Today on Squirrel News, Indonesia’s free school lunch programme improves child health and learning outcomes while easing family expenses, Mexico reports its lowest homicide rates since 2016, and German scientists are teaching once-extinct birds to migrate again.
San Francisco middle school opens free grocery store to support families in need
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in San Francisco has launched a free grocery store to help low-income families access fresh food. The initiative aims to improve food security and strengthen the connection between students, families, and the school.
Mexico sees significant drop in homicides, lowest since 2016
Preliminary data shows homicides in Mexico fell 6.7% in 2023, marking the lowest rate since 2016. The government’s focus on addressing root causes through social programmes is credited with helping reduce violence.
10 charts that explain how US schools have become less violent
New federal data shows a continued decline in school violence across the U.S., with 2022 rates at their lowest in a decade. Increased focus on school climate and social-emotional learning is helping drive this positive trend.
US allocates $138.5 million to improve housing for people with disabilities
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development is granting $138.5 million to 18 states to expand affordable, accessible housing for people with disabilities. The funding will support over 3,000 units and connect residents to long-term support services.
California court bolsters protections for Native American families in foster care
A California Supreme Court ruling mandates thorough investigations of Native ancestry before foster care placements, aiming to keep Native families connected and address past injustices.
These solar-powered generators create water ‘from thin air’
In drought-stricken areas, communities facing water shortages, or even in residential and commercial buildings eager to improve their environmental footprints, atmospheric water generators represent a new frontier in water production.
Swiss scientists explore sustainable and healthier chocolate solutions
Faced with challenges like cacao price volatility and exploitation, Swiss researchers are developing more sustainable and potentially healthier chocolate by using the entire cocoa plant to create new options.
Carnegie Hall programme helps youth of colour explore music careers
A Carnegie Hall initiative helps underrepresented youth explore careers in music management, production, and law. By offering hands-on training and mentorship, the programme aims to address the industry’s diversity gap and expand opportunities for young people of colour.
Scientists use aircraft to teach migratory routes to once-extinct birds
Without wild-born elders to guide them, northern bald ibises lost their migratory instincts. German scientists are helping the species recover by teaching them new routes, flying alongside the birds in a light aircraft.
