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

Adaptive reuse projects accelerate, driven by schools, offices

Chicago is leading the nation in conversions, as the pipeline for these projects has increased 19% across the U.S, according to RentCafe.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

There was no place for his family to sit. Now the ‘Bench Mench’ has installed 22 benches in Indianapolis.

Anderson York calls his DIY project “a little bit of good mischief.” 

The unlikely alliances that transformed New York

Diverse coalitions helped get the nation’s first congestion pricing program implemented. Other cities can follow their lead and see similar benefits, says the leader of a transit advocacy group.

Power outages getting longer as extreme weather takes larger toll, report says

The average length of the longest power outage has increased in all regions since 2022, according to JD Power. 

The water workforce is graying. Here’s what we need to do to restart the pipeline.

Broad-based coalitions must raise awareness of the industry, create training and employment programs and embrace artificial intelligence to grow the U.S. water infrastructure workforce.

States agree on AI’s economic advantage — whether they’re ready for it is another story

While 88% of economic and workforce development leaders see the importance of artificial intelligence, only 6% of states have a plan to act on it, a new survey says.

Building climate-resilient communities: The case for performance-based codes

As communities face increasingly severe climate-related disasters, a shift to performance-based building codes is one of the most effective tools they have for protecting against future natural catastrophes and reinforcing community resilience.

Package delivery has taken a toll on New York City, comptroller says. He’s urging action in response.

Increased traffic collisions, workplace injuries and air pollution are tied to last-mile delivery operations, the comptroller’s report says.

New Orleans’ housing market is stagnating. Affordability mandates are holding it back, a study says.

The city requires 10% of units in new residential developments to be affordable.

Investing in next-generation emergency response: 2024 Crown Communities Award

Livingston County, N.Y., turned federal pandemic funds into a regional emergency training asset by building a state-of-the-art fire training tower.

HUD is back online — and is making cuts to its homelessness program

Housing and rental assistance programs are returning after the federal government shutdown, but funding for permanent housing is getting the ax.