Urban Planning/Transportation / Public News Service

$Nizer Lukerson, a delivery driver, stands outside Cleveland Heights City Hall after appearing in municipal court for driving under suspension. Lukerson owes $1,000 in fines to remove a number of suspensions issued in local courts for minor infractions. (GUS CHAN FOR THE MARSHALL PROJECT)<br />$

Thursday, September 28, 2023

No license to drive: Why so many Ohioans are barred from driving

By Mark Puente for The Marshall Project.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Marshall Project-Public News Se…

The EPA is proposing changes to the federal emission standards to ensure 67% of new light-duty vehicles and 25% of new heavy-duty trucks sold in the United States be electric by 2032. (Valeriia/Adobe Stock)

Thursday, September 28, 2023

UAW strike continues: Officials say EPA standards must catch up

Amid the United Auto Workers strike, some advocates argued it is time to implement clean car standards. Gary Schlack, a city council member in Allen …

Grand Teton National Park's 2.8 million visitors last year added $597 million to gateway communities, according to a new National Park Service report. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 25, 2023

Wanted: Visions for the future of Grand Teton National Park

Imagine reaching your favorite Grand Teton National Park trail in half the time because of new pull-outs that clear traffic on arterial roads…

New Mexico's planned electric vehicle infrastructure would allow motorists to charge a vehicle in 30 to 45 minutes for about $20. (AdobeStock/serperm73)

NM Seeks Public Input on Zero-Emission Vehicle Standards

New Mexico wants more residents to drive electric vehicles, and is hosting a series of meetings to explain its advanced clean cars and trucks rules…

New Hampshire is currently short more than 23,500 housing units. State housing officials estimate nearly 90,000 additional units will be needed between 2020 and 2040 as the population grows. (Adobe Stock)

Affordable Housing Crisis in NH Alters Voter Support for Legislative Action

The affordable housing crisis in New Hampshire is widespread and a new survey found a majority of voters support legislative action to fix it…

New Mexico recorded 54 motorcycle fatalities in 2022, with 33 involving riders who were not wearing helmets, according to data compiled by the University of New Mexico. (NMMVD)

Rallying Cry for Motorcycle Safety Featured on NM License Plate

Motorcyclists are the most vulnerable drivers on the road. That's why a New Mexico man started a campaign that led the state to issue the first …

The state of Illinois offers a $4,000 rebate on electric vehicles, in addition to federal incentives. (Adobe Stock)

Expert: Illinois Electric Vehicle Sales Accelerating, Not Slowing Down

Experts say consumer interest and sales of electric vehicles in Illinois and across the country are not slowing down. Illinois is among the top 10 …

The share of electric cars in total sales has more than tripled in three years, from around 4% in 2020 to 14% in 2022, according to IEA. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio Drivers Remain Interested in Electric Vehicles

Despite reports electric vehicle sales are slowing down, experts say consumer interest in Ohio remains high. Four in 10 Americans said they are …

New vehicles that are assembled outside of North America are not eligible for a tax credit. (Stefan Bayer / Adobe Stock)

EV Sales Increase, Consumers Want More EV Infrastructure

One expert says interest and sales of electric cars aren't stalling. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, Nevada has one of the highest …

Consumer Reports says credits of up to $7,500 depend on where the vehicle is made, its price and the buyer's income. (Adobe Stock)

Expert: Electric Vehicle Sales Not Slowing Down

Experts say consumer interest and sales of electric vehicles in Arizona and across the country aren't slowing down. Arizona is among the top 10 …

Pennsylvania is working to reduce its net greenhouse-gas emissions 26% by 2025. One strategy is to replace 25% of the state passenger car fleet with battery electric and plug-in hybrid cars. (Michael Flippo/Adobe Stock)

Consumer Interest for EVs Grows in PA

Car prices are dropping, both for gas-powered and electric vehicles. So, are more Pennsylvanians planning to buy EVs? A report by iSeeCars found …

Missoula-based Mountain Line has grown to provide an average of 1.5 million rides per year, up 70% from 2014. The transportation company is making major enhancements to its service with federal infrastructure investments. (Mountain Line)

A Year In, IRA Investments Bolster MT Homes, Businesses

It has been a year since President Joe Biden signed the $770 billion Inflation Reduction Act. In Montana, it has meant new jobs in agriculture…

The top inbound city in 2022 was Tucson, Arizona, according to Allied Van Lines. (Adobe Stock)

Is AZ Still a Retirement Haven? Some Say That is Changing

Arizona has long been known as one of the 'retirement friendly states,' in the U.S. for its affordability, but that is changing. Brendon Blake…

So far, 283 projects in Colorado have been identified as priorities under the Inflation Reduction Act. (Adobe Stock)

IRA Funding Set to Boost Colorado's Clean Energy Economy

This month marks one year since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, the nation's first significant investment in addressing climate change…

The Climate Careers program with the Rising Sun Center for Opportunity in Oakland employs young adults to help families improve their home's energy efficiency. (Rising Sun Center for Opportunity)

Green Jobs in CA Projected to Rise 7%

By Laura Aka for WorkingNation.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the WorkingNation-Public News Service Col…

Private investment in clean technology like hydrogen, carbon capture and energy storage has increased between 50 and 200 percent from initial estimates, according to the Brookings Institution and the Rhodium group. (Rufous/Adobestock)

Assessing Climate Investments On 1st Anniversary of Inflation Reduction Act

The Biden Administration's Inflation Reduction Act turns one year old today, directing $370 billion to clean energy efforts through tax incentives…

Credit unions are lending to households and small businesses to install solar and other improvements, which are costly up front, loans frequently considered too small by bigger banks. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado Credit Union Helping Decarbonize Homes

July was the hottest month in recorded history, and a Colorado credit union is finding creative ways for low-income and other vulnerable residents to …

A recent Council on Criminal Justice Report finds homicide has reached 2020 levels (24%) this year, after peaking at 40% in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Report: VA, US Crime Rates See Post-Pandemic Decline

A recent report finds crime across cities in Virginia and the nation is in sharp decline. The Council for Criminal Justice report tracked crime data …

Parking mandates - the requirement that developers include certain amounts of parking for their structures - came under scrutiny during the pandemic, when office spaces started shutting down. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

Following OR, More States Consider Ending Parking Mandates

Parking lots dominate the landscapes in many cities, but state lawmakers across the country are looking to reduce the number of unused parking spaces…

In 2023, Washington state lawmakers introduced four bills regarding parking mandates - the requirement that developers include certain amounts of parking for their structures. (Eric BVD/Adobe Stock)

More States Consider Ending Parking Mandates

Parking lots dominate the landscapes in many cities, but state lawmakers across the country are cutting back on reserving room for these often …

RTD may raise the top income to qualify for 50 percent discounted tickets. Under a new plan, a family of four could make a household income of $75,000 or less and qualify for the discount. (Galatas)

Transportation Board to Decide New Fares

The Regional Transportation District is holding a public meeting tomorrow - to decide whether or not to adopt a new fare structure, change existing …

The number of pedestrian deaths in Iowa fell by nearly 44%, from 32 to 18 between 2021 and 2022, according to the Governor's Highway Safety Association. The state has directed funds to 10 locales to focus on making conditions safer for pedestrians. (Adobe Stock)

IA Pedestrian Deaths Down Sharply

While the number is down in Iowa, more than 7,500 pedestrians were killed in the United States last year, a 40-year high. A new report from the …

The number of pedestrian deaths in Montana fell from 24 to 22 between 2021 and 2022, according to the Governor's Highway Safety Association. (Adobe Stock)

MT Pedestrian Fatalities Down Slightly

While the numbers are down slightly in Montana, more than 7,500 pedestrians were killed in the U.S. last year, a 40-year high. A new report from the …

Prices for 2.5 hour tickets on TriMet will increase from $2.50 to $2.80 in January. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

Opponents Urge Alternative Ways to Fund Portland Public Transit

Despite an approved fare increase, a campaign continues to look for other ways to fund public transit in Portland. In front of crowd of loud …

Researchers say access to driver's licenses helps ensure the health of immigrants and other communities. California, for example, saw an 18% increase in registered organ donors the year it started licensing drivers without status. (Adobe Stock)

Undocumented Immigrants in MA Allowed License to Drive

Undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts are now able to apply for a driver's license regardless of their immigration status. The Work and Family …

A Nov. 2022 report suggested Michigan fund school transportation needs separately from other education costs, because those needs vary so widely. (oneinchpunch/Adobe Stock)

MI Schools Explore Ways to Battle Chronic Absenteeism

It's hard for kids to think about going back to school quite yet but districts in Michigan are already thinking about how to keep them coming to schoo…

Rural adults remain less likely than suburban adults to have home broadband and are less likely than urban adults to own a smartphone, tablet computer or traditional computer. (Adobe Stock)

Senators Call on Congress to Invest $50 Billion in Rural America

Senators in Washington, D.C. want to see a $50 billion infusion into America's rural areas - with the Rebuild Rural America Act. The legislation is …

In 2021, transportation was the highest source of greenhouse-gas emissions, accounting for 28% of all emissions in the United States, according to the EPA. (Adobe Stock)

Public Comment for EPA’s EV Standards Concludes

The Environmental Protection Agency's comment period on new electric vehicle standards has ended. New regulations from the agency would phase-in …

In no state, metropolitan area, or county in the U.S. can a worker earning the federal or prevailing state or local minimum wage afford a modest two-bedroom rental home at fair market rent by working a standard 40-hour work week. (Adobe Stock)

GOP Budget Cuts Could Push a Million People Into Homelessness

Colorado's minimum wage workers would have to work 94 hours per week to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment, according to a new report. Even after …

The Route Zero Relay kicked off at the Santa Monica Pier and traveled across the country on Route 66. (RtZero.org)

Deadline Today for Public Comment on Vehicle Emissions Standards

Today is the last day to put in your two cents on proposed vehicle emissions standards from the Environmental Protection Agency. The new rules would …

Krings-Lien says about 150 participants have submitted their input for the murals thus far. (Adobe Stock)

NV Groups Receive Grant Funding to Better Their Communities

Four organizations in the state of Nevada received more than $28,000 from AARP to implement what the group calls "quick-action" projects that will mak…

This year, six Wisconsin communities received Community Challenge grants from AARP. Improving pedestrian safety and accessibility was a common theme among awarded projects.

Amid Concerning Data, WI Cities Carry Out Pedestrian Safety Projects

A recently released report shows pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. remain at alarming levels. In Wisconsin, local communities are stepping up with …

Between 2005 and 2023, the New Markets Tax Credit has been used to help build 33 projects in Colorado. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates Want New Markets Tax Credit to Be Permanent

Advocates want to extend the New Markets Tax Credit, which has aided several Colorado developments. This tax credit incentivizes community …

Of the $229 billion New York State 2024 budget, $800,000 in additional funding was allocated for at least 10 more state railroad inspectors, amounting to $1.75 million. (Adobe Stock)

As National Rail Safety Month Ends, NY Advocacy Continues

As National Rail Safety Month comes to a close, experts in New York and across the country stressed there is more to do beyond June. The Federal …

As of May, more than 5,500 vouchers toward purchasing electric-powered bicycles had been redeemed. (Adobe Stock)

Denver’s E-Bike Rebates So Hot They're Gone Within Minutes

By Whitney Bauck for Bloomberg News.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Publ…

In Arizona, the state's largest public utilities offer technical assistance to public and private entities seeking to electrify their fleets. (Adobe Stock)

Report Touts Transitioning AZ's Gov't-Fleet Vehicles to Electric

A new report found Arizona could save taxpayers $283 million if state and local governments transition their light-duty fleets to electric vehicles ov…

According to 2021 data from the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, 77.5% of people who work in Manhattan's Central Business District use public transportation to commute from New Jersey. (Adobe Stock)

NYC Congestion Pricing Plan to Receive Federal Approval

New York City's first-in-the-nation congestion pricing plan is slated to receive federal approval in the coming days. The plan calls for a toll on …

While the growth rate has slowed, the United States has seen a nearly 20% increase in pedestrian fatalities in the last three years. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Pedestrian Fatalities Remain at Alarming Levels

More than 7,500 pedestrians were killed in the U.S. last year, a 40-year high. A new report is renewing calls to transform transportation systems in …

The Salt Lake Chamber, Utah Clean Air Partnership and TravelWise are the groups behind the Clear the Air challenge, an attempt to curb pollution and improve air quality statewide. (Adobe Stock)

Utah Kicks Off 2023 'Clear the Air' Challenge

The 14th annual Clear the Air Challenge in Utah begins July 1. The month-long challenge is designed to encourage Utahns to reduce their vehicle …

U.S. drivers who maintained or increased their pre-COVID travel levels later reported they were more likely to speed and less likely to wear a seat belt, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (bilanol/Adobe Stock)

Report: U.S. Drivers Exhibited Riskier Behaviors During COVID

Texans have returned to driving their cars and trucks at near pre-pandemic levels, resulting in more deadly accidents. A national transportation …

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, Ohio pedestrian fatalities were 17% higher in 2021 than they were in 2020. (rh2010/Adobe Stock)

Pedestrian Crashes Drop, but OH Drivers, Walkers Should Stay Cautious

By Nathalia Teixeira / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. According to the Ohio …

The report states only a quarter of American adults are meeting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services guidance for physical activity: getting 150 minutes of moderate exercise and two days of muscle strengthening per week. (Adobe Stock)

Report: AZ Cities Rank Low for Park Access

A new report from the Trust for Public Land looked at the 100 most populated cities around the country, and found those with the highest …

Assembly Bill 112, creating a new state fund for use constructing safe wildlife crossings, will go into effect July 1, 2023. (Adobe Stock)

Governor Signs Law Prioritizing Safe Wildlife Crossings in Nevada

Gov. Joe Lombardo has signed Assembly Bill 112 into law, which will increase the number of safe wildlife crossings in Nevada. The measure will …

In 2009, the New York Transit Authority opened a new station at South Ferry costing $530 million. Much of the station was damaged in 2012 by Hurricane Sandy. After five years, it reopened. Reconstruction cost $344 million. (Metropolitan Transportation Authority/Patrick Cashin/Wikimedia Commons)

Cities Brace Public Transit for Climate Change Impacts

By Whitney Bauck for Next City and Nexus Media News.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for New York News Connection reporting for the Solutions …

According to a 2020 study by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the average temperature in Las Vegas is increasing faster than any other city in the country, almost 5.76�F since 1970. (Stefan Wagner/Wikimedia Commons)

NV Coalition Celebrates Efforts in Stewarding Conservation Bills

The Nevada Environmental Justice Coalition says a record number of bills related to environmental justice were filed in this year's legislative sessio…

Union leaders have accused U.S. rail companies of prioritizing cost-cutting, prompting safety concerns. (Adobe Stock)

Congress Faces Pressure to Advance Rail Safety Plan

During National Safety Month, Congress is being urged to take swift action to pass the Rail Safety Act of 2023. The measure aims to prevent future …

Building Solutions for 'Range Anxiety' Can Boost Electric Vehicle Transition

By Whitney Bauck for Reasons to be Cheerful and Nexus Media News.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Solu…

Project developers have announced ambitions for more than 200 new capture facilities to be operating by 2030, capturing more than 220 metric tons of CO2 per year globally, according to the International Energy Agency. (Adobe Stock)

Environmentalists Build Opposition to CO2 Pipelines at Des Moines Hearing

The federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration regulates carbon dioxide pipelines, and is holding a two-day conference in Des …

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Public News Service (podcast)"
	"Hey Google, play the Public News Service podcast"
	"Alexa, play Public News Service podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the 2023 Talks podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the 2023 Talks podcast"
	"Alexa, play 2000 23 Talks podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Alexa, play the Yonder Report podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

PNS Daily Newscast - September 28, 2023

2023Talks - September 28, 2023

The Yonder Report - September 28, 2023

Urban Planning and Transportation