Bitcoin, bike offered to attract remote workers to Northwest Arkansas

The Northwest Arkansas Council is reportedly the first regional group to offer cryptocurrency as an incentive, with a promise of $10,000 in bitcoin to those who relocate.

By Kristin Musulin, Cailin Crowe • Updated Jan. 12, 2022

Cryptocurrency listed for rapper's 'Akon City' in Senegal

The Akoin cryptocurrency was listed for purchase on bitcoin exchange Bittrex Global, marking a significant step forward for rapper Akon's planned smart city. 

By Chris Teale • Nov. 12, 2020

Cities are only 'smart' when IoT works in real time

Despite the hoopla, smart cities are failing to accomplish most of what's being promised because of lagging software technology.

By Marty Sprinzen • Nov. 11, 2020

Ohio cities sue state AG in an effort to curb gun violence

The Cities of Dayton and Columbus allege that the state attorney general has failed to update the background check system used to inform gun purchases and maintain public safety. 

By Cailin Crowe • Nov. 11, 2020

Biden expected to spur growth of smart city tech market

"Under a Biden administration, efforts around smart cities can be expected to accelerate," one analyst said, noting potential growth in smart water systems and transportation electrification.

By Kristin Musulin • Nov. 10, 2020

Ride-hailing could have a 'deterrent effect' on sexual assault: study

Researchers found a 1% increase in pickups by Uber in New York City led to a decrease of 48 reported cases. Despite this, concerns loom over incidents involving drivers.

By Chris Teale • Updated Nov. 9, 2020

Seattle's $5.6M plan to address trash-collection woes

The "Clean Cities Initiative" aims to tackle an influx of trash in parks, particularly as they have become a refuge during the pandemic, according to Mayor Jenny Durkan.

By Cailin Crowe • Nov. 9, 2020

Voters nationwide favor city police reform

At least 10 jurisdictions saw police reform measures pass with large majorities of the vote, indicating the country is "moving in the right direction" toward equitable and fair municipal policing.

By Cailin Crowe • Nov. 6, 2020

Incumbents largely maintain leadership in US mayoral races

Of the 100 largest cities, 19 held general elections for mayor this week. Phoenix and Portland, OR are among those that will maintain incumbent mayors, while Baltimore and Honolulu will welcome new leadership.

By Kristin Musulin • Updated Nov. 18, 2020

CA's Prop 22 passage could bring further challenges to ride-hail regulations

Voters approved the initiative with 58% of the vote, according to unofficial tallies. While labor advocates warn it will undermine drivers, it could embolden companies towards similar efforts elsewhere.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 5, 2020

30% of K-12 students lack at-home internet, devices: BCG

A new connectivity report found it could cost up to $11 billion to bridge the K-12 digital divide as COVID-19 forces more than 50 million students to learn remotely.

By Kristin Musulin • Nov. 4, 2020

5 charts to show the impact of ransomware attacks in 2020

Even if patterns in code and strategy resemble a certain group, it's not always reliable enough to definitively identify an attacker or variant. 

By Samantha Schwartz • Nov. 2, 2020

NYC releases terms of e-scooter pilot

The city's Department of Transportation issued an RFEI for the program, slated to begin in March. Operators now face tough competition to serve what has long been the nation's largest untapped market.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 30, 2020

Global cities join forces to support the 'creative economy'

Eighteen cities will take part in the latest round of the World Cities Culture Forum's Leadership Exchange Program, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies and Google Arts & Culture.

By Kristin Musulin • Oct. 30, 2020

NYC strengthens Climate Mobilization Act building requirements

Buildings with less than 35% of units under rent regulation will be required to comply with the act's emissions limits and not pass the costs to tenants, following a Thursday city council vote.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 30, 2020

Austin, TX is tapping its waterways to address racial equity

UT-Austin students partnered with Austin Water to address how the public utility can support racial equity through efforts like CAP assistance and advanced metering.

By Cailin Crowe • Oct. 29, 2020

Prop 22 will shake up fundamental insurance policies

No matter which side of the fence the California ballot measure falls, it will shake up the gig economy and impact operator insurance strategies.

By Wil Hamory • Oct. 29, 2020

Green stimulus could create $280B in economic benefits: C40

The C40 Global Mayors Recovery Task Force said investing relief money in solutions to fight climate change could prevent 270,000 premature deaths globally and create over 6 million jobs in the U.S. alone.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 28, 2020

10 statewide ballot measures to watch: results

Of the 10 ballot initiatives identified last week as "measures to watch," only one — a rent control initiative in California — failed at the polls.

By Kristin Musulin , Chris Teale , Cailin Crowe • Updated Nov. 4, 2020

Ballot billions: Behind the efforts to fund and finance climate action

In a year that virtually depleted municipal budgets, ballot-derived tax and funding measures can be crucial to support city-level climate action. Outside of these measures, how else can cities secure cash?

By Kristin Musulin , Chris Teale , Cailin Crowe • Oct. 27, 2020

Advocates urge Chicago to keep transit running amid protests

As potential Election Day-related unrest looms, transportation advocates signed a petition requesting a guarantee that transit will continue during future periods of protest.

By Cailin Crowe • Oct. 26, 2020

Transit must think outside the box to rebuild ridership

Associations have developed frameworks to guide public transit agencies toward recovery, but they may not go far enough to innovate the industry.

By Ben Haynie • Oct. 26, 2020

DOE, USDOT issue $5.25M in project grants to advance transit tech

MIT, Utah State University and the Chattanooga (TN) Regional Transportation Authority each received $1.75 million grants to improve transit systems using "innovative vehicle technologies."

By Chris Teale • Oct. 26, 2020

Biden revokes 'anarchist jurisdiction' designation for 3 cities

Former President Trump sought to cut funding from Seattle, New York and Portland, OR via executive action, but Biden reversed course on Wednesday.

By Chris Teale • Updated Feb. 25, 2021

Cities' GHG emissions reduction efforts, by the numbers

A new Brookings report assessed the nation's many climate action plans to check if cities are meeting their emissions reduction commitments.

By Kristin Musulin • Oct. 23, 2020