Community
Stay informed about local news, initiatives, and the people who make our community thrive.
How to Participate in Local Government Meetings: A 2026 Guide
At a recent board meeting in 2026, over 200 people participated remotely, while only four members of the public attended in person, according to CalMatters .
How Non-Profits Boost Community Development With Research Training
In Cleveland, Ohio, a specialized initiative trained just nine frontline community workers over two years.
How the Local Election Process Works: A Complete Guide for Citizens
Understanding the local election process is crucial for active community participation. This guide breaks down key steps, from registering to vote to researching candidates and casting your ballot, helping you make an informed choice.
How Local Government Budgets Are Created and Approved: A Complete Guide
Ever wonder how your tax dollars become public services? This guide breaks down the complex process of local government budget creation and approval, showing you how to make your voice heard.
How Does Local City Council Government Work? A Guide to Citizen Participation
Ever wonder who decides where a new stop sign goes or how your local park gets funding? Understanding how local city council government works and the avenues for citizen participation is the first step toward influencing these decisions that shape our daily lives.
What Services Do Local Libraries Offer Beyond Books?
When you think about what services local libraries offer beyond books, do you picture a 3D printer, a rooftop butterfly garden, or a podcasting studio? Public libraries are evolving into dynamic community hubs, becoming essential "third places" where everyone is welcome.
How to Participate in Local Government: A Resident's Guide
Ever wonder how a new stop sign gets approved or why a park is being built in your neighborhood? Learning how to access public records and participate in local government can feel like a daunting task, but it’s one of the most direct ways to shape the community you call home.
How Local Government Budgets Are Created: A Resident's Guide to Influencing Spending
Your local government's budget drives decisions from road repairs to new parks. Understanding this process and how to influence it is key to shaping your community's future.
What Are Zoning Laws and How Do They Affect Urban Development?
Zoning laws are the foundational rules that guide how our cities grow and develop, influencing everything from building heights to the location of businesses. Understanding these regulations is crucial for residents and business owners to have a say in their community's future.
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
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 .
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.
Top 5 Community Initiatives & Volunteer Opportunities in 2026
Philadelphia's District Attorney's Office just poured $500,000 into 46 local non-profits, directly funding summer camps and athletic programs for youth.
Emergency service budget cuts create ethical dilemmas for community safety.
Government investments in social welfare, health, and education are most commonly associated with reductions in violence, a finding that fundamentally challenges how we allocate emergency service budg
Local funding for community events and public services faces an uncertain 2026 future.
Over the past year, Iola's Bowlus Fine Arts Center hosted 40 major events, drawing visitors from 11 states and serving over 10,000 patrons.
Local Journalism's Role in Civic Engagement: Erosion and Restoration
The United States' press freedom ranking plummeted 20 spots in five years, landing at 64th globally, according to USA Today .
AI adoption by local governments presents ethical quandaries in 2026.
A majority of local US policymakers anticipate significant societal risks from artificial intelligence (AI) over the next decades, including increased surveillance, misinformation, and political polar
Crossroads World Outreach Ministries: A Closer Look at Community Outreach
In a world where community support is more crucial than ever, certain organizations rise to the challenge with dedication and tangible action. For those searching for top community outreach programs to watch, Crossroads …
Local volunteerism is key to stronger, more resilient communities
In a single year, formal volunteers in the U.S. contributed over 4.1 billion hours of service, generating an estimated economic value of $122.9 billion. This substantial effort, documented by the Census Bureau, highlights the profound and often overlooked impact of dedicated individuals on the nation's well-being and economic stability. These contributions are a testament to the importance of local volunteerism in strengthening communities.
Local Businesses Are The True Economic Engine For Community Growth
In the past year, 90% of small business owners didn't just run their companies; they donated money to local groups, charities, and schools.
Community support is key to sustaining local journalism in 2026.
Over 2,500 local newspapers have closed since 2004, leaving millions of Americans in 'news deserts' where reliable local reporting no longer exists.
Local News Collapse Threatens Democracy, Leaving Communities Vulnerable
The United States has lost 2,100 newspapers in the past 15 years, leaving at least 1,800 communities without a local news outlet, according to Agorajournalism Center .
Local Journalism's Accountability Role Is Threatened, Jeopardizing Informed Citizenship
Since 2023, a public investment in California has placed over 110 journalists who have collectively reported more than 10,000 stories, reaching 90 percent of the state's population, according to berke
Local bureaucracy creates hurdles for affordable housing
A Tallahassee property owner recently saw rehab costs jump a staggering 30%.
Local news is vital for community accountability and information.
Slippery Rock University student Josie Hart recently completed a media writing project, producing five original articles about her hometown of Greenville and the nearby Slippery Rock area.
Local government budget cuts will cripple public services without transparency in 2026.
Mayor Wu proposed a 27 percent cut to the FY27 budget for the Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture, leaving programs in limbo despite calls for greater fiscal transparency, according to the Boston Art Rev
Local businesses can fund emergency services without breaking the bank.
In Springfield, a volunteer fire department serving a bustling commercial district nearly shut down last year.
Cities Hide Budgets, Eroding Trust: The 2026 Transparency Crisis Looms.
In Boston, a $1.4 million payroll cut for the Transportation Department was initially approved, only to be reallocated at the eleventh hour to save social services, revealing the high-stakes, last-min
Orlando's Historic Preservation Board review suspended
On June 8, the Orlando City Council advanced an ordinance to suspend all Historic Preservation Board review for three years across its Downtown Historic District, including for demolitions.
Resilient infrastructure for inland flood mitigation is vital by 2026.
In Montego Bay, rainfall exceeded 350 millimeters in just 24 hours, causing the Montego River to swell to a 500-year return period flow, according to the Jamaica Information Service .