Public Safety
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Supreme Court blocks National Guard deployment to Chicago
Citing the Posse Comitatus Act, the justices ruled 6-3 that the Trump administration failed to meet its standard for federalizing Guard troops.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Dec. 23, 2025 -
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Bill to improve highway-rail crossing safety moves out of US House committee
The legislation would direct states to show how they would work with railroads and other stakeholders to reduce pedestrian deaths and suicides along railroad tracks.
By Dan Zukowski • Dec. 23, 2025 -
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OpinionHow cities are using AI to keep drinking water safe
An important federal deadline for identifying and replacing lead and copper service lines is less than two years away. New technology can help communities meet the LCRI mandates.
By Ajay Sharma • Dec. 22, 2025 -
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Emergency managers, meteorologists push back against breakup of NCAR climate research center
Dismantling the nation’s premier weather and climate institution would have “a horrible impact on the local level,” says the chair of the International Association of Emergency Managers USA Weather Caucus.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Dec. 19, 2025 -
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GHSA, Waymo partner on safety training for first responders
As robotaxis expand to cities across the U.S., police, firefighters and EMTs need to learn how to interact with these vehicles safely, the Governors Highway Safety Association says.
By Dan Zukowski • Dec. 18, 2025 -
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FEMALocal governments need to step up as FEMA’s future remains uncertain, experts say
The upheaval in emergency management could ultimately strengthen a long-overlooked profession, former FEMA leaders said Monday during a Carnegie Institute panel.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated Dec. 16, 2025 -
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Judge blocks federal control of California National Guard
The district court judge says the Trump administration overstepped its authority when it nationalized state troops and sent them across state lines, “effectively creating a national police force.”
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Dec. 11, 2025 -
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DOJ sues Illinois over law tightening state limits on immigration enforcement
State leaders say the law will curb abuses following high-intensity federal enforcement in Chicago. The Trump administration says it’s unconstitutional.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated Dec. 23, 2025 -
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3 Supreme Court cases local leaders shouldn’t ignore
Decisions on property seizures, warrantless entry and concealed-carry rules could force policy and procedural changes, experts say.
By Vicky Uhland • Updated Dec. 10, 2025 -
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Drug use on public transit erodes safety and traumatizes staff. A 7-step plan can help cities respond.
A five-city assessment of transit drug use calls for an integrated response that includes naloxone policies, station redesign, better partnerships, stronger outreach models and unified communications.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Dec. 9, 2025 -
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Minneapolis draws a line on federal immigration tactics
The city is refusing to support federal staging operations and has directed local law enforcement officers to intervene if residents’ rights are violated as ICE agents move into the region.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Dec. 5, 2025 -
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OpinionThe Eaton Fire showed us California’s future. Our recovery systems aren’t ready.
Ten months after the fire, many Altadena families remain displaced because permitting, remediation and housing policies are not designed for urban fire disasters. Here’s a road map to address these failures.
By Farid Yaghoubtil • Nov. 21, 2025 -
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Investing in next-generation emergency response: 2024 Crown Communities Award
Livingston County, N.Y., turned federal pandemic funds into a regional emergency training asset by building a state-of-the-art fire training tower.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Nov. 17, 2025 -
(2025). "LIVE: Last Mile Report" [Video]. Retrieved from Comptroller Brad Lander/YouTube.
Package delivery has taken a toll on New York City, comptroller says. He’s urging action in response.
Increased traffic collisions, workplace injuries and air pollution are tied to last-mile delivery operations, the comptroller’s report says.
By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 17, 2025 -
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Sponsored by ImprivataHow public safety and justice agencies can simplify CJIS compliance without slowing operations
For many public safety and justice agencies, Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance has become a daily balancing act. Learn how agencies can make compliance requirements work in the real world, from a CJIS expert.
Nov. 17, 2025 -
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ICE can access most state driver databases. States have the power to stop it, these federal lawmakers say.
Federal agents can access driver’s license photos and records through a little-understood interstate network, the elected officials said in a letter to governors. Five states have restricted access.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Nov. 14, 2025 -
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Cities sue over DOJ’s bid to tie policing grants to immigration, DEI policies
Chicago and St. Paul, Minnesota, claim new conditions on COPS funds violate the 10th Amendment and unlawfully undermine local control. In Chicago, $6.25 million is at stake.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Nov. 13, 2025 -
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Sponsored by National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO)Is your agency ready? Battling cybercrime and how NASPO can help
Cyber threats are evolving. NASPO ValuePoint offers solutions for government agencies.
By Kate Davila, Creative Accounts Director, National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) • Nov. 10, 2025 -
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AI tools for law enforcement are proliferating. Now cities and states are setting guardrails for their use.
From automated reporting to AI-powered 911 systems, AI is reshaping law enforcement faster than regulations can keep up. New state laws in California and Utah aim to set the first limits.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Nov. 7, 2025 -
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FEMAStates 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 Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Nov. 6, 2025 -
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Federal judge permanently bars National Guard troops in Portland
The U.S. District Court judge sided with Portland and Oregon officials who argued the attempted deployment violated states’ rights under the 10th Amendment and violated federal law.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated Nov. 10, 2025 -
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Newsom moves to reclaim control of California National Guard
State officials filed a district court motion arguing the Trump administration’s continued federalization of state troops has outlived its purpose and diverts resources from firefighting, drug enforcement and food relief.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Nov. 3, 2025 -
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St. Paul, Minnesota, fell victim to a cyberattack in July. It’s still recovering.
The city worked with the FBI and Minnesota National Guard in the wake of an incident that revealed the increasing severity of cyberattacks on cities.
By Ryan Kushner • Oct. 30, 2025 -
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Sponsored by Schneider ElectricStrengthening communities through smarter asset management
As infrastructure risks grow, smarter capital planning must become a strategic imperative.
Oct. 27, 2025 -
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National Guard in cities: What leaders need to know as legal battles intensify
As court rulings shift “hour by hour,” experts say city officials must build a united front with law enforcement, businesses and communities — before troops arrive.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 24, 2025
