College Park, Georgia turns to Comcast for smart city solutions

Learn how Comcast and College Park, GA partnered to design solutions that meet the city's unique needs.

May 24, 2021

Mayors 'reimagining public safety and policing' in wake of recent violence

One approach is to direct some 911 calls to mental health professionals rather than to police, said Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, while other local leaders are eyeing stimulus funds for community violence intervention efforts.

By Cailin Crowe • May 21, 2021

New caucus brings local voices to halls of Congress

The Former Local Elected Officials Caucus hopes to improve cooperation among levels of government, providing support during and after COVID-19 recovery.

By Chris Teale • May 20, 2021

Increased road deaths prompt calls for improved vehicle tech

While some in Congress continue to talk up the promise of autonomous vehicles, others said existing technologies can help bring fatalities down now — and they warned of AVs' risks to safety and jobs.

By Chris Teale • May 19, 2021

City-led communications can help combat vaccine hesitancy, researchers find

Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka said it will take an "all hands on deck" approach to overcome vaccine hesitancy, and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell highlighted the role popular sports teams can play.

By Chris Teale • May 18, 2021

Cities navigate how to maximize incoming American Rescue Plan funds

Some of the $350 billion earmarked in the stimulus package is now being sent to strained state and local governments, tasked with making the most of the influx. "It's both exciting and terrifying," said Dayton, Ohio's city manager.

By Maria Rachal • May 18, 2021

3x more US residents lack broadband access than FCC estimates: report

Around 42 million people could not access high-speed internet in 2020, according to BroadbandNow, far above the 14.5 million estimated earlier this year by the Federal Communications Commission.

By Chris Teale • May 14, 2021

NJ lawmakers threaten new driving tax to fight NYC congestion pricing

A proposal would charge out-of-state drivers state sales tax on top of any tolls they pay traveling between the two states and use the revenue to alleviate costs for New Jersey commuters. "We'll fight fire with fire," said Rep. Josh Gottheimer.

By Chris Teale • May 12, 2021

Amid hyperloop, maglev hype, calls intensify to better fund Amtrak

Supporters of emerging rail technologies called for federal funding at a congressional hearing last week, but existing service providers argued they should get top budgeting priority.

By Chris Teale • May 11, 2021

High-speed rail gets moment in congressional spotlight

At a congressional hearing Thursday, supporters of high-speed rail said it could cut congestion and connect communities, but troubled projects in California and Texas remain front of mind for cost-wary opponents.

By Chris Teale • May 7, 2021

'We are simply not ready' for EV charging at scale, House Republicans say, warning of China dependence

During a hearing Wednesday on major clean-transportation legislation — part of the Biden administration's $174 billion proposal to bolster electric vehicles — Republicans said the plan strips away consumer choice.

By Robert Walton • May 7, 2021

NYC removes EV exemption cap, blocking Revel ride-hailing service

The Taxi and Limousine Commission voted Tuesday to remove the EV exemption for new for-hire vehicle licenses, which could have allowed the company to put 50 Teslas on city streets.

By Chris Teale • Updated June 24, 2021

Lime taps user base for Complete Streets advocacy

The "People-First Cities" campaign encourages users to advocate for safe local infrastructure. The company said it hopes its presence in red states will push Republican lawmakers to support Biden's infrastructure package. 

By Cailin Crowe • April 30, 2021

New York lawmakers pass bill requiring all new vehicle sales be zero-emissions by 2035

The measure now awaits Gov. Andrew Cuomo's signature. His office says a decision has not been made yet, but the state is committed to electrifying its transportation sector.

By Robert Walton • April 30, 2021

NLC calls for engagement, proper training for facial recognition tech

The report urges cities to limit the scope of the technology and have rigorous data standards to protect privacy, but opponents say that's not enough.

By Chris Teale • April 29, 2021

Cleantech incubator part of Houston's goal to be 'energy transition capital'

One year after the city unveiled its Climate Action Plan, the incubator said it has 30 startups ready to move into its 40,000-square-foot Greentown Labs space.

By Chris Teale • April 23, 2021

New York to revive curbside composting as city lags on zero waste goal

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Earth Day the city is reviving multiple programs cut during the pandemic. But the city is not yet taking the steps many elected officials and advocates believe are necessary to achieve a key 2030 target.

By Cole Rosengren • April 22, 2021

3 key investments in LA Mayor Garcetti's proposed 'justice budget'

As the city recovers from the financial blows of the pandemic, the FY22 budget calls for record funding to address homelessness, a guaranteed basic income pilot and the exploration of a reparations commission. 

By Cailin Crowe • April 22, 2021

Transportation groups call for national VMT program

In a letter to House and Senate committee leaders, the coalition said a vehicle miles traveled program would be the best alternative to gas taxes, but others are reluctant due to potential impacts on rural drivers.

By Chris Teale • April 16, 2021

New York City to roll out phase 2 of its e-scooter pilot

The city will double the Bird, Lime, and Veo e-scooter footprint in the East Bronx from 3,000 to 6,000 vehicles while extending the pilot zone.

By Chris Teale , Cailin Crowe , Danielle McLean • Updated March 25, 2022

Virginia launches statewide IoT cybersecurity contest

As some state and local governments look to actively bolster their IoT networks, Gov. Ralph Northam announced the competition to leverage in-state students and faculty at the Smart Cities Connect virtual conference Tuesday.

By Chris Teale • April 14, 2021

'Failing' US infrastructure needs new purpose beyond shovel-ready efforts: report

The Brookings Institution said federal investment should prioritize outcomes like equity over financing specific projects, supporting an overall mindset shift about the role of infrastructure.

By Chris Teale • April 13, 2021

California launches its first-ever statewide homelessness data repository

By consolidating data, the system aims to help inform policy decisions following a 7% increase in the state's homeless population last year.

By Cailin Crowe • April 12, 2021

Baltimore resilience corps could be model for cities

Local leaders, the Rockefeller Foundation and other partners shared learning lessons from the corps' first six months, including how to leverage the program post-pandemic. 

By Cailin Crowe • April 9, 2021

It's time to 'redefine what infrastructure is,' says USCM president

Louisville, KY Mayor Greg Fischer said in a webinar that President Biden's American Jobs Plan will ready the U.S. for the future and "unleash" innovation.

By Chris Teale • April 8, 2021