Jena Brooker Profile
Jena Brooker

@j_e_n_a_b

Followers
1,775
Following
1,400
Media
237
Statuses
2,166

Environment & food reporter @BridgeDet313 | @ReportingHealth data fellow | Previously @grist , @PlanetDetroit

Detroit, MI
Joined October 2018
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
6 months
Can Detroiters afford more dollar stores? Dollar stores have been linked to blight, increased crime, and worsened food access. @CMAWCalloway wants to put a temporary moratorium on new dollar stores in Detroit.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
8 months
Part of a building in Eastern Market just fell.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
🧵A decade ago, John Hantz bought up almost an entire Detroit neighborhood for less than $1M. What's happened since? He's sold 10% of his properties for $9.5 million & others have sat vacant, racking up hundreds of blight tickets.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
Detroit’s Cafe Prince is selling a raw carrot $1.80.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
12 days
I'm not the first to say it, but they should've done all this cool/pretty stuff years ago for the people that actually live in this city
@BacktoDetroit
B@ck to Detroit
12 days
picturing the thousands at @MovementDetroit lovin’ this. #movementdetroit #detroit #NFLDraft
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
Distributing paper copies of a story to the affected residents themselves!
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
5 months
So in love with this new park in Detroit!
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
4 months
By foot or bike, this woman has mapped out more than 200 miles of Detroit's buried ghost streams + new research from the University of Michigan on impact of ghost streams on flooding.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 month
Detroit riverfront today.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
10 months
🧵The last few years I've been reporting on Stellantis, the car manufacturer that created Detroit's first new assembly line in 30 years. To do so, it decreased emissions in a majority white & more affluent neighborhood & increased them in a majority Black neighborhood in Detroit.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
7 days
THERE ARE THINGS ON THE SHELVES AT THE DETROIT PEOPLE’S FOOD CO-OP.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
10 months
Distributing facts sheets of my latest story to the residents affected. The story:
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
🧵 Detroit residents in the Jefferson Chalmers area said the amount of truck traffic to a warehouse directly across from their homes has been extremely disruptive after car manufacturer Stellantis expanded a few years ago. How much traffic are we talking about?
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
10 months
BridgeDetroit’s office
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
This year there were several asphalt and concrete plants that were proposed and/or built in Detroit in neighborhoods made up mostly of people of color. #thread 1/6
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
11 months
We made it!! Detroit, come get your all-natural pops made with local ingredients!
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
27 days
Ping pong festival at Clark Park in Detroit, free play
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
Last year I was planning to work at a ski resort in Colorado for the winter and freelance when I came back to Detroit. Instead I took a job at @BridgeDet313 and it's the best decision I ever made! Pls allow me to link a few of my favorite stories for my 1 yr anniversary 😃
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
2 years
I am beyond excited to have been selected as a fellow! Really looking forward to learning new data skills to do more rigorous reporting on EJ issues in Detroit. It starts with intensive training in LA next week! ✈️
@ReportingHealth
Center for Health Journalism
2 years
2/ @j_e_n_a_b of @BridgeDet313 will investigate the health impacts for children and families of the expansion of an automotive plant in Detroit.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
Going through Detroit newspaper archives is sickening. To see that (excellent) coverage of an issue over the last few decades did absolutely nothing to prevent the injustice from repeating itself the exact same way over and over🙃
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
11 months
Selling my JB’s Ice Pops all weekend at Movement!!! Couldn’t have asked for a better spot 🤩
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
2 years
First day as a reporter @BridgeDet313 . Let’s goooo 💪
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
Check out my latest investigation with @BridgeDet313 featuring a great map from @ninaignaczak that shows Hantz's properties and blight tickets. 🧵
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
6 months
MDOT is delaying its next public meeting on the removal of I-375 to 2024. "Based on your constructive feedback the project team has decided to modify its approach." Some of the feedback:
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
2 years
In May a prescribed burn was done in Rouge Park to help restore native prairie habitat. Photos taken 3 weeks later show the success of the burn- look how quickly the vegetation grew back!
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
3 months
New @UM_Dearborn study on how Detroit's buried and forgotten streams are contributing to flooding. Since 1905, approximately 85% of the city's streams and creeks have been buried.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
The wine industry in Michigan is valued at $5.4 billion dollars and directly creates 28,000 jobs — and it’s getting even bigger, in part due to climate change.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
6 months
The fact that city council is just now getting involved in the I-375 design is so dysfunctional. It's been almost three years since the preferred design was published.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
22 days
Pong Detroit gave me a mini paddle as thanks for writing about them 🥹
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
2 years
Accidentally stumbled into Coffee With A Cop at The Congregation. The whole hour has been a promo of ShotSpotter.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
9 months
First issue of my food newsletter hit inboxes this morning!
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
2 months
Super Crisp in Detroit slaps. Kimchi fries and a curry plant-based hot dog.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
19 days
Shoutout to @BridgeDet313 for letting me write 2,600 words on a topic wildly outside of my beat. I was looking at census data when it struck me that 3 out of 4 Detroiters are unmarried. Turns out it's the lowest marriage rate of any big U.S. city!
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
9 months
Food truck generators rly kill the vibe of an event imo
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
10 months
Somehow this was my first time walking on the Chicago River. I’m impressed.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
10 months
As the conversation has turned to buyouts I’ve been surprised that this history hasn’t come up more. I wanted to lay out everything Detroit has given and sacrificed on behalf of residents for Stellantis in the name of jobs that might not be here to stay.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
Residents say he's fallen short on his promises and not faced the consequences that longtime residents often navigate. One Black Detroiter is going to lose his home.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
2 months
Today is supposed to be unusually warm in Detroit (69 degrees F) and reach a Climate Shift Index level 3, which shows that "climate change is having a measurable impact on conditions in Detroit." We just had a Level 3 day last week.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
I LOVE this story from @Rukiya_C about decolonizing your lawn. In most Michigan suburban cities you can get a ticket if your grass isn't <6 inches ☹️ “I think it’s so wack that we have ordinances that criminalize plants,” said Erin.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
2 months
Rite Aid on Woodward closing by the end of April.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
@LaurenMGibbons !! I don't know, it's a tie for me between that, the carrot, and the single walnut wrapped in a date for $1.80
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
2 months
AlTayeb in Dearborn.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
2 years
Secretary Pete Buttigieg talked with BridgeDetroit about reparations & how the highway will correct the harm done to the Black community in Detroit 👇
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
15 days
The University of Michigan School of Public Health estimates that air pollution kills more than 650 Detroiters a year — more than twice the number of residents killed by gun violence annually.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
10 months
Today on the train I learned from a stranger that you have to be artistic or adventurous to live in Detroit!
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
Someone put these on almost every car on a section of Trumbull today. I’ve gotten them twice before. 1) neither time did I have anything in my car 2) if I did, wouldn’t this alert someone to break into my car?
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
11 months
But there wasn't. There was someone in Detroit with the same first and last name and birth year, but it wasn't my brother. He just moved here last week. We couldn't confirm until this morning when the court was open. So careless and unnecessarily stressful....
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
I spoke to Detroiters who all fondly remember going to Jack’s growing up for records, haircuts, food, etc. But the building has sat vacant for the last 30 years while the overall neighborhood experienced divestment. These Detroit sisters have a plan 👇
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 month
Alright I’m back in Detroit in time for this foolishness. Vegan pop-up Street Beet is back for two days only & the line right at opening is insane.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
8 months
I made a list of group bike rides in Detroit! And I'm still adding to it! If I missed one let me know 🚲🙂
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
15 days
I made it to The Clique for the first time.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
I’m on a tour of Detroit with City Institute and I’m going to share the things I’m learning! These are facts according to the tour and have not been independently fact checked.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
2 years
Detroit!! I’m out here! Shed 5. On the menu: Basil Lemonade, Vietnamese Iced Coffee, Michigan Cherry
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
Detroit got a $2.4 M grant in 2010 to start a ferry service on the river, but it never happened. Now, City Council member Angela Whitfield-Calloway is asking the port authority to look into it again, and this time there's historic levels of federal $$$
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
2 months
Two Detroit chefs are making tacos árabes tomorrow for 313 day! Read more: Made with Arabic pita bread, shawarma meat, garlic sauce, a chipotle salsa, cilantro, onion and lime.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
5 months
The state approved the permit for the Line 5 tunnel yesterday. Check out my 2021 article on the climate costs.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
Lunch in Idaho’s wine country, learning about immigrant farm workers and climate change. Nearby Caldwell population is more than one- third Hispanic. #SEJ2023
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
Ayyyyye Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland just shouted out the Detroit International Wildlife Refuge & its bus stop during the keynote Q&A at #SEJ2023
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
The truck pollution is in addition to the increased emissions from the plant itself which has violated air quality laws several times. Read the full story🧵
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
On this day in 2019 I published my first journalism article.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
5 months
Finally, a TV or audio segment where I’m not cringing at myself 🤣 Detroit City Council member calls for moratorium on new dollar stores after excessive blight
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
2 months
Filming a segment with @BridgeDet313 & @detroitpublictv about heavy, polluting industry in Detroit and grassroots organizing efforts to fight back. Photo by Quinn Banks
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
11 months
🧵So, Detroit's incinerator smokestack is getting demolished tomorrow at sunrise despite some resident pushback.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
7 months
$70 for a 20 minute Uber from DTW is NUTS That’s more than my 40 minute Uber to LAX where gas is several dollars more
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
If you’re not following @uproot_project , you should be! Their work to create a network for environmental journalists of color is so important considering the energy/environment beat has the least amount of diverse writers across 11 beats.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
4 months
This week's JB's Bites: I made a recipe from the new @ChefJonKung cookbook & asked him for tips for beginners!
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
11 months
Yesterday, my little brother got into a minor car accident in Berkley, MI. The police were called and the officer gave my brother a citation and told him there was a warrant out for his arrest, but that he wouldn't arrest him.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
8 months
A stranger came up to me at Eastern Market to say they really appreciate my food newsletter because they aren't on Instagram and don't see the pop-ups 🥹😊
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
24 days
my newsroom is so funny
@cferretti_Det
ChristineFerretti_Det
24 days
When you want to know if the BBQ place down the street is open. ⁦ @BridgeDet313
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
27 days
All vegan tacos in Detroit from Nepantla. Honestly some of the best tacos generally. Fried banana blossom “fish” tacos, can’t even tell the difference.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
3 months
It would allow for up to two honeybee hives and eight chickens and/or ducks for personal consumption or gifting per household. City Planning Commission is holding a hearing Feb. 22.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
After several years of being closed the Douglass Branch is now open.
@DetroitLibrary
Detroit Library
1 year
The #detroitpubliclibrary Douglass Branch located at 3666 Grand River is now open! Douglass is open Monday - Friday from 10 am - 6 pm. We have computers ready and staff waiting to assist you--be sure to stop by!
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
Last week I won $1,200 at my first pitch competition for my popsicle business! Next week I’ll compete for $10,000.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
4 months
First time seeing the Grand Canyon
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
6 months
This week I bring to you a young people food media mashup -- JB's Bites x Edd Eats!! Edd, a lifelong Detroit east sider, is the antithesis of mainstream food media influencing.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
2 years
“BridgeDetroit is the best news room in the city.”- @samueljrob at the International Auto Show just now.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
10 months
Get you an editor that will eat lunch with you on the canals midday @cferretti_Det
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
Ah! My article was cited in a paper published in Ecology Law Quarterly on air pollution and environmental justice.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
2 months
Would you support an ordinance allowing Detroit residents to keep ducks, chickens, and honeybees? I want to know! Vote in my poll 👇
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
8 months
Oakland Ave Urban Farm looking absolutely beautiful tonight 🌻
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
9 months
The Room Project, an intersectional space in Detroit for writers and artists, bought JB’s Ice Pops for its member meeting 🤗
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
I could make a whole news publication in Detroit dedicated to coffee ☕️
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
1 year
Lol, after 2 years I'm off the waitlist for a community garden plot 👩‍🌾
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
10 months
This is the first in a series of stories looking at health and environmental racism as a part of the @ReportingHealth Data Fellowship. THANK YOU to  @alv9n for all his help and my  @BridgeDet313 team.
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
3 months
Ya’ll are sleeping on Valade Park! Free games and WiFi, warm space, good music, excellent Mac and cheese, smores….
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
10 days
Tomorrow is the 10-year anniversary of the start of the Flint water crisis and the water still isn't safe. @AdamLMahoney went door knocking in Flint for this feature👇 “Everyone is just on edge and that has everything to do with the water."
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@j_e_n_a_b
Jena Brooker
10 months
At the Belle Isle mobility study open house today
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