News & Analysis
Local Ballot Measures to Watch Before the November 2026 Election
A non-partisan guide to confirmed local ballot measures on the November 3, 2026 ballot: LA charter reform, Bay Area transit taxes, St. Paul tenant rights.
Series
News & Analysis
What is happening in American local government right now, with sources and without spin.
News & Analysis
City and County Budget Pressures Heading Into Fiscal Year 2027
As of September 2026, cities from Portland to Chicago are closing large budget gaps for fiscal year 2027. The confirmed numbers, the cuts and what to do.
News & Analysis
Federal Funding Changes in 2026: What They Mean for US Cities
A non-partisan look at 2026 federal funding changes hitting cities: the OMB grant rule rewrite, appropriations cuts and sanctuary-city litigation.
News & Analysis
AI in City Government 2026: What It Does and What to Ask About
As of 2026, cities use AI for chatbots, permitting, translation and cameras. What is confirmed, where it fails, and the questions residents should ask.
News & Analysis
Mayors Elected in 2025: How Their First Year in Office Is Going
A non-partisan look at how mayors elected in November 2025 are governing in 2026, from New York and Seattle to Detroit, and what their first year shows.