Local Government
84 storiesIn practice, stories range across meeting reports, document explainers, decision timelines and budget and policy analysis, using government accountability and municipal contracts as evidence anchors. Local Government makes clear which facts are confirmed and which questions remain open.
SMART to Add New Bus Routes Across Wayne County After Millage Approval
SMART will launch new bus routes and service improvements in Wayne County after voters approved a 10-year transit millage expected to generate at least $570 million for regional transportation upgrades
Southeast Michigan Survey Seeks Resident Input on Urban Deer Issues
Residents in Farmington Hills and neighboring cities are being asked to weigh in on deer-related problems, from car crashes to property damage, as part of a new regional survey open through November 1
Federal Order Halting Invasive Carp Project Lifted After Whitmer-Trump Call
Work on the Brandon Road Interbasin Project to block invasive carp from Lake Michigan resumed after Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer directly appealed to President Donald Trump, highlighting the urgency as carp were detected just 80 miles from the lake.
Missouri Supreme Court Halts New U.S. House Map, Orders Statewide Vote
Missouri's highest court has blocked the use of new congressional districts backed by President Donald Trump, requiring voters to decide their fate before they can take effect in the November general election.
Florida County Adds Local Radar After Missed Tornado Warning
Lee County, Florida has installed its own advanced weather radar after a tornado went undetected by federal systems, highlighting how local governments are investing in technology to close dangerous gaps in storm detection and emergency response.
Farmington Hills to Join Regional Urban Deer Survey This Fall
A new urban deer survey will run from September 1 to November 1, 2026, as Farmington Hills and other Southeast Michigan communities seek data to address rising deer-related accidents, property damage, and health risks
California Agencies Face New Rules for Public Participation and Trust
California's updated Brown Act now requires local agencies to offer two-way remote participation and expanded language access, but experts say real public trust depends on showing how community input shapes decisions
Hawk Makerspace Marks 4 Years With Free Open House in Farmington Hills
The Hawk Makerspace will host a free open house on Saturday, September 12, offering hands-on activities, equipment demos, and special pass deals at its 12 Mile Road location in Farmington Hills
Farmington Schedules Public Hearing on Brownfield Plan for Senior Apartments
A public hearing is set for September 22 at Farmington City Hall to review a proposed Brownfield Plan that could fund major rehabilitation of the Farmington Place Apartments, a senior income-based complex on Grand River Avenue
New York City Ends $200 Million T-Mobile Chromebook Contract for Schools
New York City has canceled a costly T-Mobile contract that provided LTE service for school-issued Chromebooks, citing duplication and high expense. The move is expected to save tens of millions as the city shifts to a more targeted internet access program for students.
Oakland County Residents Asked to Weigh In on Urban Deer Management
A new survey invites Oakland County residents to share their experiences with local deer as cities consider expanding culling programs. The survey is open through November 1 and aims to guide future management decisions.
Scarcity Drives New Risks and Opportunities for Local Governments
As demand for water, land, and energy grows, local governments face tough choices about resource allocation while investors see new opportunities. Fragmented oversight can leave communities exposed to risks that cross agency boundaries.
Metro Detroit Deer Cull Plans Face Delays and Long Waitlists
Metro Detroit suburbs including Livonia and Beverly Hills are seeking deer culls to manage rising deer populations, but staffing shortages and high demand mean some communities may wait until 2027 or later for USDA-led operations
Arkansas to Receive $172 Million in Meta Settlement Over Child Safety
Arkansas will gain at least $172 million from a multistate settlement with Meta over online child safety, while several lawsuits against other social media companies-including TikTok, Google, and Snapchat-remain active in state and federal courts
Most States Progress on Website Accessibility, But Gaps Remain
A new report finds most states are on track to meet federal website accessibility rules by 2027, but many lack resources to fully investigate and fix issues, raising concerns as the deadline approaches
Oakland County Road Construction Paused for Labor Day Weekend
Most Oakland County road construction will be suspended from Friday, September 4 at 3 p.m. through Tuesday, September 8 at 6 a.m. to help reduce holiday traffic delays, with several key roads remaining closed for ongoing repairs.
Wayne County Plans New Roundabouts to Ease Traffic and Improve Safety
Wayne County communities including Canton, Northville, and Romulus are moving forward with their first roundabout projects, aiming to reduce congestion and improve safety at busy intersections starting as early as 2027
Pennsylvania Lawmakers Propose Limits on Flock Cameras and ALPR Use
Pennsylvania legislators are considering new bills to regulate automated license plate readers and Flock cameras, aiming to address privacy concerns and set clear rules for law enforcement and local governments
Michigan Rural Townships Warn of Crisis as Help Stalls in Legislature
Rural townships across Michigan face mounting challenges filling key government roles and managing increased responsibilities, but proposed state legislation to provide relief remains stalled in Lansing with no hearings scheduled.
Oakland County Opens 45th Roundabout at Wixom Road Intersection
Oakland County has opened its 45th roundabout at the intersection of Wixom Road, Wixom Trail, Sleeth Road, and Duck Lake Trail, aiming to improve safety and traffic flow for more than 12,000 daily drivers in Commerce and Milford townships.
States Shift to Unified Cyber Defense as AI Threats Grow
State and local governments are moving toward integrated cybersecurity strategies to counter increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, with new federal guidance and AI-powered tools helping protect critical public services and infrastructure.
New York Politicians Admit Using AI to Draft Public Op-Eds
Several New York elected officials, including the governor's running mate and Albany's mayor, have acknowledged using artificial intelligence to help write opinion articles, raising questions about transparency and new disclosure rules
Florida Moves to Regulate AI Use in Public Schools and Colleges
Florida's education boards are preparing new rules to govern artificial intelligence in classrooms from pre-K through college, with policies aimed at student safety, parental notification, and academic integrity set for review and votes in September.
Dozens of U.S. Cities Enact Data Center Moratoriums and Bans
At least 76 local governments across the U.S. have moved to restrict or ban new data centers, with most efforts succeeding. The trend is driven by concerns over electricity, water use, and community impact, according to new tracking data.
Michigan Group Appeals to Supreme Court Over Blocked Voter ID Ballot
A proposed Michigan constitutional amendment requiring photo ID for all voters was blocked from the November ballot after a state board deadlocked. The group behind the initiative is now seeking urgent intervention from the Michigan Supreme Court.
Farmington Hills Recognized as HEARTSafe Community for Cardiac Response
Farmington Hills has earned the HEARTSafe Community designation after training nearly 15% of residents in CPR and registering over 140 AED locations, making it one of only three Michigan cities to achieve the program's highest standard
Aging Homes Challenge Michigan's Efforts to Expand Housing Supply
Michigan's median home was built in 1973, making the state's housing stock among the oldest in the nation. As officials work to address a shortage of nearly 97,000 homes, aging properties present costly barriers for buyers and complicate new construction.
County Governments Face Tough Choices in Emergency Response
As the Aspen Acres Fire put Pueblo County's emergency systems to the test, the realities of county budgeting and public accountability became clear, highlighting how local governments must balance resources and make visible tradeoffs
New Toolkit Offers Solutions for State and Local Government Hiring
A nonprofit has released a practical toolkit to help state and local governments streamline hiring, address bottlenecks, and attract skilled workers as public sector roles evolve and private sector layoffs continue.
Michigan Approves $50M Grant for Copperwood Mine in Upper Peninsula
The Michigan Strategic Fund has awarded $50 million in state grants for land and road improvements at the proposed Copperwood Mine in Gogebic County, aiming to revive the region's economy despite ongoing environmental concerns and public opposition.
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