While much of the news focuses on declining population and vacant homes, Cleveland and Akron have quietly outperformed many other cities on quality of life.

"Cleveland and Akron are defying some stereotypes and doing pretty well — and better than their Midwestern peers, in some respects," writes Dan Shingler.
That information comes by way of a new report published by the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program in the "The State of the Heartland: Fact Book 2018." The report covers ground from Minnesota in the north to Georgia in the south, and east to west from Ohio to Nebraska, according to Shingler. That broad scope creates even more reason for optimism for Cleveland and Akron.
"Both cities scored above regional and national averages in terms of important indicators, including their poverty rates, median income levels, and the percentage of local residents between 20 and 64 with jobs — the employment rate, as opposed to an unemployment rate," according to Shingler's summary of the report's findings with regard to the two Ohio cities.
FULL STORY: Cleveland and Akron metros beat Midwest averages in some key areas

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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