$20B in federal climate grants unblocked by appeals court

A divided court rejected the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s attempt to reclaim Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund grants “based solely on a policy disagreement” with the Inflation Reduction Act. 

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Aug. 5, 2026

Smaller communities wary of proposed federal grant overhaul

The changes could discourage small cities from applying for federal funding and increase municipal budget uncertainty, College Park, Georgia, Mayor Bianca Motley Broom says.

By Vicky Uhland • Aug. 4, 2026

SNAP cuts could shift new costs onto cities, mayors say

Emergency services could be impacted, and the reduced federal food assistance and higher administrative costs will ripple through local economies, city leaders warn.

By Vicky Uhland • July 31, 2026

Boston’s $10B coastal resilience infrastructure plan wins access to billions in federal funding

The city qualifies for a 65% federal cost share following a U.S. Army Corps feasibility study, paving the way for more than 20 flood-protection projects expected to prevent $41 billion in damages.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • July 30, 2026

Washington Union Station renovation seeks private investment

The U.S. Department of Transportation will invest $24 million to develop a public-private partnership, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.

By Dan Zukowski • July 29, 2026

HUD fair housing funding changes blocked in court

The agency must reinstate a prior structure for its latest funding round after a judge said explanations for its recent changes did not “add up.” HUD says it stands behind the legality of the changes.

By Ryan Kushner • Updated Aug. 27, 2026

Mass transit, bike lanes, EV infrastructure face substantial cuts in DOT proposal

Building and expanding interstate highways is a priority for the administration’s next surface transportation legislation, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a letter to six Senate leaders.

By Dan Zukowski • July 27, 2026

$530M from state millionaire tax will go to Boston-area transit agency

The infusion from the state’s fiscal year 2027 budget will help cover the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s operating expenses.

By Dan Zukowski • July 24, 2026

Multiyear surface transportation legislation in doubt, experts say

The legislation that funds highways and mass transit appears stalled in the Senate after the House passed a bipartisan five-year bill.

By Dan Zukowski • July 21, 2026

This demographic shift could reshape cities, Urban Institute says

Shrinking birthrates could weaken local economies if cities don't make it easier for families to put down roots, according to a new report.

By Stephanie Kanowitz • July 20, 2026

Bike lanes, speed cameras removed from FHWA safety measures list

The Federal Highway Administration did not announce its decision to remove the measures. One member of Congress has asked it to explain.

By Dan Zukowski • July 17, 2026

Top concerns of city leaders: 4 takeaways from NLC’s State of the Cities 2026

As they face shrinking federal support and housing shortages, city leaders focus on attracting business for economic growth, a National League of Cities report found.

By Vicky Uhland • July 14, 2026

Congress delays OMB grant overhaul in temporary spending bill

The stopgap spending bill pauses the proposed rewrite of the Uniform Guidance through Dec. 11, but the fight over federal control of grantmaking is far from over.

By Vicky Uhland • Updated Sept. 2, 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