The Latest

  • A person with a handheld camera films another person standing and holding their arm.
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    Permission granted by Frederick County, Maryland
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    Nominate a project for the 2026 Smart Cities Dive Community Project Awards

    The awards will highlight innovation and effective use of technology to solve real community problems.

  • A blue and yellow bus lettered "100% Electric" and "DASH" on a street with trees.
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    Courtesy of Alexandria Transit Company
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    On-route electric bus chargers coming to Alexandria, Virginia

    The chargers will keep the city’s growing fleet of battery-electric buses on the road longer.

  • A person in military fatigues stands aiming a gun in front of a car that says "U.S. Customs and Border Protection" with crowd and military officers in the background.
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    Apu Gomes via Getty Images
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    Trump’s ‘sanctuary city ordinance’ lawsuit against LA dismissed

    “This order reinforces the well-established principle that local governments have the authority to decide how to use their personnel and resources,” Los Angeles’ city attorney said.

    Updated June 24, 2026
  • A person wearing a blue suit sits at a table speaking into a microphone while people sitting in seats surrounding look on.
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    Jim Vondruska via Getty Images
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    DOJ subpoenas of Minnesota city and state leaders quashed in federal court

    Saying the subpoenas were intended to "harass, coerce, and retaliate,” the judge reinforced legal limits on federal efforts to pressure cities and states into supporting immigration enforcement operations. 

    Updated June 23, 2026
  • A red "sold" sign on a yellow post is in front of a small house.
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    David McNew/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Starter homes cost $1M in a record 242 US cities: Zillow

    Cities with million-dollar starter homes now span 26 states, up from nine before the pandemic, a Zillow analysis found.

  • A white vehicle outfitted with many sensors stopped at a curb in with people and buildings in the background.
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    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
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    Tracker

    Robotaxis: The latest developments

    Autonomous vehicle technology supplier Mobileye will start its own robotaxi service in 2027.

    Updated June 23, 2026
  • Fireworks exploding over a body of water while a crowd watches from the stands.
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    Permission granted by Choose Chicago
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    Cities leverage America250 celebrations to boost tourism, civic pride and unity

    From block parties and historical reenactments to museum exhibits and concerts, cities and counties are using the nation’s milestone anniversary as a catalyst for community and connection.

  • Two people in the foreground under an overhang alongside a line of cars.
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    Lyft charting a path toward more walkable, connected cities

    Could bikes, scooters, ride-hailing and robotaxi services be an opportunity to have fewer cars on the road? Lyft’s chief policy officer thinks so.

  • Double exposure of coin stack and notebook laptop computer with financial graph on white paper business planning vision and finance analysis concept
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    Getty Images
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    The Municipal Cost Index

    The Municipal Cost Index, designed to show the impact of inflation on the cost of providing local government services, has been updated with the latest data from May.

    Updated June 22, 2026
  • Construction heavy machinery moves along dirt next to two roads that stretch out of frame on a clear, sunny day.
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    Courtesy of Virginia DOT
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    Virginia approves 6-year, $28.5B infrastructure plan

    The massive plan will fund more than 4,300 construction and infrastructure jobs across the state.

  • Three people on a sidewalk with luggage and cars parked along a curb in front of or brick building.
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    Permission granted by Joseph Schwieterman
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    Chicago to buy, renovate Greyhound bus terminal

    The city’s action, aimed at improving the customer experience for some 450,000 riders each year, saves the bus station from possible closure or demolition.

  • An aerial view of houses in various stages of construction.
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    Brandon Bell/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    7 takeaways from Harvard’s 2026 state of housing report

    “Construction is down, home sales are flat and cost burdens are up,” the lead author of the annual Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies report said. 

  • Yellow earth mover scooping up debris from demolished home.
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    Getty Images
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    Opinion

    We can’t build our way out of the housing crisis while losing homes every day

    The path forward is not just about adding supply. It is also about protecting it.

  • A person wearing a t-shirt that says "Build Affordable Housing" standing with group of people wearing black pants and black t-shirts.
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    Retrieved from Quentin Lucas/Instagram on June 18, 2026
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    Crime is falling. Why don’t residents feel safer?

    Statistics alone won’t change public perception, say the mayors of Providence, Rhode Island, and Kansas City, Missouri. Building trust requires visibility, relationships and consistent communication.

  • A blurred rider on a bicycle with tall buildings in the background.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Biking in US cities is getting better, 2026 report says

    In PeopleForBikes’ annual rating, the number of cities with bike infrastructure that scored 50 or higher on a 100-point scale more than doubled this year.

  • Several office buildings on a clear day next to a road busy with cars and one bus.
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    Getty Images
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    As a Maryland city mulls upzoning, a Realtor association study touts its benefits

    A “missing middle” housing proposal in Rockville, Maryland, would boost the city’s housing stock 4.5%, the local Realtor association said.

  • Cars at night with streaks of headlights and tail lights on a wide street with building on each side.
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    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
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    With 125 speed camera installations, LA’s speed safety program becomes California’s largest

    Speeding behavior and crash history factor into installation sites, with many locations using multiple cameras, Verra Mobility said.

  • A two-story red brick building on a multilane street with a U.S. and other flag visible and cars parked in front of it
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    Permission granted by Ameresco
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    Energy savings performance contracts offer a path to building upgrades when city budgets are tight

    With deferred maintenance growing and capital dollars stretched thin, local governments are using ESPCs to fund energy and infrastructure improvements through future operational savings.

  • A computer screen displaying dash cam footage from inside and outside a city vehicle.
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    Samsara YouTube

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    How AI is changing government asset management

    New tools aim to help cities keep closer tabs on fleets and equipment in real time, participants in a Samsara public sector technologies event said.

  • A person secures one of two tents set up in front of a tall gate with empty lot and buildings in the background.
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    Apu Gomes via Getty Images
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    HUD suspends LA homeless services funding

    A pause on federal funding for the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority could become permanent pending an investigation, the federal agency said.

  • U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright delivers remarks alongside U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and U.S. President Donald Trump.
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    Judge overturns DOE’s cancellation of $82.1M in clean energy grants

    The plaintiffs argued the 11 grantees — based in New York, Oregon, Connecticut, Minnesota and Colorado — were targeted because those states voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris.

    Updated June 17, 2026
  • Two people's arms reach out over a foodservice counter to exchange a reusable coffee mug with a "Choose to Reuse" sticker on it.
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    Permission granted by City of Portland
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    To reduce waste, BYO food and drink containers encouraged in Portland, Oregon

    A regional government introduced the Choose to Reuse initiative following Oregon’s introduction of a law allowing the practice. Local leaders collaborate with nonprofits and private reuse businesses to encourage adoption.

  • A red brick building with lights on inside sits near a quiet road on a clear day.
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    Getty Images
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    Town sues Massachusetts over plans to build housing on state-owned land

    Wellesley, Massachusetts, officials called the plan to build 180 housing units on a state-owned parking lot “commendable” but said the ends don’t justify the means.

  • A person wearing a blue suit talking as two people hold microphones in front of him.
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    Emergency managers welcome House proposal to strengthen FEMA funding

    The Appropriations Committee approved a spending bill that streamlines disaster declaration processing and preserves preparedness grants they say are foundational to state and local response capabilities.

  • Metal sign that says United States Environmental Protection Agency on stone building
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    Getty Images
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    EPA’s termination of environmental justice grant program illegal, court rules

    A federal judge called termination of the $2.8 billion Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant “arbitrary and capricious” but stopped short of restoring the program.

    Updated June 12, 2026