The Latest

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    5 steps to increasing biodiversity in cities

    Researchers from the University of Notre Dame analyzed international biodiversity initiatives and developed actionable steps cities can take.

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    Leigh Vogel via Getty Images
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    Greystar to pay FTC, Colorado $24M to settle rental fee suit

    Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson has directed the agency to develop a rule to address unfair or deceptive fees in rental housing.

  • Scott Tuner, HUD secretary, testifying before Congress
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    Local governments sue after HUD rewrites homelessness grants ‘mere weeks’ from deadline

    The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s policy shifts could displace as many as 170,000 people, according to a lawsuit.

  • 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

    Archer Aviation announced plans for an air taxi network serving Miami-area airports and attractions.

    Updated Dec. 3, 2025
  • 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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    National Guard troops headed to New Orleans for extended operation, Louisiana governor says

    Calling New Orleans a “crime-ridden city,” Gov. Jeff Landry said he welcomes the troops and an immigration crackdown called “Swamp Sweep.”

    Updated Dec. 3, 2025
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    Smart permitting, phase-out of diesel generators could curb data center impacts

    A look at what’s happening in California shows that even in an environmentally progressive state, unhealthy emissions and resource depletion are problems needing a solution, an academic report says.

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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Traffic congestion grew this year in U.S. cities, but NYC saw no increase

    Baltimore and Philadelphia saw the largest increases in traffic delays. Congestion pricing may have helped keep New York City traffic in check.

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    Permission granted by Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
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    Accelerator aims to strengthen resilience in Austin-San Antonio region

    Local governments across Texas’ fastest-growing corridor will build a shared road map to tackle flooding, extreme heat, wildfire and winter storms as population growth amplifies risk.

    Updated Dec. 2, 2025
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    The Municipal Cost Index

    After a delay the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics attributed to the federal government shutdown, the data required for the September update has been released.

    Updated Dec. 2, 2025
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    Congress mulls preempting state-level AI laws — again

    A coalition of state CIOs is asking Congress not to “strip states of their ability to address real AI risks in their communities.”

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    Shifting water infrastructure decisions to local governments could accelerate housing, advocates say

    A new WOTUS definition proposed by the EPA would give builders relief from federal permitting delays, but environmental groups warn it could leave cities more exposed to flood and water quality risks.

  • Modern train with blue roof and sides, white band along windows and red stripe along bottom with overhead wires and green trees behind.
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    Courtesy of Amtrak
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    Tracker

    US high-speed rail projects: The latest news

    The California High-Speed Rail Authority asked for proposals to build track and infrastructure next year. Keep up on all the latest news in this tracker.  

    Updated Dec. 1, 2025
  • President Donald Trump sits at a desk signing a document with several people wearing suits standing behind him.
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    EPA moves to roll back Biden-era particulate limits, signaling a major shift in clean air policy

    The agency asked the U.S. Court of Appeals to overturn the 2024 “soot standard,” citing incomplete scientific analysis and projected compliance costs.

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    City leaders ‘aren’t thinking big enough’ about AI, tech expert says

    A National League of Cities panel broke down how some cities are using artificial intelligence effectively — and how others can get started.

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    RealPage settles rent price-fixing suit with DOJ

    The algorithmic pricing software provider has agreed to limit data collection and cooperate with the agency’s lawsuits against property management companies but admits no wrongdoing.

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    NLC leaders address cities’ time of ‘uncertainty’

    “As leaders, we can’t control the chaos, but we can learn how to make sense out of it together,” National League of Cities CEO Clarence Anthony said during City Summit 2025.

  • Rendering of a tall building with many windows and a glass awning with neon letters that say UNDERGROUND.
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    Permission granted by Page, now Stantec
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    The World Cup is coming to Atlanta, spurring a historic district’s rebirth

    With new pedestrian zones, adaptive reuse projects and a focus on local business, Underground Atlanta aims to make downtown thrive long after the soccer fans have gone home.

  • An aerial view of an NFL stadium underconstruction.
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    Courtesy of Turner Construction
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    Titans’ stadium project channels billions into workforce and small business growth

    The project has expanded hiring across Nashville’s Promise Zones and supported training and community events steering residents toward skilled careers.

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    With flat revenues and increasing costs, more cities are tightening their belts

    Fiscal confidence among city finance officers is plunging as COVID-era federal aid winds down, a National League of Cities survey found.

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    Q&A

    How cities are building climate resilience even as federal funds disappear

    Cities are tapping AI, universities and streamlined procurement to prepare for and protect their communities from extreme weather, a founding member of the Local Infrastructure Hub says.

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    9 states reach $7M settlement with Greystar in rent-setting lawsuit

    The apartment giant will pay $7 million to the participating states and agree to strict new limits on its use of algorithmic pricing and data-sharing platforms.

  • 12 men and women holding shovels on a grassy area with railroad tracks and buildings in the background.
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    Courtesy of Virginia Passenger Rail Authority
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    Virginia starts construction in Alexandria to improve passenger rail

    A series of projects will increase capacity for Amtrak and commuter rail service in Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C., area.

  • A white car with roof and side mounted sensors drives through an intersetion by a red building with a white facade and sign reading "pizza."
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    Eric Thayer via Getty Images
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    Tracker

    Robotaxis: The latest developments

    Waymo starts operating in Miami and names four more cities where its robotaxis will be available in the coming weeks.

    Updated Nov. 21, 2025
  • Two people embrace surrounded by charred buildings and rubble.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    The Eaton Fire showed us California’s future. Our recovery systems aren’t ready.

    Ten months after the fire, many Altadena families remain displaced because permitting, remediation and housing policies are not designed for urban fire disasters. Here’s a road map to address these failures.

  • People in an underground subway station board a silver and orange train.
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    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
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    Will Trump kill federal funding for public transportation?

    Cutting mass transit funding and prohibiting states from using highway dollars for transit projects would impact GOP and Democratic congressional districts nearly equally, one analysis shows.

    Updated Nov. 20, 2025