New York’s MTA plans to replace more than a third of its subway fleet

“We are in the midst of a public transit renaissance in New York,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul.

City officials urge federal grant application reform

The “mind-numbing” grant application process could be improved through preparation, intention and building connections, city leaders said during a National League of Cities panel. 

NYC reinvigorates push for ADUs

The city launched a dedicated website and is restarting a program to offer up to $395,000 to help qualifying homeowners build an ancillary dwelling unit.

To make housing more affordable, invest in infrastructure

Homes need roads, water systems and power to serve them. A good start is renewing the federal surface transportation funding set to expire in September, writes a building materials executive.

Cities sue EPA over endangerment finding repeal

A dozen cities and counties join states in challenging EPA’s rescission of a cornerstone climate rule, which leaves cities “to bear the costs of hotter summers, dirtier air, and extreme weather,” Denver’s mayor said.  

Uber to buy up to 50,000 robotaxis from Rivian by 2030

The agreement includes an upfront purchase of 10,000 Rivian vehicles, with an option for 40,000 more. Uber previously committed to buy up to 20,000 autonomous vehicles from Lucid. 

Idaho updates grant-management system with cloud-based platform

The modernization project consolidated multiple grant processes across state agencies into one system. It’s already saving time.

How the new NYC schools chief plans to improve rigor and equity

Kamar Samuels stresses partnerships with elected officials and community-based organizations to manage school mergers and closures.

Urban rail transit construction in the US trails population growth

Cities are opting for less costly bus rapid transit projects over subways and light rail.

How housing policy reform drove down rents in Austin, Texas

Removing regulatory barriers and subsidizing affordable housing helped clear the way for 120,000 new homes in the city between 2015 and 2024, according to Pew.

How Baltimore is working to reverse years of population loss

From port expansion to neighborhood-level housing redevelopment, Baltimore is betting on coordinated public-private partnerships to rebuild economic momentum and compete with other resurgent postindustrial cities.

Updated March 20, 2026

Zero-emission transit bus fleets continued to grow last year

More than 8,000 full-size battery and fuel-cell electric buses are in use or on the way, but uncertain federal policies and funding could slow future growth.

5 tools local governments are using to block ICE detention centers

Local governments can’t override federal authority, but they’re leveraging zoning, infrastructure limits and litigation to stop detention projects tied to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s expansion plans.

The Municipal Cost Index

The Municipal Cost Index update for February is now available.

Updated March 18, 2026

Anaheim transit system will shut down March 31

The city declined to take over the transit provider, which serves the city’s resort area. Ongoing budget deficits felled the 30-year-old agency.

Lawsuit claims NCAR changes pose ‘direct threat’ to US security

Restructuring the atmospheric research center would disrupt weather and climate data systems relied on by cities, the military and infrastructure planners, NCAR's parent agency argues.

Up to $142M in economic benefits could come from being World Cup-adjacent, one city finds

Decatur, Georgia, could see as many as 10,000 visitors a day during the FIFA World Cup soccer events in nearby Atlanta, according to an economic impact report.

Driver’s license rule affecting non-citizens takes effect despite waste hauler concerns

With the new rule, the Trump administration is "jeopardizing the essential services our communities rely on every day,” a union representing public employees said.

Amid nationwide extreme weather, scientists and Colorado leaders fight to save NCAR

Dismantling the National Center for Atmospheric Research will have “severe consequences” for protecting lives and the economy, the American Meteorological Society warned.

Could transit agency-owned land help solve California’s housing problem?

A new study identified nearly 3,000 parcels suitable for affordable housing development.

Multifamily starts jump in January

New apartment construction rose on a monthly and yearly basis, buoying residential building overall.

Bipartisan affordable housing legislation just cleared the Senate. Here’s what it could mean for cities.

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act does not tamper with local zoning regulations or include unfunded mandates, experts say.

What is a ‘sanctuary’ city? Lawmakers still can’t agree.

Sen. Lindsey Graham’s bill would punish local officials for not cooperating with immigration enforcement. But no consensus exists on what qualifies as a “sanctuary” jurisdiction or how many there are.

How real-time data can forecast traffic flow

StreetLight Data adds traffic forecasting to its monitoring software, helping officials respond faster to incidents.

New York needs more time to meet climate goals, Hochul says

“We just need some breathing room,” said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, noting high cost estimates for compliance with the 2030 goal. “My job is dealing in reality. This is the reality I have.”