Newsom signs California energy package into law

The new provisions seek to address rising electricity costs, wildfire mitigation and climate funding. The package includes a blueprint for a regional Western electricity market and requires community air monitoring in select locations.

How predictive data can reduce driving accidents and deaths

Smartphones and connected vehicle data can help traffic safety officials spot and fix accident hot spots, says a report from the Governors Highway Safety Association and Cambridge Mobile Telematics.

Mayors group joins legal battle against LA National Guard deployment

The U.S. Conference of Mayors urges the 9th Circuit to block deployment. State attorneys general remain divided, with 19 supporting the president’s authority and 22 challenging similar actions in D.C.

The Municipal Cost Index

See the latest update to the MCI, used by governments and contractors in calculating monthly budgets.

Updated Sept. 22, 2025

Amazon pledged to deliver affordable housing to the Puget Sound region. It just hit 10,000 units.

The milestone resulted from the company’s $900 million investment in housing that will remain affordable for 99 years.

Air taxis and urban air mobility: The latest developments

The Federal Aviation Administration plans to establish public-private partnerships to develop regulations and frameworks for advanced air mobility vehicles to “improve how the traveling public and products move," Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.

Updated Sept. 19, 2025

Changing the culture of silence around suicide: Exemplary Public Servant Lynne Mignemi

The probation officer built programs that prioritize wellness and open up conversations about mental health, addiction and suicide after years of watching her colleagues bear unspoken grief.

Residential electricity rates up 6.6% over last year

Local leaders call for relief as gas prices rise and AI demand strains grids.

More federal funding, public outreach among US transit leaders’ priorities

The American Public Transportation Association is calling for nearly $30 billion more for public transit and $28 billion more for passenger rail in the next surface transportation authorization.

All-electric firehouse and net-zero police station help Charlotte, N.C., meet climate goals

The city has invested $36 million to build the facilities, which align emergency response with an ambitious strategic energy initiative.

Amid encampment crackdowns, Maui County, Hawaiʻi, explores ‘compassionate’ approach

A county bill would require notice about encampment removal schedules and assurances the people living in them could remain with their companions and have their personal possessions stored.

FTA administrator pledges partnership with transit authorities on safety, efficiency, accessibility

Federal Transit Administrator Marcus Molinaro promised to reduce regulatory burdens and accelerate project delivery while urging transit agencies to address crime and operate efficiently.

California set to allow denser housing by transit

Gov. Gavin Newsom will soon review SB 79, new legislation that will make it easier to build multifamily housing near major train stops and rapid bus lines.

Cities can lead the way on resilient cooling, report says

Local officials have the tools to expand access to affordable cooling while boosting grid resilience and economic development, according to the Federation of American Scientists.

Trump signs order to deploy National Guard to address Memphis crime

City and county leaders warn that Trump’s call for boots on the ground could do more harm than good.

Updated Sept. 17, 2025

Judge temporarily blocks new HUD housing grant criteria

“The irreparable harm is that these funds would be lost forever by anybody that intends to apply,” U.S. District Judge Mary S. McElroy said.

Updated Sept. 16, 2025

CenterPoint Energy courts Minnesota communities for networked geothermal pilot

The utility is hoping to prove to local governments that such decarbonization efforts can meet residents’ energy needs in a cold-weather climate.

EPA moves to end greenhouse gas emissions reporting

Gutting the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program would strip local governments of information they rely on to hold polluters accountable and undermine efforts to protect residents’ health, climate advocates say.

Houston had outpaced the nation in addressing homelessness. Now it’s facing a setback.

The city’s unsheltered homeless population jumped 16% in 2025, new point-in-time data shows.

Horse-drawn carts? High-tech manufacturing? Lancaster County wants to be known for both.

With urban redevelopment, public-private partnerships and diversified manufacturing, the county wants to become a destination for opportunity and growth while honoring its Amish and agrarian roots.

Trump says he’s sending National Guard to Memphis

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signals cooperation with the White House plan, while Memphis mayor stresses progress without troops and county mayor denounces the move as an occupation.

Updated Sept. 12, 2025

California city adopts AI permitting

Lancaster will embark on a public-private partnership with Labrynth, a contractor-side artificial intelligence permitting platform, to speed up the review process.

Public-private partnerships can help local leaders do more with less

You can share responsibility, combine resources and leverage private-sector capabilities to continue innovating even when times are tough.

9 ways the FEMA Act would reform federal disaster response

Cities are rallying behind the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act, which they say would cut red tape, accelerate recovery funding and strengthen resilience against future disasters.

San Francisco’s permitting reform seeks an end to building project ‘death by a thousand cuts’

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie’s latest permitting reform package loosens restrictions on historic buildings, reduces fees and clears the path for accessory dwelling units in the city.