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San Diego trims trash fees and ends Balboa Park paid parking
5 days ago•Source: San Diego Union-Tribune
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24.19 min•5 days ago
Portland Budget Showdown: PCEF, Shelters, and Trees at the Center
Portland’s City Council spent a marathon budget session negotiating amendments to Mayor Wilson’s plan to close a $160 million gap, with contentious votes over diverting Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) dollars, preserving union jobs, and funding housing, shelters, and parks. Highlights included a unanimous move to establish a city data privacy office; an 8-4 vote to restore Urban Forestry staff; and several high-stakes 6-6 ties on measures to realign funds, pause the core realignment, or fund Albina housing and other shelter projects. Several amendments failed or were withdrawn as councilors grappled with budget reserves ahead of final votes due by June 30, underscoring deep divisions across the chamber.
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Settlement on San Diego Trash Fee Heads to City Council as Trial Looms
San Diego Union-Tribune•16 days ago
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Cohutta Council Restores Police Department, Shields City Power from the Mayor
The Cohutta Town Council voted to reinstate the Cohutta Police Department after Mayor Ron Shinnick dissolved it, citing municipal charter requirements for 30 days’ notice and a stated reason before terminating an employee. They’re pursuing an emergency ordinance to prevent the mayor from disbanding the department without council action for 30 days, and patrols are to resume with the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office handling calls in the interim. The meeting was tense, with the mayor leaving abruptly as the council moves to stabilize police services.
SF Officials Arrested at SFO During May Day Protest Over ICE and Airport Wages
San Francisco Board President Rafael Mandelman and Supervisor Connie Chan, along with other city and state officials, were arrested at San Francisco International Airport during a May Day protest against ICE’s presence at airports and for higher wages and fully funded healthcare for airport workers; protesters blocked traffic at the international terminal as unions press for a $30/hour wage increase, with other officials like state Sen. Josh Becker and former Supervisor Jane Kim participating. The action is part of nationwide May Day demonstrations and followed a protest where authorities warned of arrests if traffic wasn’t cleared; officials were later reported to have no injuries as arrests proceeded.
Maryland Readies for Severe Storms as Gov. Moore Declares Preparedness
Governor Wes Moore declared a State of Preparedness for Maryland ahead of a Monday storm system bringing damaging winds, hail, and a potential tornado threat. State agencies will coordinate through the Department of Emergency Management and activate the State Emergency Operations Center, while residents are urged to shelter during warnings, secure loose objects, monitor forecasts, prepare emergency plans and kits, and sign up for alerts as the weather approaches.
Mamdani Budget Faces Skeptics Over Wall Street Bets and Tax Hikes
New York City Mayor Mamdani’s $127B budget leans on a Wall Street revenue boost, reserve draws, and a broad property tax hike, but critics from the IBO and Comptroller Levine warn that betting on ongoing Wall Street gains is risky and reserves shouldn’t be tapped; Moody’s has outlooked the city negative, signaling pressure to close gaps as Albany debates tax proposals and a tax reform push to address an unfair property tax system that would likely burden renters.
Philly Mobilizes as Winter Storm Looms, Declares Disaster Emergency
Mayor Parker declared a Disaster Emergency as a major winter storm brings heavy snow and high winds, triggering a citywide mobilization of 1,000+ personnel and 800+ vehicles to plow and treat 2,500 miles of roads; city buildings and schools close, warming centers and Code Blue shelters open, trash collections suspended with a two‑day delay, and residents urged to stay off roads and monitor ReadyPhiladelphia for updates.
SF Great Highway ballot bid collapses after deadline misses
San Francisco Supervisor Alan Wong failed to gather the four required signatures to place a ballot measure to reopen the Great Highway to cars on weekdays before the deadline; only Wong, Connie Chan, and Chyanne Chen signed, with other supervisors and insiders criticizing the late, opaque process. The measure would have allowed cars on weekdays and possibly weekends under undefined “exceptional circumstances,” while the park remained pedestrian- and bicycle-focused on weekends. The failure highlights political risk for Wong ahead of a June election and suggests future efforts may need broader, earlier community consultation.
Hochul and Mamdani Launch Free Child Care Initiative in NYC
New York City is planning to introduce a free childcare program for 2-year-olds, announced by Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani, with the goal of making childcare more affordable and expanding the existing universal pre-K program across the city over four years.
LA Fire Victims Struggle to Rebuild a Year After Devastation
One year after the devastating Palisades Fire, LA Mayor Karen Bass reflects on the ongoing rebuilding efforts, community grief, and criticism she faces, while emphasizing resilience and accountability in fire management and recovery.
LAFD Chief Acknowledges Past Fire Report Edits and Emphasizes Improved Drone Use
Los Angeles Fire Chief Jaime Moore admitted that the department's after-action report on the Palisades fire was intentionally watered down to protect leadership, with promises to prevent such editing in the future. The report's revisions downplayed failures in firefighting efforts and staffing decisions, raising concerns about transparency and accountability within the LAFD.
INDOT Delays and Cancels Projects
The Indiana Department of Transportation has canceled or postponed over 300 road and bridge projects due to funding constraints, including major initiatives like the Mid-States Corridor, while exploring tolling options to generate revenue and reporting success in reducing speeding through enforcement pilots.