What UK's Uber ruling could mean for the global gig economy

The decision to classify Uber drivers as workers could have global implications, particularly in labor-friendly countries poised to take up similar cases.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 23, 2021

Climate leaders go 'all in' to halve emissions by 2030

The new "America Is All In" coalition of U.S. communities, businesses and institutions, has pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 with support from the federal government. 

By Chris Teale • Feb. 22, 2021

Georgia smart city living lab unveils 5G incubator

Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners partnered with T-Mobile and Georgia Tech to help developers build test cases for 5G technology like drones and robotics. 

By Chris Teale • Feb. 19, 2021

A smart city consultant takes the lead on a county's vaccine rollout

Former Kansas City, MO Chief Innovation Officer Bob Bennett oversees vaccines for Wyandotte County, KS, and is using his 'smart city' experience for an efficient, equitable distribution.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 18, 2021

Transit workers face growing rate of assaults: 'There's not much we can do'

Some transit operators are asking for reassignments off the frontlines as they face increasingly violent threats from frustrated riders amid COVID-19.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 17, 2021

Minneapolis bans facial recognition to dismay of city police

The Minneapolis City Council passed a surveillance ordinance that police say was "crafted and approved without any consideration" from the department.

By Kristin Musulin • Feb. 17, 2021

Miami vies for the title of 'Bitcoin City'

Along with proposing the use of cryptocurrency in city governance, Mayor Francis Suarez introduced Venture Miami and appointed the city's first VC-in-residence — all in a matter of days.

By Kristin Musulin • Feb. 16, 2021

Security flaws enabled Tampa-area water utility hack

Authorities found poor security hygiene — weak passwords and an outdated operating system — played a role in the hack. 

By Samantha Schwartz • Updated Feb. 12, 2021

Police departments face scrutiny for COVID relief spending

From Honolulu to Grand Rapids, MI, city police departments are under the microscope for potentially controversial purchases with pandemic relief dollars.

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 9, 2021

Oakland, CA to reconsider 'totally unproven' ShotSpotter tech

Oakland Privacy Commission Chair Brian Hofer says he recognizes some benefits of ShotSpotter, such as getting police to crime scenes faster — but he isn’t so sure it’s worth the money.

By Kate Kaye • Feb. 9, 2021

City Surveillance Watch: Setting Guardrails

In the final episode of this three-part series, reporter Kate Kaye assesses existing government policy and law for surveillance tech. (Spoiler: there isn’t much.)

By Kate Kaye • Feb. 8, 2021

Transit agencies must play lead role in MaaS growth: report

Populus said while the public sector can take advantage of efforts to integrate transportation in one place, they must ensure systems are interoperable and beneficial for residents.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 8, 2021

Private dollars are seeding surveillance tech across the US

A number of local police departments are procuring surveillance tech with the help of donations from private sponsors — and from the tech firms themselves. 

By Kate Kaye • Feb. 5, 2021

Senate confirms former North Carolina regulator Regan as head of EPA

Michael Regan had pledged to take a "clean slate" approach when determining how to take on the Clean Power Plan versus the Affordable Clean Energy Act.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated March 11, 2021

Biden charts path to fair, equitable housing

The new administration made housing equity an immediate priority, but experts warn of continued challenges as some renters and businesses face an "unrecoverable financial burden."

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 4, 2021

US cities face $90B budget shortfall in FY21: NLC

City financial leaders' level of pessimism regarding budgetary commitments is the highest it's been since the Great Recession, a survey found.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 4, 2021

Buttigieg confirmation boosts hope for massive infrastructure investment

Several officials said the former South Bend, IN mayor's experience in local government will serve him well, and have called on him to embrace innovations like autonomous and electric vehicles. 

By Chris Teale • Feb. 3, 2021

Inspired by COVID biking boom, cycling bills reintroduced in Congress

One piece of legislation would make local bike-share programs eligible for federal funding, while another would reinstate a national tax benefit for those who commute by bike.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 2, 2021

Privacy concerns still loom over Detroit's Project Green Light

As the green light network expands to over 700 Detroit locations, concerned citizens argue the program is reminiscent of public safety pay-to-play.

By Kate Kaye • Feb. 1, 2021

Transit agencies brace for vaccination push amid murky guidance

Though federal agencies have deemed public transit a priority sector for COVID-19 vaccinations, states are charting their own plans to address rider demands and union resources.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 1, 2021

Survey shows 'inconsistencies' in how mayors view policing, reform

The Menino Survey of Mayors found a majority of respondents recognize the racial disparities in how police treat their residents, but do not favor radical departmental changes.

By Chris Teale • Jan. 29, 2021

New SUMC CEO ponders mobility sector's 'moment of inflection'

Benjamin de la Peña, who recently became CEO of the Shared-Use Mobility Center, discussed pandemic-fueled mobility opportunities and his unfinished business as the Seattle DOT's former innovation chief.

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 28, 2021

Advanced air mobility could be worth $115B by 2035: report

Public and private partners must collaborate to help the U.S. lead the industry, which could create 280,000 jobs, according to Deloitte and the Aerospace Industries Association.

By Chris Teale • Jan. 26, 2021

City Surveillance Watch: Network Effect

In this second episode of City Surveillance Watch, reporter Kate Kaye takes listeners on a journey to Detroit, Kansas City, New Orleans and beyond for a glimpse at how surveillance tech affects real lives.

By Kate Kaye • Jan. 25, 2021

Buttigieg nomination for Transport Secretary advances to full Senate

Members of the Senate Commerce Committee voted 21-3 on Wednesday morning to advance the former South Bend, IN mayor, who could receive full approval before the week’s end.

By Chris Teale • Updated Jan. 27, 2021