Federal immigration agents to begin leaving Minnesota, Frey says

A judge asked for supplemental briefings in Minnesota’s bid to halt Operation Metro Surge as the Minnesota secretary of state refused the U.S. attorney general’s request for access to voter registration data.

LA to build computer-controlled subway line along Sepulveda corridor

The $24 billion project could cut travel time in half and improve air quality and traffic safety, Los Angeles County’s transit agency says.

HUD orders citizenship verification for 200,000 tenants

Public housing agencies must check and report on the eligibility of tenants flagged in the new EIV-SAVE Tenant Match Report.

After Pretti shooting, Minneapolis warns immigration operation is straining public safety resources

The Minnesota National Guard is deployed as a judge blocks DHS from altering evidence in the shooting. “This is taking an enormous toll,” the Minneapolis police chief said.

Air taxis and urban air mobility: The latest developments

U.K.-based Vertical Aerospace announced plans for an air taxi network serving the New York City area in 2028.

Updated Jan. 26, 2026

Expectations, reality can differ for new mayors’ first 100 days, study finds

Administrative realities dominated 15 mayors’ first 100 days in office, according to a Bloomberg Center for Cities report.

Colorado bills take ‘big swing’ at state’s housing shortage

As the state pushes to ramp up development, a lawsuit from several municipalities accuses it of overstepping its authority.

Lawsuits target EPA rollback of coal plant water pollution standards

The plants need flexibility to meet rising electricity demand, the EPA says. Environmental groups argue that undermines Clean Water Act protections for rivers and drinking water sources.

Congress advances transportation funding bill

The legislation largely maintains funding for public transportation and passenger rail but slashes a program to add intercity passenger trains.

Supreme Court broadens police authority for warrantless home entry

The Case v. Montana decision replaces the Fourth Amendment’s “probable cause” requirement with “objective reasonableness” when officers believe someone is in danger.

New Jersey towns hit another wall in fight against state’s affordable housing mandate

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit a coalition of 27 localities filed over New Jersey’s affordable housing law. The towns vow to keep fighting.

Trump issues order to curb single-family home sales to large investors

The executive order directs the attorney general to review housing acquisitions by large institutional investors for “anti-competitive practices.”

Minnesota police chiefs call out federal immigration agents while mayors face DOJ subpoenas

The Department of Justice demanded records from the governor, mayors and prosecutors, while law enforcement leaders warned that immigration enforcement tactics are eroding public trust in policing.

Updated Jan. 21, 2026

Remote work, extreme weather reshaping urban traffic patterns, report finds

Los Angeles, Honolulu, San Francisco and New York City are the nation’s most congested cities in TomTom’s 2025 traffic index.

HUD launches fair housing investigation into Minneapolis

The city said the probe “appears to be about politics, not affordable housing.”

Limits on city, state authority over AVs proposed in new federal bill

“Significant progress” has been made on the draft, its sponsor said, but safety advocates expressed concern at a recent hearing.

Cities explore tossing rental ‘junk fees’ to ease affordability crisis

Colorado has banned “hidden” fees. New York City and San Diego may follow suit.

As $10B in federal child care funds hangs in the balance, cities and counties brace for budget shock

With a court-ordered pause on a federal funding freeze set to expire this week, local governments in five states face the prospect of service disruptions, budget gaps and economic impacts if federal dollars do not resume.

With zoning and regulatory changes, cities aim to spur housing growth

The goals include increased housing density and quicker and cheaper construction. Read how Dallas’ approach stacks up against what experts see coming this year.

Alexandria, Virginia, expands transit bus electrification

The city’s bus system is adding in-route charging for its electric buses and building a new facility with up to 24 overhead chargers as the fleet grows.

Miami-Dade County launches innovation pilot with recycling app Scrapp

The partnership with Scrapp, which offers recycling education and data analytics, got a boost from a $100,000 county innovation grant.

13 transit projects expected to open in the US this year

Cities are investing in less costly bus rapid transit over light rail systems, says Yonah Freemark of The Transport Politic.

Chicago is filling vacant city lots with middle-scale housing

The city is selling its empty lots to developers for $1 and offering up to $150,000 in funding to boost medium-density housing development.

Cities should govern less like bureaucracies, more like networks, experts say

Mayors must move toward horizontal, mesh-based operating models to meet demands once handled by state and federal governments, panelists at a Harvard Bloomberg Center webinar said.

Updated Jan. 16, 2026

Chicago, New York mayors vow to fight Trump’s ‘sanctuary’ city funding cuts

“We will be relentless until we restore every dollar that has been withheld by the Trump administration,” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said.