The Latest

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    matdesign24 via Getty Images
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    Column

    Public-private partnerships can help local leaders do more with less

    You can share responsibility, combine resources and leverage private-sector capabilities to continue innovating even when times are tough.

  • Enterprise truck driving on a tree-lined street.
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    Permission granted by Getty via Enterprise
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    Sponsored by Enterprise

    Supercharge government fleet operations with breakthrough flexibility

    Learn how public sector fleet managers can get true versatility and scalability in their fleets.

  • A person wearing a suit and tie holds a pencil and shuffles papers while sitting at a desk with two people sitting behind him.
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    9 ways the FEMA Act would reform federal disaster response

    Cities are rallying behind the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act, which they say would cut red tape, accelerate recovery funding and strengthen resilience against future disasters.

  • A highway with cars on it in front of a city skyline. Two large cranes line the highway next to new construction.
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    JasonDoiy via Getty Images
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    San Francisco’s permitting reform seeks an end to building project ‘death by a thousand cuts’

    San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie’s latest permitting reform package loosens restrictions on historic buildings, reduces fees and clears the path for accessory dwelling units in the city.

  • Two futuristic electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft fly over farmland.
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    Courtesy of Joby Aviation
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    Tracker

    Air taxis and urban air mobility: The latest developments

    Joby Aviation is partnering with Uber to allow New York City-area users to book helicopter and seaplane flights on the app next year. It plans to make air taxi flights available on the app when they go into service.

    Updated Sept. 11, 2025
  • President Donald Trump stands at a podium with Seal of the President of the United States on it, with Pete Hegseth on his right and Pam Boni on his left,
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    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.

    Updated Sept. 2, 2025
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    DenisTangneyJr via Getty Images
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    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.

  • A woman is about to enter a white minivan labeled "May Mobility" and "Lyft."
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    Courtesy of May Mobility
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    Lyft and May Mobility begin robotaxi service in Atlanta; Zoox gambles on Las Vegas

    As Georgia’s capital becomes a prime destination for autonomous ride-hailing providers, Zoox launches in Las Vegas with its purpose-built robotaxi.

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    Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    With an executive order, Maryland aims to build more houses faster

    Gov. Wes Moore wants to shrink permitting timelines, set housing production targets and use state land for transit-oriented development.

  • Person with face wrapped in scarf that says "US Border Patrol" and badge on a chain around their neck.
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    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.

  • A blue tent on a city street with a view of skyscrapers in the background
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    Apu Gomes/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    California forms task force to clear homeless encampments

    The task force will target encampments on state rights-of-way in the state’s 10 largest cities, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom.

  • Aerial view of multilane highway surrounded by trees crossing over a river.
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    (2022). "I-95 Southbound Rappahannock River Crossing Project Complete" [Video]. Retrieved from Virginia Department of Transportation.
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    How one firm uses digital twins to develop large transportation infrastructure projects

    The technology can help build buy-in, minimize costly errors and facilitate monitoring and maintenance, a Bentley Systems senior director says.

  • A person wearing a Statue of Liberty costume leans on their walker next to a person holding a sign that says "Hands Off Chicago."
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    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.

    Updated Sept. 9, 2025
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    Tero Vesalainen via Getty Images
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    Half of US residents ‘uncomfortable’ about AI in government: survey

    Survey respondents see the new technology as a way to increase government efficiency but express concerns about privacy, bias and inaccuracies.

  • The president in a blue suit and red tie alongside Elon Musk in black with a ballcap in front of a red Tesla vehicle with the White House behind them.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    13 state governors join coalition to promote EVs

    The Affordable Clean Cars Coalition said it will push back against the Trump administration's policies of “putting polluters over people.”

  • Several people riding electric scooters along a path silhouetted against an evening sky.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    US e-scooter injuries treated in ERs rose 80% last year: report

    More than 15% of injuries involved children, and over 18% of injuries involved the head, the report found.

  • Several people holding or wearing signs stand shouting in front of a garbage truck, watched by two police officers in high-visibility vests.
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    Marilyn Humphries/Newscom

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    Deep Dive

    Trash piles up as cities are squeezed in Republic Services labor strike

    Local governments face mounting service disruptions as the largest sanitation strike in decades drags on.

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    Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Chicago eases parking mandates to spur affordable housing development

    Developments near public transit can reduce the amount of off-street parking by up to 100% without administrative approval.

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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Local governments press online payments

    About half of local governments cover credit and debit card costs such as fees to encourage online payments, one payments system executive said.

  • President Trump and Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry sit at a table with a white tablecloth and two empty wine glasses with American flag behind them.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Trump shifts troop deployment threats from Chicago to New Orleans

    New Orleans city leaders highlight historic declines in violent crime and warn against a federal takeover, while the Louisiana governor says he would welcome outside help.

  • A woman in a gray hat and jacket walks toward the camera against a blurred background of people and a sign reading "To All Trains."
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Amtrak ridership grows in Midwestern states

    A Chaddick Institute report projects a 10% increase in intercity passenger rail travel out of Chicago over the next two years.

  • Aerial view of a modern houses in a new housing development.
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    Bim via Getty Images
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    A Virginia city eliminated single-family-only zoning. Then the lawsuits came.

    Roanoke, Virginia, is reassessing zoning reforms it passed last year after resident lawsuits cost the city tens of thousands in litigation.

  • A in a suit standing at podium lettered "SEPTA" with a woman on his left and another man to his right.
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    Courtesy of SEPTA News
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    Philadelphia judge temporarily halts SEPTA cuts and fare hikes

    The ruling relates to a lawsuit filed last week alleging the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s actions would disproportionately harm disadvantaged riders.

    Updated Sept. 3, 2025
  • A person stands at a podium with a seal of the State of Illinois, another person standing behind.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    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.

  • Metal sign that says United States Environmental Protection Agency on stone building
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    Greggory DiSalvo via Getty Images
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    Judge dismisses cities’ lawsuit over termination of climate justice grants

    The ruling creates uncertainty for air, water and resilience programs. “We will continue to fight for communities across the country,” an Earthjustice attorney said.

    Updated Sept. 3, 2025
  • An illustration of a high-speed train in California's Central Valley.
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    Courtesy of California High-Speed Rail Authority
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    Tracker

    US high-speed rail projects: The latest news

    California legislation to speed up high-speed rail construction failed to advance last week. Keep up on all the latest news in this tracker.

    Updated Sept. 3, 2025