$1.1 trillion a year in federal funding at risk in proposed OMB grant overhaul, municipal leaders warn

Local officials are urged to comment before July 13 on a regulatory change that would expand agencies’ power to cancel grants and alter how they manage annual funding.

By Vicky Uhland • July 10, 2026

$1.73B for roads, bridges, transit and other projects allocated in USDOT awards

More than three-quarters of grants went to road and bridge projects, while public transit received less than 10% of total award funds.

By Dan Zukowski • July 9, 2026

California return-to-office mandate puts state buildings to the test

As more than 100,000 state employees shift to four in-office days, experts say the bigger question is whether government offices are designed for how people work today.

By Joe Burns • July 9, 2026

Election security requirements added to FEMA homeland security grants

The agency is requiring states and “high-risk urban election jurisdictions” to use paper ballots and verify voter citizenship. Previous immigration and diversity-related restrictions have sparked state and local government lawsuits.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • July 9, 2026

New critical infrastructure cybersecurity framework features government, regional council options

The Trump administration has said it wants to push more cybersecurity resilience responsibilities to the state and local levels.

By Eric Geller • July 6, 2026

$900M in homelessness funding restored to California local governments

The state nearly doubled its prior proposal to fund a program that city leaders have called “the backbone of the state’s local homelessness response system.”

By Ryan Kushner • July 6, 2026

Judge rules against HUD’s ‘rapid, untimely overhaul’ of homeless funding

Although the agency’s “hastily” made changes were deemed procedurally incorrect, the court denied a request to block anti-housing-first policy changes in the next round of Continuum of Care grants.

By Ryan Kushner • July 2, 2026

This low-cost housing option is expensive to build. New law, regulatory tweaks could change that.

Rule changes proposed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Congress’ pending Road to Housing Act could clear the way for cheaper manufactured homes. But will cities accept them? 

By Ryan Kushner • June 26, 2026

FEMA offers $1.5B in anti-terrorism funding as local governments assume larger security role

Applications are open through July 24 for grants supporting cybersecurity, emergency coordination, election and border protection and transit security.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • June 25, 2026

Trump blocks Road to Housing Act after it passes Congress

Municipal leaders, who have long sought federal action to address the housing crisis, say this bill is the answer. President Trump said he won’t sign it until an election law overhaul is approved.

By Ryan Kushner • June 24, 2026

Lyft charting a path toward more walkable, connected cities

Could bikes, scooters, ride-hailing and robotaxi services be an opportunity to have fewer cars on the road? Lyft’s chief policy officer thinks so.

By Dan Zukowski • June 22, 2026

Cities leverage America250 celebrations to boost tourism, civic pride and unity

From block parties and historical reenactments to museum exhibits and concerts, cities and counties are using the nation’s milestone anniversary as a catalyst for community and connection.

By Stephanie Kanowitz • June 22, 2026

HUD suspends LA homeless services funding

A pause on federal funding for the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority could become permanent pending an investigation, the federal agency said.

By Ryan Kushner • June 15, 2026

Emergency managers welcome House proposal to strengthen FEMA funding

The Appropriations Committee approved a spending bill that streamlines disaster declaration processing and preserves preparedness grants they say are foundational to state and local response capabilities.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • June 12, 2026

Federal support for ‘critical’ local cybersecurity resource could be renewed under new bill

Sen. Mark Warner introduced legislation to restore federal funding for the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center, which many state and local governments once relied on for support.

By Ryan Kushner • June 10, 2026

How local incentives helped clinch an apartment deal in a rent-controlled Maryland county

Investors took advantage of Montgomery County’s by-right Payment in Lieu of Taxes program to buy a multifamily building that will be converted to a mixed-income affordable housing community.

By Leslie Shaver • June 8, 2026

Federal money is still there. The rules for winning it have changed.

Priorities have shifted under the Trump administration, but billions in federal dollars are still available. Communities that adapt their messaging, align with new federal priorities and stay in the game can bring that money home.

By Amanda Wood • June 8, 2026

How self-service is revolutionizing state and local government

Governments are moving from people-dependent processes to people-centric self-service. Here's why.

By David Tran • June 8, 2026

House transportation committee commits to ‘safety, reliability’ while reviewing Trump FY 2027 budget ask

“We've had a productive session so far,” said Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., during a markup session of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

By Dan Zukowski • June 5, 2026

More federal funding for local parks could soon be available. Here’s how to apply.

A new funding round could provide cities with up to $15 million for parks and recreation projects. Local engagement and implementation plans could make or break applications, experts say.

By Vicky Uhland • June 4, 2026

Nominate a project for the 2026 Smart Cities Dive Community Project Awards

The awards will highlight innovation and effective use of technology to solve real community problems.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • June 2, 2026

Washington Union Station renovation gets $466M from US DOT

The Department of Transportation will take a lead role in redeveloping the station and increasing its revenue potential.

By Dan Zukowski • May 29, 2026

How 2 cities are rethinking hiring approaches to fill public works jobs

Baltimore cut hiring bottlenecks, while Columbus, Ohio, partnered with a women’s prison to connect overlooked workers to city careers, Work for America case studies found.

By Lori Tobias • May 29, 2026

Transit, Amtrak cuts advance in House appropriations bill

The one-year bill cuts public transit funding by 22%, Amtrak by 69% and Capital Investment Grants by 78% for fiscal year 2027 but puts “a historic amount of funding” into bridges.

By Dan Zukowski • May 27, 2026

ClearGov launches interactive AI platform to communicate city budgets

Rochester Hills, Michigan, received hundreds of resident comments in a pilot effort to reach its “silent majority,” a case study found.

By Ryan Kushner • May 26, 2026