Derek Molina
Local Editor
Derek Molina serves as the Local Editor at City & Local, where he specializes in community reporting, neighborhood developments, and local guides. His coverage spans municipal governance, urban planning, small businesses, and community events, providing readers with the essential information they need to stay engaged. By focusing on the stories that shape local living, Derek approaches journalism with a commitment to highlighting the best of our neighborhoods and keeping residents informed.
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Latest Articles
What Factors Determine a Neighborhood's Walkability Score?
A single point increase in a home's Walk Score can add $3,000 to its market value, dramatically shifting neighborhood desirability and affordability.
Aug 13, 2026 · 4 min read
Intrepid Travel Bets Big on Youth Tourism's Purpose-Driven Shift in 2026
Bookings for Intrepid Travel's 18 to 35s range are already up 14 percent year on year for trips extending into 2027.
Aug 13, 2026 · 3 min read
What Are Zoning Laws and How Do They Shape Neighborhood Development?
In 2026, homeowners in several communities were forced to remove or modify fences, simply for exceeding local zoning height limits.
Aug 13, 2026 · 4 min read
Borneo tourism operators hit by new licensing fees and exams
A 100-room, 2nd Class Hotel in Borneo could face an additional RM57,600 annually in new licensing fees, a significant increase under the updated structure.
Aug 12, 2026 · 2 min read
Conflicting Reports on Highway 1 Amid Timber Fire
As the Timber Fire swelled to 2,000 acres, threatening 259 structures, officials issued conflicting reports on the status of Highway 1, leaving Big Sur residents in limbo.
Aug 11, 2026 · 4 min read
4 Unique Brooklyn Experiences Beyond Tourist Traps
In a city famed for its landmarks, the real pulse of Brooklyn beats in its brownstone-lined streets, where residents like Alia Al-Rifai cultivate unique passions far from the tourist throngs.
Aug 11, 2026 · 3 min read
Local Governments Face 2026 Challenge to Boost Transparency
The Allen Parish Police Jury voted to prohibit police jurors or anyone acting on behalf of the parish from signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) related to economic development projects, according
Aug 10, 2026 · 4 min read
What Are Historical Societies and How Do They Preserve Neighborhood Identity?
In a rapidly gentrifying Brooklyn neighborhood, a 150-year-old historical society successfully blocked a high-rise development, preserving a block of historic brownstones and their community gardens.
Aug 9, 2026 · 3 min read
Local services face devastating impact from budget cuts in 2026.
By 2028, the county council and seven district councils in Norfolk, UK, will cease to exist, replaced by just three unitary authorities, a stark example of how budget pressures are reshaping local gov
Aug 9, 2026 · 4 min read
How Do Local Governments Track Public Spending?
In 2021, local governments directly spent $1.
Aug 8, 2026 · 5 min read
Choate's layoffs and service cuts leave community facing uncertain future
By March 2027, the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center will have phased out its 75 civil mental health beds and laid off approximately 250 employees.
Aug 8, 2026 · 3 min read
Community repair events boost sustainability and neighborhood bonds.
Last year alone, volunteers at nearly 160 community repair cafe events fixed more than 7,400 items, demonstrating a powerful, grassroots counter to the throwaway culture, according to insideclimatenew
Aug 8, 2026 · 3 min read
Local governments waste millions on 'budget turkeys,' starving essential services.
Florida TaxWatch identified 621 projects, costing taxpayers $830 million in a single state budget, as 'turkeys'—projects lacking proper scrutiny, according to City & State New York .
Aug 8, 2026 · 4 min read
How to Participate in Local Government Meetings and Influence Decisions
Even if you can't attend in person, pressing ★9 on your phone can instantly raise your hand in a city council meeting, giving you a direct voice in local decisions.
Aug 7, 2026 · 3 min read
Conscious consumerism can't save local businesses without systemic change.
During the pandemic, 1 in 5 small businesses closed permanently, despite overwhelming pro-local sentiment from consumers.
Aug 6, 2026 · 3 min read
What Is City Public Transportation and How to Use It?
A single subway ride costs less than half the price of an hour's downtown parking, often beating taxi times during peak hours.
Aug 5, 2026 · 3 min read
Virginia Vehicle & Driver's License Rules for New Residents
In Virginia, new residents have just 30 days to title and register their vehicle, a tight window that often catches newcomers by surprise and can lead to fines.
Aug 5, 2026 · 5 min read
How to Start and Manage a Community Garden
A thriving community garden, capable of boosting local food security and biodiversity, requires a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight daily, good drainage, and immediate water access.
Aug 4, 2026 · 3 min read
Orbit Wins Albuquerque Journal Readers' Choice Best Local Team Mascot
Orbit, the Albuquerque Isotopes' beloved mascot, makes approximately 300 community appearances each year, a staggering number for a character whose primary job is to entertain at baseball games.
Aug 4, 2026 · 2 min read
Ogunquit Rooster Statues Spark Debate Over Noise Ordinances and Community Values
In the picturesque coastal town of Ogunquit, Maine, a family faced $450 in fines not for a noisy party, but for displaying two 6-foot-tall metal rooster statues outside their home.
Aug 4, 2026 · 2 min read