Austin City Council starts drafting rules for large-scale data centers
Austin City Council launched a process to regulate data centers, with possible rules for siting, power, water, noise, lighting and hyperscale facilities.
Local Headlines
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Denver Airport Announces Daily United Nonstop Service to Paris
United plans daily, year-round nonstop flights from Denver to Paris beginning May 27, 2027, giving travelers a second airline option on the route.
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Seattle launches national search for next police chief
Mayor Katie Wilson’s search includes a public survey due September 15, a September 26 listening session and an anticipated selection by early 2027, followed by City Council confirmation.
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Miami-Dade Opens September Application Window for Working-Family Homeownership Program
Miami-Dade’s Welcome H.O.M.E. program opens online applications Sept. 1 for a lottery tied to three District 9 homes, with early closure possible after 200 qualified applications.
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Atlanta and MARTA settle More MARTA dispute for $52 million
Atlanta and MARTA reached a $52 million More MARTA settlement announced August 27, with $32.63 million still due by August 31, 2028, for future transit priorities.
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Massachusetts watchdog says Boston Public Schools improperly spent $857,261
A Massachusetts Inspector General report says selected Boston Public Schools contracts involved improper spending and procurement-law violations, prompting a recommended 10-business-day pause on some vendor payments.
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DOJ Finds Race Discrimination in GW Medical School Admissions
The Justice Department says George Washington University’s Washington, D.C., medical school discriminated in admissions for its 2024 and 2025 incoming classes. Settlement negotiations are underway, and a lawsuit could follow.
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Federal judge says Philadelphia prosecutors’ conduct could lead to criminal charges
At an August 27 federal hearing in Philadelphia, Judge Paul S. Diamond said prosecutors’ conduct could raise criminal-law questions if testimony and allegations are proven, but no charges have been filed.
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Phoenix Heat Deaths Reach 113 as Extreme Heat Warning Continues Through Aug. 29
Maricopa County has confirmed 113 heat-related deaths through Aug. 22, with 584 additional cases under investigation as a Phoenix-area extreme heat warning continues through Saturday, Aug. 29.
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Columbus opens 60-day public review of zoning changes covering major parts of the city
Columbus is reviewing proposed zoning changes for about 70,654 parcels. Residents, property owners and businesses can comment through October 24, 2026.
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Dallas plans road closures around American Airlines Center for September Republican convention
Dallas plans road closures, heightened security and a DART Victory Station shutdown during the September 9-10 Republican convention.
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Houston delays vote on proposed $50 million deal to end The Woodlands annexation option
Houston City Council delayed action on a proposed agreement that would provide about $50 million while permanently ending the city’s future annexation option for The Woodlands.
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Chicago Couple Files First Illinois Lawsuit Linked to Cyclospora Outbreak
A Belmont Cragin couple filed a federal lawsuit after Alonso Zaragoza alleged that shredded lettuce in a July 11 Taco Bell meal caused his Cyclospora illness.
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Los Angeles heat wave leaves neighborhoods watching outages as temperatures climb again
An Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect through 8 p.m. Friday as Los Angeles residents monitor recent Echo Park and Westlake outages and cooling options.
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NYC Housing Court Expedited Process Targets Urgent Tenant Cases
A new citywide Housing Court procedure assigns judges the same day for qualifying cases involving major vacate orders, dangerous building-wide conditions and complete elevator outages. Parties must appear within five days after service.
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Fort Lauderdale mobile home fire displaces two residents
A fire destroyed a mobile home on Northeast 63rd Court in Fort Lauderdale, displacing two adults. No injuries were reported, and a cat was unaccounted for.
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NWS Confirms Preliminary EF1 Tornado Track in South Columbus
A preliminary National Weather Service survey confirmed an EF1 tornado in south Columbus on August 11, with estimated winds of 100 mph and a 1.8-mile track.
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Cincinnati Black Family Reunion expects 10,000-person crowd Saturday at Sawyer Point
Cincinnati’s 38th annual Midwest Black Family Reunion continues Saturday, August 15, with an 11 a.m. parade, family programming and a 6 p.m. Kenny Lattimore concert at Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove.
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Kansas City’s KCI area plan sets long-range direction for airport-area growth
Kansas City adopted an updated KCI Area Plan on July 23, 2026, giving future decisions around the airport a framework for land use, mobility, housing, industry and environmental protection—but not approving specific projects.
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Sacramento’s red-light camera plan moves toward a fall vendor decision
Sacramento’s proposed red-light camera program is not operating yet. The city’s published schedule calls for a fall 2026 vendor decision and impact-report action before a possible winter Council vote and spring 2027 launch.
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Norma Herr expansion adds 103 shelter beds in Cleveland
A completed $31 million expansion at Cleveland’s Norma Herr Center adds 103 emergency shelter beds and more private accommodations, with phased openings beginning the week of August 17.
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Raleigh Police Summer Action Plan Gets Midyear Checkpoint as Safety Questions Continue
Raleigh’s second-quarter crime data shows declines in several serious offenses but increases in nonfatal shootings, vehicle thefts and traffic fatalities as the city’s summer public-safety plan continues.