The Latest

  • Yellow sign with graphic of a traffic signal reads "Red light photo enforced" over another yellow sign depicting pedestrians against a blurred backround of a city street.
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    US DOT looks to limit traffic safety camera funding

    Automated red-light and speed enforcement cameras will no longer be eligible for certain federal grants except in school or work zones.

  • A main streeet with parked cars and low storefronts on a sunny day.
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    The image by Dwight Burdette is licensed under CC BY 3.0
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    Can the maker economy drive local economic revitalization? 6 Michigan communities are about to find out.

    Leaders from six Southeastern Michigan communities will receive training on revitalizing downtowns by supporting small-scale manufacturing.

  • Double exposure of coin stack and notebook laptop computer with financial graph on white paper business planning vision and finance analysis concept
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    The Municipal Cost Index

    The Municipal Cost Index, which provides results that local government officials use to monitor commodity price increases and trends, is now available for December 2025.

    Updated Feb. 3, 2026
  • Utah Gov. Spencer Cox
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    The image by Utah Reps is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Utah is planning to construct a vast homeless shelter. Some critics are calling it a ‘detention camp.’

    Two members of Congress joined the National Homelessness Law Center in calling for a rejection of federal funding for the 1,300-bed facility in Salt Lake City.

  • A white vehicle outfitted with many sensors stopped at a curb in with people and buildings in the background.
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    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
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    Tracker

    Robotaxis: The latest developments

    The Tesla Cybercab will go into production in April, according to Elon Musk, and Tesla owners could one day enlist their vehicles in the company’s robotaxi fleet.

    Updated Feb. 2, 2026
  • A blurred view of a city street, neon U.S. flag and person with an umbrella.
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    The Smart Cities outlook for 2026: Pressure points for city leaders

    As cities navigate housing reform, transportation needs, climate resilience, AI and changes in federal funding, 2026 will be a consequential year for how they govern, budget and protect their autonomy.

  • View from rear seat of a vehicle with a computer screen showing roadway map and conditions.
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    Courtesy of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
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    Ohio DOT-Honda project demonstrates connected vehicle road hazard detection

    Connected vehicle data could improve worker safety and reduce costs, partners said about the two-year project's results.

  • Aerial view of apartment property
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    Permission granted by Neighborhood Ventures
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    Where one investor sees distressed apartment opportunities

    Neighborhood Ventures is launching a second opportunistic $25 million fund to acquire troubled multifamily properties.

  • Men and women seated along a row of tables with two rows of chairs behind them.
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    (2026). "Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Member Day" [Video]. Retrieved from T&I Committee Republicans/YouTube.
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    Deep Dive // Surface Transportation Funding

    Surface transportation bill will shape the U.S. transportation outlook

    Preserving public transit funding, increasing safety and issues of local and state control are among stakeholder priorities. Can lawmakers forge a bipartisan path forward?

  • Silhouette of person's head surrounded by cityscape.
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    How cities are using AI in 2026

    “We’re all in learning mode … and looking at it with a wary eye,” one mayor said about AI’s potential for municipal operations. Read more in this 2026 outlook.

    Updated Feb. 2, 2026
  • View of a truck tipping waste on the floor of an industrial incineration facility
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    Cole Rosengren/Smart Cities Dive
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    Minneapolis, Philadelphia and Miami metros debate incinerator plans

    Advocates continue to pressure officials to close or cut off waste shipments to incinerators in Minneapolis and the Philadelphia area. But progress continues on an incinerator in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

  • Three people kneel and one person stands in front of large signs that say "Renee Good, American Mom" and "Alex Pretti, ICU Nurse"
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Local officials nationwide move to hold federal immigration agents accountable after Alex Pretti’s death

    Mayors, attorneys general and lawmakers are advancing new laws and coalitions to prosecute federal agents who exceed their lawful authority. “It can happen anywhere,” a Minnesota mayor said.

  • A large round machine with cutting wheels on its green face inside an industrial building.
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    Courtesy of Gateway Program
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    Hudson Tunnel construction may stop as Trump withholds funding

    Nearly 1,000 workers will lose their jobs on Feb. 6 if the $16 billion project in New York and New Jersey is put on hold, the project authority said.

  • President Donald Trump speaks at a podium with a seal in front of U.S. and other flags.
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    How Trump could make good on his threats to cut ‘sanctuary’ city funding

    The administration could quietly squeeze cities through discretionary grants, a legal expert says. Here’s how cities should prepare for Trump’s Feb. 1 deadline.

  • Shell EV charging
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    Trump administration must release EV charger funds, court rules

    The court order clears the way for states to implement infrastructure plans they’ve worked for years to develop, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy said.

  • A person wearing winter coat and gloves holds a sign that says "ICE OUT OF MPLS!"
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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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.

  • Aerial view of congested multilane highway between hills and homes.
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    S. Greg Panosian via Getty Images
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    LA to build computer-controlled subway line along Sepulveda corridor

    The $24 billion project could cut travel time in half and improve air quality and traffic safety, Los Angeles County’s transit agency says.

  • The Department of Housing and Urban Development
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    HUD orders citizenship verification for 200,000 tenants

    Public housing agencies must check and report on the eligibility of tenants flagged in the new EIV-SAVE Tenant Match Report.

  • A person wearing a helmet speaks into a bullhorn to a large crowd holding signs.
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    Stephen Maturen via Getty Images
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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.

  • Two futuristic electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft fly over farmland.
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    Courtesy of Joby Aviation
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    Tracker

    Air taxis and urban air mobility: The latest developments

    U.K.-based Vertical Aerospace announced plans for an air taxi network serving the New York City area in 2028.

    Updated Jan. 26, 2026
  • Stone building that says "City Hall."
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    Expectations, reality can differ for new mayors’ first 100 days, study finds

    Administrative realities dominated 15 mayors’ first 100 days in office, according to a Bloomberg Center for Cities report.

  • The Colorado Capitol building.
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    Colorado bills take ‘big swing’ at state’s housing shortage

    As the state pushes to ramp up development, a lawsuit from several municipalities accuses it of overstepping its authority.

  • Two people look across a river at smoke stacks with white steam coming out of them.
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    Jeff Swensen via Getty Images
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    Lawsuits target EPA rollback of coal plant water pollution standards

    The plants need flexibility to meet rising electricity demand, the EPA says. Environmental groups argue that undermines Clean Water Act protections for rivers and drinking water sources.

  • A fence in the reads"What's Happening Here: The Second Avenue Subway" with three construction workers standing on dirt next to a small brick building.
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Congress advances transportation funding bill

    The legislation largely maintains funding for public transportation and passenger rail but slashes a program to add intercity passenger trains.

  • A police car parked on a suburban street.
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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.