New Baltimore subway cars begin to replace 40-year-old trains

Assembled at a Hitachi factory in Maryland, the rail cars represent a “generational investment,” said a Maryland transportation official.

Local officials move to hold federal immigration agents accountable after Minneapolis shooting

City and state leaders are launching investigations and public reporting portals and testing new legal tools as they weigh questions about jurisdiction, liability and the limits of federal authority.

Atlanta region transit agency prepares for FIFA World Cup

A redesigned bus network and new trains are among the improvements expected to be ready by summer.

Louisville, Kentucky, joins growing number of cities bringing AI to permitting

The city also appointed its first-ever chief AI officer to lead its effort to “harness the power” of artificial intelligence.

Investors, analysts react to Trump’s single-family home buying ban

The president’s announcement that he would seek to bar institutional investors from acquiring single-family homes raises big questions for the housing industry.

Senate ‘housing emergency’ bill seeks to spur construction of 4 million US homes

New legislation asks the federal government to curtail local housing regulations and use the Defense Production Act to boost domestic production of construction materials.

US DOT awards $1B in SS4A funds for road safety

Under a revised Safe Streets and Roads for All program that eliminated equity and environmental justice considerations, awards went to 521 projects.

Trump administration sues cities to stop gas appliance bans

Federal courts have been mixed on whether the bans run counter to a federal law that sets appliance efficiency standards, which the government argues preempts the bans.

As federal safety nets disappear, states and cities need rent control

With America’s rent crisis deepening, state and local leaders should use rent control to protect residents, preserve communities and stabilize the economy.

8 trends that will shape cities in 2026

As federal funding becomes less predictable, cities face major shifts in transportation, housing and climate resilience in the new year.

State, federal authorities clash on Minneapolis ICE shooting

The Trump administration has removed the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension from investigating the death of a resident during an immigration enforcement surge.

One week in, Mamdani begins reshaping NYC housing

Mayor Zohran Mamdani pledged to improve New York City’s beleaguered housing supply. His first week in office saw a number of executive orders aimed at accelerating housing and cutting costs.

Air taxis and urban air mobility: The latest developments

Joby Aviation acquired a manufacturing facility in Dayton, Ohio, that will double its production capacity next year.

Updated Jan. 8, 2026

14 predictions about what 2026 may hold for cities

AI, infrastructure needs and shifting mobility patterns will shape how cities function in 2026, experts say.

California high-speed rail project pivots toward public-private partnership

Abandoning funding from the federal government, the California High-Speed Rail Authority said it sees strong interest from the private sector.

Uber, Lucid and Nuro unveil jointly developed ‘global robotaxi’ at CES

The robotaxi is purpose-built for Uber’s ride-hailing network and features Nuro’s autonomous driving technology.

New York’s congestion pricing will face off with Trump administration in court this month

After a year, the tolling program has reduced air pollution and traffic congestion while improving economic activity in Manhattan, the region’s transit authority said.

Court blocks ‘arbitrary and capricious’ changes to FEMA grants

FEMA’s “abrupt change in policy is particularly harmful to local emergency management,” the judge stated.

Virginia Beach looks to kick-start affordable housing with new grant program

More than 370 affordable rental units are in the pipeline following rezoning efforts and the launch of an Attainable Workforce Housing Performance Grant, the city said.

What Trump’s National Guard withdrawal means for cities

A Supreme Court ruling blocks deployments for now, but a legal expert says it increases the risk of President Donald Trump invoking the Insurrection Act. 

Waymo updating software following robotaxi failures during San Francisco blackout

Waymo explained why its vehicles responded inappropriately during a wide-scale power outage and outlined steps to prevent a recurrence.

Updated Jan. 5, 2026

Want insights on your city’s infrastructure? Now you can Google it.

New Ask Google Earth feature allows users to see everything from the number of stop signs to storm drains in a city.

Home efficiency upgrades could offset data center loads while creating jobs: report

An analysis from energy policy group AnnDyl shows significant potential benefits for local grids, employment and utility ratepayers when data center companies invest in residential energy efficiency.

Supreme Court blocks National Guard deployment to Chicago

Citing the Posse Comitatus Act, the justices ruled 6-3 that the Trump administration failed to meet its standard for federalizing Guard troops.

Chicago faces government shutdown threat as budget clock ticks

In an unprecedented move, the City Council passed a budget without mayoral backing, exposing deep divisions over how to close the city’s revenue gaps.