Local Governments in the News

Eight-week ‘Citizen’s Academy’ at Ocean Shores Library providing in-depth look at city systems  (The Daily World, March 22, 2023)

Okanogan County Planning and Development is inviting pubic participation in code amendments  (Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune, March 22, 2023)

The American Rescue Plan, two years later: Analyzing local governments’ efforts at equitable, transformative change  (Brookings, March 21, 2023)

Clallam officials: New electronic signs may not be allowed in updated code  (Sequim Gazette, March 21, 2023)

Five+ federal infrastructure programs every planner should know  (APA Blog, March 20, 2023)

Bainbridge Island parks contemplates dive into new pool vs. a fix  (Bainbridge Island Review, March 20, 2023)

Can ChatGPT write better press releases for municipalities?  (Government Technology, March 17, 2023)

E-trikes are coming to rescue the aging suburbs  (Bloomberg CityLab, March 17, 2023)

Kitsap Transit identifies site for new ferry dock on Seattle waterfront  (Kitsap Sun, March 16, 2023)

Spokane County to spend up to $200,000 educating voters on sales tax measure that would pay for new jail  (The Spokesman-Review, March 16, 2023)

New national cybersecurity strategy: what do you need to know?  (Government Technology, March 15, 2023)

Yakima City Council votes to annex area near SOZO Sports Complex into Yakima  (Yakima Herald-Republic, March 15, 2023)

Plan now to overcome reflexive opposition to large-scale solar  (APA Blog, March 14, 2023)

In race to build out EV charging stations, some cities and states have a leg up  (Route Fifty, March 14, 2023)

Moses Lake Fire Department has been awarded a $3.3 million grant  (Columbia Basin Herald, March 13, 2023)

The City of Tumwater is retiring its logo after 40 years. Check out the new one here  (The Olympian, March 13, 2023)

In hopes of reducing wildfire risk, Spokane to thin 1,000 acres of urban forest  (Spokane Public Radio, March 10, 2023)

Port of Whitman County pushing forward with proposed Agricultural Advancement Campus  (Moscow-Pullman Daily News, March 10, 2023)

Richland landfill and potato waste will soon generate natural gas for WA homes  (Tri-City Herald, March 9, 2023)

City of Chehalis amends noise ordinance, future changes possible  (The Chronicle, March 9, 2023)

An obscure rule about bus stops can make riding at night safer  (Next City, March 8, 2023)

Seattle transit pilots consolidate into singular service  (Government Technology, March 8, 2023)

A watershed moment: Spokane County buying water right for more than $300,000  (The Spokesman-Review, March 7, 2023)

Contentious 'Brokedown Palace' tree sale paused in Whatcom  (Cascadia Daily News, March 7, 2023)

Yakima City Council to consider annexation request  (Yakima Herald-Republic, March 6, 2023)

Illegal dumping pilot program sets up cameras to deter crime in Seattle  (KOMO, March 6, 2023)

Look for fraudsters to apply COVID-era tricks to new programs  (Route Fifty, March 3, 2023)

White House releases national cyber strategy, shifting security burden   (Smart Cities Dive, March 3, 2023)

Spokane County Commissioners vote to approve funding strategy for Avista Stadium renovations  (KREM, March 2, 2023)

Ephrata council talks pickleball courts, garbage contract  (Columbia Basin Herald, March 2, 2023)

Kittitas County Lodging Tax Committee offering micro grants  (Ellensburg Daily Record, March 1, 2023)

Housing subdivisions proposed in Chelan, Malaga  (The Wenatchee World, March 1, 2023)

Tacoma to Seattle light rail project delayed again until 2035  (King 5, February 28, 2023)

How Pittsburgh found a secret climate weapon in ‘the thrilling world of municipal budgeting'  (Grist, February 28, 2023)

Enumclaw, Black Diamond sees double-digit property tax increases  (The Courier-Herald, February 27, 2023)

Leaders from Tacoma, Des Moines and Kent in favor of street racing bill  (King 5, February 27, 2023)

Risk MAP program's impact on hazard mitigation planning  (APA Blog, February 24, 2023)

New electric vehicle charging grants coming soon  (National League of Cities, February 24, 2023)

Ferndale is gifting the first 10 residents that build ADUs on their property this t-shirt  (The Bellingham Herald, February 23, 2023)

Turning kitchen scraps into chicken feed. Here’s how a pilot program in Tacoma will work  (The News Tribune, February 23, 2023)

Seattle to launch civilian-based 911 response team in 2023  (KUOW, February 22, 2023)

City of Auburn proposes jail as a potential option to treat drug addiction  (KOMO, February 22, 2023)

Chattanooga, Tenn., will use smart intersection insights to plan EV charging stations  (StateTech, February 21, 2023)

HUD offers cities help to add housing near transportation options  (Route Fifty, February 21, 2023)

Don't miss new infrastructure grants coming soon  (National League of Cities, February 17, 2023)

Skagit Planning Commission considers farm income verification for agritourism  (GoSkagit, February 17, 2023)

Federal Way gun buy-back event nets 190 no-longer-wanted firearms  (Federal Way Mirror, February 16, 2023)

Okanogan County looks at updating public-records process  (Methow Valley News, February 16, 2023)

Here’s what Bellingham police say property owners should do about encampments on their land  (The Bellingham Herald, February 15, 2023)

As taxi business wanes at Sea-Tac, drivers want the Port to give them a bigger voice in their future  (The Seattle Times, February 15, 2023)

Solving the police workload and budget problem  (ICMA Blog, February 14, 2023)

Cowlitz County auditor working to create online records search from 19th century to today  (The Daily News, February 14, 2023)

This Washington experiment could rebuild eroding coastlines  (InvestigateWest, February 13, 2023)

Analysis proposes '20-minute suburb'  (CNU Public Square, February 13, 2023)

Seattle will get $25.6 million for safer streets  (Axios, February 10, 2023)

Rising rents are drowning Washington's smaller cities  (Crosscut, February 10, 2023)

Kalama to create first, full policy manual  (The Daily News, February 9, 2023)

Grandview offering $10K grants to bring new, relocating businesses to town  (Yakima Herald-Republic, February 9, 2023)

Expanding the benefits of ride-hail to lower-income households  (APA Blog, February 8, 2023)

Portland passes surveillance technology policy  (Cities Today, February 8, 2023)

Coupeville Town Council approves creative district  (Whidbey News-Times, February 7, 2023)

Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority future small business incubator moves into design development phase  (The Wenatchee World, February 7, 2023)

WA cities take stricter approach to shopping cart theft  (The Seattle Times, February 6, 2023)

Create more sustainable parks through pollinator and native habitat  (NRPA Blog, February 6, 2023)

Kent to begin safety improvements after alarming number of railroad crossing deaths  (KOMO, February 3, 2023)

Connecting communities to infrastructure funding  (ICMA Blog, February 3, 2023)

Two years in, a California duplex housing law has done little to encourage building, report says  (Los Angeles Times, February 2, 2023)

ChatGPT: Hopes, dreams, cheating and cybersecurity  (Government Technology, February 2, 2023)

Ship-loading noise tests Bellingham port’s neighborliness  (Salish Current, February 1, 2023)

Wenatchee awards $6.5 million contract for 'MegaKittrick' street improvement project  (The Wenatchee World, February 1, 2023)

Pasco council sharply divided in vote to allow retail marijuana sales  (Tri-City Herald, January 31, 2023)

Bainbridge Island ferry to be converted to hybrid-electric  (Bainbridge Island Review, January 31, 2023)

Seattle’s massive $2B convention center finally opens after delays  (The Seattle Times, January 30, 2023)

Here’s how Philadelphia’s first guaranteed income program is going  (Next City, January 30, 2023)

Seattle police begin sending automated texts, emails to 911 callers to seek feedback  (KOMO, January 27, 2023)

10,000 Communities Initiative to help small cities access infrastructure funding  (Route Fifty, January 27, 2023)

Potential of manufactured housing and resident-owned communities  (APA Blog, January 26, 2023)

Spokane County’s attempt to make unions bargain in public officially over  (The Spokesman-Review, January 26, 2023)

Skagit County proposes fee increases for environmental health permits  (GoSkagit, January 25, 2023)

Bellingham adds over 40 acres to parks in 2022  (KGMI, January 25, 2023)

Poulsbo leaning toward reducing days for fireworks  (Kitsap Daily News, January 24, 2023)

WA has 530 bridges in 'poor' condition — and limited repair money  (Crosscut, January 24, 2023)

Animal control changes proposed in Yakima could help address roaming cats  (Yakima Herald-Republic, January 23, 2023)

How New Orleans built a better bike-share program  (Route Fifty, January 23, 2023)

Alternative Response Team starts taking 911 calls in Bellingham  (Cascadia Daily News, January 20, 2023)

Nearly all US mayors worry about climate change's local effects: report  (Smart Cities Dive, January 20, 2023)

Vancouver seeks local knowledge about trees to create urban forestry management plan  (The Columbian, January 19, 2023)

Feds release plan for compact communities to counter climate change  (CNU Public Square, January 19, 2023)

Federal COVID aid OK’d to pay for roads, natural disasters  (Associated Press, January 18, 2023)

Guerrilla crosswalks and homemade signage: the promises and perils of DIY urbanism  (KUOW, January 18, 2023)

Vehicle charging stations targeted by copper thieves, Seattle City Light says  (KOMO, January 17, 2023)

The next Lacey city manager could earn as much as $250,000 a year in salary  (The Olympian, January 17, 2023)

Waste Management invests $15 million into Eastern Washington recycling  (YakTriNews, January 13, 2023)

Moses Lake Council Votes To Proceed With Controversial Mixed Residential Development  (Columbia Basin Herald, January 13, 2023)

Making room for housing near transit: zoning's promise and barriers  (Urban Institute, January 12, 2023)

Spokane police announces major reorganization, emphasis on patrols and reducing 911 response times  (The Spokesman-Review, January 12, 2023)

Concerns raised about Island County animal control  (South Whidbey Record, January 11, 2023)

Clark County’s growth management plan to get update  (The Columbian, January 11, 2023)

Seattle schools sue tech giants over social media harm  (KOMO, January 10, 2023)

Early Community Transit data shows youth ridership bump  (Everett Herald, January 10, 2023)

EFSEC at odds with Yakima County commissioners on solar project moratorium  (Yakima Herald-Republic, January 9, 2023)

A primer on Missing Middle Housing  (CNU Public Square, January 9, 2023)

Strategic planning in small communities  (ICMA Blog, January 6, 2023)

Nation's urban and rural populations shift following 2020 census  (United States Census Bureau, January 6, 2023)

The remaking of tourism in five U.S. cities  (Skift, January 5, 2023)

Portland Street Response logs successes as it prepares to serve city day and night  (Oregon Public Broadcasting, January 5, 2023)

Taking stock of WA state’s decade of legal cannabis, and what to expect next  (KUOW, January 5, 2023)

Marysville cracks down on public drug use  (King 5, January 4, 2023)

While Washington’s urban arrests trend down, rural incarceration rates are going up  (NWPB, January 4, 2023)

The ‘silver tsunami’ expected to hit the infrastructure sector  (Route Fifty, January 4, 2023)

3 Washington state electric substations vandalized  (Cascadia Daily News, January 3, 2023)

Five Whatcom County projects to get federal funding  (KGMI, January 3, 2023)

Washington AG says data breaches at 'historic high' across state  (Government Technology, January 3, 2023)

Transit-oriented planning grants begin to change cities  (Governing, December 23, 2022)

More Washington counties trying 'microtransit' for flexible routes  (KNKX, December 23, 2022)

Cowlitz, Skookumchuck rivers rights eyed for Lewis County water bank  (The Daily News, December 22, 2022)

Trade in an unloaded gun for a loaded gift card in Mukilteo, Everett  (Everett Herald, December 22, 2022)

Get ready for a lower speed limit in Tacoma starting in January  (KOMO, December 21, 2022)

Inslee's proposed $70B WA state budget focuses on housing  (Crosscut, December 21, 2022)

WA adopts zero emission standards for car sales by 2035  (The Seattle Times, December 20, 2022)

Lights installations in cities are more than just a holiday attraction  (Smart Cities Dive, December 20, 2022)

When zoning reform isn't enough: how to boost Missing Middle Housing  (Planetizen, December 19, 2022)

New state and local government financial reporting requirements headed to Biden’s desk  (Route Fifty, December 19, 2022)

Poulsbo program to provide phone calls to lonely, isolated seniors  (Kitsap Daily News, December 16, 2022)

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler wants to reduce remote work for city employees  (OPB, December 16, 2022)

More trouble for Tacoma Link extension, Sound Transit CEO says. Completion date uncertain  (The News Tribune, December 15, 2022)

Reported cyber attacks in Washington still elevated, report finds  (Spokane Public Radio, December 15, 2022)

Walla Walla hires first woman as city manager  (Union-Bulletin, December 14, 2022)

Kennewick School District wants to place retired law officers in schools, voters will decide in 2023  (YakTriNews, December 14, 2022)

Yakima City Council to rank projects for potential ARPA fund awards  (Yakima Herald-Republic, December 13, 2022)

16,000 employees commute to this part of Pierce County. It’s about to get microtransit  (The News Tribune, December 13, 2022)

How to successfully apply for first-of-its-kind state and local cybersecurity grants  (StateTech, December 12, 2022)

Ocean Shores deals with ongoing illegal hunting problem  (The Daily World, December 12, 2022)

Attacks, plots similar to sabotage of North Carolina power grid have threatened infrastructure nationwide  (ABC News, December 9, 2022)

String of electrical grid attacks in Pacific Northwest is unsolved  (OPB, December 9, 2022)

Spokane City Council approves cap on what food delivery services can charge restaurants  (The Spokesman-Review, December 8, 2022)

Richland searching for new council member to replace mayor  (Tri-City Herald, December 8, 2022)

Buckley launches new emergency alert system  (The Courier-Herald, December 7, 2022)

Mount Vernon hires social workers to work in police department  (GoSkagit, December 7, 2022)

Everett developing alternative 911 responses by using more social workers  (MyNorthwest, December 6, 2022)

Kittitas County Lodging tax group recommends award recipients  (Ellensburg Daily Record, December 6, 2022)

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency releases updated infrastructure guide for local gov’t, tribal defenders  (The Record, December 5, 2022)

Governing in a disruptive environment  (ICMA Blog, December 5, 2022)

Energy Department sets aside $550 Million for state and local clean energy efforts  (Route Fifty, December 2, 2022)

Camas City Council divided over taxes  (The Columbian, December 2, 2022)

Leavenworth City Council approves funding for PRSA Pool Feasibility Study  (The Leavenworth Echo, December 1, 2022)

Children's levy vote reveals urban-rural divide in Whatcom County  (Cascadia Daily News, December 1, 2022)

Thurston sets public hearing on new district map as measure to expand commission passes  (The Olympian, November 30, 2022)

Spokane City Council allocates $5 million for post-high school student programs  (The Spokesman-Review, November 30, 2022)

New WA agency seeks to end practice of police investigating themselves  (Yakima Herald-Republic, November 29, 2022)

Burn scar, landslides pose a threat never before seen in western Washington  (KOMO, November 29, 2022)

Five things city leaders need to know about COP27  (National League of Cities, November 28, 2022)

What should government agencies do amid the Twitter chaos?  (Government Technology, November 28, 2022)

Use of force policy changes recommended for King County Sheriff’s Office  (Renton Reporter, November 17, 2022)

Long Beach, Calif., launches effort to boost tech skills  (Government Technology, November 17, 2022)

Seattle's budget hole is projected to grow $82 million deeper  (Crosscut, November 16, 2022)

5 things to consider when deploying EV charging infrastructure  (National League of Cities, November 16, 2022)

A new Sea-Tac-sized airport is needed. No one wants it, but ‘handwriting is on the wall’  (The News Tribune, November 15, 2022)

Tech-savvy park planning  (National Recreation and Park Association, November 15, 2022)

New dwellings in Washington state must be warmed by heat pumps rather than furnaces, beginning in July, state board rules Friday  (The Spokesman-Review, November 14, 2022)

Council meetings in Port Angeles to be hybrid  (Peninsula Daily News, November 14, 2022)

Cowlitz County commissioners OK cost increase to Tower Road bridge project  (The Daily News, November 10, 2022)

Yakima City Council OKs property tax rate increase of 1%  (Yakima Herald-Republic, November 10, 2022)

Kitsap County commissioners consider ordinance banning gun shows at Fairgrounds  (Kitsap Sun, November 9, 2022)

WA tribes get $11M from feds to help tackle climate change impacts  (The Seattle Times, November 9, 2022)

Renters face charging dilemma as U.S. cities move toward EVs  (US News & World Report, November 8, 2022)

Climate Mayors and C40 Cities provide U.S. cities with guidebook to implement historic Inflation Reduction Act  (Climate Mayors, November 8, 2022)

Bellingham Fire Department is preparing for this challenge electric vehicles bring  (The Bellingham Herald, November 7, 2022)

County auditors have received an unprecedented amount of public records requests since the 2020 election, and it’s likely just the beginning  (The Spokesman-Review, November 7, 2022)

How owner-occupancy regulations are contributing to the housing crisis  (Brookings, November 4, 2022)

States steer more money toward rural roads  (Stateline, November 4, 2022)

Jefferson County considers carbon offset program  (Peninsula Daily News, November 3, 2022)

Federal agencies warn of election security concerns, misinformation campaigns  (American City & County, November 3, 2022)

Council votes to protect Bellingham's mobile home parks  (Cascadia Daily News, November 2, 2022)

WA Building Code Council may allow gas or electricity to power required heat pumps   (Yakima Herald-Republic, November 2, 2022)

Can predictive analytics help prevent homelessness?  (Smart Cities Dive, November 1, 2022)

Four WA communities tried to end youth homelessness. One is seeing success.  (The Seattle Times, November 1, 2022)

Thurston County asked the public how to spend its money. Here are the responses it got  (The Olympian, October 31, 2022)

Longview passes ADU code; some councilmembers question homelessness emergency declaration   (The Daily News, October 31, 2022)

Local leaders will advise states on road safety under new US plan  (Bloomberg CityLab, October 28, 2022)

Going Electric: Bus fleets must consider more than just funding  (Government Technology, October 28, 2022)

FEMA opens applications for over $3 billion in mitigation grant funding  (NACo, October 27, 2022)

Yakima County Commissioners approve $2.8M contract for regional crime lab  (Yakima Herald-Republic, October 27, 2022)

Feds award WA companies $200M for EV battery facilities in Moses Lake  (The Wenatchee World, October 26, 2022)

Report finds EV charging station rollout hampered by outdated state, city regulations  (Smart Cities Dive, October 26, 2022)

City of Kirkland to test new technology aimed at curbing illegal vehicle noise  (Kirkland Reporter, October 25, 2022)

‘Plagued’ by problems, Tri-Cities Animal Shelter now under city of Pasco control  (Tri-City Herald, October 25, 2022)

Local governments and states bristle over proposal to change how they report on finances  (Route Fifty, October 24, 2022)

A new Washington State law to protect election workers gets its first test  (Axios, October 24, 2022)

PNW elections officials amp up defenses against fraud claims ahead of midterms  (InvestigateWest, October 21, 2022)

6 Clark County charter amendments on ballot  (The Columbian, October 21, 2022)

Camouflaged cell towers now allowed in residential areas of Walla Walla  (Union-Bulletin, October 20, 2022)

Woodward says Spokane economic recovery continues, but problems loom  (Spokane Public Radio, October 20, 2022)

Urban spaces get an AI makeover  (Route Fifty, October 19, 2022)

If you don’t already live in a sponge city, you will soon  (Wired, October 19, 2022)

Quincy Council approves special events application ordinance  (Columbia Basin Herald, October 18, 2022)

City, county to look for sites for new stadium in Everett  (Snohomish County Tribune, October 18, 2022)

New juvenile justice law raises concerns  (Whidbey News-Times, October 17, 2022)

Mayors encouraged to adopt Lewis County ordinance prohibiting homeless encampments  (The Chronicle, October 17, 2022)

Conspiracy theorists and 16-hour days: inside the stress elections officials face ahead of the midterms  (The Texas Tribune, October 14, 2022)

Kitsap county starts sticker program for those with mobility issues  (Kitsap Daily News, October 14, 2022)

Building EV charging through public-private partnerships  (Smart Cities Dive, October 13, 2022)

Solar moratorium remains as Yakima County works on siting rules for farms   (Yakima Herald-Republic, October 13, 2022)

City of Seattle to lift COVID emergency at the end of October  (The Seattle Times, October 12, 2022)

Jefferson County may keep COVID emergency orders  (Peninsula Daily News, October 12, 2022)

Federal Way City Council spends round of ARPA funds, signs off on townhouse project at old Bally’s property  (Federal Way Mirror, October 11, 2022)

Federal funds could pay for Everett bathrooms, gun buyback, more  (Everett Herald, October 11, 2022)

How much money your city will get from a $518 million opioid settlement  (KING 5, October 10, 2022)

For more than 20 guaranteed income projects, the data is in  (Bloomberg News, October 10, 2022)

WA homeless program showing early signs of helping those living off highways  (KIRO, October 7, 2022)

How to maximize engagement in community planning  (American City & County, October 7, 2022)

Clark County C-Tran expands free bus program to all 18 and younger  (The Columbian, October 6, 2022)

A new airport in Thurston County? Local officials push back on unpopular proposal  (The Olympian, October 6, 2022)

Bellingham plans to add bike lanes in several areas. But not everyone is happy  (The Bellingham Herald, October 5, 2022)

Woodland looks to purchase land next to new library site to build public space, visitors center  (The Daily News, October 5, 2022)

Treasury releases Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund payments to eligible counties  (NACo, October 4, 2022)

Zoning reform creates new model for smart growth in Walla Walla, Washington  (APA Planning Magazine, October 4, 2022)

Who should be the boss of Spokane’s city attorney? Voters will decide in November  (The Spokesman-Review, October 3, 2022)

US cities are recycling trees and poop to make compost  (Wired, October 3, 2022)

Seattle mayor wants to overrule own vote on human services wages in Seattle  (The Seattle Times, September 30, 2022)

How public spaces can keep small businesses open  (Bloomberg CityLab, September 30, 2022)

Massachusetts, Washington confirm plans to end gas car sales by 2035, following California  (Smart Cities Dive, September 29, 2022)

Yakima police use AI-powered license plate readers to find suspects’ cars in real time  (YakTriNews, September 29, 2022)

Bellingham council will return to in-person meetings for the first time since pandemic started  (The Bellingham Herald, September 28, 2022)

Thurston and Pierce counties become focus of search for new 2-runway airport site  (The Olympian, September 28, 2022)

L&I renews emergency rules for farmworker, other temporary worker housing  (Yakima Herald-Republic, September 27, 2022)

Town of Twisp conducts door-to-door household income survey  (Methow Valley News, September 27, 2022)

Central WA home prices spike amid influx of Seattle-area transplants  (Crosscut, September 26, 2022)

Reducing poverty without community displacement  (Brookings, September 26, 2022)