Governance & Finance

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    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.

    By • Nov. 26, 2025
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    Courtesy of Turner Construction
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    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.

    By Zachary Phillips • Nov. 25, 2025
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    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.

    By • Nov. 25, 2025
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    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.

    By • Nov. 24, 2025
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    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
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    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.

    By • Updated Nov. 20, 2025
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    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.

    By • Nov. 18, 2025
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    Laser1987 via Getty Images
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    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.

    By • Updated Nov. 14, 2025
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    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.

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 13, 2025
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    Jemal Countess via Getty Images
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    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.

    By • Updated Nov. 13, 2025
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    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.

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 10, 2025
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    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.

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • Updated Nov. 7, 2025
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    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.

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 7, 2025
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    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.

    By • Nov. 6, 2025
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    Stephen Maturen via Getty Images
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    What to know about federal requests for voter data

    The Justice Department is asking states and counties for access to voter rolls. Local officials should pause before sharing the information, legal experts say.

    By Danielle McLean • Nov. 5, 2025
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    Neither rain nor snow nor digitization have stopped local governments from accepting payments by mail

    A recent Euna Solutions survey found 83% of local governments still accept payments through the post.

    By • Nov. 4, 2025
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    Washington, D.C.’s answer to public sector brain drain: 2024 Crown Communities winner

    Facing a “silver tsunami” of retirements and inequities in hiring, the District of Columbia is using paid internships to bring in young, diverse talent that’s ready to lead.

    By Lori Tobias • Nov. 4, 2025
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    Brian Kersey via Getty Images
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    Illinois legislature passes transit-friendly bill

    The legislation averts proposed service cuts and fare hikes with $1.5 billion in funding for Chicago’s public transit network.

    By • Nov. 3, 2025
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    Millions face hunger as SNAP funding ends — and cities race to respond

    Cities are creating emergency nutrition funds, reopening COVID-era aid programs and pleading with federal officials as the government shutdown threatens to cut off food assistance this weekend.

    By Vicky Uhland • Updated Oct. 31, 2025
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    How Charlottesville, Virginia, is getting its zoning back

    The city is settling a lawsuit that left it without a zoning ordinance since this summer.

    By • Oct. 29, 2025
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    Courtesy of California High-Speed Rail Authority
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    Q&A

    California high-speed rail CEO has a plan to get the project back on track

    A construction engineer by trade, Ian Choudri hired a new team, reworked the project plan and says it’s time to “build more and go forward.”

    By • Oct. 29, 2025
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    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
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    Steep insurance cost increases loom for commuter rail

    With liability insurance costs expected to rise nearly 24% next year, a bipartisan bill would give Amtrak, Brightline and commuter rail operators more time to obtain it.

    By • Oct. 20, 2025
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    Permission granted by BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group
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    Stadiums

    As stadium boom resumes, ‘private funding’ often comes with public strings

    Cities eager to tout privately financed sports stadiums are still spending big through tax breaks, land deals and public financing that shift costs back to taxpayers.

    By Vicky Uhland • Oct. 20, 2025
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    Permission granted by Thomasville Parks and Recreation
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    Great leadership builds more than facilities: Exemplary Public Servant Cory Tobin

    The Thomasville, North Carolina, parks and recreation director led development and construction of a state-of-the-art community center that delivers long-term community benefits without raising costs.

    By Lori Tobias • Oct. 16, 2025
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Chicago transit agencies propose fare hikes, restate 2026 budgets

    Hope now rides with the Illinois General Assembly to provide state funding that could prevent rail and bus service cuts.

    By • Oct. 15, 2025
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    How the government shutdown is (and isn’t) impacting housing funds for cities

    Previously approved federal housing funding streams remain available, but staff reductions could threaten core functions.

    By • Oct. 8, 2025