The Latest

  • Rendering of simulated Archer air taxi operations over Los Angeles.
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    Courtesy of Archer Aviation
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    Archer Aviation named official air taxi of 2028 LA Olympics

    Archer’s air mobility network, which will include vertiports near sport stadiums and other venues, could help Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ push for a “no-car Games.”

  • A police officer walks a dog in front of steps of columned building with scaffolding on it.
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    Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
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    Supreme Court narrows police immunity in use-of-force cases

    In rejecting the “moment of threat” defense, the court opens the door to greater officer accountability — though how the ruling will shape policing on the ground is still uncertain.

  • Four people sit on a small stage in front of a banner with the "Waste 360 - Waste Expo" logo and the words "Food Recovery Forum"
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    Jacob Wallace/Smart Cities Dive
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    How states are thinking about organic waste policy

    Panelists from Divert, CalRecycle and NRDC discussed lessons that can be learned from a rising number of state organic waste policies in California and elsewhere.

  • People gather around new electric buses in Miami.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    US DOT opens $1.5B funding round for transit buses and bus facilities

    This year’s funding round, part of the 2021 infrastructure law, drops equity- and sustainability-related requirements.

  • Blue pipes are stacked in front of a yellow bulldozer.
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    doug4537 via Getty Images
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    Thermal energy networks need municipal participation: report

    Cities and other entities can develop neighborhood-scale thermal networks to lower greenhouse gas emissions, clean energy consultants say.

  • A Wing drone used by DoorDash delivers a Wendy's package.
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    Courtesy of DoorDash
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    DoorDash, Wing bring drone delivery to Charlotte

    Panera is among a handful of restaurants now offering drone delivery from a shopping center in the North Carolina city.

  • Workers wearing reflective vests pull hand carts with large boxes on the side of a city street.
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    Courtesy of New York City Department of Transportation
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    NYC launches ‘microhub’ pilot to reduce truck delivery congestion, pollution

    Dedicated spaces for delivery trucks allow last-mile deliveries to be made by cargo bikes, pushcarts and zero-emission vehicles.

  • Man in red hat with a ball cap reading "Trump is right about everything" seated at a table with other men and women.
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Federal safety agency asks Tesla for details of its planned robotaxis

    Tesla CEO Elon Musk previously announced plans to launch driverless ride-hailing services in Austin, Texas, and the San Francisco Bay Area this year.

  • Tall buildings seen at a distance shrouded in smog.
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    David McNew via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Congress could soon revoke California’s vehicle emissions standards

    State and local authority over air quality will be jeopardized if Congress revokes California’s auto emissions limits, experts say.

  • The flag outside the United States Environmental Protection Agency building is seen on August 21, 2024 in Washington, DC.
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    Tierney L. Cross via Getty Images
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    EPA rolls back part of PFAS drinking water standards

    The agency will continue regulating PFOA and PFOS in drinking water, but will extend compliance timelines. It has rescinded rules for four other PFAS chemicals.

  • Water flows under a bridge with brick buildings and blue sky in the background.
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    Denis Tangney Jr via Getty Images
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    16 cities and counties fast-track sustainability through national initiative

    The U.S. Green Building Council LEED for Cities program helps local leaders embed climate resilience and green infrastructure into city planning.

  • The Washington state capitol building.
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    halbergman via Getty Images
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    Washington governor signs rent control into law

    The new measure sets a 7% plus interest limit on rent increases, capped at 10%.

  • A nighttime view of a city skyline, with streaks of light from the highway in the foreground.
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    The image by Maciek Lulko is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    The 10 cities best prepared for a ‘smart city future’

    A new city tops the ProptechOS Smart City Index in 2025 based on its tech infrastructure and connectivity, sustainability and tech job market. 

  • Person holding a yellow sign that says "I AM MEDICAID, Don't Cut Me!"
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    Leigh Vogel via Getty Images
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    Mayors flag Medicaid cuts as a public safety issue

    The U.S. Conference of Mayors warns Congress that benefit cuts can increase mental health crises and substance abuse, diverting police from violent crime.

  • Aerial view of four cars driving in three lanes with white directional arrows.
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    carlofranco via Getty Images
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    They’re not streets. They’re not roads. ‘Stroads’ present challenges for cities.

    Designed to accommodate both local access and high-speed traffic, stroads require extra safety precautions. 

  • A crowd of protesters with signs. Sign reads "ICE out of our cities."
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Mayors call arrest of Newark, N.J., mayor ‘deeply troubling’

    Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka’s arrest during his attempt to inspect a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility raised concerns about federal overreach.

  • An aircraft with multiple propellers aloft over a desert with mountains in the background.
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    Courtesy of Joby Aviation
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    Air taxi manufacturer Joby Aviation ups flight tests with onboard pilots

    Joby CEO JoeBen Bevirt said government support on the state and federal level will help the U.S. to lead the technology for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.

  • President Trump standing with a group of men and pointing his finger in front of a pile of rubble.
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    NOAA stops tracking cost of extreme weather and climate disasters

    The data can't be replicated by city and state governments, scientists say.

  • Wind turbines operate at a wind farm in Coachella Valley, as vehicles drive on a highway below.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Policy, tax uncertainty holding back US clean energy development

    Clean energy policy experts gathered at DC Climate Week said the current uncertainty around the U.S. tax and tariff environment is inhibiting the market.

  • Man in blue suit standing at a microphone surrounded by reporters with cameras outside the White House.
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    DOT awards $3.2B to 180 projects

    Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the Biden administration left the transportation department with 3,200 unobligated grants.

  • Men in suits around a table with red ballcaps on the table.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    Trump’s second 50 days: The impact on local governments

    President Donald Trump, his cabinet and the Department of Government Efficiency are changing federal policy and funding streams, creating wide-ranging implications for local governments.

  • A hand holding a carbon monoxide alarm in front of a gas stove
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    Ralf Geithe via Getty Images
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    Report ranks states’ efforts to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning

    UL Standards & Engagement officials recommend cities and states mandate indoor carbon monoxide alarms, conduct public awareness campaigns and train first responders.

  • Busy traffic in Downtown Los Angeles at dusk.
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    Yongyuan via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    How LA hoteliers can prepare for Olympics, World Cup amid a complex operating environment

    Hotel employers, labor unions, city officials and industry associations will need to work together to ensure Los Angeles offers a world-class experience to visitors, writes attorney Lara Shortz.

  • An Energy Star label on a washing machine.
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Trump administration plans to end popular Energy Star program

    The program has helped consumers save more than $500 billion in energy costs and 5 trillion kWh since it launched in 1992 under President George H.W. Bush.

  • Newly planted trees in city park
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    Siarhei Khaletski via Getty Images
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    Urban tree-planting programs adapt to federal funding retraction

    The Trump administration rescinded $75 million in federal grants for tree maintenance and planting in underserved neighborhoods. Cities and nonprofits are pivoting to state funding, collaboration and rule changes.