Wednesday’s Headlines from All Over
The top story: A rare guilty verdict against a police officer. Plus all the other news.
By
Blake Aued
12:01 AM EDT on April 21, 2021
- The top story: The Minneapolis police officer who killed George Floyd last year was found guilty on all counts (with the top count being second-degree murder) — an all-too-rare jury finding that held a cop accountable. (NY Times)
- In a case reminiscent of the police killing of Floyd, San Diego’s transit agency apologized and will pay $5.5 million to the family of a man who died in 2019 after a security officer knelt on his neck for six minutes. (Associated Press)
- Some people make the argument that intercity rail will never take off in most of this sprawling country unless it’s not only faster than driving and cheaper than flying, but competitive timewise with taking a plane. But Vice makes the argument that the U.S. is better off incrementally upgrading service, as Amtrak is proposing, rather than spending decades trying to build out a hugely expensive high-speed rail network.
- A modest annual $20-billion investment in transit operating costs would dramatically improve service in cities nationwide. (Transit Center)
- Contrary to those who are writing off transit due to plunging ridership, the pandemic showed how essential transit really is. (Rice Kinder Institute)
- Urban subways are better at getting people to jobs than suburban commuter rail. (Pedestrian Observations)
- With traffic deaths up during the pandemic, states are starting to prioritize safety over speed. (California Healthline)
- California is falling short of its climate goals, but that doesn’t mean progress isn’t being made on the transportation front. (San Francisco Chronicle)
- Oakland’s “flex streets” program that allows businesses to use public street space previously reserved for cars will expire in June unless the city renews it. (Berkleyside)
- Once a radical idea, Boston mayoral candidates are mow embracing the idea of fare-free transit. (Globe)
- Honolulu is lobbying Congress for another $800 million to finish a light rail line that’s already $7 billion over budget and 10 years behind schedule. (Railway Age)
- Tampa isn’t ready yet, but it’s starting to prepare for a future where electric vehicles are prevalent. (WFLA)
- E-scooters have finally come to New York years after other cities (as Streetsblog reported), but now The New Yorker is sitting up and taking notice.
Blake Aued has been doing Streetsblog's daily national news digest for years. He's also an Atlanta Braves fan, which enrages his editor in New York.
Read More:
More from Streetsblog USA
How (And Why) To Capture the Livable Streets Movement on Film
Clarence Eckerson Jr. of Streetfilms talks with "The War on Cars" about how he uses filmmaking as a tool to make cities better.
November 10, 2026
Tuesday’s Headlines Are Still Surfing the Blue Wave
Politicians may not realize it, but U.S. voters are overwhelmingly in favor of transit.
November 10, 2026
The Growing Vehicle Problem That California Needs to Address
As pedestrian and cyclist deaths rise, the growing size and weight of American vehicles are making streets more dangerous. Here's some solutions: tax oversized vehicles, improve safety ratings and make smaller electric vehicles a more practical option for everyday trips.
November 9, 2026
How to Fight a Freeway 101
A new guide gives advocates the basics to building a campaign against harmful infrastructure in their neighborhoods — and the best time to start is now.
November 9, 2026
Monday’s Headlines Come Heavy or Not at All
The Transport Workers Union takes aim at Amtrak's new policy allowing guns onboard trains.
November 9, 2026
