Wednesday’s Headlines Got the Gig
A new Biden administration rule would grant Uber and Lyft drivers employee status, with the labor rights and benefits that come with it.
By
Blake Aued
12:01 AM EST on January 10, 2024
- The Biden administration is set to unveil a new rule requiring “gig economy” companies like Uber and Lyft to treat their drivers like employees, rather than contract workers with limited rights or benefits, reversing a Trump administration edict. (Reuters)
- Automakers are finally looking to make electric vehicles lighter as a way to improve battery life and ease consumers’ range anxiety (BBC). Lighter EVs would also be less likely to kill a cyclist or pedestrian when hit.
- Since the U.S. is nowhere near defeating car culture, Angie Schmitt makes the case for buying an EV over a gas-powered model as the lesser of two evils.
- New England states have been the fastest in bringing federally funded EV chargers online. (CleanTechnica)
- Curbside management for activities like deliveries and transit stops are something to consider when converting empty offices to retail space or housing. (Smart Cities Dive)
- Almost half of Americans would buy an e-bake with a rebate like Colorado’s, making such policies low-hanging fruit for promoting exercise and battling climate change. (Momentum Mag)
- Regulators in New Jersey and Georgia are cracking down on car dealers issuing fraudulent temp tags after a Streetsblog NYC investigation found that drivers were using them to dodge tickets and tolls.
- Washington state’s “cap and invest” plan for limiting carbon emissions brought in $2.2 billion to fight climate change in its first year, but it’s facing pushback due to high gas prices. (Grist)
- A report commissioned by Florida lawmakers found that Tampa’s main transit agency is effective despite being severely underfunded. (Tampa Bay Times)
- Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont says he supports transit-oriented development but won’t force local governments to change their zoning policies. (CT Mirror)
- Metro Transit leaders are on a Twin Cities listening tour seeking rider feedback on safety. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
- Jalopnik has a slideshow tour of America’s abandoned highways, some of which are used for hiking or biking, and others that are simply returning to nature.
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
Euclid v. Ambler: A Century-Old Lesson for American Urbanism
Zoning and transportation are two sides of the same coin.
April 1, 2026
Railfans Flock to NW Indiana for New Train Line’s Maiden Voyage
Take a ride on the Monon Corridor spur.
April 1, 2026
Wednesday’s Headlines Don’t Call It a Comeback
Climbing gas prices have consumers turning away from gas-guzzling SUVs and back toward electric vehicles.
April 1, 2026
Sustainable Action! Streetsblog Is Making a Feature Film
A new franchise — and here's how you can be a part of it.
April 1, 2026
How To Fix The Broken Gas Tax
Drivers aren't paying their fair share — and no one else is getting their due. Is it time to rethink our federal road funding mechanisms?
March 31, 2026
Comments Are Temporarily Disabled
Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.
Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.