Louisiana governor puts state on path to net-zero emissions by 2050

Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards established a task force through an executive order tasked with interim goals of reducing emissions 26-28% by 2025 and 40-50% by 2030.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 24, 2020

Uber, Lyft to stay in CA, sparing already limited mobility landscape

The companies will continue operating in the state after threatening to suspend service, nearly impacting more than 158,000 drivers and the riders who rely on ride-hailing due to curtailed transit. 

By Chris Teale • Aug. 21, 2020

Residents need a seat at the table when planning smart cities

By involving local users in the initial product selection and demonstrations prior to launch, barriers limiting residents’ use of smart city initiatives could be removed.

By Jared Mondschein • Aug. 20, 2020

HUD count likely underestimates homeless populations: GAO

The report highlights limitations of the Point-In-Time count and recommends that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development strengthen its oversight of the data collection process. 

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 19, 2020

Illinois' $5M bet to increase mask-wearing among residents

The awareness campaign is based on public opinion research and emphasizes the responsibility of mask-wearing by comparing it to using a seat belt. 

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 19, 2020

Gilbert, AZ gets creative with its digital strategy during COVID-19

The town has kicked its digital planning into high gear, tapping new tactics for routine operations like using augmented reality for building inspections and TikTok for information-sharing.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 18, 2020

Black households are bearing the brunt of rental crisis

Thirty-one percent of Black renters reported they were unable to pay rent in July compared to 28% of Latinx renters and 14% of White renters, Rep. Maxine Waters, D-CA, said during a virtual town hall. 

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 17, 2020

Seattle approves minimum wage plan for ride-hailing drivers

It is the second city in the nation to mandate a minimum wage for drivers, requiring compensation of at least $16.39 an hour beginning on Jan. 1.

By Chris Teale • Updated Sept. 30, 2020

Mayors push back on 'defund the police' movement, urge increased social services spending

The U.S. Conference of Mayors Working Group on Police Reform and Racial Justice urged departments to rethink how officers are held accountable and focus on building relationships with the communities they police.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 14, 2020

Fauci displeased with COVID response, DC Mayor Bowser decries 'patchwork of guidance'

On a Thursday webinar, the government's top infectious disease expert said the country could be in a good place within a year if residents follow public health guidelines.

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 14, 2020

Michigan to build first-in-nation AV corridor from Detroit to Ann Arbor

The 40-mile corridor for driverless and connected vehicle testing and deployment will be led by a subsidiary of Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners in partnership with the state.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 14, 2020

Police reform is key to addressing 37% spike in city homicides: CCJ

Homicides will likely continue without subduing the pandemic and implementing effective police reforms and violence-reduction strategies, according to a report by The Council on Criminal Justice.

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 13, 2020

Can health and safety efforts save ride-hailing post-pandemic?

Companies are adopting new ways to bolster riders' confidence, but the industry may struggle to recover if health concerns linger or labor issues expand.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 12, 2020

Census count to end Oct. 15

The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the Trump administration can end counting early for the 2020 census, approving the suspension of a lower court decision that had extended the count deadline. 

By Cailin Crowe • Updated Oct. 14, 2020

Houston votes to put the 'emphasis on walking' in future development

City councilmembers unanimously backed new ordinances that look to encourage pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use development near public transportation.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 6, 2020

Denver voters to decide on sales tax for GHG reduction projects

The 0.25% sales tax increase would bring in an estimated $36 million to support initiatives recommended by the Denver Climate Action Task Force.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 5, 2020

San Diego turns off smart streetlights ahead of surveillance ordinance vote

Mayor Kevin Faulconer said the city had "no choice" but to turn the controversial technology off, days after it offered police to run the Smart Streetlights program.

By Chris Teale • Updated Sept. 14, 2020

Housing is healthcare. It's time for Congress to shore up LIHTC

Congress must enact a minimum 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit rate to ensure affordable housing projects remain financially viable amid the pandemic.

By David Rowe • Aug. 4, 2020

New Hampshire law signals 'stepping-stone' to flying cars

Gov. Chris Sununu signed legislation late last month regulating inspections, registration and fees for 'roadable vehicles,' which would operate on state roads and in the air.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 4, 2020

Group calls for national police accountability database

A report from The New Center proposes a comprehensive database with information on physical use of force, no-knock warrants and misconduct, in an effort to drive evidence-based policy changes. 

By Kristin Musulin • Aug. 3, 2020

Great Recession erased 30 years of rising homeownership rates: GAO

The U.S. Government Accountability Office examined historical homeownership trends in nine major cities following the financial crisis — and hinted at trends to come in a post-COVID world.

By Kristin Musulin • Aug. 3, 2020

House passes ride-hailing safety bill Sami's Law

The bill requires companies to implement a digital driver verification system, and prohibits the third-party sale of identifying vehicle signs.

By Chris Teale • July 31, 2020

Roads are becoming less safe. How can fleets reaffirm safety culture?

Safety experts have revealed alarming data points during the pandemic. While mileage is going down, fatality rates and distracted driving are on the rise.

By Shefali Kapadia • July 31, 2020

Columbus, OH kicks off 3 mobility pilots

The city unveiled Smart Mobility Hubs, a connected vehicle tech trial and the redeployment of an autonomous shuttle, all as part of the Smart Columbus initiative.

By Chris Teale • July 30, 2020

Citibot Web Chat relieves comms staff in Williamsburg, VA

The integrated chatbot enables residents to ask common questions regarding COVID-19 mitigation while freeing up time for city staff to tackle other work.

By Kristin Musulin • July 29, 2020