Community
Stay informed about local news, initiatives, and the people who make our community thrive.
Local businesses are the bedrock of community resilience and economic stability.
Small businesses, despite making up 99.
Local governments are failing on budget transparency, undermining public services by 2026.
Montgomery County Council member Laurie-Anne Sayles took 11 trips outside the region on taxpayer funds since 2022, including one to Maui that coincided with critical budget decisions like potential cu
Hybrid Meetings Aren't Boosting Public Participation, They're Streamlining Access.
In Huntington Beach, virtual public comments are resuming via Zoom, offering residents an accessible way to engage with city council meetings.
Local Governments Face 2026 Challenge to Boost Transparency
The Allen Parish Police Jury voted to prohibit police jurors or anyone acting on behalf of the parish from signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) related to economic development projects, according
Local services face devastating impact from budget cuts in 2026.
By 2028, the county council and seven district councils in Norfolk, UK, will cease to exist, replaced by just three unitary authorities, a stark example of how budget pressures are reshaping local gov
Community repair events boost sustainability and neighborhood bonds.
Last year alone, volunteers at nearly 160 community repair cafe events fixed more than 7,400 items, demonstrating a powerful, grassroots counter to the throwaway culture, according to insideclimatenew
Local governments waste millions on 'budget turkeys,' starving essential services.
Florida TaxWatch identified 621 projects, costing taxpayers $830 million in a single state budget, as 'turkeys'—projects lacking proper scrutiny, according to City & State New York .
Conscious consumerism can't save local businesses without systemic change.
During the pandemic, 1 in 5 small businesses closed permanently, despite overwhelming pro-local sentiment from consumers.
Emergency service budget cuts create ethical dilemmas for community safety.
Government investments in social welfare, health, and education are most commonly associated with reductions in violence, a finding that fundamentally challenges how we allocate emergency service budg
Local funding for community events and public services faces an uncertain 2026 future.
Over the past year, Iola's Bowlus Fine Arts Center hosted 40 major events, drawing visitors from 11 states and serving over 10,000 patrons.
Local Journalism's Role in Civic Engagement: Erosion and Restoration
The United States' press freedom ranking plummeted 20 spots in five years, landing at 64th globally, according to USA Today .
AI adoption by local governments presents ethical quandaries in 2026.
A majority of local US policymakers anticipate significant societal risks from artificial intelligence (AI) over the next decades, including increased surveillance, misinformation, and political polar
Crossroads World Outreach Ministries: A Closer Look at Community Outreach
In a world where community support is more crucial than ever, certain organizations rise to the challenge with dedication and tangible action. For those searching for top community outreach programs to watch, Crossroads …
Local volunteerism is key to stronger, more resilient communities
In a single year, formal volunteers in the U.S. contributed over 4.1 billion hours of service, generating an estimated economic value of $122.9 billion. This substantial effort, documented by the Census Bureau, highlights the profound and often overlooked impact of dedicated individuals on the nation's well-being and economic stability. These contributions are a testament to the importance of local volunteerism in strengthening communities.
Local Businesses Are The True Economic Engine For Community Growth
In the past year, 90% of small business owners didn't just run their companies; they donated money to local groups, charities, and schools.
Community support is key to sustaining local journalism in 2026.
Over 2,500 local newspapers have closed since 2004, leaving millions of Americans in 'news deserts' where reliable local reporting no longer exists.
Local News Collapse Threatens Democracy, Leaving Communities Vulnerable
The United States has lost 2,100 newspapers in the past 15 years, leaving at least 1,800 communities without a local news outlet, according to Agorajournalism Center .
Local Journalism's Accountability Role Is Threatened, Jeopardizing Informed Citizenship
Since 2023, a public investment in California has placed over 110 journalists who have collectively reported more than 10,000 stories, reaching 90 percent of the state's population, according to berke
Local bureaucracy creates hurdles for affordable housing
A Tallahassee property owner recently saw rehab costs jump a staggering 30%.
Local news is vital for community accountability and information.
Slippery Rock University student Josie Hart recently completed a media writing project, producing five original articles about her hometown of Greenville and the nearby Slippery Rock area.
Local government budget cuts will cripple public services without transparency in 2026.
Mayor Wu proposed a 27 percent cut to the FY27 budget for the Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture, leaving programs in limbo despite calls for greater fiscal transparency, according to the Boston Art Rev
Local businesses can fund emergency services without breaking the bank.
In Springfield, a volunteer fire department serving a bustling commercial district nearly shut down last year.
Cities Hide Budgets, Eroding Trust: The 2026 Transparency Crisis Looms.
In Boston, a $1.4 million payroll cut for the Transportation Department was initially approved, only to be reallocated at the eleventh hour to save social services, revealing the high-stakes, last-min
Orlando's Historic Preservation Board review suspended
On June 8, the Orlando City Council advanced an ordinance to suspend all Historic Preservation Board review for three years across its Downtown Historic District, including for demolitions.
Resilient infrastructure for inland flood mitigation is vital by 2026.
In Montego Bay, rainfall exceeded 350 millimeters in just 24 hours, causing the Montego River to swell to a 500-year return period flow, according to the Jamaica Information Service .
Tourism's Hidden Cost: How It's Erasing Your Town's Identity
Despite town officials' assurances that a surge in visitors ultimately supports local businesses, the 75-year-old 'Corner Bakery,' a cherished community staple, was replaced last month by a chain coff
Youth mental health initiatives will fail without local trust.
At just 18, while studying at Harvard, Tom Osborn founded Africa's largest youth mental health provider, reaching over 100,000 young people annually, according to Child Mind Institute .
Pharmacies' evolving public health role: Who's watching?
In a rural county where the nearest public health clinic is an hour's drive, 85% of residents now receive their annual flu shot at their local pharmacy—a service unavailable just five years ago.
Local Budget Processes: Rigged, With Suppressed Citizen Scrutiny
Councilors in some local governments are explicitly barred from asking questions during budget presentations that demand background or longer responses, reports Concord Monitor .
Local businesses are building community resilience and identity
In a small Vermont town, a single independent bookstore hosts more community events annually than the local library and town hall combined.