Urban Planning/Transportation / Public News Service

Many Fargo residents want to stay in their communities but are struggling to maintain their properties as they age. (FiledIMAGE/Adobe Stock)

Friday, July 26, 2024

ND seeks better housing for older population

A new design competition is looking to find better housing for Fargo's aging population. Like many other states, North Dakota has a growing number …

Although the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing barriers to employment for people with disabilities, it created new opportunities through remote work. (Adobe Stock)

Friday, July 26, 2024

34 Years of the ADA

New York disability-rights advocates are celebrating the 34th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The 1990 …

Most of the buses in Minnesota's rural transportation system are ADA-compliant and equipped with wheelchair lifts for passengers with disabilities. (Arrowhead Transit)

Friday, July 26, 2024

Rural MN communities gain expanded public transportation options

Traveling around rural Minnesota can be difficult but in more than half the state, nonprofit transit systems are helping people get where they need …

The latest project for Rhonda and Kim Theus,

Friday, July 26, 2024

Art breathes new life into pollution-ravaged MI community

By Randiah Camille Green for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Chrystal Blair for Michigan News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News …

New EPA rules on tailpipe pollution are expected to lead to $62 billion in reduced annual fuel costs, and maintenance and repair costs for drivers. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, July 25, 2024

EPA clean-car standards projected to bring $100B annual benefits

Clean-air advocates in Colorado are celebrating new EPA standards, which they believe can play a major role in reducing air pollution impacting …

Inflation Reduction Act investments of $500 million will go toward converting a General Motors plant in Lansing to produce electric vehicles. Nearly $158 million will go to a facility in Marysville. (JHVEPhoto/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

EV industry praises federal investments in Michigan

Michigan's electric vehicle industry is praising the Biden administration for its latest investments in EV manufacturing and innovation. About $650 …

Maryland has more than 750,000 renter households, representing 33% of all households in the state. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Report: MD 'housing wage' 9th highest in U.S.

With rising housing costs an ongoing issue, a new report shows how fast rents have increased in Maryland and nationwide. The National Low Income …

At least 36% of U.S. bridges need repair, including more than 76,000 in need of replacement, according to the American Road and Transportation Builders Association. (Adobe Stock)<br />

MA secures $1 billion in federal funds for Cape Cod bridges

Massachusetts will receive close to $1 billion in federal funding to replace the Cape Cod bridges. Lawmakers said it is the largest single bridge …

U.S. vehicle manufacturing has been steadily declining since the 1970s, according to a report by the advocacy group All American. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Toledo plant to manufacture EVs with federal funding

Ohio will receive more than $32 million in federal funding to help revive auto manufacturing and jobs in the state, specifically electric vehicle …

The Port of Baltimore Federal Channel was fully reopened when restored to its original operational dimensions of 700 feet wide by 50 feet deep on June 10. (Adobe Stock)

Senate committee hears testimony on Key Bridge response

Last week, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee heard testimony on the state and federal response to the collapse of the Key Bridge…

In no state, county or metropolitan area in the United States can a worker earning the federal or prevailing state or local minimum wage afford a modest rental home at fair market rent by working a standard 40-hour work week, statistics show. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado housing costs 8th least affordable in nation

Colorado remains the eighth-least affordable state in the nation for housing, according to a new report from the National Low Income Housing …

The Federal Transit Administration's Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Pilot Program has supported access to health with $24 million over five years, according to the agency. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Federal grant will upgrade SD rural transit system

The Biden administration announced nearly $8 million in grants to improve public transportation, including a large and rural system in South Dakota…

The Wind River Canyon corridor is part of U.S. Route 20, the longest highway in the country, which spans 2,542 miles from Boston, Massachusetts to Newport, Oregon, according to the Federal Highway Administration. (Rita Robinson/Adobe Stock)

WYDOT gets grant for Wind River Canyon corridor study

Wyoming's Wind River Canyon corridor turns 100 years old this year, and federal grant money will soon support a study on potential improvements…

The federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a five-year policy meant to spur a range of public works projects around the country, including in North Dakota. (Adobe Stock)

Grant bootcamp: Communities navigate maze of federal infrastructure aid

Federal officials have opened up a new round of funding under one of the many grant programs tied to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. As the …

Federal dollars are funding transportation improvements across California, including upgrades to the SPRINTER hybrid rail line between Palomar College and Escondido. (Xnatedawgx/Wikimedia Commons)

CA transport projects get millions from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Federal dollars are pouring into California transportation projects as a result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Federal Transit …

Key improvements made as a part of the Selma 14 Project for riverbank stabilization include re-grading the riverbank, installing articulated concrete matting and adding protective stone elements to prevent erosion and stabilize the slope. (Christopher Boswell/Adobe Stock)

Selma announces infrastructure milestone, river walk plans progress

Alabama officials have announced critical infrastructure improvements in Selma this week, paving the way for a new river walk. The "Selma 14 …

A New York Times investigation finds congestion pricing would have made $200,000 for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in one hour. (Adobe Stock)

Congestion pricing pause costs NY jobs, economic opportunities

New York is seeing ripple effects from Gov. Kathy Hochul pausing "congestion pricing." The Metropolitan Transit Authority halted numerous capital …

In North Dakota and elsewhere, various nonprofits are trying to take block parties and similar events to another level with activities that emphasize physical movement and other forms of engagement, so that all community members have access to a healthier lifestyle. (Adobe Stock)

Not your average block party: ND project aims to inspire 'active' city planning

Community developers are tasked with balancing infrastructure needs - like roads, with amenities for the public to enjoy. Organizers behind an …

Minnesota officials say a new roofing standard, created by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, has shown to reduce the costs of hail and wind-related damages by up to 60%. The standard is now being used for home resiliency programs. (Adobe Stock)

Roof repair grants could keep MN insurance claims from spiraling out of control

Minnesota is part of a patchwork of states trying to reimagine storm preparedness, by making roofs on homes stronger - before winds and hail fueled …

Since 2018, AARP Connecticut's Livable Communities grant program has funded 38 projects across the state. (Adobe Stock)

AARP seeks ideas to make CT communities more 'livable'

AARP Connecticut is accepting applications for grants for community improvement projects across the state. The "Livable Communities" program awards …

Kitsap Transit's new maintenance facility will mean buses will travel shorter distances for tune-ups. (Bluedisk/Wikimedia Commons)

$90 million in federal infrastructure funding headed to WA

Washington state is receiving nearly $90 million in federal infrastructure funding, from the Biden Administration. The funds were distributed by the …

According to the U.S. Department of energy, e-bikes topped the 1 million mark in sales in 2022, almost four times the total from 2019. (Adobe Stock)

Can e-bikes become a carbon reduction force?

Tomorrow Minnesota will reopen online applications for electric bike rebates. Environmental advocates are closely watching consumer demand for …

Reports show newly constructed electric buildings can have lower energy bills than those with fossil-fuel systems. (Adobe Stock)

‘All-Electric Buildings’ law part of NY building code update

New York's Building Code Council is set to include the All-Electric Buildings Act in its 2025 code update. The 2023 law bans natural gas and other …

The Gettysburg-Whitlock Bay Development Corporation, a grant recipient, will help gardeners make use of an empty lot. (Adobe Stock)

Five SD communities receive Community Challenge grants

AARP has announced its 2024 Community Challenge grant recipients this week, including several in South Dakota. Nearly $4 million is going to about 35…

Neighbors contributed ideas for the Alleys in Action program at a pop-up event in May. (Adams Avenue Business Association/Taylor Kaczmarek/Sue Peerson)

AARP grants aim to revitalize CA alleys into vibrant public spaces

Some select alleyways across San Diego are set to get vibrant makeovers thanks to a transformative community initiative. Sue Peerson, lecturer in …

The current metro area population of Reno in 2024 is 538,000, a 1.32% increase from 2023. (Adobe Stock)

Reno Mayor led this year's U.S. Conference of Mayors

Mayors from across the nation were in Kansas City, Missouri, last week for the 92nd annual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Hillary …

The nonprofit Pacific Environment worked with University of California-Berkeley to develop recommendations for decarbonizing oceangoing vessels. (Federico Rostagno/Adobe Stock)<br />

For World Ocean Month, calls to cut emissions, pollution from shipping

June is World Ocean Month and groups fighting climate change are asking President Joe Biden to act to clean up emissions and pollution from the shippi…

North Dakota is moving forward with more than $25 million in federal funding to spur construction of electric vehicle charging stations, mainly in rural areas along interstates. (Adobe Stock)

ND isn't known for EV chargers but statewide network takes next step

Electric-vehicle owners in North Dakota have long called for more action to boost the state's charging station network. There continues to be mixed …

Oil companies have publicly championed tech-based carbon-capture solutions in part because it would allow them to continue selling fossil fuels. (Adobe Stock)

Tech-based carbon-capture projects making headway in local governments

By Ysabelle Kempe for SmartCitiesDive.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Pu…

The New York City Environmental Justice Alliance's newest report shows traffic congestion causes pollution to spike twice a day with the recorded air pollution levels significantly higher during rush hours. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Air quality worsens in NYC environmental-justice areas

A new report finds New York City environmental-justice communities face worsening air quality. It's part of the Community Heat and Air Mapping …

Council Bluffs, Iowa, is working with Union Pacific Railroad to reschedule trains and install traffic beacons to ensure residents and emergency service providers are not blocked by trains across multiple sets of tracks at intersections. (Adobe Stock)

Dangerous rail crossings topic of Council Bluffs town hall

Representatives from Union Pacific Railroad will attend a town hall meeting in Council Bluffs tomorrow night to hear about the so-called "triangle of …

The population in the Tucson metro area increased by 0.7% in 2023, bringing the total population to just over 1 million, according to the University of Arizona. (Adobe Stock)

AZ mayor sees federal investments pay off for Tucson

Regina Romero, mayor of Tucson, was one of many local leaders at the 92nd annual U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting, which wrapped up this weekend…

The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. (Adobe Stock)

Montgomery mayor seeks public safety solutions at U.S. Conference of Mayors

More than 200 mayors, from cities in Alabama and across the country, gathered this weekend to tackle the nation's most prominent issues at the 92nd U.…

Housing among top priorities for Savannah at Mayors' Conference

More than 200 mayors, from cities in Georgia and across the country, gathered through this weekend to tackle the nation's most prominent issues at …

Danyelle Blackwell, Councilwoman, Upper Darby Township, District 4 PA goes for a test drive in an EV during EOPA's United for Health and Energy Security Tour, (Lauren Urbiztondo)

Electric vehicle tour touts clean energy, job creation, cost savings

Pittsburgh is one stop on a nationwide summer tour to raise awareness about electric vehicles and clean energy. The group Elected Officials to …

'Death by a thousand cuts' for Bozeman's low-income renters

A group formed to fight for the rights of Bozeman's lower-income renters is pushing for mandatory legal assistance for people facing eviction…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reported power plant pollution exacerbates asthma, creates new asthma cases, causes heart attacks and is the largest airborne emission of mercury. (TomKonrad/Wikimedia Commons)

Danskammer Energy withdraws Newburgh power plant application

Danskammer Energy is no longer seeking an expansion of its Newburgh plant. The original plan called for expanding the company's "peaker plant" meant …

The Biden administration is awarding more than $600 million in grants to build the nation's electric-vehicle charging network. Maine is just the fifth state to benefit from what's known as the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula. (Adobe Stock)

Federal funds boost ME high-speed EV charging network

Clean-energy advocates in Maine are applauding an expansion of the state's electric vehicle charging network. State officials recently announced the …

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation faced unprecedented levels of damage caused by floods and landslides in 2018, leading to costs exceeding $125.7 million for repairing and replacing infrastructure across the state. (Alliance/Adobe Stock)

Pennsylvania braces for extreme weather exacerbated by climate change

Despite the official start of the summer season on Thursday, climate change is exacerbated by extreme weather events in the Keystone State. The …

According to Jonathan Tyndall, about 30% to 40% of farm produce goes to waste and doesn't get used. He says Ripe for Revival is working to make those numbers smaller. (Courtesy of Joe Mecca/Coastal Credit Union)

New mobile market tackles food deserts in North Carolina

A new mobile market is tackling food deserts in North Carolina, where 1.4 million people struggle to find healthy food. Ripe for Revival, a nonprofit …

A U.S. Water Alliance report finds maintaining Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding in water infrastructure could reduce service disruptions to water-reliant businesses, saving them 46% over 20 years. (Adobe Stock)

Report: VA, U.S. need more water infrastructure investments

Recent reports are calling on Virginia and the U.S. to invest in water infrastructure. The U.S. Water Alliance's Bridging the Gap report reviews two …

The Proposition 479 investment plan is projected to create $2.4 billion in net new economic activity per year. (Eduardo Barraza / Adobe Stock)

AARP AZ endorses Prop 479 to strengthen public transit for older adults

An Arizona organization said Proposition 479, which will be put to voters in November, is essential for the growth of the greater Phoenix area and …

Staring July 1, Minnesota drivers 55 and older will only have to take four hours of a driver safety course to get an auto insurance discount, down from the current requirement of eight course hours. (Adobe Stock)

MN finalizes overhaul of driver safety education policy

On average, nearly 40% of traffic-fatality victims in Minnesota are 55 and older. A law change soon goes into effect to help more of these drivers …

Of the nearly 2.5 million people living within the 78 coastal communities in Massachusetts, roughly 55% are in state-designated Environmental Justice Block Groups, communities of color and low-income populations dealing with the effects of climate change. (Adobe Stock)

Federal funds help build Boston’s climate-ready workforce

The City of Boston has been awarded nearly $10 million in federal funding to help build a Climate-Ready Workforce. More than 1,000 people will …

Revolution Mill is a former textile factory, spanning 45 acres about two miles outside downtown Greensboro. The 800,000-square-foot development features shops, offices, restaurants and apartments, and 2005 Revolution Mill, a $38 million mixed-use commercial and residential project. (Adobe Stock)

Federal program helps transform NC communities, boost economies

Federal New Market Tax Credits are helping transform abandoned areas and boost local communities in North Carolina and across the nation. In …

MI's Motown a 15-Minute City? City leaders discuss the possibility

By Steve Mencher for Next Avenue.Broadcast version by Chrystal Blair for Michigan News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Publi…

A 538 poll shows former President Donald is ahead of President Biden by almost 5.5 points in Nevada. (Gage Skidmore/Flickr)

NV progressive groups react to Trump Las Vegas campaign rally

Donald Trump held a rally on Sunday in Las Vegas - one of his first since being convicted by a New York jury late last month. The former president …

Those behind a new electric ambulance say standard gas-powered EMS vehicles usually only last about seven years. But they say their electric model can stay on the road for a full decade. (Adobe Stock)

You've heard of electric buses, but what about zero-emission ambulances?

From passenger cars to school buses, the transportation sector is steadily ramping up its push for all-electric vehicles. In the future, ambulances …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - July 26, 2024

2024Talks - July 26, 2024

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Urban Planning and Transportation

ND seeks better housing for older population

34 Years of the ADA

Rural MN communities gain expanded public transportation options

Art breathes new life into pollution-ravaged MI community

EPA clean-car standards projected to bring $100B annual benefits

EV industry praises federal investments in Michigan

Report: MD 'housing wage' 9th highest in U.S.

MA secures $1 billion in federal funds for Cape Cod bridges

Toledo plant to manufacture EVs with federal funding

Senate committee hears testimony on Key Bridge response

Colorado housing costs 8th least affordable in nation

Federal grant will upgrade SD rural transit system

WYDOT gets grant for Wind River Canyon corridor study

Grant bootcamp: Communities navigate maze of federal infrastructure aid

CA transport projects get millions from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Selma announces infrastructure milestone, river walk plans progress

Congestion pricing pause costs NY jobs, economic opportunities

Not your average block party: ND project aims to inspire 'active' city planning

Roof repair grants could keep MN insurance claims from spiraling out of control

AARP seeks ideas to make CT communities more 'livable'

$90 million in federal infrastructure funding headed to WA

Can e-bikes become a carbon reduction force?

‘All-Electric Buildings’ law part of NY building code update

Five SD communities receive Community Challenge grants

AARP grants aim to revitalize CA alleys into vibrant public spaces

Reno Mayor led this year's U.S. Conference of Mayors

For World Ocean Month, calls to cut emissions, pollution from shipping

ND isn't known for EV chargers but statewide network takes next step

Tech-based carbon-capture projects making headway in local governments

Report: Air quality worsens in NYC environmental-justice areas

Dangerous rail crossings topic of Council Bluffs town hall

AZ mayor sees federal investments pay off for Tucson

Montgomery mayor seeks public safety solutions at U.S. Conference of Mayors

Housing among top priorities for Savannah at Mayors' Conference

Electric vehicle tour touts clean energy, job creation, cost savings

'Death by a thousand cuts' for Bozeman's low-income renters

Danskammer Energy withdraws Newburgh power plant application

Federal funds boost ME high-speed EV charging network

Pennsylvania braces for extreme weather exacerbated by climate change

New mobile market tackles food deserts in North Carolina

Report: VA, U.S. need more water infrastructure investments

AARP AZ endorses Prop 479 to strengthen public transit for older adults

MN finalizes overhaul of driver safety education policy

Federal funds help build Boston’s climate-ready workforce

Federal program helps transform NC communities, boost economies

MI's Motown a 15-Minute City? City leaders discuss the possibility

NV progressive groups react to Trump Las Vegas campaign rally

You've heard of electric buses, but what about zero-emission ambulances?