Archaic zoning laws lock cities into growth patterns that hardly anybody wants. Changing the rules can help set them free.

Cities that tap private companies to run water systems often are hiring overseas firms. Some find that hard to swallow.

SARS, West Nile virus and bioterrorism are the big scares. But the greater threat is the gradual erosion of public health services.

The role of chief information officer is now about politics and relationships as much as it is about computer systems.

Sixteen states are on Moody's Investors Service negative outlook and four on negative watch, with "future credit deterioration likely," according to Robert Kurtter, senior vice president of state ratings for the credit-rating agency. Moody's had already downgraded eight states in the past two years.