Monday’s Headlines From Around the Nation

By Blake Aued

12:01 AM EDT on March 30, 2020

The Trump administration is using coronavirus as an excuse to let polluters violate environmental laws with impunity. (New York Times)
As coronavirus crushes demand for gas, prices could fall below $1 per gallon in some parts of the U.S. (Market Watch). But, as Electrek points out, that’s still more expensive than charging an electric vehicle.
The Eno Center for Transportation has a detailed breakdown of the $114 billion for transportation in the coronavirus stimulus bill. TL;DR most of it will go to airlines, but there is $25 billion for transit agencies and $1 billion for Amtrak — not enough, as Streetsblog previously reported.
Already in turmoil thanks to regulations and shaky business models, e-scooter companies are scaling back as demand shrinks during the coronavirus pandemic. (Bloomberg)
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is considering tweaking its rules to pave the way for self-driving cars (Wired). In related news, delivery robots, it’s your time to shine (Slate).
Here’s another article, this one from Reuters, about how the coronavirus pandemic is exposing Uber and Lyft drivers’ lack of a safety net. But the bailout will let them off the hook again (Streetsblog).
Legendary architect and urbanist Michael Sorkin has died of COVID-19 at the age of 71. (Quartz)
France is using high-speed trains with mobile emergency rooms to transport COVID-19 victims from hard-hit regions to hospitals that still have beds. (NPR)
Toronto is considering banning cars from some streets so pedestrians have room to spread out while social distancing (Globe and Mail). New York did it — a tiny, tiny bit (Streetsblog).
Orlando kids’ sidewalk chalk art is bring a smile to people’s faces during the pandemic. (Click Orlando)

Blake Aued

Stay in touch

More from Streetsblog USA

Streetsblog California Promoted

Highway Projects Still Grab Biggest Share as California OK’s Nearly $1B in Transportation Funding

But transit and active transportation also get boosts.

February 6, 2026

Today's Headlines

Friday’s Headlines Just Keep Trucking’ On

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is rolling back the Biden administration's mileage benchmarks for heavy trucks.

Blake Aued

February 6, 2026

NHTSA

Government by AI? Trump Administration Plans to Write Regulations Using Artificial Intelligence

The Transportation Department, which oversees the safety of airplanes, cars and pipelines, plans to use Google Gemini to draft new regulations. “We don’t need the perfect rule,” said DOT’s top lawyer. “We want good enough.”