3 city AI policies to watch

Local governments are increasingly interested in using artificial intelligence to boost efficiency. These cities have established policies.

By Ryan Kushner • April 9, 2026

Trump budget proposal once again targets affordable housing, homeless assistance

Elimination of the HOME Investment Partnerships and Community Development Block Grant programs would be part of the 13% cut in the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s discretionary budget.

By Ryan Kushner • April 7, 2026

Cities’ moves to rename Chavez landmarks can be complex and costly

Local governments are fast-tracking the renaming of Cesar Chavez parks, schools and streets, but those symbolic decisions can carry significant price tags.

By Stephanie Kanowitz • April 7, 2026

5 policy principles that will be key to next surface transportation bill

A Consumer Reports white paper evaluates six options to fund highways, bridges and mass transit.

By Dan Zukowski • April 6, 2026

Trump administration effort to rewrite federal housing grant criteria hits setbacks

A judge found the administration illegally imposed a criteria change for federal funds, and an appeals court upheld an order blocking Trump from cutting permanent supportive housing grants.

By Ryan Kushner • April 6, 2026

Trump’s FY27 budget slashes climate and disaster funding, shifting costs to cities and states

Deep cuts to FEMA, EPA and climate programs would force local governments to absorb preparedness, infrastructure and resilience costs.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • April 6, 2026

Digital government’s next challenge: Making systems work together

Governments have digitized services. The challenge now is getting them to work harder.

April 6, 2026

Can raising city wages drive local growth? Detroit is about to find out.

Local leaders across the U.S. are betting that livable wages for city employees can strengthen consumer stability and community investment. But the policy could force tough choices on taxes and spending, an expert says.

By Vicky Uhland • April 3, 2026

US DOT opens $1B in funding for safe streets and roads

Eligible projects can include those for pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation, motorists and commercial vehicle operators.

By Dan Zukowski • March 31, 2026

5 strategies to help transit ballot measures succeed

Early planning and collaboration with professionals and legislators are key to gaining support for locally funded transit improvements, experts say.

By Dan Zukowski • March 26, 2026

Trump housing order could mean new barriers to federal funding for cities

Local governments may need to ease zoning and environmental rules to stay eligible for federal support, an attorney says.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • March 25, 2026

Cities struggle to meet drinking water PFAS standards by EPA deadline

Communities are grappling with how to fund removing PFAS “forever chemicals” from their water supplies, experts said during a National League of Cities panel.

By Danielle McLean • March 24, 2026

City officials urge federal grant application reform

The “mind-numbing” grant application process could be improved through preparation, intention and building connections, city leaders said during a National League of Cities panel. 

By Danielle McLean • March 23, 2026

Idaho updates grant-management system with cloud-based platform

The modernization project consolidated multiple grant processes across state agencies into one system. It’s already saving time.

By Ryan Kushner • March 20, 2026

How the new NYC schools chief plans to improve rigor and equity

Kamar Samuels stresses partnerships with elected officials and community-based organizations to manage school mergers and closures.

By Roger Riddell • March 20, 2026

How Baltimore is working to reverse years of population loss

From port expansion to neighborhood-level housing redevelopment, Baltimore is betting on coordinated public-private partnerships to rebuild economic momentum and compete with other resurgent postindustrial cities.

By Vicky Uhland • Updated March 20, 2026

Lawsuit claims NCAR changes pose ‘direct threat’ to US security

Restructuring the atmospheric research center would disrupt weather and climate data systems relied on by cities, the military and infrastructure planners, NCAR's parent agency argues.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • March 17, 2026

Up to $142M in economic benefits could come from being World Cup-adjacent, one city finds

Decatur, Georgia, could see as many as 10,000 visitors a day during the FIFA World Cup soccer events in nearby Atlanta, according to an economic impact report.

By Ryan Kushner • March 17, 2026

Bipartisan affordable housing legislation just cleared the Senate. Here’s what it could mean for cities.

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act does not tamper with local zoning regulations or include unfunded mandates, experts say.

By Ryan Kushner • March 13, 2026

Chicago might buy its downtown intercity bus station

Four bus lines serve the Midwest from the former Greyhound terminal. If the city doesn’t act, bus operators could lose access to the station.

By Dan Zukowski • March 12, 2026

FIFA World Cup US host cities to get $100M for public transportation

The Federal Transit Administration will offer each host city $8 million to $10 million to enhance public transportation during this summer’s events.

By Dan Zukowski • March 9, 2026

Nearly 40,000 ‘shovel-ready’ affordable homes in California are stuck in financial limbo, report finds

Billions in additional state funding are needed to unlock construction for 461 approved developments, according to a new analysis by Enterprise Community Partners.

By Ryan Kushner • March 9, 2026

Top public service awards in 2026

Officials and public servants who drive impact in their communities can get recognized for their service related to civic innovation, climate action, the arts and more. 

By Smart Cities Dive Staff • Updated March 11, 2026

EPA properly awarded $1.5B of now-terminated grants, federal watchdog says

The report is further evidence that Community Change Grants should not have been terminated, environmental groups say.

By Jacob Wallace • March 9, 2026

4 ways Oklahoma can ease its affordable housing crisis

An Urban Institute study detailed challenges in Oklahoma’s housing market but also noted solutions for the state.

By Ryan Kushner • March 4, 2026