Tuesday’s Headlines Pay Your Own Way
The Trump administration pulled $4 billion in grants for high-speed rail, and now California doesn't want it back.
By
Blake Aued
12:01 AM EST on December 30, 2025
- Calling the Trump administration an “untrustworthy partner,” California dropped a lawsuit seeking to restore $4 billion for high-speed rail, and will pursue private funding instead. (New York Times)
- Political experts advise New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to move quickly if he hopes to fulfill campaign promises like fare-free buses. (Fast Company)
- Crime on the Chicago Transit Authority is actually down slightly this year despite a handful of attention-grabbing incidents. (Tribune)
- Arizona Republicans are trying to block a plan to bring Phoenix light rail to I-10 and the state capitol. (Capitol Times)
- Nashville’s WeGo Transit will expand hours and frequency starting Sunday. (Fox 17)
- Even though most Detroit residents drive, 87 percent view transit as a benefit to the region. (Detroit News)
- Indianapolis residents are calling for safety improvements on a street with a history of hit-and-runs. (WRTV)
- Traffic deaths in Dallas fell from 208 last year to 107 in 2025. (Observer)
- Denver, however, had its deadliest year since 2013, with 90 road deaths. (Westword)
- Riding Utah’s commuter rail is cheaper than driving, but it also takes longer. (KUER)
- Worried about slipping on icy sidewalks? Try using coffee grounds to gain traction. (The Sun)
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:
Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.
More from Streetsblog USA
Every Friday’s Headline Is Sacred
When transit funds are wasted, God gets quite irate.
October 16, 2026
Friday Video: When Walkability Isn’t Enough … Even in the Great Cities of Europe
What happens when livable places get overwhelmingly popular before we can build more of them — or when other failures of design and governance make them bad places to live?
October 16, 2026
Newsom Signs Bill to Better Align California Transportation Spending With Climate Goals
SB 1087 updates California’s landmark sustainable communities law, strengthening the connection between regional climate plans and transportation investments.
October 15, 2026
Talking Headways Podcast: The Passion Problem in Public Transit
Where should the most enthusiastic supporters of transit try to work?
October 15, 2026
Thursday’s Headlines Are Trouble for Tesla
Autonomous vehicles just can't seem to behave themselves.
October 15, 2026
