Commercial drone use to expand as FAA approves remotely piloted operations

The Federal Aviation Administration authorized three companies to fly drones outside the visual range of operators, amid mounting concerns about safety, privacy and noise.

By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 7, 2023

4 communities to build anti-racist data ecosystems with $5M from foundations

Pittsburgh will use the grant to include Black communities “at the point where data is first discussed, before, sometimes, even the point of data collection,” said the city’s chief data officer.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 23, 2023

What managed retreat around the world can teach US cities

In a future where managed retreat relocations “become more and more popular,” a Stanford University researcher’s work may hold crucial lessons.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 21, 2023

Infrastructure holds top spot among US mayors’ priorities: NLC report

City residents put public safety at the top of their concerns, says co-author of the 2023 State of the Cities report from the National League of Cities. 

By Kalena Thomhave • Aug. 3, 2023

Tucson, Arizona, gears up climate action as city faces extreme weather

Cooling centers, decarbonization and tree-planting are in the works after the city adopted a climate action plan the mayor said was developed “in record time.” 

By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 2, 2023

Federal agencies struggle with office utilization, excess space

Officials noted that reconfiguration costs and uncertainty over in-office attendance policies are roadblocks to effective space utilization.

By Joe Burns • July 24, 2023

Cities turn to cameras to cut traffic deaths

Cameras and other sensors that detect speeding and red-light running are helping to cut deaths and injuries, but the technology comes with a checkered past and concerns about privacy and equity.

By Dan Zukowski • July 18, 2023

Two new U.S. cities, 14 returners recognized for data-driven governance

Carlsbad, California, and Charleston, South Carolina, were newly certified, while seven cities moved up a tier.

By Gaby Galvin • July 17, 2023

The 5 smart-city priorities in San Antonio’s new road map

The smart cities team used a lengthy process of community input to identify the priorities for innovative applications of data and technology. Creating community buy-in is essential, the team leaders say.

By Joan Mooney • July 14, 2023

In the ‘brave new world’ of urban air mobility, who will benefit?

EVTOL aircraft are expected to aid law enforcement and firefighting efforts and provide emergency medical and freight transportation in addition to their air taxi operations.

By Dan Zukowski • July 11, 2023

Transportation jobs are hard to fill. Here’s what works for Oregon’s DOT.

One outreach campaign doubled subscriptions to the department’s email newsletters and resulted in an uptick of job applicants, an ODOT content strategist said in a recent webinar.

By Adina Solomon • June 20, 2023

Extreme heat is changing the structure of local governance

For Los Angeles Chief Heat Officer Marta Segura, “un-siloing, coordinating and collaborating, and building plans with other departments” has been a big part of the work.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 16, 2023

Houston made city finance data available to everyone. Here’s what happened next.

Taxpayers have a right to know how their dollars are spent, and citizens are using the data to better participate in budget workshops, said Will Jones, Houston’s chief business officer and director of finance.

By Michael Brady • June 14, 2023

Land-use reform efforts could bring 135K new homes to downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood

To address its acute housing shortage, the city is allowing greater housing density, relaxing parking requirements and creating affordable housing incentives and mandates in updates to decades-old community plans.

By Kalena Thomhave • June 12, 2023

Houston, DOJ reach settlement over alleged environmental justice violations in illegal dumping case

Houston agreed to a $17.8 million cleanup plan with the Department of Justice. Some residents applauded the development, but others worry it won’t lead to long-term changes.

By Megan Quinn • June 9, 2023

Dallas in the homestretch of ransomware attack recovery

Security operations and tools are also getting a refresh as city officials rebuild impacted systems and make upgrades across multiple departments.

By Matt Kapko • June 8, 2023

Affordable housing bill vetoed by Colorado governor, sparking backlash from legislators

The bill’s co-sponsors clapped back, claiming in a statement that Gov. Jared Polis had kowtowed to special interests at the last minute.

By Michael Brady • June 8, 2023

California autonomous vehicle bill advances as legislators worry about heavy-duty truck safety

If the proposed law passes, a human operator could need to be onboard heavy-duty, autonomous trucks in the Golden State until at least Jan. 1, 2029.

By David Taube • June 7, 2023

Intercity passenger rail expansion sought by 90-plus cities and states, Amtrak CEO tells House committee

Some lawmakers made the case for why Amtrak should add service to their regions, while others questioned the railroad’s commitment to passenger safety and security and its need for ongoing federal funding.

By Dan Zukowski • June 7, 2023

Lawmakers urge HUD to prohibit biometric recognition tech in federally-funded housing

Racial bias, harassment for minor rule violations were among their concerns, the lawmakers said in their letter to Housing and Urban Development.

By Mary Salmonsen • June 5, 2023

State-owned roads blamed for traffic fatality uptick in Austin, Texas, in new report

“Fatal crashes occurring on State-owned roadways increased substantially while those occurring on City-owned streets remained relatively flat,” the city says in a new report.

By Michael Brady • June 5, 2023

Debt ceiling deal leaves DOT mostly unscathed, but transportation, housing funds may still be at risk

“We're still assessing the best ways to accommodate the caps and restraints that are part of this deal,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

By Dan Zukowski • June 2, 2023

Without chief heat officers, how can smaller cities respond to extreme heat?

“Not every community can afford to have a full-time chief heat officer, so what is the structure that works for smaller and medium-sized communities?” a University of Arizona researcher asked.

By Ysabelle Kempe • May 31, 2023

DOT’s Reconnecting Communities highway removal program lacks performance measures: GAO report

The Government Accountability Office report comes as El Paso, Texas; New York City and Philadelphia are looking into decking over major highways that split communities. 

By Dan Zukowski • May 31, 2023

Ransomware group messes with Texas

A trio of ransomware attacks targeting the Dallas metro area have the hallmarks of a targeted campaign. They also underscore a very real problem: society is becoming desensitized to disruption.

By Matt Kapko • May 30, 2023