Judge halts FEMA funding cuts that states allege are tied to ‘sanctuary’ policies

The ruling forces DHS to rescind grant awards and pause reallocations. The states allege the disaster funding cuts are punishing them for not assisting with federal immigration enforcement.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated 7 hours ago

Top smart city conferences in 2026

Technology, housing, climate action, transportation, public safety and more take center stage at events for local government leaders in 2026.

By Smart Cities Dive Staff • Oct. 1, 2025

Illinois officials condemn federal troop request for Chicago

Gov. JB Pritzker says DHS has requested 100 military personnel be sent to Chicago and calls the action an “unconstitutional occupation.”

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 30, 2025

5 steps to disaster-proof your city as FEMA pulls back

FEMA is stretched thin, a GAO report warns. Its author offers advice for local leaders to respond strategically and build resilience now.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 30, 2025

Portland and Oregon sue Trump administration over National Guard deployment order

The lawsuit contends the National Guard mission breaches limits of federal authority in local law enforcement, following a court ruling against similar troop deployments in Los Angeles.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 29, 2025

Beyond CJIS compliance: Reducing access friction while strengthening security

Already CJIS compliant? Here’s how to make secure access faster and more sustainable.

Sept. 29, 2025

The AI tightrope: Balancing government modernization and resident trust

AI promises smarter government but raises resident fears. 

Sept. 29, 2025

An Indiana councilman saw politics turning toxic. Now he’s launching a national civility movement.

Leaders from 16 states will convene in Carmel, Indiana, this weekend to share strategies for fostering respect, finding common ground and encouraging constructive debate in service of community.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 26, 2025

Mayors group joins legal battle against LA National Guard deployment

The U.S. Conference of Mayors urges the 9th Circuit to block deployment. State attorneys general remain divided, with 19 supporting the president’s authority and 22 challenging similar actions in D.C.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 22, 2025

Changing the culture of silence around suicide: Exemplary Public Servant Lynne Mignemi

The probation officer built programs that prioritize wellness and open up conversations about mental health, addiction and suicide after years of watching her colleagues bear unspoken grief.

By Michelle Havich • Sept. 19, 2025

Trump signs order to deploy National Guard to address Memphis crime

City and county leaders warn that Trump’s call for boots on the ground could do more harm than good.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated Sept. 17, 2025

Trump says he’s sending National Guard to Memphis

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signals cooperation with the White House plan, while Memphis mayor stresses progress without troops and county mayor denounces the move as an occupation.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated Sept. 12, 2025

Traffic cameras double as a hurricane-response system in this South Carolina county

By connecting existing cameras to an AI-powered command hub, a hurricane-prone county plans to track evacuation patterns, adjust routes on the fly and strengthen recovery planning.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 10, 2025

Supreme Court clears path for ICE to resume stops in LA

The ruling allowing federal immigration agents to stop residents based on ethnicity, language, location and occupation means city leaders must navigate legal uncertainty until at least 2026, a legal scholar says.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 9, 2025

Chicago officials decry ‘militarized’ immigration operation

The Trump administration’s announcement of Operation Midway Blitz escalates its clash with Illinois leaders over sanctuary laws and local authority.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated Sept. 9, 2025

Connected cities need secure communications for crisis management and interagency collaboration

State and local officials need secure communications that ensure operational security.

Sept. 8, 2025

Louisiana governor requests 1,000 National Guard troops to address urban crime

Gov. Jeff Landry wants to deploy Guard units in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Shreveport. Baton Rouge City Council members warn it could inflame tensions and deepen community mistrust.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated Oct. 1, 2025

Posse Comitatus ‘is alive and well,’ legal expert says. What does that mean for Trump’s military use in US cities?

A judge ruled the Trump administration improperly used the military for law enforcement in Los Angeles. An expert on civilian-military relations explains the ruling and what could come next.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 3, 2025

Chicago draws a line on federal troops

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s executive order affirms local control of police and outlines steps to protect Chicago residents as Trump prepares broader federal military and immigration operations in major U.S. cities.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated Sept. 2, 2025

Judge blocks Trump from halting funding to 34 ‘sanctuary’ cities

Trump’s orders threatening to strip funds from cities limiting immigration cooperation are unconstitutional, a federal judge said, extending protections to Boston, Chicago, Denver and more.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated Aug. 25, 2025

Cities brace for legal battles as Bondi’s ‘sanctuary’ deadline looms

Local leaders say they’re prepared to defend protections limiting cooperation with immigration enforcement even as the Trump administration threatens to revoke funding and bring criminal charges.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Aug. 18, 2025

Smarter fleet management helps cities do more with less

Cutting-edge technology and analytics can help extend the service lives of fleets, prevent breakdowns that interrupt delivery of critical services and slash maintenance budgets.

Aug. 18, 2025

2028 Olympics security plan tests LA-federal partnership

Trump’s executive order puts the federal government in the driver’s seat for Olympics security. Experts wonder if cooperation — or confrontation — will be the result.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated Aug. 18, 2025

Ohio mandate requires local governments to establish cybersecurity programs

The regulation comes amid increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks but offers no new funding to implement the procedures.

By Ryan Kushner • Aug. 14, 2025

Judge declines to halt National Guard use in LA

As the federal troop fight shifts to a U.S. appeals court, cities and counties argue the deployments bypass local authority and create dangerous conflicts on city streets.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated Sept. 2, 2025