The Latest

  • A rendering of a small green house with solar panels on the roof and large glass windows.
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    Retrieved from New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development on May 27, 2026
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    Preapproved housing designs can cut costs — and cities are embracing them, Pew says

    Front-loading the permit approval process can shave months off of preconstruction timelines and cut architectural and design costs, according to a new report.

  • A green star light fixture shinning on a hill at night
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    Permission granted by Schneider Electric
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    Sponsored by Schneider Electric

    How public-private partnerships are powering the next generation of smart cities

    El Paso’s ongoing partnership with Schneider Electric advances economic growth and sustainability.

  • A sign that says "Target Field Station" in front of an industrial facility
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    Retrieved from Hennepin County.
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    Community groups sue EPA to tighten its incinerator rules

    A coalition is again taking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to court over its Clean Air Act rules for large municipal waste combustors, two months after the agency finalized the regulation. 

  • A U.S. flag flies over rusty beams on a concrete bridge under construction.
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    Getty Images
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    As ARPA winds down, small cities ace the infrastructure funding test: NLC

    Strong property tax revenue and federal recovery funds allowed many smaller municipalities to use cash rather than debt for projects, positioning them well for the future, a National League of Cities report shows.

  • A bustling downtown skyline featuring an iconic blue bridge and clear skies.
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    Getty Images
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    ClearGov launches interactive AI platform to communicate city budgets

    Rochester Hills, Michigan, received hundreds of resident comments in a pilot effort to reach its “silent majority,” a case study 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

    Waymo recalls 3,800 robotaxis to prevent the vehicles from entering flooded areas and halts freeway use in four cities.

    Updated May 26, 2026
  • An aerial still of a residential neighborhood showing the roofs of single-family homes, lush trees and grass on a sunny day.
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    Getty Images
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    Municipal groups push for ROAD to Housing Act approval

    The latest version of the landmark housing bill appears to be nearing the finish line in Congress and includes a “major win for counties,” one group said.

  • Aerial view of park with city skyline in the background.
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    Getty Images
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    Green infrastructure

    How 4 cities are reshaping parks into strategic climate and community infrastructure

    Urban parks can boost resilience, improve stormwater management and advance neighborhood equity, strengthening social cohesion in the process, the parks’ developers say. 

  • A man walks up a ramp to a transit bus on a tree-covered street with a young girl and another man to the side.
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    Courtesy of Tri Delta Transit
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    Keolis awarded fifth transit operating contract in California

    With the addition of Tri Delta Transit in Eastern Contra Costa County, Keolis will operate services for 15 U.S. transit systems.

  • A construction worker as seen from below, stepping over a gap while carrying a piece of lumber.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    HUD releases housing regulation ‘best practices’ for state, local governments

    The recommendations follow a Trump order to cut red tape but stop short of density directives for municipalities.

  • Three men in suits, one standing at a podium, with an American flag and a sign reading Pennsylvania Station behind them.
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Amtrak, DOT name developer for New York Penn Station renovation project

    The Federal Railroad Administration also announced $200 million in additional funding for the $8 billion project.

  • A person wearing a suit speaks at a podium with a sign that says "The Coca-Cola Company"
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    Derek White via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Big events can transform cities. They can also break trust.

    Ensuring residents fully understand the changes unfolding around them during events like the FIFA World Cup is imperative. Here are three tips for making that happen.

  • A U.S. flag is shown in the foreground waving outside with the dome of the U.S. Capitol shown in the background.
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    Samuel Corum via Getty Images
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    House overwhelmingly passes amended ROAD to Housing bill

    Housing groups applauded the passage of the major bipartisan legislation on Wednesday and urged the Senate to approve it.

  • People board a bus at a with a yellow taxi driving by.
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    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
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    18 startups chosen to test tech solutions for NY transit systems

    AI is part of several Transit Tech Lab proposals this year. The public-private initiative has brought 22 ideas to fruition for the MTA to date.

  • A person wearing a suit speaking at a podium surrounded by other people.
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    Permission granted by City of Cincinnati
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    Cincinnati is turning a blighted former landfill into a solar energy hub

    A public-private partnership with a hybrid financing structure will reduce emissions, generate cost savings for residents and support environmental justice goals, the city’s sustainability chief says.

  • 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 is now updated with data from April. See how it stacks up against data dating back to 1978. 

    Updated May 20, 2026
  • Detail view of the US Capitol east facade in the early morning sun.
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    Getty Images
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    Here’s what’s changed in the revised ROAD to Housing bill

    The House amended the major bipartisan housing legislation with some key differences from the Senate’s version.

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    Ryan Murphy via Getty Images
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    NYC unveils plan to speed up affordable housing development

    Mayor Zohran Mamdani is proposing a slew of reforms that he says would shave eight months off the development process by streamlining environmental reviews, pre-development financing and permitting.

  • People on train station platform alongside a blue tram with a sign reading "Riverfront."
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    Permission granted by HDR
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    Streetcar line extension opens in Kansas City, Missouri

    The 10-year-old, fare-free KC Streetcar system now runs from the city’s downtown to the riverfront.

  • Sun rays behind a white building with a round seal and FEMA written on it.
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    Michael M. Santiago/ via Getty Images
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    FEMA’s $1B BRIC relaunch prioritizes shovel-ready projects

    Communities with mature project plans, early benefit-cost analyses and proven delivery capacity will be best positioned to win resilience dollars, experts say.

  • Water runs from a kitchen faucet into a clear cup
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    Getty Images
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    EPA to formally rescind certain PFAS drinking water regulations

    The agency proposed two rules: one to rescind drinking water standards for four PFAS and another to allow some water utilities to delay enforcement on PFOS and PFOA until 2031. A hearing is set for July 7.

  • Men and women seated along a row of tables with two rows of chairs behind them.
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    (2026). "Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Member Day" [Video]. Retrieved from T&I Committee Republicans/YouTube.
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    Surface Transportation Legislation

    House committee agrees to $580B surface transportation legislation

    The Republican and Democratic leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee propose EV registration fees and continued funding for Amtrak and public transportation.

  • A seated person wearing a suit and glasses gestures while speaking into a microphone.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    HUD chief defends proposed budget cuts amid Senate scrutiny

    Secretary Scott Turner had occasional heated exchanges with legislators as he sought approval for a 13% reduction in his agency’s fiscal 2027 budget.

  • Three people wearing dark suits and one person wearing a blue dress stand with their hands raised.
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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    Sanctuary from what? Abortion, gun rights, other measures test the limits of local sanctuary policies.

    As cities adopt protections for trans people, reproductive care, the unborn, gun owners and even bears, questions about enforcement, legal stakes and the cost of defying higher governments remain.

  • The U.S. Capitol building photographed at dusk from the front left.
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    Getty Images
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    US House releases ROAD to Housing bill without build-to-rent sale mandate

    The bill is “the most significant legislation to increase housing supply in years” and could provide “more housing affordability in communities across the country,” housing industry advocates say.

  • A rusty wheel with blue chipping paint above a concrete basin with flowing water.
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    Getty Images
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    Cities sound alarm on crumbling water infrastructure

    Aging assets, stricter regulations, climate risks and fiscal restraints are contributing to problems long hidden underground, a new National League of Cities report finds.