Identifying Local Opportunities

Nick Martinez: Florida needs an effective rail transit system; Gainesville Sun, The (FL); August 4, 2017
Title: Florida Needs an Effective Rail Transit System
Description: Rail transit systems are becoming more and more relevant as people are starting to care more about their environment. By instilling a rail transit system between Tampa and Orlando, the two major cities would flourish and would make it easier and safer to travel between the two cities. 
Problem: Without a rail transit system, the traffic from Orlando to Tampa is crazy as both cities experience a lot of tourists travelling in and out. Adding another lane to the roads does not offer much help as it still does not allow locals to travel throughout Florida without the worries of tourists. Traffic is increasing throughout Florida, especially between major cities, which makes it more difficult and more dangerous to travel. 
Who: Local Floridians, especially those of Orlando and Tampa, are greatly affected by this issue as they are forced to experience the awful traffic traveling between the two major cities and are plagued with tourists. 

Hard-core homelessness proves costly for Alachua County; Gainesville Sun, The (FL); August 5, 2017

Title: Hard-Core Homelessness Proves Costly for Alachua County 

Description: In Gainesville, homelessness is on the decline but nearly 33% are chronically homeless. Those that are chronically homeless are the furthest from recovery and are frequently in emergency rooms, jails and courtrooms. 
Problem: Because there is a large amount of chronically homeless people in Alachua County, a lot of money goes towards things like hospitalization and criminal justice fees for those who are homeless. It is estimated that it costs over $31,00 per year to pay for these needs for a chronically homeless person. Since chronically homeless people are homeless for a longer period of time, people are spending more and to pay for their bills and fees, especially since chronically homeless people tend to go to the emergency room a lot more throughout the year than the average person. The excessive amount of money that is used to pay for the chronically homeless could go to many other important things within the government system.  
Who: This issue affects the chronically homeless in Alachua County and the taxpayers that pay for their various expensive bills that the homeless cannot pay for. 

'Free' College Programs Will Still Cost You; Gainesville Sun, The (FL); May 2, 2017
Title: ‘Free’ College Programs Will Still Cost You
Description: Due to the increasing costs of college, many free tuition programs have become increasingly popular. Even though these programs promise free tuition, there are still large costs that are associated with college, like room and board, fees, and textbooks that are not covered by the programs. 
Problem: Even though free tuition programs are taking a large burden off of those who are attending college and their families, many hear that there is free tuition and fail to apply for financial aid or other scholarships to cover the rest. In addition, free tuition does make college more affordable, but having to pay room and board and the many other fees add up to a large amount of money each year and may still cause a financial burden for students and families.
Who: Students and families who are entering college or who are attending college are affected by this problem. 

Nathan Crabbe: The continuing assault on public schools; Gainesville Sun, The (FL); May 5, 2017
Title: The Continuing Assault on Public Schools
Description: Crabbe explores the government’s desire to decrease funds for traditional public schools and split their limited funding with charter schools. In addition, many lawmakers are planning to spend a large sum of money on the “schools of hope” program which funds charter schools and provides a teacher bonus program. 
Problem: The focus on the charter school system and the neglect towards the traditional public schools, demonstrates that lawmakers want to shift to charter and private school and therefore creates a disadvantage for the public schools. The public schools are not being funded properly and therefore, the education system in public schools is going downhill. 
Who: This problem primarily effects the students, faculty, and family members involved in the traditional public education system. 

Third hand smoke: A new worry for families of smokers; Gainesville Sun, The (FL); May 12, 2017
Title: Third hand Smoke: A New Worry for Families of Smokers
Description: This article dives into the effects smoking has on those who are immediately surrounded by smokers. It explores the idea that their might be another way that families can be harmed by smoking, because smoke and the chemicals that within a cigarette can cling to skin, hair, clothes, furniture, rugs, and even the walls. 
Problem: The problem that this article identifies is the idea that many children are being effected by third-hand smoking due to their nature to touch everything and put everything in their mouths. This means that they may be putting objects or touching walls and rugs that may have toxic residue from the cigarettes. In addition, many children were found to have a large amount of nicotine on their hands, which could be effecting their health and their breathing. 
Who: This problem effects the families of smokers and the smokers themselves, as it is putting families in harm’s way.