Minnesota bans pot smoking, vaping in multifamily properties

The move is a first of its kind among states, although 85 California municipalities have banned smoking in multifamily units, according to the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation.

California poised to require new cars to warn speeding drivers

Legislation requiring vehicles to give an audible and visual warning when drivers go more than 10 mph above the speed limit could become the nation’s first.

Want federal funds for climate-resilient projects? The EPA’s new website aims to help.

The resource comes as experts voice concerns about communities struggling to navigate complex, often overlapping federal funding programs.

New compost program framework offers a starting point for local officials

Resources from two composting-focused groups and a platform to connect local leaders seek to close the knowledge gap for officials planning an organics recycling program in their community.

Cincinnati mayor says zoning overhaul reflects a ‘generational change in how people think about cities’

Years of community engagement revealed Cincinnatians don’t support getting rid of single-family zoning altogether — but they were open to relaxing it in some areas, Mayor Aftab Pureval said.

More intercity passenger rail coming to Virginia

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority signed an agreement with freight railroad Norfolk Southern that will expand commuter service in Northern Virginia and extend Amtrak service south of Roanoke, Virginia.

Retrofits more effective in cutting operational, embodied carbon emissions than new builds: study

Notre Dame researchers analyzed over 1 million Chicago buildings. The team plans to measure buildings’ embodied carbon in most U.S. metropolitan areas by the end of 2025, a researcher said.

Pedestrian deaths from SUV, pickup truck crashes are the focus for proposed federal rule

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration wants to require new vehicles be designed to reduce the risk of serious and fatal injuries to children and adults in pedestrian collisions.

3 commercial-to-residential conversions receive city government support in Washington, D.C.

Five businesses are also getting grants to open or expand into downtown spaces that have been vacant for at least six months, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced.

Washington hopes to advance clean building standards implementation with nearly $8M DOE grant

The state’s Building Efficiency and Clean Operations Network project aims to train at least 60 fellows to provide energy services to building owners and operators.

Google pilots heat resilience tool in 14 US cities

The artificial intelligence-driven tool predicts how changes in tree canopy and reflective surfaces could reduce land surface temperature across neighborhoods.

New York enacts panic-button law to counter crime in stores

The bill signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, which requires a host of safety measures to address store-based crime, was opposed by key retail trade groups.

Multifamily permitting drops in urban areas

Higher interest rates and supply chain concerns have taken a toll on new apartment construction, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

Atlanta’s homelessness response could get a $60M infusion

A bond and the city’s affordable housing trust fund would unleash millions of dollars under a proposal by Atlanta’s mayor and city council. Up to 700 affordable housing units could be built with the funds.

Here’s how US intercity bus lines are doing in 2024

While one company CEO sees “robust growth,” another major operator declared bankruptcy, and states entered the picture to provide more bus service.

Robust community engagement good for locals, renewable energy developers: Berkeley Lab

In a first-of-its-kind survey, wind and solar developers cited community opposition and strict local siting ordinances as leading causes of project delays and cancellations.

Why Lyft is doubling down on docked bikes, scooters

Lyft CEO David Risher said the company will focus on docked bike and scooter systems, seeing micromobility as “core to our purpose.”

Homelessness response team heads to streets in Birmingham, Alabama

As it does in some California and Texas cities, the organization Urban Alchemy will respond to certain nonemergency calls in Birmingham instead of the police.

Uber to deploy autonomous vehicles on its platform through Wayve partnership

The partnership could potentially bring Wayve’s technology to more than 150 million of Uber’s monthly global users.

20-acre electric bus operations center under construction in South Florida

The "largest all-electric bus maintenance and transit operations center" in the U.S. will be home to 100 articulated 60-foot buses, a county official said.

OSHA sets late December comment deadline for extreme heat standard

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s proposed rule would require employers to develop heat injury and illness prevention plans, among other actions.

How Philadelphia cut crashes on one of its most dangerous roads

Automated speed cameras led drivers to slow down on segments of Roosevelt Boulevard. Now, a federal grant will help the city improve pedestrian safety infrastructure.

‘Housing production strategy’ passes in Portland, Oregon

In its first such plan, the city outlined dozens of ways to meet housing needs in coming years as rents and home prices outpace income.

Low-carbon materials a ‘huge opportunity’ to green the transportation sector

The U.S. Department of Transportation is releasing $800 million for state, local and other agencies to reimburse builders for using cleaner construction products, Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt said.

California tackles housing shortage, homelessness with 2 new laws

“The homelessness crisis demands immediate and innovative action, not the status quo,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has recently cracked down on encampments of people experiencing homelessness.