Cover Story
Why Alcohol Is Still the Most Dangerous Drug
BY J.B. Wogan
It's cheaper, legal and kills more people than opioids. But public officials are much more united in the fight against drugs than alcohol.
FEATURES
Urban
Amid Scandal and Explosive Growth, Nashville Ponders Its Future
Like many other Sunbelt cities, Music City is trying to figure out what kind of place it wants to be.
BY John Buntin
Education
After Decades of Reform, Has Chicago Finally Learned How to Fix Education?
Some promising signs suggest the city may be turning around its troubled school system. It offers lessons for other struggling districts.
BY J. Brian Charles
Politics & Elections
Rhode Island's Governor Isn't a Conventional Democrat. Will That Help or Hurt Her in November?
Gina Raimondo, a former venture capitalist with blue-collar ties who has made job creation her No. 1 priority, could face a tough reelection.
BY Daniel C. Vock
Infrastructure & Environment
The New Gold Rush for Green Bonds
Investors are lining up to buy them to fund environmental projects.
BY Liz Farmer
OBSERVER
Health & Human Services
A New Twist on an Old Health Care Idea
All-payer health care, the idea of paying hospitals a flat rate, is making a comeback.
BY Alan Greenblatt
Infrastructure & Environment
Different Energy Boom, Same Mistakes?
Critics say West Virginia, which is enjoying an explosion of natural gas production and jobs, is repeating the missteps it made with the coal industry.
BY Alan Greenblatt
Public Safety & Justice
In Rural America, Violent Crime Reaches Highest Level in a Decade
The loss of jobs and the opioid epidemic are two of the biggest reasons.
BY Alan Greenblatt
Politics & Elections
This City Removed 2 Confederate Statues. Then the State Retaliated.
Inside the $250,000 fight between Memphis and Tennessee.
BY Alan Greenblatt
POLITICS + POLICY
Assessments
Why Some Cities Want Graffiti
Instead of scrubbing spray-painted tags, many places are now encouraging murals and other colorful street art.
BY Alan Ehrenhalt
Washington Watch
Federalism Is Broken. Can It Be Fixed?
Our federal system is tied up in knots. We have to try to untie them.
BY Peter Harkness
Politics & Elections
Voting Rights Debate Moves From Statehouses to Ballot Boxes
Voters will weigh in this fall on voter registration, campaign finance and redistricting.
BY Alan Greenblatt
Health & Human Services
Hygiene Equity Goes Beyond Tampon Taxes
States are making products for women and children -- particularly those in prison or poverty -- more affordable.
BY Mattie Quinn
Infrastructure & Environment
California Requires Solar Power for New Homes. Will Other States?
The state has a history of inspiring environmental movements across the country.
BY Elizabeth Daigneau
Transportation & Infrastructure
What Employers Want From Cities
Is talent the most important factor? Taxes? Crime? It's a long list.
BY Aaron M. Renn
Urban Notebook
A Case for the Surveillance State
Flashing police cameras may make neighborhoods feel ominous, but they serve a purpose.
BY Scott Beyer
PROBLEM SOLVER
Management & Labor
The Winners and Losers in Retail's Growing Divide
As more shopping moves online, most places are suffering job losses. But not everywhere.
BY Mike Maciag
Smart Management
Expiration Dates in Government: How to Know When to Ditch a Regulation
Lots have passed their sell-by date.
BY Katherine Barrett & Richard Greene
On Leadership
When's the Next Recession? Ask Medicaid Directors.
Health care costs can tell officials a lot about a state's fiscal temperature.
BY Mark Funkhouser
Public Money
The Fiscal Firebomb Looming for Small Cities in Illinois
A state law meant to hold municipalities accountable for pension payments may actually worsen a coming fiscal crisis.
BY Frank Shafroth
Politics & Elections
Behind the Lens: A Peek at One State's Politics Hall of Fame
The Louisiana Political Museum may be the only one if its kind.
BY David Kidd
PUBLISHER'S DESK
Publisher's Desk
Bridging a Growing Gap
The concept of “maximum feasible participation,” which was written into the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 -- legislation unofficially known as the War on Poverty -- captured one of the central, enduring problems in governance: how to balance administrative expertise and effective community involvement.
BY Mark Funkhouser
