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The Twin Cities have always been alike in some ways, very different in others. Their mayors reflect the differences and similar monumental challenges.
Private geographic information companies, rich with useful data, have transportation solutions that governments need to start using.
Earlier this month, the California city launched its Mobile Assistance Community Responders program, which sends trained civilians to respond to emergency mental health crises, allowing police to focus on violent crime response.
Jocelyn Benson’s office retracted its previous statement about no longer releasing driving records of “victims of violence,” like that of Patrick Lyoya, to the media after the policy sparked transparency concerns.
The utility’s commitment to entirely renewable fuel sources marks a significant step forward in complying with New York’s climate change law. Currently, most upstate homes are heated in the winter exclusively by fossil fuels.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, asking the Legislature to repeal a 1967 law that allows Walt Disney World to operate a private government over its properties. The statement comes after Disney announced that it would suspend political donations in the state after the commonly called “Don’t Say Gay” bill that bars teachings about sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades. Disney is one of the state’s biggest private employers. (Associated Press — April 19, 2022)
The estimated amount that Texas lost per day as a result of the week-long increased border security policy, which caused longer wait times and delayed shipments of products.
Our system is too open to frivolous lawsuits intended to squelch free speech. There’s a lot that state lawmakers could do to protect Americans’ First Amendment rights.
Federal lawmakers are asking how to better help the critical infrastructure sector defend against cyber threats. The answer may involve tailored, actionable intelligence and minimum cybersecurity requirements.
The American Rescue Plan Act funds were intended to help local governments and small businesses confront the financial impact of COVID-19, but many officials view the money as an opportunity to invest in future generations.
The City Council appointed residents to create a redistricting map that would make the process more politically independent. Some want the city to consider an independent commission for future maps.
The city is an outlier among major metropolitan areas for its decision to reinstate its mandate for indoor masking as of April 18, but not everyone agrees that it’s the best way to respond to recent data.
A New York state audit found that the school district’s decision to award a contract for a now-illegal facial recognition security system without competitive bidding was legal, despite its lack of transparency.
Similar past bills that would have allowed greater control over the collection, sale and storage of personal data did not advance as far as this proposed bill. The legislative session closes on May 4.
Tina Maloney, a real estate investor from St. Charles, Mo., regarding Eric Greitens’ candidacy for a U.S. Senate seat, despite allegations from his ex-wife that Greitens physically abused her and one of his children. In 2018, Greitens stepped aside as Missouri’s governor due to accusations of blackmail, bondage and sexual assault. Many Republicans want Greitens, who is also a Republican, to end his candidacy though Greitens has shown no sign of stepping back. (Associated Press — April 18, 2022)
The number of K-12 mathematics textbooks that the Florida education department has rejected, making up 41 percent of the 132 total books submitted for review; 28 of the books were rejected because they “incorporate prohibited topics or unsolicited strategies, including [critical race theory].” Among the rejected titles were 70 percent of math materials for kindergarten through fifth grades, 20 percent of the materials for grades six through eight and 35 percent of materials for grades nine through 12.
Kate Wright, the new executive director of the nonprofit Climate Mayors, talks about the ways that mayors from both parties are on climate’s front lines, working for change.
When urbanists gather, too often the bias is to the issues faced by coastal cities and the Sun Belt. The sense of Midwest irrelevance has always been a part of the American psyche.
Weeks after the U.S. and the G7 countries weaponized the global financial system to impose their harshest-ever sanctions on Russia, fissures are becoming apparent. Countries impose but often backpedal on sanctions against bad actors for a simple reason — a reluctance to go to war.
Smaller cities. Soaring water prices. Scorched desert towns. Arizona confronts a highly uncertain future.
The bipartisan infrastructure bill appears to transform how the federal government subsidizes broadband infrastructure. But evidence suggests that big companies may not allow the status quo to change without a fight.
Interviews and surveys with hundreds of teachers and school administrators reveal the effect of persistent staffing shortages on school personnel – and on students.
To help address hiring and retention issues, the city police plan to hire 35 civilians this year to investigate low-level crimes, internal affairs complaints and cold cases. The department currently has 519 civilian employees.
Advocates worry that the transition to 988, the National Suicide Hotline telephone number, is underfunded and understaffed, which could limit some callers’ ability to get through when the switch is made in July.
A new report found that as many as 300,000 households in the city and St. Louis County lack high-quality Internet access and 25 percent of homes in the city do not even have a computer.
Many are hopeful that the “ghost” library will increase accessibility for residents who don’t have a public library nearby. But some worry the staffless design could create frustrations if patrons experience technology issues.
Marccus Hendricks, assistant professor of urban studies and planning at the University of Maryland, regarding the importance of investing federal spending dollars in infrastructure projects that are better adapted to climate change and heavier rainfalls, such as rain gardens or plants along street medians. The heaviest storms in the Northeast produce 55 percent more rain today than they did in 1958. (NPR — April 15, 2022)
The number of non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, that were released on Justice Day, April 15, by Terrence Floyd, George Floyd’s brother and the founder of the nonprofit We Are Floyd Org. The proceeds of the NFTs will go to three charities: the Breonna Taylor Foundation, the John and Lilian Miles Lewis Foundation and the We Are Floyd Org.
Shouldn’t being able to live in an affordable, safe and sanitary home be considered a human right? There are several ways local leaders could attack the problem.
Plus a look at how redistricting reduces competition; why Trump remains the price of admission into GOP primaries; and, the trouble Democrats are in ahead of the midterms.
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