talks us through the processDo you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers mgerr@wypr.org 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his sbdawes@wypr.org 410-235-1472

In 2023, in a first-of-its-kind, The American Nurses Foundation's Philanthropic Support for the Nursing Profession report revealed that nursing receives just one penny of every healthcare philanthropy dollar despite broad awareness and agreement of the need for massive and urgent investment in nursing to transform our complex health care systems and care delivery.    In this second episode in our series of rare, in-depth unscripted conversations with philanthropists, fundraisers, program managers, executive directors, grantees, and innovators we explore the individual nurse's journey and the creative and strategic ways foundations are investing and partnering to engage students as early as middle school to spark interest in healthcare careers, deliver education through the lens of health and education equity, and build the diverse workforce needed to meet current shortages and growing demand.    Listen in for conversations with Pamela McCue PhD, RN, CEO of NursesMC, Jenny Kane of Bloomberg Philanthropies, Elisabeth DeLuca and Kevin Byrne of the Elisabeth C. DeLuca Foundation as we dive deep into the details of a Nurses's Journey, transformative, recording breaking gifts, Bloomberg Philanthropies $250 million Career and Technical Education Healthcare Initiative, and the groundbreaking NursesMC model for building a representative nursing workforce centered on the social determinants of health, education, and employment. Find this episode's resources at www.seeyounowpodcast.com and to find out more information on the podcast bundles visit ANA's Innovation Website at www.nursingworld.org/innovation. Have questions for the SEE YOU NOW team? Feedback? Future episode ideas? Contact us at hello@seeyounowpodcast.com.

From vaccines to seat belts, public health measures have significantly impacted our lifespans and quality of life for decades.And yet, the work itself is often underfunded, undervalued, and misunderstood.The Invisible Shield, a new four-part documentary series on PBS – produced by RadicalMedia and made possible by Bloomberg Philanthropies, explores the hidden public health infrastructure that makes modern life possible. Featuring interviews and insights from public health leaders and global experts, the series examines the field's major achievements and the dedication of the public health sector in times of crisis.On this episode, Katherine Oliver sits down with two public health experts featured in The Invisible Shield, Dr. Sandro Galea, Dean of the Boston University School of Public Health, and Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Vice Dean for Public Health Practice and Community Engagement at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, to discuss how they started their careers, the importance of data collection, and the biggest obstacles to implementing public health policies.

Poland has some of the most toxic air in all of Europe, with 23 of the 50 most polluted cities in the European Union located in the country.Much of this air pollution comes from common household boilers that burn wood and coal. Emissions from cars and factories exacerbate poor air quality and lead to 40,000 deaths from pollution-related illnesses every year.Launched in 2015, Polish Smog Alert is a campaign group comprised of more than 50 local clean air initiatives dedicated to improving air quality in Poland. By increasing public awareness of the health impacts of air pollution and introducing anti-smog regulations at both the local and national levels, this movement has helped secure policy change that has improved air quality and public health across the country.In 2023, Polish Smog Alert was named an Earthshot Prize Finalist in the “Clean Our Air” category, and the group receives tailored support from the Prize's Global Alliance of partners to continue making a difference and driving urgent climate action. Our founder, Mike Bloomberg, serves as Global Advisor to the Winners of The Earthshot Prize, and Bloomberg Philanthropies – alongside Bloomberg LP – has supported The Earthshot Prize since its creation in 2020 as a Global Alliance Founding Partner.On this episode, Katherine Oliver sits down with Polish Smog Alert co-founders Anna Dworakowska and Andrzej Guła to discuss the group's mission to clean the air, their experience with The Earthshot Prize, the successes they have had so far, and where they will go from here.

--- The Data Track at Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative helps leaders to the see the people behind city-level data --- Today, we're throwing a spotlight on the Data Track at the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative (BHCLI), a collaboration between Bloomberg Philanthropies, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School, and GovEx. Launched in 2017, the Initiative has worked with 539 mayors and 2500+ senior city officials in 560 cities worldwide, and has also advanced research and developed new curriculum and teaching tools to help city leaders solve real-world problems. Latricia Boone, GovEx's Senior Director of Partnerships, talks to Sari Ladin-Sienne, BHCLI's program director and former Chief Data Officer of the City of Los Angeles, about the program's history and goals, what the experience is like for mayors, and how the Data Track teaches mayors how to leverage data to address challenges and realize their vision.--- Learn more about the Bloomberg City Leadership Initiative--- Learn more about us at govex.jhu.edu--- Fill out our listener survey!

Laura Fox is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Streetlife Ventures, a seed-stage venture fund investing in B2B urban climate solutions to transform sectors including mobility, buildings, energy, waste, and water. She joins to discuss the challenges and opportunities in improving quality of life in cities and the urban climate space Takeaways Street Life focuses on the climate transition in the mobility and logistics industry, seeking opportunities beyond traditional big players. The MORE framework (enablement, rebuild, mobility solutions, maintenance) guides Street Life's approach to addressing mobility challenges. Infrastructure rebuilding and reimagining are crucial, as a significant portion of urban infrastructure needed by 2050 does not exist yet. Balancing business goals and impact is a challenge, but partnerships with the public sector can be a major accelerant to growth. Policy plays a vital role in driving change, and resistance to change can be navigated through thoughtful implementation and clear benefits. Chapters Introduction and Background Defining the Problem of Improving Life in Cities Choosing the Right Size Problem to Solve Adaptation and the Changing Environment Electrification and Closing the Gap Core Thesis of Street Life and Opportunities in Mobility and Logistics The MORE Framework for Mobility Infrastructure Rebuilding and Reimagining Mobility Solutions and Maintenance Balancing Business Goals and Impact The Role of Policy in Driving Change Navigating Resistance to Change Street Life's Role in Solving Mobility Problems Encouraging Different Approaches to Problem-Solving The Economic Opportunity in the Transition to Net Zero Links: Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/laurafox https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraafox/ Streetlife website  Pre-seed or seed B2B startup in the Streetlife thesis space? Pitch Streetlife here  Bio Laura Fox speaks on mobility, city, and climate topics globally, and is on ‘Transportation Power 100' and ‘Top Women in Mobility' lists. She is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Streetlife Ventures, a seed-stage venture fund investing in B2B urban climate solutions to transform sectors including mobility, buildings, energy, waste, and water. Previously, Laura was the General Manager of Citi Bike at Lyft and built it into a $100M+ ARR business and one of the country's largest transportation systems, led diligence on urban climate tech companies at Sidewalk Labs, launched new mobility products with Boston Consulting Group's digital ventures team, and advised Bloomberg Philanthropies on their urban investment strategy. Laura also teaches MBA strategy courses at NYU Stern, and is on the board of Governors Island, which will be the test bed for climate innovation in NYC. She is a Senior Fellow with MIT's Mobility Initiative, and on the urban-focused Expert Taskforce for the World Economic Forum (WEF). Fun fact: Laura's friends call her ‘20 Questions' since she loves getting to the heart of a good idea - and she's given a TED Talk on the topic. Streetlife Ventures description Streetlife Ventures invests in pre-seed and seed B2B startups at the intersection of cities and climate, across the building, energy, mobility and logistics, waste and water, and adaptive tech sectors. Future of Mobility: The Future of Mobility podcast is focused on the development and implementation of safe, sustainable, effective, and accessible mobility solutions, with a spotlight on the people and technology advancing these fields. Edison Manufacturing and Engineering: Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don't neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods. linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/ brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/

A flyover from this weeks top heartland stories including:Missouri's new presidential primary; Iowa's massive fertilizer spill; Hawley signals some break with Trump on Jan 6th; Missouri town paying big for open record violation; Texas immigration law seesaw; Sustainability in St. Louis; Turns out, young white republicans at turning point events MIGHT be a bit racistSOURCES - river front times, missouri independent, missouri democrats.org, nbc news, newsweek, and WOWT Ohama channel 6 newsMissouri democratic primary TOMORROW - March 23Details: https://www.missouridemocrats.org/mdp-primary-information-2024Back to the poopy water in Iowahttps://www.wowt.com/2024/03/19/experts-detail-environmental-impact-fertilizer-spill-southwest-iowa/Experts detail environmental impact of fertilizer spill in southwest IowaDNR experts are still examining the environmental impacts of a massive 1,500-ton liquid nitrogen fertilizer spill near Red Oak, Iowa caused by a New Cooperative valve that was left open last Monday.They know liquid nitrogen fertilizer traveled along the East Nishnabotna River in Iowa for 50 miles down to the state of Missouri where it's estimated to have traveled at least another 10 miles.“(It's) probably the longest fishkill that we've experienced in this area,” said Brent Marten, an environmental specialist for the Iowa DNR.As the fertilizer plume swept through the water, the home of aquatic wildlife soon became their grave. Native species of varying sizes were found dead ashore and floating in the water.“Just acute toxicity basically burned tissue on the outside and if they ingested it, on the inside of the fish,” said Lorenzen.Water testing showed that where the spill happened, nitrogen levels were at least 60 times higher than they should've been.Josh Hawley (drop) says Trump Shouldn't Issue Blanket Pardon for Jan 6thhttps://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article286871930.htmlIn a rare showing of a possible spine in the face of Trump's crazy, Missouri's soon to be one term senator Joshua “Yes these are my boots” Hawley breaks with Trump and suggests that CRIMINALS WHO ATTACKED THE GOVERNMENT might be best to be left as criminals, real novel takeMissouri Town who abused open records law drops appeal of penaltyhttps://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/15/phelps-county-town-drops-appeal-of-80000-missouri-sunshine-law-judgment/Rebecca Varney sued after Edgar Springs banned her from visiting city hall to see records or attend town board meetingsEdgar Springs, a town of 200 in southern Phelps County, must now pay Rebecca Varney $750, plus almost $80,000 in attorney fees, to satisfy a November court decision that found it violated Varney's First Amendment rights and the Missouri Sunshine Law.Circuit Judge John Beger ruled that the city's violations began in 2018 when it barred Varney from entering city hall to view records open to the public under the Sunshine Law. The initial order allowed her to attend meetings of the town's Board of Aldermen but was expanded in 2019 to bar her from entering city hall at any time after she questioned whether a gathering that included several town officials was an unposted meeting.“Our rights are worth it,” Varney said. “It's been hard but I go to city council meetings, I get to sit down just like everybody else. And they have to treat everybody that way.”In her lawsuit, Varney asked for only nominal damages in addition to legal vindication. Berger's ruling gave Varney $100 for the constitutional violation, $650 for the Sunshine Law violation and $78,966 for litigation costs and attorney fees. Interest is accruing at the rate of 9% per year.“This was not a close case,” said Dave Roland, the attorney who represented Varney. “They should have seen from the very outset, it was going to be a loser and they were going to be on the hook for both their attorneys fees and ours.”Roland runs the Freedom Center of Missouri, providing pro bono Sunshine Law legal services for people unable to afford an attorney. Money gained from rulings like the one against Edgar Springs is used to support other litigation. Texas Immigration Law Back On Hold After Multiple Court Rulings In Last Weekshttps://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/appeals-court-blocks-texas-immigration-law-supreme-court-action-rcna144193The decision comes just hours after the Supreme Court said the measure, known as SB 4, could go into effect while litigation continues.A three-judge panel of the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals split 2-1 in saying in a brief order that the measure, known as Senate Bill 4, should be blocked. The same court is hearing arguments on the issue Wednesday morning.The state law would allow police to arrest migrants who illegally cross the border from Mexico and impose criminal penalties. It would also empower state judges to order people to be deported to Mexico.Meet Me In (Sustainable) St. Louieeeehttps://www.riverfronttimes.com/news/bloomberg-taps-st-louis-as-1-of-25-american-sustainable-cities-42136549The City of St. Louis has been selected as one of Bloomberg Philanthropies' 25 sustainable American cities and will receive resources to combat climate change locally.The three-year program will utilize federal funding in the area to “proactively build low-carbon, resilient, and economically thriving communities,” according to a news release from Bloomberg. St. Louis was chosen to take part in the program based on the city's leadership and ambition, according to the St. Louis Development Corporation. Black Gay Republican Says Missouri Republican Heckled Him at MAGA Evenhttps://www.newsweek.com/black-gay-republican-says-missouri-republican-heckled-him-maga-event-1879832Rob Smith (conservative commenter) accused a state legislator from Missouri of being among the individuals who allegedly heckled him at a MAGA event in December.Smith, a Republican who is Black and gay, alleged that Missouri State Representative Chris Lonsdale joined a group of conservatives accused of heckling him while attending a Turning Point USA event in Phoenix in December 2023.Video sent by Smith to Newsweek appears to show Lonsdale near a crowd that heckled and chanted a homophobic slur against Smith. Lonsdale was seen pointing his finger toward Smith. However, the video was taken from behind the lawmaker, and it remained unclear whether he was among the individuals chanting the slur."One of the individuals is a Republican elected official named Chris Lonsdale, a State Rep for MO district 38," Smith wrote in an X message to Newsweek. @TheHeartlandPOD on Twitter and ThreadsCo-HostsAdam Sommer @Adam_Sommer85 (Twitter) @adam_sommer85 (Post)Rachel Parker @msraitchetp (Post) Sean Diller (no social)The Heartland Collective - Sign Up Today!JOIN PATREON FOR MORE - AND JOIN OUR SOCIAL NETWORK!“Change The Conversation”Outro Song: “The World Is On Fire” by American Aquarium http://www.americanaquarium.com/

A flyover from this weeks top heartland stories including:Missouri's new presidential primary; Iowa's massive fertilizer spill; Hawley signals some break with Trump on Jan 6th; Missouri town paying big for open record violation; Texas immigration law seesaw; Sustainability in St. Louis; Turns out, young white republicans at turning point events MIGHT be a bit racistSOURCES - river front times, missouri independent, missouri democrats.org, nbc news, newsweek, and WOWT Ohama channel 6 newsMissouri democratic primary TOMORROW - March 23Details: https://www.missouridemocrats.org/mdp-primary-information-2024Back to the poopy water in Iowahttps://www.wowt.com/2024/03/19/experts-detail-environmental-impact-fertilizer-spill-southwest-iowa/Experts detail environmental impact of fertilizer spill in southwest IowaDNR experts are still examining the environmental impacts of a massive 1,500-ton liquid nitrogen fertilizer spill near Red Oak, Iowa caused by a New Cooperative valve that was left open last Monday.They know liquid nitrogen fertilizer traveled along the East Nishnabotna River in Iowa for 50 miles down to the state of Missouri where it's estimated to have traveled at least another 10 miles.“(It's) probably the longest fishkill that we've experienced in this area,” said Brent Marten, an environmental specialist for the Iowa DNR.As the fertilizer plume swept through the water, the home of aquatic wildlife soon became their grave. Native species of varying sizes were found dead ashore and floating in the water.“Just acute toxicity basically burned tissue on the outside and if they ingested it, on the inside of the fish,” said Lorenzen.Water testing showed that where the spill happened, nitrogen levels were at least 60 times higher than they should've been.Josh Hawley (drop) says Trump Shouldn't Issue Blanket Pardon for Jan 6thhttps://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article286871930.htmlIn a rare showing of a possible spine in the face of Trump's crazy, Missouri's soon to be one term senator Joshua “Yes these are my boots” Hawley breaks with Trump and suggests that CRIMINALS WHO ATTACKED THE GOVERNMENT might be best to be left as criminals, real novel takeMissouri Town who abused open records law drops appeal of penaltyhttps://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/15/phelps-county-town-drops-appeal-of-80000-missouri-sunshine-law-judgment/Rebecca Varney sued after Edgar Springs banned her from visiting city hall to see records or attend town board meetingsEdgar Springs, a town of 200 in southern Phelps County, must now pay Rebecca Varney $750, plus almost $80,000 in attorney fees, to satisfy a November court decision that found it violated Varney's First Amendment rights and the Missouri Sunshine Law.Circuit Judge John Beger ruled that the city's violations began in 2018 when it barred Varney from entering city hall to view records open to the public under the Sunshine Law. The initial order allowed her to attend meetings of the town's Board of Aldermen but was expanded in 2019 to bar her from entering city hall at any time after she questioned whether a gathering that included several town officials was an unposted meeting.“Our rights are worth it,” Varney said. “It's been hard but I go to city council meetings, I get to sit down just like everybody else. And they have to treat everybody that way.”In her lawsuit, Varney asked for only nominal damages in addition to legal vindication. Berger's ruling gave Varney $100 for the constitutional violation, $650 for the Sunshine Law violation and $78,966 for litigation costs and attorney fees. Interest is accruing at the rate of 9% per year.“This was not a close case,” said Dave Roland, the attorney who represented Varney. “They should have seen from the very outset, it was going to be a loser and they were going to be on the hook for both their attorneys fees and ours.”Roland runs the Freedom Center of Missouri, providing pro bono Sunshine Law legal services for people unable to afford an attorney. Money gained from rulings like the one against Edgar Springs is used to support other litigation. Texas Immigration Law Back On Hold After Multiple Court Rulings In Last Weekshttps://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/appeals-court-blocks-texas-immigration-law-supreme-court-action-rcna144193The decision comes just hours after the Supreme Court said the measure, known as SB 4, could go into effect while litigation continues.A three-judge panel of the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals split 2-1 in saying in a brief order that the measure, known as Senate Bill 4, should be blocked. The same court is hearing arguments on the issue Wednesday morning.The state law would allow police to arrest migrants who illegally cross the border from Mexico and impose criminal penalties. It would also empower state judges to order people to be deported to Mexico.Meet Me In (Sustainable) St. Louieeeehttps://www.riverfronttimes.com/news/bloomberg-taps-st-louis-as-1-of-25-american-sustainable-cities-42136549The City of St. Louis has been selected as one of Bloomberg Philanthropies' 25 sustainable American cities and will receive resources to combat climate change locally.The three-year program will utilize federal funding in the area to “proactively build low-carbon, resilient, and economically thriving communities,” according to a news release from Bloomberg. St. Louis was chosen to take part in the program based on the city's leadership and ambition, according to the St. Louis Development Corporation. Black Gay Republican Says Missouri Republican Heckled Him at MAGA Evenhttps://www.newsweek.com/black-gay-republican-says-missouri-republican-heckled-him-maga-event-1879832Rob Smith (conservative commenter) accused a state legislator from Missouri of being among the individuals who allegedly heckled him at a MAGA event in December.Smith, a Republican who is Black and gay, alleged that Missouri State Representative Chris Lonsdale joined a group of conservatives accused of heckling him while attending a Turning Point USA event in Phoenix in December 2023.Video sent by Smith to Newsweek appears to show Lonsdale near a crowd that heckled and chanted a homophobic slur against Smith. Lonsdale was seen pointing his finger toward Smith. However, the video was taken from behind the lawmaker, and it remained unclear whether he was among the individuals chanting the slur."One of the individuals is a Republican elected official named Chris Lonsdale, a State Rep for MO district 38," Smith wrote in an X message to Newsweek. @TheHeartlandPOD on Twitter and ThreadsCo-HostsAdam Sommer @Adam_Sommer85 (Twitter) @adam_sommer85 (Post)Rachel Parker @msraitchetp (Post) Sean Diller (no social)The Heartland Collective - Sign Up Today!JOIN PATREON FOR MORE - AND JOIN OUR SOCIAL NETWORK!“Change The Conversation”Outro Song: “The World Is On Fire” by American Aquarium http://www.americanaquarium.com/

Health care wasn't expected to be a major theme for this year's elections. But as President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump secured their respective party nominations this week, the future of both Medicare and the Affordable Care Act appears to be up for debate. Meanwhile, the cyberattack of the UnitedHealth Group subsidiary Change Healthcare continues to do damage to the companies' finances with no quick end in sight. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, and Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico Magazine join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Kelly Henning of Bloomberg Philanthropies about a new, four-part documentary series on the history of public health, “The Invisible Shield.” Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too. Julie Rovner: The Washington Post's “Navy Demoted Ronny Jackson After Probe Into White House Behavior,” by Dan Diamond and Alex Horton.Joanne Kenen: The Atlantic's “Frigid Offices Might Be Killing Women's Productivity,” by Olga Khazan.Margot Sanger-Katz: Stat's “Rigid Rules at Methadone Clinics Are Jeopardizing Patients' Path to Recover From Opioid Addiction,” by Lev Facher.Anna Edney: Scientific American's “How Hospitals Are Going Green Under Biden's Climate Legislation,” by Ariel Wittenberg and E&E News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we bring you a US democracy special, discussing Joe Biden's energetic State of the Union Address in which climate action played a significant role, and also the new guidelines from the Securities and Exchange Commission, a move which has seen the Commission attract a slew of legal challenges from both sides of the climate divide. The hosts ask: can Biden's campaign for presidency in 2024 unite the partisan divide around climate change and if not, how can we protect the progress that the IRA has already made in the US in the face of a Trump victory?  To help us unpack all of this, we have the force of nature and great friend of the podcast, Gina McCarthy, former White House National Climate Advisor and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator. Today, Gina is a Senior Advisor at Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Managing Co-Chair of the America Is All In Coalition, and a Senior Fellow at The Fletcher School's Climate Policy Lab at Tufts University. She is also an Operating Advisor at Pegasus Capital Advisors and a Senior Advisor at TPG Rise Climate Fund. She serves as co-chair of the India-U.S. Track II Dialogue on Energy and Climate Change, and on the Board of Directors for the Energy Foundation and the Resources Legacy Foundation. Music this week comes from James Hastings with his beautiful song ‘Mother'. James is a singer-songwriter whose unique brand of eco-conscious alt-folk conjures up wild, earthy textures enfolded in ethereal, electronic landscapes.   NOTES AND RESOURCES   GUEST Gina McCarthy, former White House National Climate Advisor and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Website    MUSIC James Hastings Website | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify   Check out ‘The Forest Sessions'   SEND IN YOUR Q'S FOR NEXT WEEK! - SPEAKPIPE LINK   Learn more about the Paris Agreement.   It's official, we're a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective   Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

Bloomberg Philanthropies recently announced it would partner with major health systems and invest $250 million dollars to launch healthcare-oriented high schools to address an expected shortage of workers within the industry. But many hospitals and health systems have educational programs today that aim to get young people interested in healthcare careers. Celina Cunanan, Chief Diversity, Equity & Belonging Officer at University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio, joins the podcast to talk more about how her health system engages with young people in its communities as part of its workforce development efforts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chad Mulvany, vice president of federal policy for the California Hospital Association and former HFMA policy director, discusses Bloomberg Philanthropies $250 million investment in the future healthcare workforce, as well as what will actually move the needle on price transparency. Discussed in this episode: ‘Healthcare High' coming to Woodside Northwell, NYC Public Schools announce Northwell School of Health Sciences The fight for transparency health care prices in America

Chad Mulvany, vice president of federal policy for the California Hospital Association and former HFMA policy director, discusses Bloomberg Philanthropies $250 million investment in the future healthcare workforce, as well as what will actually move the needle on price transparency. Discussed in this episode: ‘Healthcare High' coming to Woodside Northwell, NYC Public Schools announce Northwell School of Health Sciences The fight for transparency health care prices in America

In this episode, we discuss City AI Connect, a global learning community and digital platform for cities to trial and advance the usage of generative artificial intelligence to improve public services. Generative AI, powered by advanced machine learning algorithms, has the potential to analyze vast amounts of data to predict trends, helping cities improve emergency response, mitigate severe weather events, and target resources for infrastructure enhancements. The technologies might also be harnessed to design creative solutions that could transform government delivery by reducing processing delays, eliminating cumbersome paperwork, and expanding multi-language access to reach many more residents with vital, public services. To maximize the potential and expand the availability of generative artificial intelligence learning for local governments, City AI Connect might offer locals officials a single destination to ideate, develop, and test new utilizations with peers across cities. Through social networking features, digital forums, virtual events, and a repository of blueprints and resources, city leaders might have the opportunity to exchange strategies and work with data and technology experts brought together by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Center for Government Excellence at Johns Hopkins University to accelerate implementation in their city halls. --- City AI Connect: https://cityaiconnect.jhu.edu/ --- "Gen AI: Get Ready!" Webinar (City AI Connect Members Only): https://app.civicroundtable.com/community/1695044240027x694032557499220000?tab=Feed&post=1706731625981x630604869877366800 --- Fill out our listener survey!: https://govex.jhu.edu/data-points/

In this episode, Molly Gamble, Vice President of Editorial at Becker's Healthcare highlights an article she wrote on health systems and public schools partnering in 10 urban and rural communities for a first-of-its-kind initiative funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies that will graduate students directly into high-demand healthcare jobs. 

Bloomberg Philanthropies will invest $250 million to launch healthcare-focused high schools to address workforce shortages. Younger people are being diagnosed with cancer at higher rates, according to recent studies. And, funding for digital health projects is at its lowest point since 2019. That's coming up on today's episode of Gist Healthcare Daily. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Molly Gamble, Vice President of Editorial at Becker's Healthcare highlights an article she wrote on health systems and public schools partnering in 10 urban and rural communities for a first-of-its-kind initiative funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies that will graduate students directly into high-demand healthcare jobs. 

People across the world are consuming more ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Will Latin American countries and elsewhere follow the path of the US and the UK, where over half of calories consumed now come from UPFs?  Dr Neena Prasad, director of Bloomberg Philanthropies' Food Policy Program, joins us to talk about the power of and the power behind UPFs. We talk about the utility and harms of processing foods, the links between the tobacco industry and UPFs, and the public health measures advocated by the Food Policy Program. These include taxing UPFs, putting restrictions on marketing  (especially to children), advancing public sector health promoting policies, and front-of-package nutrition labeling.For more info and transcript, visit: https://tabledebates.org/podcast/episode52More info on Bloomberg Philanthropies' Food Policy Program Read TABLE explainer on UPFsMusic by Blue dot sessions

In this episode of "The Coolest Show" podcast, Tamara Toles O'Laughlin engages in a dynamic conversation with the accomplished Heather McTeer Toney. As the Executive Director at Beyond Petrochemicals, Toney leads the charge in pioneering sustainable practices, championing environmental justice, and bridging gaps in the energy sector. With a stellar background, including her impactful collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies, Toney delves into her multifaceted experiences and contributions to climate advocacy. The conversation unfolds to explore her recently released book, "Before the Streetlights Come on," where she artfully weaves narratives that highlight the intersection of race, resilience, and the environment. Toney and O'Laughlin delve into the pressing issue of climate change disproportionately affecting Black communities, addressing systemic challenges and advocating for solutions that empower and uplift. This episode promises an enlightening exploration of Toney's influential journey, her current endeavors, and the pivotal role of climate justice in shaping a more equitable and sustainable future. The Coolest Show – brought to you by Hip Hop Caucus Think 100% PODCASTS – drops new episodes every Monday on environmental justice and how we solve the climate crisis. Listen and subscribe here or at TheCoolestShow.com! 

MDJ Script/ Top Stories for Dec 14th       Publish Date:  Dec 13th     Commercial: Henssler :15   From the Henssler Financial Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast.  Today is Thursday, December 14th, and Happy heavenly Birthday to MLB player Bill Buckner. ***12.14.23 - BIRTHDAY - BILL BUCKNER*** I'm Dan Radcliffe and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Credit Union of Georgia.  Marietta School Board Bans 23 More Books Cobb OKs More Probate Court Positions Amid Staffing Debate Cobb Commission OKs Project List for 30-year Transit Tax with Republicans Opposed Plus, Bruce Jenkins sits down with Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets to discuss donating food. All of this and more is coming up on the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!  BREAK: CU of GA  STORY 1: UPDATE: Marietta School Board Bans 23 More Books The Marietta Board of Education voted 6-1 to remove 23 books deemed "sexually explicit" from the Marietta High School library, including "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl." Superintendent Grant Rivera's decision to deny a parent's appeal for the book's removal was also upheld. The decision followed a review by a committee that focused on sexually explicit content. The list of books faced criticism for targeting themes related to race and LGBTQ issues. The board voted to sunset the directive on January 11, 2024. A parent plans to appeal the decision, raising concerns about the removal of diverse perspectives. STORY 2: Cobb OKs More Probate Court Positions Amid Staffing Debate Cobb County commissioners voted 4-1 to approve three new staff positions for the Probate Court after the chief judge, Kelli Wolk, highlighted the court's "dramatic understaffing." The approved positions include a hearing officer, a court support supervisor, and a deputy clerk. Wolk argued that the lack of personnel has led to logjams in workflows, causing delays for litigants. The decision faced criticism from Commissioner Keli Gambrill, who opposed approving additional staff positions outside the normal budgeting process. The three positions will be funded through the end of this fiscal year using fund balance. STORY 3: Cobb Commission OKs Project List for 30-year Transit Tax with Republicans Opposed The Cobb County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 along party lines to approve a project list for a proposed 1% sales tax referendum for public transit improvements over 30 years. The estimated $11 billion tax, if approved by voters in November, will fund a new rapid bus system and other transit projects across the county. The Mobility Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (M-SPLOST) envisions 108 miles of bus rapid transit (BRT) and arterial rapid transit (ART) routes. The Republican commissioners criticized the tax for its length and cost, questioning whether the system would be used enough to justify its expense. We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.799.6810 for more info.  We'll be right back  Break: ESOG STORY 4: Mableton Mayor Participates in Harvard Program for New Mayors Mableton Mayor Michael Owens was one of 27 American mayors invited to Harvard University as part of the Bloomberg Center for Cities' First 100 Days Program for New Mayors. The program, in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the Institute of Politics at the Harvard Kennedy School, provided training on strategic priority setting, building effective city hall organizations, and delivering promises to constituents. Owens found the experience "priceless," learning from Harvard academics, former mayors, and his peers. He emphasized the importance of the valuable network gained and the opportunity to exchange ideas for better city governance. STORY 5: Local Historic Preservation Group Gets Bench Honoring Enslaved Residents of Cobb The Friends of the Concord Covered Bridge, a historic preservation organization in Cobb, has been awarded the Toni Morrison Society's "Bench By the Road" project to honor former enslaved residents. The organization plans to install a commemorative bench in the Concord Covered Bridge neighborhood to recognize all previously enslaved people in Cobb County, particularly the family of Matilda Ruff. The bench will be the 33rd location worldwide and the first in Cobb County under the Bench by the Road Project, aimed at providing a reflective space to remember the enslaved, their forgotten lives, and Toni Morrison's writings. We'll be back in a moment  Break: DRAKE – INGLES 4 STORY 6: LEAH MCGRATH And now here is Bruce Jenkins' conversation with Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets to discuss donating food. STORY 7: LEAH INTERVIEW Break: Henssler :60  Signoff-   Thanks again for hanging out with us on today's Marietta Daily Journal podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Gwinnett Daily Post, the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties, or the Paulding County News Podcast. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at MDJonline.com.   Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. 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