Cover Story
Safe Drug Injection Sites Are Coming to America. Canada Has Had Them for Years.
BY Mattie Quinn
These clinics have radically changed how addicts are treated and reduced opioid overdoses in other countries. But the U.S. cities trying to open one are facing intense pushback.
FEATURES
Politics & Elections
Eric Holcomb’s Winning Political Strategy: Play Nice
The Republican governor of Indiana has quietly become one of the most effective and popular state leaders in the country.
BY Alan Greenblatt
Infrastructure & Environment
The Revival of a Once-Bustling Airport
The airline industry has changed, forcing cities to rethink the role their airports play. Pittsburgh has.
BY Daniel C. Vock
Politics & Elections
Liberal Hollywood and Conservative Politics Clash in America's New Filmmaking Hub
Elite actors are threatening to boycott Georgia over a heartbeat abortion bill, endangering the state's a-list status among major TV and movie productions.
BY Graham Vyse
Health & Human Services
Mold, Rats and No Hot Water: Will Federal Oversight Improve Public Housing in New York?
The city keeps getting slapped for the poor condition of its public housing. Nothing has changed so far.
BY J. Brian Charles
OBSERVER
Infrastructure & Environment
Should Cities Regulate How You Design Your Home?
One state tried to remove local governments' power to dictate things like paint colors.
BY Alan Greenblatt
Politics & Elections
In Wake of Scandals, 2 Major Cities May Curb Politicians' Power
Councilmembers in Chicago and Philadelphia, which give them unusual amounts of authority, are facing criminal charges.
BY Alan Greenblatt
Politics & Elections
The Go-To Lawyer for Governors Facing Impeachment
Ross Garber is the man to call when state leaders are in political peril.
BY Alan Greenblatt
Management & Labor
St. Louis Scraps Potential City-County Merger
In the face of widespread opposition and the guilty plea of a top supporter, proponents of a single metro government have put their plans on hold.
BY Alan Greenblatt
Assessments
Does a City Need a Mayor?
Well-run governments must have clear lines of leadership. Just ask Pueblo, Colo.
BY Alan Ehrenhalt
Washington Watch
Signs of Hope for the Media Industry
Its problems didn't start with Trump, but he ironically may be helping to turn some of them around.
BY Peter Harkness
Urban Notebook
After Living in 30 U.S. Cities in 3 Years, Here’s What I Learned
How housing shortages, NIMBYism and traffic are reshaping America.
BY Scott Beyer
Finance
Do Tax Breaks Help or Hurt a State’s Finances? New Study Digs Deep.
What's likely the most comprehensive research of its kind doesn't bode well for tax incentives.
BY Mike Maciag
THE BUSINESS OF GOVERNMENT
Smart Management
Performance Management Does Away With the Whip
The way governments are measuring results is becoming kinder -- and more effective.
BY Katherine Barrett & Richard Greene
On Leadership
This Republican Has a Good Point About Going Green
For sustainability to be successful, it must also be affordable. Spokane, Wash.'s mayor thinks it can be.
BY Mark Funkhouser
Public Money
The Education Investment States Should Be Making
As the idea of "free college" gains popularity, Virginia and Iowa are instead focused on career and technical education.
BY Anne Kim
Transportation & Infrastructure
What YIMBYs Get Wrong About Housing
Building anything anywhere is a short-sighted approach to fixing the affordability crisis.
BY Nicole Gelinas
Public Safety & Justice
Most Police Still Don't Carry the Drug That Reverses an Overdose
Due to the high cost of naloxone, only a fraction of the nation’s police departments equip their officers with it.
BY Mattie Quinn
Infrastructure & Environment
Is New York’s Plan to Fight Rising Sea Levels a Model for Other Cities?
“They’re trying to think from a new perspective. My hope is that we’ll see more of this boldness.”
BY Daniel C. Vock
Urban
The Government Office That Feels Like a Modern Art Museum
Photos and musings from our photographer.
BY David Kidd
