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.

San Francisco commuter railroads face fiscal cliff in 2027

A November 2026 ballot measure would tax San Francisco and five Bay Area counties to help Caltrain and Bay Area Rapid Transit close their budget gaps.

Updated Nov. 14, 2025

ICE can access most state driver databases. States have the power to stop it, these federal lawmakers say.

Federal agents can access driver’s license photos and records through a little-understood interstate network, the elected officials said in a letter to governors. Five states have restricted access.

Rents continue to slip in October, report finds

Economic uncertainty is cracking consumer confidence, and multifamily operators are responding with concessions, according to a new Yardi Matrix report.

Cities sue over DOJ’s bid to tie policing grants to immigration, DEI policies

Chicago and St. Paul, Minnesota, claim new conditions on COPS funds violate the 10th Amendment and unlawfully undermine local control. In Chicago, $6.25 million is at stake.

Trump called the Digital Equity Act ‘racist and illegal.’ This nonprofit is pushing back.

The National Digital Inclusion Alliance is suing the Trump administration after its $25.7 million grant to bridge the digital divide was terminated.

SNAP funding restored through September 2026

The funding bill President Donald Trump signed Wednesday includes $107.5 billion for SNAP and $8.2 billion for WIC.

St. Paul, Minnesota, and environmental groups sue over canceled DOE clean energy grants

The lawsuit claims the Trump administration’s cancellation of $7.56 billion in grants for projects in 16 states was politically motivated.

Updated Nov. 13, 2025

CARB defunds California e-bike incentive program

Overwhelming demand plagued the program, but it could return in “future years,” according to the California Air Resources Board.

AI came to San Francisco. A ‘homebuying boom’ followed.

Homes are being scooped up as high-paying AI jobs flood the city — but a lack of supply looms, a Redfin analysis shows.

New York seeks feedback on 10-year waste strategy

The city’s sanitation department sets goals for expanding composting and rethinking its recycling infrastructure as it looks to boost diversion and phase out landfill reliance.

Federal judge permanently bars National Guard troops in Portland

The U.S. District Court judge sided with Portland and Oregon officials who argued the attempted deployment violated states’ rights under the 10th Amendment and violated federal law.

Updated Nov. 10, 2025

AI is moving fast. This project aims to help states keep up — responsibly.

The Rockefeller Foundation and Center for Civic Futures launched the AI Readiness Project to help public officials collaborate on artificial intelligence use.

USDA reverses course on SNAP

The agency that runs the food aid program said Saturday that states are not authorized to load full November benefits.

AI tools for law enforcement are proliferating. Now cities and states are setting guardrails for their use.

From automated reporting to AI-powered 911 systems, AI is reshaping law enforcement faster than regulations can keep up. New state laws in California and Utah aim to set the first limits.

As ICE raids rage on, Chicago is faced with a question: Should evictions be paused?

Tenant advocates are asking the city for relief reminiscent of the pandemic era as “Operation Midway Blitz” upends daily life for many.

USDA will fully cover SNAP benefits for November

The department said Friday it has started issuing funds to states in order to comply with a Rhode Island court order.

Updated Nov. 7, 2025

Trump administration fights court order to fully fund SNAP

The Justice Department is appealing a Rhode Island federal judge’s ruling, further complicating the chaotic suspension of federal food assistance benefits.

States sue FEMA over new grant rules

A 12-state coalition claims recent changes unlawfully tie funding to population data they can’t access and shorten timelines so drastically that cities can’t use the money.

Voters approve $11.7B in local ballot measures to fund public transit

“Transit is winning,” said an American Public Transportation Association executive, citing an 81% win rate among 16 measures in seven states.

Updated Nov. 6, 2025

How 8 housing-related proposals fared in November’s elections

Ballot measures in Colorado, Montana, New York and Washington saw mixed results on Nov. 4.