New Hampshire is among the first states in the nation to use a flashing yellow arrow left-turn signal at intersections. A national study concluded that motorists were less likely to make mistakes when encountering these yellow arrows than when faced with the traditional green circle or green left arrow, because the yellow color reminds drivers that they must yield to incoming traffic.

In Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard Jr. and Superior Court Judge Marvin Arrington have unveiled a pilot program to give a second chance to young drug dealers with limited criminal histories and those for whom dealing has become a primary occupation. If the young men stay out of trouble for a year they will be absolved of their felony charges. Project Turn Around is an intensive twelve-month program that will provide these young men with drug counseling, G.E.D. classes, job training, family counseling, and other social services.

Encouraged by the success of its bike-sharing program, the city of Paris is planning to launch a similar system for cars. Through Autolib', users will be able to rent and return one of 4,000 electric, or zero-emission hybrid, cars at 700 parking lots. While critics argue that this will increase congestion in the city, supporters point to the success of both private and public initiatives, such as Zipcar and a smaller program started in 2003 by the city of Lyon, France.

The American Library Association will develop a tool kit to help libraries develop gaming programs for educational purposes. Those who support this effort claim that video games increase literacy among youth and may contribute to developing focus, team building, and decision-making skills. Proponents also suggest that video games make libraries more attractive to teenagers and help bridge the digital divide.

The "housing first" policies promoted by the federal government have led to significant decreases in the nation's homeless population, according to a report from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The number of homeless individuals has decreased by 12 percent between 2005 and 2007, and the number of chronically homeless people has declined by approximately 30 percent. The "housing first" strategies focus federal and local resources on providing these populations with stable housing, and treatment for drug addiction, mental illness, and medical issues.

Firefighters battling blazes in California are receiving assistance from an unmanned plane, modified by NASA, which alerts them to new hot spots by transmitting real-time images. This allows firefighters to attack the hot spots sooner and to evacuate residents, if necessary. NASA has also created a public Web site, "Fire and Smoke," which incorporates these images and includes the latest research results and multimedia resources charting the impact of wildfires on the earth's ecosystems.

In one of its biggest land acquisitions ever, Florida will spend $1.75 billion to acquire 187,000 acres of farmland to help restore the Everglades. Under the deal, the state will purchase the U.S. Sugar Corporation and then turn its fields back to marshes and waterways, which will help cleanse the polluted Everglades water as it travels from Lake Okeechobee to the southern reaches of the preserve.

The Innovations in American Government Awards Program—sponsored by the Harvard Kennedy School's Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation—awards grants each year to creative and effective government initiatives. Winners receive $100,000. Applications for the 2009 awards are due by September 30, 2008.