Public Safety: Page 2
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Federal immigration agents to begin leaving Minnesota, Frey says
A judge asked for supplemental briefings in Minnesota’s bid to halt Operation Metro Surge as the Minnesota secretary of state refused the U.S. attorney general’s request for access to voter registration data.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Jan. 27, 2026 -
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After Pretti shooting, Minneapolis warns immigration operation is straining public safety resources
The Minnesota National Guard is deployed as a judge blocks DHS from altering evidence in the shooting. “This is taking an enormous toll,” the Minneapolis police chief said.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Jan. 26, 2026 -
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Supreme Court broadens police authority for warrantless home entry
The Case v. Montana decision replaces the Fourth Amendment’s “probable cause” requirement with “objective reasonableness” when officers believe someone is in danger.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Jan. 22, 2026 -
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Minnesota police chiefs call out federal immigration agents while mayors face DOJ subpoenas
The Department of Justice demanded records from the governor, mayors and prosecutors, while law enforcement leaders warned that immigration enforcement tactics are eroding public trust in policing.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated Jan. 21, 2026 -
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'Sanctuary' CitiesChicago, New York mayors vow to fight Trump’s ‘sanctuary’ city funding cuts
“We will be relentless until we restore every dollar that has been withheld by the Trump administration,” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Jan. 14, 2026 -
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Illinois and Minnesota sue to halt federal immigration enforcement tactics
The lawsuits allege mass ICE and Border Patrol deployments in Chicago and the Twin Cities have undermined public safety, strained municipal resources and violated constitutional limits on federal power.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Jan. 13, 2026 -
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Local officials move to hold federal immigration agents accountable after Minneapolis shooting
City and state leaders are launching investigations and public reporting portals and testing new legal tools as they weigh questions about jurisdiction, liability and the limits of federal authority.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Jan. 12, 2026 -
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State, federal authorities clash on Minneapolis ICE shooting
The Trump administration has removed the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension from investigating the death of a resident during an immigration enforcement surge.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Jan. 8, 2026 -
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8 trends that will shape cities in 2026
As federal funding becomes less predictable, cities face major shifts in transportation, housing and climate resilience in the new year.
By Smart Cities Dive Staff • Jan. 8, 2026 -
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14 predictions about what 2026 may hold for cities
AI, infrastructure needs and shifting mobility patterns will shape how cities function in 2026, experts say.
By Smart Cities Dive Staff • Jan. 7, 2026 -
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Court blocks ‘arbitrary and capricious’ changes to FEMA grants
FEMA’s “abrupt change in policy is particularly harmful to local emergency management,” the judge stated.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Jan. 6, 2026 -
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What Trump’s National Guard withdrawal means for cities
A Supreme Court ruling blocks deployments for now, but a legal expert says it increases the risk of President Donald Trump invoking the Insurrection Act.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Jan. 5, 2026 -
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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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'Sanctuary' CitiesDOJ 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 -
Permission granted by Livingston County
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
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