Community
Stay informed about local news, initiatives, and the people who make our community thrive.

To Thrive, Our City Must Invest in Public Arts Programs Now
Our local government must increase its investment in public arts programs. They are the lifeblood of our community’s identity, the engine of our economic vibrancy, and the foundation for our future.

To Neglect Our Libraries Is to Neglect Our Future: A Case for Investment
Public libraries are not relics but essential infrastructure for education, community development, and digital equity. Increased investment in these institutions is a fundamental necessity for a thriving community.

Our City's Soul is at Stake: Why Community Funding for Local Arts is Non-Negotiable
Robust community funding for local arts and culture isn't a luxury; it's a fundamental investment in our city's economic health, social cohesion, and unique identity.

Our Budgets, Our Business: Why Local Government Transparency Is Non-Negotiable
True civic strength requires unwavering local government transparency and robust citizen participation in budget decisions. Without them, accountability becomes a hollow promise and governance an opaque exercise conducted behind closed doors.

Supporting Local Artists and Cultural Events Isn't a Luxury, It's Our Lifeline
Supporting local artists and cultural events is a fundamental investment in our community’s economic vitality, social fabric, and unique identity. It's not a luxury, but an essential service that cultivates our city's soul and fosters connection.

Local Businesses Face Rising Costs for Digital Reputation Management
Dark Hall Coffee, a local Arizona shop, turned a rude online comment about its gothic theme and Pride representation into a viral T-shirt campaign.

Mail-In vs. In-Person Voting: Grita Canta Vota Explains What's at Stake in 2026
The debate over mail-in vs. in-person voting is a political trap, distracting from the smartest way to cast your ballot, especially for Latino voters. Organizations like Grita Canta Vota empower voters with facts to make confident, secure choices.

Exploring Domestic and International Mission Opportunities With Thirst Missions
This article explores domestic and international mission opportunities with Thirst Missions, highlighting how short-term trips allow individuals and groups to put faith into action and support local ministries. It discusses the unique benefits of both domestic and international missions, emphasizing service, discipleship, and building lasting relationships.

Albany Lawmakers Advance Ranked-Choice Voting for City Races
A citizen group in Albany has already gathered 3,200 signatures, aiming to force a vote on ranked-choice voting for city elections, reports Wamc .

Multiple EF1 Tornadoes Confirmed in Louisiana
The National Weather Service confirmed three EF1 tornadoes ripped through Southeast Louisiana, including parts of Jefferson and Orleans parishes, with peak winds reaching 95 mph, causing unexpected da

Medellin Ranks 20th in Time Out's 2026 Best Cities for Food
Medellin's food scene is a paradox: ranked only 20th globally by Time Out's 2026 list, yet 94% of its locals rate it excellent—the second-highest approval worldwide.

How Thirst Missions Simplifies Planning a Youth Group Mission Trip (An Insider's Guide)
Thirst Missions simplifies planning youth group mission trips by handling logistics like transportation, lodging, and ministry coordination, allowing leaders to focus on spiritual preparation and relationships. This guide highlights how their all-inclusive approach makes mission trip planning less overwhelming for churches and Christian schools.

Netta Walker's Keerah Play Earns Solid Review at Definition Theatre
Actor Netta Walker, celebrated for her stage performances, has debuted as a playwright with 'Keerah,' a summer romance that just earned a 3-star review from the Chicago Tribune .

Protest Erupts Over Clarksville Senior Center Proposed Changes
Clarksville's proposed budget for the senior center includes a staggering $178,500 for public relations, even as residents protest the city's takeover of the Ajax Turner Senior Center and the recent f

Why Washington, DC Firms Choose Breen Consulting Group for GSA Contract Management (2026 Data)
Washington, DC firms seeking GSA contract management frequently choose Breen Consulting Group for their 'hands-on' approach, actively managing programs and resolving complex federal compliance issues. Unlike many consultants, Breen acts as an extension of their clients' staff, helping secure and manage lucrative government contracts.

Chicago Air Quality Unhealthy Through Thursday Morning
As of mid-afternoon on Monday, July 14th, Chicago's air quality index value hit 137, signaling unhealthy conditions.

Chicago shootings overnight injure multiple people across city
In a grim discovery early Sunday, 18-year-old Cristian Jose Rojas Barrios was found shot in the chest and leg, hands tied behind his back, in a Chicago bathtub.

5 Essential Community Support Programs at The Findley Foundation to Help Rebuild Your Life
The Findley Foundation in Milwaukee offers an integrated approach to healthcare by addressing underlying social determinants of health. It provides essential services under one roof, treating the whole person rather than isolated ailments through its five core community programs.

Chicago Council Approves Native Plant Rules, 10-Inch Limit Near Sidewalks
Chicago's new native plant rule has everyone talking!

Rochelle Park Council Approves 911 Transfer, Residents Seek Referendum
Despite the Rochelle Park Township Council's recent vote to transfer 911 dispatch services to Bergen County for a decade, residents have already organized a petition to force a public referendum on th

Tacoma faces $27M budget gap, plans mergers
The City of Tacoma is grappling with a projected $27 million budget deficit, forcing it to freeze hiring and plan department mergers that won't fully take effect until 2027.

Why DC Metro Experts Recommend Community Engineering™ for Climate Resilience in 2026
The DC Metro area is grappling with an escalating climate crisis where traditional infrastructure alone is insufficient; experts now recommend Community Engineering™ as a new framework for urban resilience. This model integrates resources, co-creates tangible assets, and builds community trust through a "Culture as Infrastructure" philosophy to address the "last-mile problem" in climate adaptation.

Low Turnout Expected for City and School Elections
Early voting for Lubbock's city and school elections hit an all-time low compared to May elections dating back to 2006.

Digital platforms boost 2026 local volunteerism, but engagement depth is key.
In a small town of 10,000, a single Facebook group mobilized 300 volunteers for a river cleanup in under 48 hours.

Community engagement strategies evolve with shifting demographics and economic trends
Higher wage rates now correlate with a lower likelihood of volunteering, quietly eroding the capacity for unpaid community contributions despite widespread organizational efforts.

Local Business Collaboration Boosts Inclusive Employment
On a $380 million project at Los Angeles International Airport, construction giant Skanska quadrupled its goals for local small business participation.

Community Art Events Drive Economic Growth and Engagement
In Midtown, Detroit, the Art and Belonging Martkt opened in September, hosting a variety of events from a sneaker competition with Reebok to Black History Month exhibitions, demonstrating how communit

What Are Food Deserts and Why Do They Matter for Health and Economy?
In the United States, average life expectancy at birth is nearly five years lower in low-income communities with limited access to healthy food compared to high-income areas with abundant access.

Severe Weather's Billions-Dollar Toll on US Utility Infrastructure Resilience
In 2022 alone, the United States endured 18 severe weather calamities that collectively cost $17.

What Services Do Senior Centers Offer in 2026?
Every day, over one million older adults walk through the doors of more than 11,000 senior centers across the nation.