News
Now a federal holiday, its roots are based in local, grass-roots celebrations dating back to the Civil War. Once nearly forgotten, the rebirth of Juneteenth speaks to America’s ongoing struggle for racial equality.
If voters approve the measure in November, it would raise county sales tax by one-half of 1 percent for 40 years and fund dozens of transportation projects. But critics are concerned that it could risk the region’s climate goals.
The state’s Select Committee on Blockchain, Financial Technology and Digital Innovation Technology discussed allowing state politicians to accept digital currency donations. No formal decisions were made.
In 2019, the New York State Industries for the Disabled helped employ 5,293 workers with a disability. Yet, the state ranked 43rd out of the 50 states for residents with a disability who were employed.
In a June 14 special election, Mayra Flores helped flip a longtime Democratic stronghold and became the first congresswoman-elect to be born in Mexico. The Republican will fill the remainder of Rep. Filemon Vela’s term.
Connecticut state Rep. Anthony Nolan, who is Black, arguing in favor of making Juneteenth a paid holiday in the state for its major significance in American and Black history. Despite Congress and President Biden making Juneteenth a federal holiday last year, the move didn’t automate adoption in all states. (NPR — June 15, 2022)
The street vendors who sell food to downtown customers are a boon to urban life. Cities ought to have more of them.
Starting in the 1990s, many cities have come back, growing in population while reducing sky-high rates of crime. A. K. Sandoval-Strausz talks about the overlooked impact of Latino immigrants on their rebirth.
The U.S. is losing 36 million trees every year. Several organizations have stepped up with creative solutions to save the wood, reduce carbon emissions and create jobs.
In one of the state’s most hotly-contested races, Republican Nancy Mace has won the primary race to represent the 1st Congressional District, beating Trump-backed Katie Arrington. Mace will face Annie Andrews in November.
The ballot measure would have asked voters if app-based drivers should be considered employees or independent contractors. The judges said the petition was “vaguely worded.”
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services hid hospital ratings on surgical complications from public view for the first half of 2020 due to COVID-19 and proposed to continue the practice for data through mid-2021.
A Livermore-based company hopes to implement fleets of driver-optional, electric tractors to farms and vineyards by the end of this year. But critics say the company has yet to prove its autonomous tractors are safe enough for use.
New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, regarding the Republican-led Otero County Commission’s refusal to certify the June 7 primary election results due to distrust in the vote-counting machines. State law allows county canvass boards to call on a voting precinct board to address specific voting discrepancies, but the Otero commission has not identified any discrepancies. Toulouse Oliver has accused the commission of willful violations of the state election code. (Associated Press — June 15, 2022)
The number of customers’ water taps that lost pressure or went completely dry in Odessa, Texas, after a...
Local governments are eyeing spaceports as a way to boost economic development within their regions. But environmentalists are concerned about the ports' impacts on sensitive habitats, public safety and drinking water.
With billions of broadband infrastructure dollars at stake, states have to ensure that digital equity programs are sustainable long after federal money has been spent. Here’s how they can do it.
Republican gubernatorial hopeful Perry Johnson wants Michigan to stop printing ballots for the August primary while he tries to overturn his disqualification from the race. A federal judge denied Johnson’s request on Monday.
Starting this year, an initiative between several of the California county’s agencies could approve the clearance of up to 10,000 low-level criminal convictions annually; the current court process tops out at 1,800 clearances a year.
The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program will provide $140 million to develop electric vehicle charging stations. About 40 percent of the federal funding will be invested in disadvantaged communities.
A state judge has vacated a $1 million fine levied against the energy company in 2019 for repeated power outages between 2014 and 2017. The City Council has vowed to appeal the ruling.
California state Assembly member Heath Flora, regarding Amazon’s testing of its drone delivery in Lockeford, Calif. The delivery service, called Prime Air, will begin in Lockeford later this year and will be able to deliver packages weighing up to five pounds. (The Hill — June 13, 2022)
The amount the Federal Railroad Administration will use to fund 25 projects in...
Pre-emption has been on the upswing in recent years, leaving many city leaders frustrated. Richard Schragger, author of City Power, talks about the fallout from this power struggle and how it can hurt urban growth.
It seemed we were on a path to genuine progress after the death of George Floyd, but those efforts have faded. There are things we can do to get back on track.
Federal cybersecurity grants are expected “in the coming months,” with CISA still mulling feedback and finalizing. Local governments should use the time to ensure they’re part of any state planning processes.
During the pandemic, a record-breaking number of people of all ages quit their jobs in “the Great Resignation.” But as inflation rises and employers increase wages to attract workers amid a labor shortage, many are returning to the workforce.
Every candidate running for Wyoming’s secretary of state has said election integrity was their top priority, even as several of the candidates believe the state’s 2020 elections were without fraud.
While the state has always been an open-carry state, the new law now allows gun owners to carry a firearm without undergoing gun safety training required for a permit. Critics worry the new law will risk public safety.
