The Latest

  • Woman in t-shirt and shots riding a bike along a paved path aside a large bare tree with water and mountains in the background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Matthew Stockman via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Colorado DOT releases draft active transportation plan

    The plan aims to improve safety, increase mobility options and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The department is seeking comment through July 18.

  • A footpath lined with trees and bushes with tall buildings in the background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Thomas Faull via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    New AI tool helps cities respond to shrinking urban canopy

    The open-source model helps cities monitor vegetation loss in real time and plan smarter greenery investments based on population density and vulnerability.

  • Aerial view of flooded homes following Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Win McNamee via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    New building codes aim to provide vital flood protection

    The updated standards mark a major shift in approach for design and construction in flood hazard areas, according to a floodplain manager.

  • Cars on a city street with "School Speed Limit" sign and American flag in the foreground and four smokestacks in the background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Jeff Swensen via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    City leaders blast EPA’s rollback of power plant pollution standards

    The Environmental Protection Agency says power plant emissions regulations imperil the grid. Local leaders and clean energy advocates say repealing them imperils residents.

  • People walking on a station platform as a silver trains lettered "CTA" has its doors open.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Brian Kersey via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chicago-area transit agencies face fiscal and federal threats

    The Northern Illinois transportation authority that oversees bus, train and commuter rail services warned of a $770 million funding gap.

    Updated March 25, 2025
  • Los Angeles's downtown skyline enveloped in smog.
    Image attribution tooltip
    David McNew via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Trump ends California vehicle emissions waivers

    Clean vehicle advocates say air quality and public health will suffer; auto and petroleum industry lobbyists supported the move to end California’s authority under the Clean Air Act.

    Updated June 13, 2025
  • Pilot wearing a helmet looking at digital displays from inside an aircraft.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Archer Aviation
    Image attribution tooltip

    Archer Aviation begins piloted air taxi test flights

    “Everything responded exactly as we trained for,” Archer’s test pilot said. The company plans to begin carrying passengers as soon as 2026.

  • A person wearing a helmet on a runway holdiing a handset with the word "Viper" and a screen.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by DroneResponders
    Image attribution tooltip

    Drone as First Responder program set for takeoff following Trump executive order

    Under pressure from the White House, the FAA is streamlining approvals for law enforcement drone programs, enabling rapid deployment in cities nationwide.

  • A bedroom with a wall bed, chair and shelves above the bed.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Wirestock via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Tiny apartments a big deal in many US cities

    In Seattle and Boston, over half of the new units underway measure less than 441 square feet.

  • A line of people wearing camouflage with large shields that say "California National Guard" face a crowd.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    US mayors: Keep troops out of our cities

    Declaring that “law enforcement is a local responsibility,” a bipartisan coalition of mayors calls for federal troops to leave Los Angeles.

    Updated June 11, 2025
  • A man helps a person in a wheelchair up a ramp into a vehicle.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of May Mobility
    Image attribution tooltip

    Seattle outlines 7 priorities for autonomous vehicle adoption

    Robotaxi policies should factor in equity, workforce training, safety and environmental concerns, diverse city residents said.

  • A drone in the sky carries a Walmart-branded package.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Walmart
    Image attribution tooltip

    Walmart to expand drone delivery to 5 more cities

    Customers in Atlanta, Houston and more will be able to tap into the technology by next year as part of the retailer's deepening collaboration with Wing.

  • A group of people sit on a bridge in front of a tall white building, one holding a sign that says "ICE out of our communities."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Mario Tama via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Why sanctuary cities say they won’t back down

    Maintaining resident trust outweighs federal pressure to participate in immigration enforcement, some city officials say.

  • Highway construction site with work vehicles.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    $5.4B in federal funds available for bridge construction, repair, maintenance

    The Trump administration changed the criteria for these grant programs to eliminate requirements related to equity, climate and inclusive economic development.

  • A crowd is gathered in front of a shiny train in Phoenix, with colorful smoke in the background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Valley Metro
    Image attribution tooltip

    $1.34B Phoenix light rail expansion opens

    The 5.5-mile South Central Extension is expected to add 8,000 riders per day on Valley Metro's light rail lines. The project overcame construction delays and a ballot measure from opponents.

  • Two construction workers in hardhats with a highway behind them.
    Image attribution tooltip
    John Moore via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    How the Texas DOT uses AI

    Artificial intelligence is helping traffic incident response and promises much more, department leaders said.

  • A block of apartment complexes
    Image attribution tooltip
    Arturo Rosenow via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Apartment rents begin to recover in high-supply metro areas

    Western and Sun Belt markets have posted month-over-month gains following long-term declines.

  • Two men shaking hands in front of a sign that reads "The White House - Washington."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    5 takeaways from Trump’s proposed 2026 budget for rail and public transit

    Amtrak would be spared budget cuts, while public transit could get a 1.5% funding boost.

  • A man wearing a suit and tie speaks into microphones while two men wearing suits and ties look on.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Local leaders warn U.S. Senate not to pull the plug on clean energy credits

    Bipartisan coalition says proposed cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would threaten jobs and local investments, raise energy costs and create economic uncertainty.

  • A judge's gavel is shown sitting idle on a thick, cherry stained, perhaps mahogany desk. The judge's hands are visible but out of focus in the background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kuzma via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    W.C. Smith to pay $1M in DC apartment pricing suit

    The settlement also requires the firm to reform its business practices in order to resolve allegations that it conspired with other District landlords via RealPage’s software.

  • Interior rendering of a modern convention center with high ceilings, a large glass wall on the left, an escalator leading to an upper level with glass railings, and a geometric star-shaped cutout on the right wall.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Dallas Convention Center on June 04, 2025
    Image attribution tooltip

    Dallas hires Turner, AECOM for convention center renovation

    The project, worth $3.7 billion overall, will expand the current facility to more than 2 million square feet.

  • Artist's rendering of an aerial view of an open-air train station with multiple tracks and a sleek high-speed train stopped at a platform.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of California High-Speed Rail Authority
    Image attribution tooltip

    Can California high-speed rail survive without federal funds?

    While the California High-Speed Rail Authority looks for a path forward, some believe additional state or private funding will be hard to find.

  • A cruise ship with people on deck sails past a large building with BATWorks sign over the front door.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of NYCEDC
    Image attribution tooltip

    New York bets big on green economy with Brooklyn climate innovation hub

    NYC and LA nonprofits expect BATWorks to nurture 150 cleantech startups, generate $2.6B in economic impact and create more than 600 green jobs.

  • Nighttime view of congested Midtown Manhattan street with people walking across.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alex Kent via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    NYC’s congestion pricing could be halted, but the data says it’s working

    TomTom data shows a significant shift in traffic patterns, with congestion levels dropping considerably across the city, a company expert says.

  • A person walks past a brick building and a banner hung between two trees that says "FEMA - STATE DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Allison Joyce via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Is your city prepared to weather the storm without FEMA?

    Local officials must act now to build emergency networks for community-based disaster resilience as federal support evaporates, experts say.