As states and cities navigated crisis, reform and political change, these were the stories readers turned to most in 2025 — from emergency management and public safety to housing, transit and federal ...

Utility bills are up by double-digit figures across much of the country and, increasingly, people can’t keep up. A quarter of U.S. households have been unable to pay their utility bill in full at ...

The latest report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows an 8.2 percent drop in roadway fatalities during the first half of 2025, the largest first-half decline since ...

AI investment is driving the economy, and states want a share. Here’s a look at where the data centers that do the work of AI are located.

States’ efforts to streamline government operations may sound like the federal model once led by Elon Musk, but when it comes to genuine government efficiency they’re getting a lot more done.

Updating property assessments often causes headaches for political leaders, especially in areas with rapid increases in home ...

A new state audit finds vacancy rates above 30 percent despite hundreds of millions spent on salaries, bonuses and contract ...

Despite being the nation’s largest full-time legislature, divided government and a budget impasse have sharply limited output ...

The order calls for suing and denying grants to states with “onerous and excessive” artificial intelligence regulations, and ...

Improved reserves and investor confidence mask long-term challenges tied to pensions and constrained revenue growth.

Some non-elite downtowns are seeing positive signs. Detroit of all places is doing well, with a major new office tower about ...

The governor’s plan will require expansion beneficiaries to work 80 hours a month or be enrolled in school half time to ...