More than 30K warnings issued in first weeks of San Francisco speed cameras

Mayor Daniel Lurie sees automated traffic enforcement tools as a critical addition in the face of an understaffed police department.

Chicago unveils $650M stadium plan key to neighborhood redevelopment

The new Chicago Fire stadium is the catalyst for a 62-acre, pedestrian-oriented neighborhood featuring a riverwalk and interconnected community developments.

US high-speed rail projects: The latest news

The U.S. Department of Transportation canceled $4 billion in unspent grants to the California high-speed rail project.

Updated July 17, 2025

Local officials hold the key to life-saving flood and weather warnings

Accurate weather warnings are useless if they don’t reach residents in time. Take these steps to avoid mistakes that may have contributed to the tragedy in Texas.

Updated July 17, 2025

Surging copper thefts heighten facility risks

Buildings and infrastructure are increasingly vulnerable as copper prices hit record highs.

May Mobility’s robotaxis will come to 2 more US cities this year

The company will integrate its autonomous vehicles with Uber and Lyft.

$10B lawsuit targets LA over ‘epic failures’ in Palisades Fire

Class action and amended complaints accuse city and state agencies of negligence, mismanagement and cover-up in the January fire.

New certification strategy helps align cities’ green, healthy building goals

A WELL-LEED dual certification shortcut has led to more than 250 million square feet of building space meeting both climate and wellness targets.

Amtrak, high-speed rail, public transit take cuts in House 2026 budget proposal

In a markup session Monday, a House subcommittee proposed slashing the transportation department’s discretionary spending by over $3 billion.

Most states couldn’t afford disaster recovery without FEMA: report

Cities may need to establish their own recovery and resilience funds because only a handful of states are prepared to absorb proposed FEMA cuts, the Urban Institute found.  

California issues key updates on climate-risk disclosure laws

The state’s laws on emissions and financial risk reporting signal a shift in regulatory expectations that could serve as a blueprint for other states weighing similar legislation.

5 steps cities can take to prevent a flood tragedy like Kerr County’s

Cities and counties can strengthen their defenses — even on tight budgets —  with smarter maps, stronger codes and regional coordination, a flood expert says.

Updated July 16, 2025

Wisconsin raised seat belt use 25% over 20 years

A public education campaign has been targeting men aged 18 to 34, the demographic least likely to wear a seat belt.

How big-box retail projects can help support affordable housing

Architect Yanitza Brongers-Marrero looks to an upcoming Costco-anchored mixed-use project in Los Angeles as a model for financing and public benefit.

Cities sue Trump administration over termination of climate justice grants

Local governments say the EPA’s blanket cancellation of equity-related funding jeopardizes climate resilience efforts, air quality monitoring, flood mitigation and tree planting.

Four-year global city cycling campaign added 1,200 miles of bike lanes

The campaign initiated by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy helped 34 cities develop bike-friendly infrastructure.

End of tax incentive in Trump’s new policy bill could derail office conversions

Although the deduction is about making commercial buildings energy efficient, it’s been key to owners’ willingness to invest in obsolete and financially distressed properties, supporters say.

Pedestrian deaths declined last year but remain high: report

Poor lighting and the absence of sidewalks were leading factors in deadly collisions, the Governors Highway Safety Association found.

Cities see sharp decline in police fatalities

New data shows a 53% drop in officer deaths nationwide, which experts attribute to progress in public safety protocols, firearm awareness, de-escalation tactics and community support strategies.

Philadelphia sanitation strike ends with tentative pay agreement

AFSCME and Philadelphia officials confirmed the strike has ended, though the union must still ratify the terms of the deal before it becomes official. Between 1,200 and 1,300 sanitation workers were part of the strike.

Legal showdown over immigration enforcement intensifies in LA

Los Angeles and seven other cities have asked a federal judge to block ICE raids, arguing they set a dangerous precedent for unchecked federal power in urban areas.

How will Amtrak change under the second Trump administration?

The nation’s passenger railroad is adapting to White House priorities, such as by dropping high-speed rail projects.

New York Port Authority set to begin work on $1.87B bus terminal facility

The staging and storage facility is part of the $10 billion Midtown Bus Terminal Redevelopment in New York City.

Massachusetts dedicates $8B to transportation in FY2026 budget

Public transportation funding will help the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority narrow its deficit. Roads and bridges also received funding.

Detroit deploys drones and AI to target building efficiency improvements

The city has partnered with startups and a tech incubator to test drone and AI technology that guides energy retrofits, saving time and money compared with traditional assessments.

Updated July 8, 2025