City & Local

Derek Molina

Editorial byline

Derek Molina is an editorial byline for City & Local, with a focus on Neighborhoods, Community, Local Guides. Biographical credentials and external profiles are published only after verification.

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Coverage Areas

Neighborhoods
Community
Local Guides

Latest Articles

Editorial illustration for Wichita Youth Development Charities: A Guide to Missions, Programs, and Volunteer Opportunities
Community

Wichita Youth Development Charities: A Guide to Missions, Programs, and Volunteer Opportunities

Discover Wichita's leading youth development charities, including YVC, Junior Achievement, the YMCA, and United Way of the Plains. This guide details their missions, programs, and volunteer opportunities to help you make an informed impact.

Sep 29, 2026 · 5 min read

Editorial illustration for Navigating Mental Health Support in Georgia: A Resident's Guide
Services

Navigating Mental Health Support in Georgia: A Resident's Guide

Georgia residents can access mental health support through the Georgia Crisis & Access Line (GCAL) and state-funded programs managed by DBHDD. This guide details how to find and connect with these vital resources for crisis intervention, addiction support, and long-term care.

Sep 28, 2026 · 6 min read

Hikers with backpacks and trekking poles studying a map at the start of a mountain trail, ready for an outdoor adventure.
Local Guides

How to Find Local Trekking Routes and Prepare for Outdoor Adventures

With over 500,000 trails searchable on platforms like AllTrails , the sheer volume of accessible outdoor adventures can feel overwhelming.

Sep 19, 2026 · 4 min read

Diverse community members learning and connecting within a well-lit, modern public library, symbolizing its vital role.
Community

Protecting library funding in 2026 is essential for community growth.

In Saline County, Arkansas, voters are poised to decide on a ballot measure that would slash $1.

Sep 19, 2026 · 3 min read

Diverse citizens voting in a modern polling station, highlighting civic engagement and the ease of the voting process.
Local Guides

Early voting runs Oct. 15-31 in many areas

In Multnomah County, voters will encounter ranked-choice voting for the first time in the November 3, 2026, General Election.

Sep 18, 2026 · 6 min read

A visual contrast between an aging historic Denver building and a modern, sustainable mixed-use development, symbolizing the city's urban planning challenges.
Community

Community must balance history and development

In Denver, a 52-year-old building uses five times more energy than a modern green structure.

Sep 18, 2026 · 4 min read

A lively city street with many people walking, showcasing excellent pedestrian infrastructure and a welcoming atmosphere.
Neighborhoods

What Are The Key Factors Contributing to Neighborhood Walkability?

In areas with the highest neighborhood walkability, over half of residents—specifically 51.

Sep 17, 2026 · 3 min read

Tourists and locals interacting joyfully in a Vietnamese village square, showcasing authentic community tourism experiences and crafts.
Local Guides

Community Tourism's Local Experience Adaptation Trends Reshape Travel In 2026

In the first eight months of 2026, Đồng Tháp welcomed 3.

Sep 17, 2026 · 3 min read

Diverse Californians voting at a polling station, symbolizing civic engagement and the impact of local ballot initiatives on community services.
Local Guides

How do local ballot initiatives work in California?

In 2018, San Francisco's Measure C, a tax on commercial landlords designated for child care services, passed with a narrow 51% of the vote, according to the California Budget & Policy Center .

Sep 16, 2026 · 4 min read

Imperial Valley hospital at dusk, symbolizing the critical need for community support and funding for local healthcare services.
Community

Imperial Valley Healthcare District Board Unanimously Backs Measure N Hospital Services

Without new funding, Imperial Valley residents face the prospect of traveling to San Diego or Riverside for essential medical care as local facilities confront severe cutbacks or complete closure, imp

Sep 16, 2026 · 2 min read

Diverse young families enjoying a sunny day in a vibrant, affordable, and community-focused emerging neighborhood.
Neighborhoods

Top 3 Emerging Neighborhoods for Young Families in 2026

In a surprising shift, 70% of millennials with children now cite housing affordability as their primary concern.

Sep 16, 2026 · 5 min read

A small green plant growing through dry, cracked earth with a city skyline in the background, symbolizing the threat to climate initiatives.
Community

Local services face funding crisis, threatening climate gains

The Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF), which has already distributed $262 million in community grants since 2021 and is projected to reach $1.

Sep 14, 2026 · 3 min read

Children engaging in historical farm chores and learning activities at a living history farm, showcasing a unique local family experience.
Local Guides

Unique Local Family Experiences With Kids

At Howell Living History Farm in Hopewell Twp.

Sep 14, 2026 · 4 min read

Diverse commuters smiling and engaging while using clean, modern public transportation like buses and trains in a bright, urban setting.
Local Guides

How to Use Public Transportation for Commuting and Exploring

Commuters can save an average of $10,000 annually by switching from driving to public transit, a figure often outweighing the perceived convenience of a personal car, according to the American Public

Sep 13, 2026 · 4 min read

A homeless person seeking shelter on a cold, urban street at night, highlighting the critical state of Multnomah County's homeless services.
Services

Multnomah County Homeless Services Face Deep Cuts

A record 193 homeless people died in Oregon's Multnomah County in 2021, The Guardian reports.

Sep 12, 2026 · 3 min read

Silhouette of a child looking towards a government building at dusk, symbolizing the impact of potential funding cuts on child services.
Community

2026 funding cuts will cripple child services

In Hamilton County, a committee determined Job and Family Services needs a levy to generate $144 million annually for mandated services.

Sep 12, 2026 · 4 min read

A diverse family enjoys a sunny day walking on a safe, tree-lined street in a top-rated Massachusetts neighborhood with excellent schools.
Neighborhoods

Best Family-Friendly Neighborhoods in MA for Schools & Safety

In Lexington, Massachusetts, 80% of students achieve math proficiency.

Sep 12, 2026 · 4 min read

Diverse group of volunteers working together in a sunny community garden, planting and tending to plants, symbolizing civic engagement.
Community

How to Find Local Volunteer Programs for 2026: A Complete Guide

Thousands of volunteer opportunities across the country are now just a few clicks away, with platforms like Volunteer streamlining the application process for civic-minded individuals.

Sep 11, 2026 · 4 min read

Diverse group of runners enjoying post-run camaraderie in a park, with Belfast skyline in the distance.
Local Guides

How to Join Local Running Clubs and Their Benefits

In Belfast, the Vegan Runners UK club launched a Couch to 5k program in January.

Sep 11, 2026 · 3 min read

A lively mixed-use urban street with apartments, shops, restaurants, and people enjoying the evening atmosphere.
Neighborhoods

What Are The Benefits and Challenges of Mixed-Use Zoning?

Between 2010 and 2020, mixed-use development constituted nearly 50 percent of all new commercial and multi-family development delivered in Montgomery County, according to Montgomery Planning .

Sep 11, 2026 · 6 min read