#5 - Identifying Local Opportunities
Title: “Anne Arundel faces school bus driver shortage, transportation issues” by The Capital Gazette (Annapolis, MD)
a. Link: News Article #1
b. Description of story: Schools in Maryland, specifically Wiley H. Bates Middle School, are going through a bus driver shortage. There was a lack of communication between transportation officials and parents when some bus stops were removed from the routes before the end of the day. This left students without a ride home and parents upset that they had to find out through the grapevine to go pick their children up. Many bus drivers say they are committed to driving for the school, and then leave when other driving opportunities arise. Transportation officials are having trouble maintaining these drivers. In order to solve this shortage right now, the school systems may make buses complete double routes to pick up more students, add more students to the current bus routes, or reassign routes completely.
c. Description of problem: There is a shortage of bus drivers at some schools in Maryland. This is due to the challenge of hiring and maintaining certified drivers when other opportunities arise for these drivers.
d. Who has the problem: This impacts the communities and families who have children that no longer have a commute to school. The transportation team needs to fix their communication and find a way to solve this issue.
Title: “Vaping-linked lung problems surfacing in Florida” by The Sun Sentinel
a. Link: News Article #2
b. Description of story: Vaping, or the use of e-cigarettes, has been linked to an outbreak of a severe lung illness, otherwise known as “vaping associated pulmonary injury.” This illness is a multistate problem, “affecting 450 people in 33 states, including Florida, along with causing 5 deaths as of Friday” (the Sun Sentinel). E-cigarettes, or vapes, are a battery powered vaporizer that gives a similar feeling to that of smoking. Although it was originally targeted at adults, these products have been manipulated and targeted towards youths. Many big name organizations such as the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida, the American Medical Association, the FDA and the CDC have all commented on this widespread problem and are trying to increase regulation of the product as well as get rid of it completely.
c. Description of problem: Youths are developing lung problems due to the exposure of chemicals through vaping. These devices can contain ingredients such as nicotine and marijuana, or even both. As stated in the article, there has been “a 58% increase compared to the previous year” (the Sun Sentinel).
d. Who has the problem: People who have used e-cigarettes (vapes) are the ones with the problem, mainly focusing on the youth generations.
Title: “Golden Ray cleanup will be a weeks to months affair” by The Brunswick News
a. Link: News Article #3
b. Description of story: A cargo ship, named Golden Ray, capsized off the coast of Georgia a few days ago. The Golden Ray is currently still in the channel, awaiting removal. The Coast Guard met with contractors to determine how to go about the cleanup, and determined that it will take a lot longer than expected. Not only does the cargo ship need to be cleared, but it’s been leaking petroleum so skimmers will also have to be used to remove any oil from the water. The Coast Guard has currently put some containment booms in place to contain the spill and reduce the pollution of shorelines since Brunswick is home to many habitats and protected islands such as Sea Turtle Island and Bird Island. For now, a wide safety zone has been placed around the Golden Ray, forcing the channel to close for shipping.
c. Description of problem: The capsized vessel has caused problems with both the removal of the vessel and the oil cleanup. Brunswick’s shipping channel is currently closed and is unsure how many vessels this will affect. The article states there are “at least six ships waiting offshore,” since they can’t come through the channel (The Brunswick News).
d. Who has the problem: The owners of the Golden Ray have a problem since their cargo ship capsized. The port of Brunswick has a problem since they can’t get other ships into the channel for business. This also affects the other ships waiting off shore because it puts them off schedule for deliveries.
Title: “Prison medical care again in crisis” by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
a. Link: News Article #4
b. Description of story: Nearly two years ago, Georgia state officials agreed to improve the conditions at Georgia’s prison hospital. One hospital that was specifically under review was the August State Medical Prison. This medical prison underwent a new administration change as well as an overall cleanup of the building. Recently there has been a staffing shortage, with no delivery of medical service for thousands of inmates. The newer personnel claimed they left due to a toxic and retaliatory work environment where employees feel mistreated. The article goes to explain some details on the environment of the hospital and how some nurses felt like it was starting to become a danger to their license just working there. It also highlighted lawsuits that are being brought up because of this.
c. Description of problem: There is a staffing shortage at a medical prison in Georgia because of poor leadership and poor working conditions. Due to the staffing shortage, inmates are not receiving the proper medical services they need. This has become a huge liability for the medical prison, where Georgia is paying out money to settle lawsuits against the inmates deprived of basic health care.
d. Who has the problem: The people who are mainly dealing with this problem are those on Augusta State Medical Prison’s new administration, as well as the GA state officials, for not following up on the prison hospital. This problem of a staffing shortage came to be because the administration wasn’t listening to their employees and providing them with the proper help. This has also affected the inmates by putting them at risk.
Title: “State proposes 30% cut to oyster harvest this season” by The Baltimore Sun
a. Link: News Article #5
b. Description of story: The state of Maryland is looking at reducing their oyster harvest by 30% this season. In order to do this, the state would shorten the amount of days in the season, reduce the bushel limits, and close off certain areas to harvest. For example, watermen used to work until sundown November through December, whereas now they may only be limited to specific hours during the day. The watermen are unhappy about this proposal because November is an important month for oyster harvest if they want good business. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is looking at testing these changes for just this season, and examining results afterwards to see if the changes should stay for the following season.
c. Description of problem: Reducing oyster harvest season is a problem for the watermen and even some consumers. By pushing back the season start time, watermen say that they will miss their deadlines on Thanksgiving orders, which is a main source of income. It would also be difficult to supply the U.S. Oyster Festival which would be held a few days after the official season start date.
d. Who has the problem: This would affect the watermen who participate in oyster harvest, and the consumers who enjoy the oysters.
a. Link: News Article #1
b. Description of story: Schools in Maryland, specifically Wiley H. Bates Middle School, are going through a bus driver shortage. There was a lack of communication between transportation officials and parents when some bus stops were removed from the routes before the end of the day. This left students without a ride home and parents upset that they had to find out through the grapevine to go pick their children up. Many bus drivers say they are committed to driving for the school, and then leave when other driving opportunities arise. Transportation officials are having trouble maintaining these drivers. In order to solve this shortage right now, the school systems may make buses complete double routes to pick up more students, add more students to the current bus routes, or reassign routes completely.
c. Description of problem: There is a shortage of bus drivers at some schools in Maryland. This is due to the challenge of hiring and maintaining certified drivers when other opportunities arise for these drivers.
d. Who has the problem: This impacts the communities and families who have children that no longer have a commute to school. The transportation team needs to fix their communication and find a way to solve this issue.
Title: “Vaping-linked lung problems surfacing in Florida” by The Sun Sentinel
a. Link: News Article #2
b. Description of story: Vaping, or the use of e-cigarettes, has been linked to an outbreak of a severe lung illness, otherwise known as “vaping associated pulmonary injury.” This illness is a multistate problem, “affecting 450 people in 33 states, including Florida, along with causing 5 deaths as of Friday” (the Sun Sentinel). E-cigarettes, or vapes, are a battery powered vaporizer that gives a similar feeling to that of smoking. Although it was originally targeted at adults, these products have been manipulated and targeted towards youths. Many big name organizations such as the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida, the American Medical Association, the FDA and the CDC have all commented on this widespread problem and are trying to increase regulation of the product as well as get rid of it completely.
c. Description of problem: Youths are developing lung problems due to the exposure of chemicals through vaping. These devices can contain ingredients such as nicotine and marijuana, or even both. As stated in the article, there has been “a 58% increase compared to the previous year” (the Sun Sentinel).
d. Who has the problem: People who have used e-cigarettes (vapes) are the ones with the problem, mainly focusing on the youth generations.
Title: “Golden Ray cleanup will be a weeks to months affair” by The Brunswick News
a. Link: News Article #3
b. Description of story: A cargo ship, named Golden Ray, capsized off the coast of Georgia a few days ago. The Golden Ray is currently still in the channel, awaiting removal. The Coast Guard met with contractors to determine how to go about the cleanup, and determined that it will take a lot longer than expected. Not only does the cargo ship need to be cleared, but it’s been leaking petroleum so skimmers will also have to be used to remove any oil from the water. The Coast Guard has currently put some containment booms in place to contain the spill and reduce the pollution of shorelines since Brunswick is home to many habitats and protected islands such as Sea Turtle Island and Bird Island. For now, a wide safety zone has been placed around the Golden Ray, forcing the channel to close for shipping.
c. Description of problem: The capsized vessel has caused problems with both the removal of the vessel and the oil cleanup. Brunswick’s shipping channel is currently closed and is unsure how many vessels this will affect. The article states there are “at least six ships waiting offshore,” since they can’t come through the channel (The Brunswick News).
d. Who has the problem: The owners of the Golden Ray have a problem since their cargo ship capsized. The port of Brunswick has a problem since they can’t get other ships into the channel for business. This also affects the other ships waiting off shore because it puts them off schedule for deliveries.
Title: “Prison medical care again in crisis” by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
a. Link: News Article #4
b. Description of story: Nearly two years ago, Georgia state officials agreed to improve the conditions at Georgia’s prison hospital. One hospital that was specifically under review was the August State Medical Prison. This medical prison underwent a new administration change as well as an overall cleanup of the building. Recently there has been a staffing shortage, with no delivery of medical service for thousands of inmates. The newer personnel claimed they left due to a toxic and retaliatory work environment where employees feel mistreated. The article goes to explain some details on the environment of the hospital and how some nurses felt like it was starting to become a danger to their license just working there. It also highlighted lawsuits that are being brought up because of this.
c. Description of problem: There is a staffing shortage at a medical prison in Georgia because of poor leadership and poor working conditions. Due to the staffing shortage, inmates are not receiving the proper medical services they need. This has become a huge liability for the medical prison, where Georgia is paying out money to settle lawsuits against the inmates deprived of basic health care.
d. Who has the problem: The people who are mainly dealing with this problem are those on Augusta State Medical Prison’s new administration, as well as the GA state officials, for not following up on the prison hospital. This problem of a staffing shortage came to be because the administration wasn’t listening to their employees and providing them with the proper help. This has also affected the inmates by putting them at risk.
Title: “State proposes 30% cut to oyster harvest this season” by The Baltimore Sun
a. Link: News Article #5
b. Description of story: The state of Maryland is looking at reducing their oyster harvest by 30% this season. In order to do this, the state would shorten the amount of days in the season, reduce the bushel limits, and close off certain areas to harvest. For example, watermen used to work until sundown November through December, whereas now they may only be limited to specific hours during the day. The watermen are unhappy about this proposal because November is an important month for oyster harvest if they want good business. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is looking at testing these changes for just this season, and examining results afterwards to see if the changes should stay for the following season.
c. Description of problem: Reducing oyster harvest season is a problem for the watermen and even some consumers. By pushing back the season start time, watermen say that they will miss their deadlines on Thanksgiving orders, which is a main source of income. It would also be difficult to supply the U.S. Oyster Festival which would be held a few days after the official season start date.
d. Who has the problem: This would affect the watermen who participate in oyster harvest, and the consumers who enjoy the oysters.
Hey Taylor! I loved your selection of articles you picked! I too have been reading alot about the vaping crisis learning all this new scary information. Hopefully this vaping epidemic slows down! I had no idea about the prison medical care crisis, that is an extremely important issue. I love reading other peoples articles to become more aware of the world. Great post!
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