CITY BUDGET

May 20 2026POLITICS

Los Angeles delays higher wages for hotel and airport workers—what does this mean for the city?

The plan to raise Los Angeles’ minimum wage to $30 for hotel and airport employees just hit a major speed bump. City leaders agreed to delay the increase after business groups threatened to scrap a key city tax if the wage hike went through too soon. The original timeline would have brought workers

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May 20 2026POLITICS

Austin’s Big Plan Falls Short on Business Growth

Austin’s next big development plan, set to be approved soon, promises big changes for the city. But so far, it’s mostly just words. The city talks about improving life here, yet the main focus seems to be on parks, trails, and housing—not business. Sure, some projects like new trails and a medical r

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May 01 2026WEATHER

Floods Hit West Seventh Again, Raising Alarm Over Old Drainage System

West Seventh Street in Fort Worth turned into a river over the weekend, reminding residents that the city’s drainage problems are still real. The videos show cars bobbing in waist‑deep water and people scrambling for higher ground—an all too familiar sight for locals who have seen this before.

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Apr 26 2026FINANCE

Yorkville’s budget plan for 2027: What’s inside and why it matters

Yorkville is getting ready for its financial future with a 2027 budget that promises a steady five-year outlook. The city has set aside $27. 9 million for its general fund, enough to cover its yearly expenses without running short. This budget passed smoothly during an April meeting, kicking off a n

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Mar 16 2026POLITICS

New York City's Parking Plan: A Costly Shift for Drivers

New York City is considering a big change that could impact drivers. The idea is to turn free street parking into paid parking spots. This is not just about adding meters; it's about dynamic pricing, which means you'd pay more when parking is in high demand. Think of it like surge pricing on ride-sh

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Feb 25 2026POLITICS

City Council’s Big Budget Moves: From School Fields to Animal Shelters

The council met on Feb. 19 and decided to release $2. 3 million from the city’s free‑cash pile, a move that follows the mayor’s request and the Finance Committee’s nod. The biggest chunk—$2 million—was earmarked for Westfield High School’s new athletic fields. City Treasurer‑Collector Matthew Bar

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Dec 27 2025POLITICS

Medina's Police Unions Secure Pay Raise Deal

Medina, Ohio, is making strides in employee compensation. The city's finance committee gave the thumbs up to a tentative deal with patrol and communications officers. This agreement covers a three-year contract, aiming to boost pay for these essential workers. The proposed deal includes a 4% pay hi

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Dec 17 2025FINANCE

Chicago's Big Money Move Hits a Snag

Chicago's mayor, Brandon Johnson, has a plan to borrow a huge amount of money. He wants to sell bonds worth $3. 8 billion. But not everyone is on board with this idea. One city council member, Alderman Bill Conway, is pushing back. He thinks the amount is too high. He wants to cut it down by more t

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Dec 13 2025POLITICS

Joliet's 2026 Budget: New Jobs and Big Salaries

Joliet is looking at some big changes in its 2026 budget. The city plans to add 11 new jobs, with some of them paying over $100, 000. This news comes as the city council gets ready to vote on the budget. The total cost for these new salaries is almost $920, 000. That's a lot of money, but the good

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Nov 20 2025CRIME

Cleveland's Gunfire Detection Dilemma: Is ShotSpotter Worth the Cost?

Cleveland has been testing a high-tech tool called ShotSpotter to detect gunshots. This system is supposed to help police respond quickly to gunfire. Researchers from Cleveland State University looked into over 87, 000 alerts from ShotSpotter. They also talked to people living in the area and police

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