- When Grand Rapids police killed Congolese refugee Patrick Lyoya in Michigan earlier this month, it was just the latest example of how minor traffic stops often escalate into violence against Black men, and how police use offenses like broken taillights as pretexts to search for more serious charges. A number of cities are reconsidering their policies. (New York Times)
- Random spikes in gas prices don't generally change drivers' habits much, but one way to get people out of their cars is to raise the price of gas predictably and methodically through taxes. (Grist)
- The European Union is considering fitting new car with technology that limits speeds, improving both safety and emissions. (Daily Mail)
- The U.S. DOT announced a plan to generate power from electric buses in disaster areas that are without electricity. (Transportation Today)
- New York state's newly approved budget includes funding to remove urban freeways in Syracuse, Albany, Rochester and Buffalo. (Public Square)
- Philadelphia's transit agency proposed a $1.6 billion budget for 2023 and will have to start drawing from reserves in 2024, when federal coronavirus funding runs out. (Inquirer)
- Construction on Maryland's Purple Line is set to resume this spring, more than a year after a contractor walked off the job. (WTOP)
- Seattle's Sound Transit is whittling down options for light rail to Ballard and West Seattle. (The Urbanist)
- Central Ohio transit officials are pitching a 0.5 percent sales tax to raise $6 billion for bus rapid transit. (Columbus Dispatch)
- Minneapolis' Northstar commuter rail line is struggling. Combining it with Amtrak, more stops, more development near stops and faster speeds are some ideas for saving it. (Streets.mn)
- Charlotte is streamlining the process for neighborhoods to request traffic-calming measures. (WBTV)
- This Austin resident created a tiny park in a street median. (KUT)
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Four Policies Progressives Are Backing for the Next Big Transportation Bill
Progressives are refusing to water down their ambitions in the face of a deeply divided Washington.
August 13, 2025
Wednesday’s Headlines on a Hot Tin Roof
We're talking about streetcars, but are really tired of "desire" puns.
August 13, 2025
Femmes + Thems Bike Offers a Safe Space For Chicagoans to Ride Together
Women, femme, nb, and trans Chicagoans are gathering together to enjoy life on two wheels.
Vital ‘Lifeline’ or Blatant Ripoff? Instacart Makes NYC Groceries 75% More Expensive
Instacart is arguing that its services are a lifeline to low income New Yorkers, but the app makes groceries 75 percent more expensive.
Is U.S. Passenger Rail Having a Big Moment?
We brought in an expert to unpack some of the biggest rail headlines of the day — and a few you might have missed.
August 12, 2025
Tuesday’s Orwellian Headlines
We've always been at war with Oceania, if you believe the Department of Energy.
August 12, 2025
