Congress ramps up scrutiny on recycling amid renewed calls for federal help

The collapse of international end markets and heightened concerns over the struggles U.S. cities face have changed the conversation around recycling.

By E.A. Crunden • Feb. 10, 2020

Dallas should embrace scooters and reject arbitrary regulations

To make Dallas more accessible and clean, city council should increase the number of scooters allowed on the streets and steer clear from unreasonable ordinances.

By Chris Marchese • Feb. 10, 2020

Bogotá, Colombia wins Leading Cities' AcceliGOV competition

The city, selected for its exemplary leadership and commitments in boosting digital security, will receive a one-year pilot of Blacksands' cybersecurity solution.

By Jason Plautz , Kristin Musulin • Updated June 4, 2020

Smart Columbus introduces self-driving shuttles to opportunity zone

Two electric shuttles will operate for free in the city's Linden neighborhood through what's said to be the country's first self-driving shuttle service in a residential area. 

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 7, 2020

It took 2 years for federal agencies to meet a 45-day cybersecurity directive

The Government Accountability Office said in a report that the Department of Homeland Security "lacks a risk-based approach" to ensuring agencies are mitigating cybersecurity risks.

By Samantha Schwartz • Feb. 6, 2020

Sacramento to grow local economy through Economic Gardening pilot

Mayor Darrell Steinberg said he wants the city to stop relying on "attracting corporate headquarters," and instead focus on expanding local, young businesses.

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 5, 2020

Los Angeles, London team on 'Innovator Cities' network

The partnership aims to identify common transportation problems faced around the world and develop solutions that can work in any market.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 5, 2020

$25M fund targets Baltimore's underinvested neighborhoods

The Arctaris Baltimore fund will offer loans of up to $5 million to businesses in historically underserved neighborhoods to keep them afloat and active. 

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 3, 2020

Regional consortium to reverse-engineer tech adoption in Phoenix area

The Greater Phoenix Connective, which claims to be the country's largest smart region, will bring together university, public, private and community members to adopt tech solutions at scale. 

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 3, 2020

The 2028 Olympics has sparked a transportation revamp in LA

When hundreds of thousands of visitors descend on Los Angeles for the Games, the city hopes they will be met with swift, accommodating and clean transportation.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 3, 2020

San Antonio embraces risk-taking with 'R&D League'

The group will advise the city on making data-driven decisions using private sector research practices. "Sticking to the status quo doesn't work anymore," said the city's chief innovation officer.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 30, 2020

House Dems put climate at center of $760B infrastructure plan

The Moving Forward Framework would invest heavily in roads, transit and water systems, with efforts to cut emissions woven throughout.

By Chris Teale • Jan. 30, 2020

The cost and confusion of cleaning PFAS contamination

A lack of federal regulations has left cities scrambling to understand the health risks of PFAS and the most cost-effective ways to get it out of drinking water.

By Kristin Musulin • Jan. 29, 2020

Carmel, IN's secret to reducing traffic fatalities? Roundabouts

The city's more than 120 roundabouts have helped bring Carmel's traffic fatality rate to about six times below the national average.

By Chris Teale • Jan. 28, 2020

New York Gov. Cuomo gives e-bikes, scooters a second chance

The governor proposed a new bill that reinforces safety measures left out of failed legislation last month, such as helmet requirements.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 27, 2020

New York City bans cashless stores

New York City is now the largest city in the U.S. to ban cash-free stores, joining Philadelphia, San Francisco and New Jersey.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 24, 2020

A 'crisis of epic proportion': West Coast mayors address homelessness

Leaders convened on a panel at the U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting for a frank discussion on how cities can confront the homelessness crisis.

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 24, 2020

Pittsburgh task force created to combat algorithmic bias

The group, developed by Pitt Cyber at the University of Pittsburgh, will produce best practice recommendations for AI in local government.

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 24, 2020

Why did Nashville, TN's major transit referendum actually fail?

Nashville voters shocked local leaders when they rejected a 2018 transit overhaul plan. A new report digs into why that happened and what can be learned from the turn of events. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 23, 2020

6 takeaways from the 2019 Menino Survey of Mayors

The annual survey of 119 U.S. mayors highlighted a need for improved water infrastructure, increased cyclist safety and dedicated opportunity zone investments.

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 22, 2020

4 ways to address the growing water inequality crisis

While upgrading the nation's water infrastructure will come with a steep cost, we have the means to give every person in America equitable access to clean drinking water.

By Chris Shaffner • Jan. 21, 2020

NYC kicks off $40M census outreach campaign

The campaign will have a dedicated focus on historically undercounted communities, with $3 million to be invested in ethnic media and advertising in 16 languages.

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 17, 2020

Microsoft adds $250M to Seattle affordable housing commitment

King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles said Microsoft has "stepped up to the plate big time," a move she hopes other area tech giants follow.

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 17, 2020

HUD gives LA stipulations for federal homeless help

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti sent a letter to President Trump requesting federal aid following a HUD report that revealed California's 16.4% increase in homelessness last year.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 15, 2020

The US can still lead the race to make cities smarter and more sustainable

Through software, AI and Big Data, cities are transforming the way they generate electricity, deliver drinking water and build the clean transportation systems of the future.

By Maryrose Sylvester • Jan. 15, 2020