Common Ground Media
@commongroundmedia.bsky.social
Vital journalism moving communities forward. Because progress starts when we find common ground.
FromCommonGround.com
Part of the Issue Media Group network of publications
FromCommonGround.com
Part of the Issue Media Group network of publications
From our sister publication, 83 Degrees Tampa Bay:
Enterprising Latinas empowers Hispanic women in Tampa Bay – 83 Degrees Media
Wimauma-based nonprofit creates pathways of opportunity for Latinas in the Bay Area. Wimauma-based nonprofit creates pathways of opportunity for Latinas in the Bay Area.
83degreesmedia.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:14 PM
From our sister publication, 83 Degrees Tampa Bay:
Reposted by Common Ground Media
Trees cool neighborhoods, filter air pollution, and soak up stormwater. In this city, they also represent the idea “that the future is worth nurturing,” says Justin Dennis of the Trust for Public Land.
New Jersey city expands its urban forest, trains residents to care for the trees » Yale Climate Connections
The We Grow Camden initiative aims to plant 3,000 trees across the city.
yaleclimateconnections.org
December 5, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Trees cool neighborhoods, filter air pollution, and soak up stormwater. In this city, they also represent the idea “that the future is worth nurturing,” says Justin Dennis of the Trust for Public Land.
Reposted by Common Ground Media
Educators for young children are in short supply. How one city is changing that.
Educators for young children are in short supply. How one city is changing that.
ebx.sh
December 5, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Educators for young children are in short supply. How one city is changing that.
“It’s going to support the youth. It ultimately supports more stable placements and potentially improves reunification rates... We just would like to see improved outcomes for youth within Kent County, within Michigan, and—if I had to dream big—globally. But we’ll start small.” -Christina Quick
It’s hard for foster kids to get the health care they need, but this project is working to change that – Rapid Growth
A Grand Valley State University project is working to create an integrated mobile care team to serve foster kids' complex health needs.
rapidgrowthmedia.com
December 4, 2025 at 9:31 PM
“It’s going to support the youth. It ultimately supports more stable placements and potentially improves reunification rates... We just would like to see improved outcomes for youth within Kent County, within Michigan, and—if I had to dream big—globally. But we’ll start small.” -Christina Quick
Reposted by Common Ground Media
The power of solar: Batesville School District went from paying the lowest teacher salaries out of the five districts in the county — to having resumes flowing and “at least 20 school districts just in our area” emulating their model.
December 4, 2025 at 5:34 PM
The power of solar: Batesville School District went from paying the lowest teacher salaries out of the five districts in the county — to having resumes flowing and “at least 20 school districts just in our area” emulating their model.
During a series of conversations this summer, students shared with @aaronkfoley.bsky.social how they spot dangers online and navigate the rapidly evolving etiquette around what to report and what to ignore.
'Close Friends' and Real-Life Risks: How Detroit Teens Watch Out for Each Other Online – Model D
Today’s teen see potential threats unfold right on their phones. And when they see something, they say something.
modeldmedia.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:56 PM
During a series of conversations this summer, students shared with @aaronkfoley.bsky.social how they spot dangers online and navigate the rapidly evolving etiquette around what to report and what to ignore.
“The cure is here,” says one Ypsilanti resident who lives with Sickle Cell Disease. “But it’s not enough to have it sitting on a shelf. We need it in our communities.”
Washtenaw County sickle cell disease researchers and activists see promise in gene therapy, threats in federal funding cuts – Concentrate
As gene therapies become a reality and data-driven research expands despite federal funding cuts, the sickle cell disease community in Washtenaw County stands at a crossroads.
concentratemedia.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:31 PM
“The cure is here,” says one Ypsilanti resident who lives with Sickle Cell Disease. “But it’s not enough to have it sitting on a shelf. We need it in our communities.”
Reposted by Common Ground Media
A program in Seattle’s South Park neighborhood is reducing garbage while helping residents grow their own gardens.
(Sponsored by Communities of Opportunity)
(Sponsored by Communities of Opportunity)
How one Seattle organization is turning food waste into plant food
A program in Seattle’s South Park neighborhood is reducing garbage while helping residents grow their own gardens.
grist.org
December 3, 2025 at 11:00 PM
A program in Seattle’s South Park neighborhood is reducing garbage while helping residents grow their own gardens.
(Sponsored by Communities of Opportunity)
(Sponsored by Communities of Opportunity)
Reposted by Common Ground Media
There are fewer than 100 speakers of the Arapaho language today — all of whom are above the age of 70. Researchers hope to preserve their voices.
This online database aims to revive Indigenous language before its last speakers are gone
There are fewer than 100 speakers of the Arapaho language today — all of whom are above the age of 70. Researchers hope to preserve their voices.
www.goodgoodgood.co
December 4, 2025 at 1:01 AM
There are fewer than 100 speakers of the Arapaho language today — all of whom are above the age of 70. Researchers hope to preserve their voices.
Reposted by Common Ground Media
Every day, the owners of a Rittenhouse Square cafe practice gratitude for their journey through addiction and homelessness by caring for Philadelphians going through the same.
Business for Good: Hart of Catering & Cafe, a Haven for Healing
Hart of Catering & Cafe owners practice gratitude through addiction and homelessness by caring for others going through addiction and hunger
thephiladelphiacitizen.org
December 4, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Every day, the owners of a Rittenhouse Square cafe practice gratitude for their journey through addiction and homelessness by caring for Philadelphians going through the same.
Reposted by Common Ground Media
Hundreds of Illinois residents are breathing easier thanks to funding that has let them replace gas appliances with cleaner, safer electric alternatives.
Hundreds of low-income Illinois families go electric for free
An innovative state law lets utilities meet energy-efficiency mandates by getting people off gas.
www.canarymedia.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Hundreds of Illinois residents are breathing easier thanks to funding that has let them replace gas appliances with cleaner, safer electric alternatives.
Reposted by Common Ground Media
In Monroe, Michigan, the community is coming together to support small businesses and future entrepreneurs—generating buzz and economic development.
Generation E: Growing the next generation of entrepreneurs – Common Ground
The Generation E program for student entrepreneurs is a collaboration among the city of Monroe, its small businesses, and Monroe Public Schools.
fromcommonground.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:03 PM
In Monroe, Michigan, the community is coming together to support small businesses and future entrepreneurs—generating buzz and economic development.
Reefs aren't built in a day. It takes about a month, actually, and involves 20,000 tons of rock and gravel. And after years of decimation, this new reef will help restore habitat for fish that spawn on rocky bottoms in the Saginaw Bay.
New man-made reef in the Saginaw Bay helps restore fish, culture, and a decimated habitat – Route Bay City
A reef constructed near the mouth of the Saginaw River in September and October may already be helping to correct decades of damage from humans, invasive species, the wind, and tides.
routebaycity.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Reefs aren't built in a day. It takes about a month, actually, and involves 20,000 tons of rock and gravel. And after years of decimation, this new reef will help restore habitat for fish that spawn on rocky bottoms in the Saginaw Bay.
Reposted by Common Ground Media
NEW: Innovators are creating new markets to make nature investable and mobilise much-needed private investment for our ecosystems.
Can forward-thinking finance overcome fears – of financial risk, greenwashing and more – in time to prevent ecosystem collapse?
tinyurl.com/mu6mv8xy
Can forward-thinking finance overcome fears – of financial risk, greenwashing and more – in time to prevent ecosystem collapse?
tinyurl.com/mu6mv8xy
December 3, 2025 at 9:33 AM
NEW: Innovators are creating new markets to make nature investable and mobilise much-needed private investment for our ecosystems.
Can forward-thinking finance overcome fears – of financial risk, greenwashing and more – in time to prevent ecosystem collapse?
tinyurl.com/mu6mv8xy
Can forward-thinking finance overcome fears – of financial risk, greenwashing and more – in time to prevent ecosystem collapse?
tinyurl.com/mu6mv8xy
🦪 From our friends at 9 Millones in Puerto Rico: In the crystal-clear waters of Culebra, you'll find the only oyster farms in Puerto Rico, where two native species are cultivated to strengthen food security and provide economic opportunities for the fishing community.
La comunidad pesquera de Culebra apuesta al cultivo de las ostras | 9 millones
El proyecto está en una fase investigativa, financiada por la NOAA, con miras a eventualmente añadir este alimento nutritivo a la oferta de la villa pesquera
www.9millones.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:41 PM
🦪 From our friends at 9 Millones in Puerto Rico: In the crystal-clear waters of Culebra, you'll find the only oyster farms in Puerto Rico, where two native species are cultivated to strengthen food security and provide economic opportunities for the fishing community.
A new tech solution makes it easier for low-income residents to find housing:
A new tech solution makes it easier for low-income residents to find housing – Common Ground
The Pontiac-based Alliance for Housing has implemented new technology to better connect homeless services organizations, landlords, and people exiting homelessness.
fromcommonground.com
December 2, 2025 at 9:39 PM
A new tech solution makes it easier for low-income residents to find housing:
Reposted by Common Ground Media
These 2 Virginia battery projects fit a critical niche: Bigger than home batteries, but smaller and quicker to build than utility-scale projects.
Small but mighty grid batteries take root in Virginia
As data centers strain the grid, developers turn to fast-to-build batteries to reduce reliance on inefficient gas plants and cut household bills.
www.canarymedia.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:41 PM
These 2 Virginia battery projects fit a critical niche: Bigger than home batteries, but smaller and quicker to build than utility-scale projects.
Reposted by Common Ground Media
Arlington hopes to reach zero traffic fatalities by 2050. The number of deaths on the city's roads is projected to be down for the second year in a road, even as Tarrant County as a whole faces more deadly crashes this year than last.
Arlington has seen fewer road deaths this year, defying county trend. A look at how they're doing it
Arlington hopes to reach zero traffic fatalities by 2050. The number of deaths on the city's roads is projected to be down for the second year in a road, even as Tarrant County as a whole faces more deadly...
bit.ly
November 26, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Arlington hopes to reach zero traffic fatalities by 2050. The number of deaths on the city's roads is projected to be down for the second year in a road, even as Tarrant County as a whole faces more deadly crashes this year than last.
In Monroe, Michigan, the community is coming together to support small businesses and future entrepreneurs—generating buzz and economic development.
Generation E: Growing the next generation of entrepreneurs – Common Ground
The Generation E program for student entrepreneurs is a collaboration among the city of Monroe, its small businesses, and Monroe Public Schools.
fromcommonground.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:03 PM
In Monroe, Michigan, the community is coming together to support small businesses and future entrepreneurs—generating buzz and economic development.
Inspired by a Zimbabwe initiative where grandmothers offered comfort from wooden benches, this Michigan program aims to reduce loneliness and improve emotional well-being by placing trained volunteers, called “bench buddies,” in familiar community spaces where people can simply sit and talk.
‘Friendship Bench’ connects Tri Cities through simple conversation – The Lakeshore
Inspired by a Zimbabwe program, the Momentum Center launches a Friendship Bench pilot to improve mental wellness through community connection. Inspired by a Zimbabwe program, the Momentum Center launc...
thelakeshorewm.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Inspired by a Zimbabwe initiative where grandmothers offered comfort from wooden benches, this Michigan program aims to reduce loneliness and improve emotional well-being by placing trained volunteers, called “bench buddies,” in familiar community spaces where people can simply sit and talk.
The Joe Louis Greenway is connecting Detroit neighborhoods, providing more access to parks, trails, playgrounds, schools, and local businesses.
And Huron-Clinton Metroparks is working to connect all 13 of their parks throughout Southeast Michigan via nonmotorized trails.
Read more in Metromode:
And Huron-Clinton Metroparks is working to connect all 13 of their parks throughout Southeast Michigan via nonmotorized trails.
Read more in Metromode:
Initiatives seek to connect Metro Detroit parks via trails and greenways – Metromode
Multiple efforts across the Metro Detroit area are creating non-motorized paths connecting the region's many parks.
metromodemedia.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:13 PM
The Joe Louis Greenway is connecting Detroit neighborhoods, providing more access to parks, trails, playgrounds, schools, and local businesses.
And Huron-Clinton Metroparks is working to connect all 13 of their parks throughout Southeast Michigan via nonmotorized trails.
Read more in Metromode:
And Huron-Clinton Metroparks is working to connect all 13 of their parks throughout Southeast Michigan via nonmotorized trails.
Read more in Metromode:
Reposted by Common Ground Media
Rural landowners are finding new ways to earn: carbon credits.
Instead of cutting trees, they let them grow—storing carbon and generating income.
Forests = climate assets.
#CarbonCredits #ClimateAction #Forestry
Instead of cutting trees, they let them grow—storing carbon and generating income.
Forests = climate assets.
#CarbonCredits #ClimateAction #Forestry
Carbon credits help ME landowners stave off development
Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…
app.publicnewsservice.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Rural landowners are finding new ways to earn: carbon credits.
Instead of cutting trees, they let them grow—storing carbon and generating income.
Forests = climate assets.
#CarbonCredits #ClimateAction #Forestry
Instead of cutting trees, they let them grow—storing carbon and generating income.
Forests = climate assets.
#CarbonCredits #ClimateAction #Forestry
Reposted by Common Ground Media
The Salt Lake Tribune, which went from for-profit to non-profit 6 years ago, is about to drop its paywall. "The Tribune cannot afford to limit who has access to independent and trusted news."
Meanwhile, it just launched a new newspaper in southern Utah.
www.sltrib.com/news/2025/11...
Meanwhile, it just launched a new newspaper in southern Utah.
www.sltrib.com/news/2025/11...
The Salt Lake Tribune will drop its paywall next year, CEO tells donors at NewsMakers gala
After years of requiring people to pay for online news content, The Tribune announced an upcoming change during its 2025 annual NewsMakers Gala.
www.sltrib.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:41 PM
The Salt Lake Tribune, which went from for-profit to non-profit 6 years ago, is about to drop its paywall. "The Tribune cannot afford to limit who has access to independent and trusted news."
Meanwhile, it just launched a new newspaper in southern Utah.
www.sltrib.com/news/2025/11...
Meanwhile, it just launched a new newspaper in southern Utah.
www.sltrib.com/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Common Ground Media
"For you to pick your child up after school, after they finish with the enrichment program, and to know that they've been fed a supper meal is relieving," Jackson Public Schools Executive Director of Child Nutrition Marc Rowe said.
Jackson Public Schools Supper Meal Program Fights Hunger
The Jackson Public School Supper Meal Program provides access to nutritious meals beyond the regular school day.
buff.ly
November 21, 2025 at 5:45 PM
"For you to pick your child up after school, after they finish with the enrichment program, and to know that they've been fed a supper meal is relieving," Jackson Public Schools Executive Director of Child Nutrition Marc Rowe said.
From our sister publication, The Hub: In Springfield, Haitian communities are grappling with growing uncertainty as the TPS program for Haiti faces potential termination.
Read about the challenges and how local organizations and advocates are offering support on the ground in Springfield:
Read about the challenges and how local organizations and advocates are offering support on the ground in Springfield:
Springfield’s Haitian Community Faces Uncertainty Amid TPS Program Challenges – Hub Springfield
Haitian individuals and families, who fled violence in their homeland and settled in Springfield, are in a vulnerable position.
hubspringfield.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:55 PM
From our sister publication, The Hub: In Springfield, Haitian communities are grappling with growing uncertainty as the TPS program for Haiti faces potential termination.
Read about the challenges and how local organizations and advocates are offering support on the ground in Springfield:
Read about the challenges and how local organizations and advocates are offering support on the ground in Springfield: