United States

Bars or Schools? Governors Need to Decide
In a frank assessment of the reopening choices confronting the nation's governors, Harvard's global health expert, Ashish Jha, asserts that the opening of bars and some other indoor businesses jeopardizes the opening of schools in the fall.

A Bad Day to Be a Pipeline: Judge Shuts Down Dakota Access; Atlantic Coast Pipeline Canceled
Two of the most controversial pipeline projects in the United States were dealt massive blows within the span of 24 hours.

'Freedom to Move Act' Would Provide Federal Support for Free Transit Programs
New legislation by Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) would also target fare enforcement on the nation's transit systems.

Census: 'Race-Ethnic Minorities' Responsible for U.S. Growth in the 2010s
The U.S. Census Bureau dropped a whole bunch of population estimates at the end of June, revealing details about the rapid demographic evolution of the country.

Failing to Account for Induced Traffic, Even When the Public Demands It
Induced traffic occurs when new highway capacity speeds up traffic, allowing travelers to drive further, increasing sprawl. A review of major highway project plans finds that most fail to accurately account for induced travel effects.

More Baby Boomers and Fewer Young People: More Dependents Among the U.S. Population
The first baby Boomers turned 65 in 2011, and now the population of the United States has a growing number of residents over the age of 65. The country also has fewer people under the age of 14.

Pilot Projects Launched to Test Coordinated Curb Use
Coord, a Sidewalk Labs spinoff, has selected the winners of the inaugural Digital Curb Challenge.

California's Coronavirus Infections and Hospitalizations Surge
Hasty reopenings by counties and bad behavior are blamed for soaring infection growth in California. Hospital and ICU beds in Los Angeles County, which has more coronavirus cases than any county in the U.S., could reach capacity by mid-July.

As Moratoriums Start to Lift, Preparing for an Eviction Wave
Tenant organizers and legal services groups are working vigorously to get ahead of eviction cases as housing court processes restart.

COVID-19: What About Those Protests?
While not conclusive, evidence suggests that relatively few transmissions of the coronavirus occurred during the widespread protests that followed the death of George Floyd due to the outdoor settings, being in motion and wearing of masks.

House Democrats Approve $1.5 Trillion 'Moving Forward Act'
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called the Moving Forward Act vote "pointless political theater."

Micromobility Makes a Comeback
Decreased public transit ridership is bringing some transit agencies to consider partnerships with micromobility corporations.

Racial Equity, Housing, and COVID: A Roundtable
Six regional and state housing advocates discuss the connections between uprisings over racial injustice, the pandemic, and the need for housing security.

Mapping Eviction Risk
Millions of renters are at risk of eviction as federal support runs out and the economic realities of the pandemic take hold.

President Trump Stirs the Fair Housing Pot, Again
In a move probably made to appeal to suburban voters in an election year, President Trump sent a late night tweet claiming that the Obama-era Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule is having a 'devastating impact' on suburbs.

A Plan for a 'Just Green Recovery'
The Rhodium Group charts a path toward an economic recovery plan that would also achieve social and environmental benefits.

How to Define the Suburban: HUD Survey Sheds New Light
A new HUD survey could help change the way the federal government defines the "suburban"—a notoriously tricky proposition.

When Discussing Racist Monuments, Don't Forget Urban Freeways
The racist history of planning in Los Angeles is particularly evident in the way Interstate freeways were planned in the region.

Coronavirus Vaccine Could be Available by End of the Year, But...
Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is helping to lead the Trump administration's response to the pandemic, shared positive news with CNN on the progress of the vaccine project but admitted that due to two factors, it is likely not to achieve herd immunity.

Construction Costs Holding Steady During Pandemic
It might have been wishful thinking to assume the pandemic would cause big declines in costs for materials and labor in the construction industry.
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