The Stories That Defined the Year in State and Local Government

Today’s Governing Daily brings together some of our best and most-read reporting and commentary—from in-depth features on how states and cities are navigating policy, politics and innovation to sharp opinion pieces shaping the national debate.

Top 10 Governing Feature Stories of 2025

1. How Colorado Built a Bustling Intercity Bus Service
   Colorado’s Bustang service provides links between big cities and small rural communities. Approaching its 10th birthday, it has expanded service frequencies and grown its ridership.
   
   

   

   (Adobe Stock)

2. Massachusetts Legislators Want to Discourage Police From Lying to Suspects
   It’s often legal for officers to deceive suspects — but critics say this can lead to false confessions. Experts have mixed opinions about whether restricting the practice would affect case closure rates.
   
   

   

   (Carl Smith)

3. I Survived the L.A. Fires. My Home Didn't.
   The Eaton Fire consumed a home and community I had loved for decades. I went from writing about homelessness to living it.
   
   

   

   (Adobe Stock)

4. Local Governments Could Be Flying Blind as Federal Data Disappears
   State and local governments depend on federal data for everything from community planning to disaster response. What happens if it goes away?
   
   

   

   (Alex Kormann/TNS)

5. What Can Be Done to Shield State and Local Officials From Political Violence?
   Threats and harassment are on the rise, but strategies exist to bring down the temperature and reduce the likelihood of deadly outcomes.
   
   

   

   (Liv Paggiarino/TNS)

6. Las Vegas’ New Mayor Has a Slump on Her Hands. She’s Not Worried.
   Fewer people are visiting Las Vegas than last year thanks to travelers’ economic concerns and federal immigration policies. The city’s new mayor, former Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, has no doubt it’ll bounce back.
   
   

   

   (Jan Murphy/TNS)

7. What's Driving States to Ban 'Junk Food' Purchases With SNAP
   A growing number of state leaders want the federal government to forbid the use of food stamps to buy sodas and candy. It’s not a new idea, but the current administration has signaled its support.
   
   

   

   (Courtesy of Destination DC)

8. No Desire for Streetcars: A Transit Mode Falls Out of Favor
   A wave of downtown streetcars took to the streets in recent years to spur economic development. Many are struggling to prove their usefulness.
   
   

   

   (DAN GLEITER/TNS)

9. Should Cities Open Their Own Grocery Stores?
   Forty million Americans live in food deserts. Can government-owned grocery stores fix this?
   
   

   

   (FlickrCC/dannymac15_1999)

10. What the Federal Shutdown Means for States and Localities
    This shutdown could last for a while, leaving states short of funds for a variety of programs. There’s no guarantee this time that they’ll be reimbursed in the end.
    

Top 10 Governing Opinions and Analysis of 2025

1. FEMA: The Federal Agency We Don’t Like Until We Need It
   It’s appealing to say that disaster relief should be left to states and localities. The less appealing reality is that they aren’t up to the job.
   
   

   

   (Photo: King County Library System)

2. Are Libraries the New ‘Third Places’ We’re Looking For?
   They just might be. They’re doing a lot of things that don’t have much to do with books but do have a lot to do with community. And you don’t hear “Shhh” much anymore.
   
   

   

   (Alyssa Pointer and Arvin Temkar/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

3. A Governor’s Race to Watch in 2026
   What happens in Georgia could be a harbinger of the next presidential contest as well as MAGA’s future. Politicians of both parties should not underestimate the political power of Black women.
   
   

   

   (Adobe Stock)

4. It’s Not Easy Being a Blue City in a Red State
   Urban Democrats and state-level Republicans have long been at odds. Could what’s happening in Charlotte signal a ceasefire?
   
   

   

   (Photo: California Teachers Association)

5. Public Retirees’ Big Win — and What Might Happen Next
   As 2024 came to a close, the White House and Congress approved big giveaways to two subsets of state and local government employees and pensioners. There could be political backlash, and for equity’s sake there might be a case for some corrective tax policies.
   
   

   

   (Flickr/David Wilson)

6. One Small Town’s Special Sauce for Economic Revival
   A community foundation chose to take a chance on downtown rebirth.
   
   

   

   (White House photo)

7. Whatever Happened to Federalism?
   Republican presidents used to talk enthusiastically about empowering states and localities. That isn’t happening now.
   
   

   

   (Adobe Stock)

8. What Montana Can Teach Us About Housing Reform
   Two years ago, lawmakers in the Big Sky State passed one of the most comprehensive state-level housing reform packages in the country. This year, they doubled down on their success.
   
   

   

   (Adobe Stock)

9. Can a Revamped FDIC Better Protect the Public Purse?
   Important federal deposit insurance rules and possibly its entire regulatory apparatus could come into play in Washington this year. State and local treasurers need to focus on vital public and fiduciary interests.
   
   

   

   (Courtesy of Taylor University)

10. The Key Ingredients of College Town Success
    Small colleges in small towns are up against stiff odds. But some are finding ways to thrive.