2020 Crown Communities winner: El Paso County, Texas’ pretrial justice modernization

2020 Crown Communities winner: El Paso County, Texas’ pretrial justice modernization

By Jason Axelrod • March 6, 2021

Archer to expand air taxi network to Miami

Mayor Francis Suarez says the service, which is set to launch in 2024, will help people navigate water-locked areas and improve congestion. 

By Chris Teale • Updated March 10, 2021

2020 Crown Communities winner: Gainesville, Fla. closes Dignity Village and houses its homeless population

Gainesville, Fla., won its 2020 Crown Communities Award for leveraging local partnerships to thoroughly address a major homelessness issue, all while under the pressure of the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Jason Axelrod • March 5, 2021

US infrastructure funding gap swells to $2.6 trillion: ASCE

A 'C-' rating across 17 areas of infrastructure is a slight jump from a 'D+' grade in 2017 given by the American Society of Civil Engineers. But leaders say more needs to be done at the federal level to close a 10-year investment lag.

By Chris Teale • March 4, 2021

House Democrats clear pathway to 100% clean energy by 2035

The bill would require economy-wide net-zero emissions by 2050, targeting transportation electrification, environmental justice and building efficiency. 

By Catherine Morehouse • March 3, 2021

Up to 20 cities to improve street safety by turning asphalt into art

Bloomberg Philanthropies' Asphalt Art Initiative, now in its second year, will provide each city with up to $25,000 to improve street safety and revitalize public spaces with murals.

By Chris Teale • March 3, 2021

2020 Crown Communities winner: Phases 2 and 3 of Minot, N.D.’s Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection Plan

2020 Crown Communities winner: Phases 2 and 3 of Minot, N.D.’s Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection Plan

By Jason Axelrod • March 2, 2021

Rethinking worker’s compensation with alternative dispute resolution

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.Worker’s c...

By Steven G. Kokulak • March 2, 2021

The debate over EV charging at interstate rest stops

NATSO said allowing electric chargers is the "wrong signal" from Congress, while advocates tout the need to modernize Eisenhower-era rules and provide parking.

By Jim Stinson • March 2, 2021

2020 Crown Communities winner: Harris County, Texas, Precinct 2’s ACCESS2HEALTH SmartPod

Precinct 2 of Harris County, Texas, implemented a medical college’s innovative epidemiological technology to bring COVID-19 testing to its vulnerable residents. However, the precinct’s initiative and this technology could influence pandemic response across the country.

By Jason Axelrod • March 1, 2021

Federal judge dismisses lawsuit against LADOT data sharing requirements

Two Los Angeles scooter riders sued over the city's Mobility Data Specifications, citing privacy and unreasonable search concerns. But the case was dismissed, clearing a path forward for the requirement. 

By Chris Teale • March 1, 2021

Senate passes American Rescue Plan, preserves local aid

Senators kept the $350 billion in direct relief for state and local governments, sending the bill back to the House where it is expected to pass quickly.

By Chris Teale • Updated March 8, 2021

USPS to continue purchasing gas vehicles, despite Biden all-electric pledge

The postal service says the procurement allows for flexibility, and hinted at the ability to "retrofit" some vehicles. But EV advocates say "this will lock USPS into an outdated technology for many years."

By Robert Walton • Feb. 25, 2021

Resilient Cities Catalyst to tackle California’s compounding crises

The group, born out of the 100 Resilient Cities initiative, launched the public-philanthropic California Resilience Partnership to address challenges stemming from racial injustice, climate change and the pandemic.

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 24, 2021

What UK’s Uber ruling could mean for the global gig economy

The decision to classify Uber drivers as workers could have global implications, particularly in labor-friendly countries poised to take up similar cases.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 23, 2021

How city leaders can develop, manage and maintain strategic partnerships

Now more than ever, the pandemic and economic crisis have exacerbated the need for municipal leaders to collaborate with other sectors including nonprofit, business, and philanthropy

By Megan Sheekey • Feb. 22, 2021

Climate leaders go ‘all in’ to halve emissions by 2030

The new "America Is All In" coalition of U.S. communities, businesses and institutions, has pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 with support from the federal government. 

By Chris Teale • Feb. 22, 2021

Trends for the future: Public procurement professionals adapt to the changing and challenging times ahead

This article originally appeared in the Q4 issue of Government Procurement.

By Tammy Rimes, MPA • Feb. 21, 2021

An optimistic procurement future: Maine’s Jamie Schorr and the “Perfect Opportunity”

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.This artic...

By David Yarkin • Feb. 20, 2021

The power of teamwork: Procurement teams take the lead on cooperative contracts

his article originally appeared in the Q4 issue of Government Procurement.

By Michael Keating • Feb. 20, 2021

Georgia smart city living lab unveils 5G incubator

Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners partnered with T-Mobile and Georgia Tech to help developers build test cases for 5G technology like drones and robotics. 

By Chris Teale • Feb. 19, 2021

Online sales tax collections proving essential for many state and local governments during COVID-19

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.Many state...

By Scott Peterson • Feb. 18, 2021

A smart city consultant takes the lead on a county’s vaccine rollout

Former Kansas City, MO Chief Innovation Officer Bob Bennett oversees vaccines for Wyandotte County, KS, and is using his 'smart city' experience for an efficient, equitable distribution.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 18, 2021

2021 will be remembered as a year filled with challenges, marked by the pandemic

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.With infec...

By Andy Castillo • Feb. 17, 2021

Transit workers face growing rate of assaults: ‘There’s not much we can do’

Some transit operators are asking for reassignments off the frontlines as they face increasingly violent threats from frustrated riders amid COVID-19.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 17, 2021