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Interior view of High Voltage Records & Hi-Fi, a new vinyl record store in Rogers Park, Chicago, showcasing a lively browsing atmosphere.
Local Spotlights

High Voltage Records & Hi-Fi Opens Doors in Rogers Park

In its first month of operation, High Voltage Records & Hi-Fi, a brand-new physical store in Rogers Park, sold over 1,200 records.

Caitlin O'Malley·May 21
Affordable housing complex in Rogers Park, Chicago, with diverse residents and community members.
Neighborhoods

Chicago committee approves Rogers Park affordable housing plan

In a stark contrast to typical Chicago development, the City Council's zoning committee just approved an 80-unit apartment complex in Rogers Park where every single unit will be below market rate, acc

Caitlin O'Malley·May 20
Motorized, LED-lit paddleboards glowing brightly as they cruise along the water at Ping Tom Memorial Park, with the Chicago skyline visible in the background.
Arts & Culture

Neon Paddle brightens Chinatown's Ping Tom Park with illuminated tours

Last year, 500 customers experienced Chicago's skyline from motorized, LED-lit paddleboards, making Neon Paddle a global rarity and a local hit.

Caitlin O'Malley·May 20
DJ Nudia Hernandez hosts Vocalo's new live call-in show, 'The Vocalo Hotline,' aiming to significantly expand the station's listener base.
Neighborhoods

Vocalo launches new live call-in show with DJ Nudia Hernandez

Despite recently cutting 14 positions across its units, Chicago Public Media is betting on a new live call-in show and a massive signal boost to transform its struggling sister station, Vocalo.

Chloe Jenkins·May 18
A lively scene at Outside Lands festival with numerous food stalls, happy festival-goers enjoying diverse culinary offerings, and music in the background.
Food & Drink

Outside Lands 2026 Features 100 Restaurants in Its Food and Drink Lineup

Perry's, Original Joe's, and Balboa Cafe — three San Francisco institutions with a combined 259 years of restaurant experience — are set to debut at Outside Lands 2026, according to Sf Eater .

Aisha Patel·May 12
A charming, sunlit street lined with diverse local businesses, showcasing a vibrant community atmosphere and the appeal of independent shops.
Local Spotlights

How to Find and Support Local Businesses: A Complete Guide

For every dollar spent at a local independent business, nearly half – a remarkable 48% – recirculates directly into the local economy.

Caitlin O'Malley·Jul 20
Crowds of World Cup fans filling the Milpitas BART station platform, showcasing a 160% surge in ridership during the event.
Transportation & Transit

World Cup Ridership Soars 160% at Milpitas Station, Public Transit Proves Indispensable

BART's Milpitas Station saw its ridership surge by over 160 percent during the World Cup, a dramatic indicator of how major events can test and transform urban transit.

Chloe Jenkins·Jul 3
Sell Your Woodbridge Home Fast: 3 Proven Strategies from Realtor Rhonda Campbell
Real Estate & Development

Sell Your Woodbridge Home Fast: 3 Proven Strategies from Realtor Rhonda Campbell

To sell your Woodbridge home fast and profitably in today's digital-first market, Realtor Rhonda Campbell offers three proven strategies: strategic pricing, professional staging for online appeal, and targeted marketing leveraging a powerful network.

Sponsored·Jul 9
Modern public transit systems, including trains and trams, seamlessly integrated into a vibrant, futuristic cityscape, showcasing efficient urban mobility.
Transportation & Transit

Why Are Host Cities Investing Billions in Public Transit for Major Events?

In Los Angeles, 28 major transit projects are being fast-tracked for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, but some of these multi-billion dollar upgrades were envisioned decades ago.

Chloe Jenkins·Jun 18
Diverse group of minority entrepreneurs working together in a bright, modern office space, symbolizing the boom in startup creation and economic impact.
Business & Economy

Minority Entrepreneurs Fuel Startup Boom, Reshaping Local Economies

Get ready for some exciting news!

Aisha Patel·Jun 18
Small business owners receiving expert advice and support from a Small Business Development Center advisor, symbolizing growth and financial success.
Business & Economy

What Are Small Business Development Centers?

Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) across the US helped clients secure an astounding $5.

Aisha Patel·Jun 9
A diverse community thrives around a modern transit hub, with mixed-use buildings, green spaces, and people engaging in sustainable activities.
Transportation & Transit

Transit-Oriented Development Promises Greener Cities, Stronger Communities

In Cleveland's Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood, a $19.

Chloe Jenkins·Jun 3
Diverse construction crews working on a new bridge and public transit system in a modern American city, symbolizing the impact of the BUILD America 250 Act.
Transportation & Transit

BUILD America 250 Act Boosts Local Infrastructure Funding

Counties and local governments are poised to access an estimated 22 percent of the new BUILD America 250 Act's funding, a significant shift targeting local infrastructure and housing challenges.

Michael Sullivan·May 19
A lively street in Newark, New Jersey, filled with diverse new local businesses and people enjoying the vibrant urban atmosphere.
Local Spotlights

30+ New Local Businesses Opening in Newark

In Newark, Audible's Business Attraction Program has poured $4.

Caitlin O'Malley·May 20
A lonely bus stop under a dim streetlight, with an empty road signifying reduced public transit service due to funding cuts.
Transportation & Transit

Federal transit funding cuts will cripple local transit.

Valley Transit, Mat-Su's primary public bus service, faces canceling all Saturday service and halving bus routes because a proposed $250,000 local funding cut will trigger a disproportionate $750,000

Michael Sullivan·Jul 5
The 5 Ways Eagle Security Solutions Performs Private Investigations Better
Business & Economy

The 5 Ways Eagle Security Solutions Performs Private Investigations Better

When seeking private investigation services, clients need assurance of professionalism, discretion, and results. The demand for these services is rising due to concerns about fraud, personal security, and corporate integ…

Sponsored·Jul 8
Electric cars causing gridlock in dedicated bus lanes, preventing public transit buses from moving and creating significant delays for commuters in an urban center.
Transportation & Transit

EVs Will Cause Public Transit Gridlock By 2026

Despite their environmental benefits, the presence of electric cars in bus lanes actively impedes the efficiency of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems in urban centers, creating significant delays for th

Michael Sullivan·Jun 24
Diverse Chicago residents gather with concerned expressions outside an apartment building, advocating for affordable housing.
Real Estate & Development

Holsten's Exit Signals Crisis for Chicago Affordable Housing

After 50 years championing mixed-income developments, Peter Holsten, a prominent Chicago developer, is selling his extensive portfolio, encompassing 2,638 residential units.

Michael Sullivan·Jun 24
Seniors boarding a crowded Seoul subway train amidst a backdrop of escalating financial deficit warnings, symbolizing the debate over free transit.
Transportation & Transit

Free Public Transit for Seniors in Cities Sparks Fierce Debate

Seoul Metro reported a staggering 383.

Michael Sullivan·Jun 21
Diverse group of people boarding a public transit bus at a modern, accessible stop in a growing city.
Transportation & Transit

Public transit must be prioritized for sustainable urban growth

In Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where 23% of the population lives in poverty, over 80% of public transit riders lack a car and rely on a system that charges just a dollar per ride, according to...

Michael Sullivan·Jun 7
Weary Bay Area commuters in a dimly lit, rain-slicked transit station, with a 'Transit Funding Crisis' alert on a digital billboard.
Transportation & Transit

Bay Area voters face 2026 sales tax hikes for transit funding

Despite Bay Area transit agencies collectively slashing over $1 billion in costs since 2019, they still face an annual deficit of at least $600 million, leading to a proposed sales tax hike that could

Michael Sullivan·Jun 3
Community art center with artists working late, symbolizing resilience and hope amidst potential funding challenges for local arts and culture.
Arts & Culture

What are public funding for local arts and culture grants 2025?

State and local governments are cutting arts funding by 8.

Michael Sullivan·Jul 12
A high-tech vertical farm with rows of vibrant green produce, symbolizing the future of sustainable urban food systems.
Food & Drink

The Future of Food: Reshaping Sustainable Systems by 2026

AeroFarms grows 390 times more food per square foot than traditional farms.

Caitlin O'Malley·Jul 10
A lively city street filled with people enjoying year-round outdoor art and music, illuminated by festive string lights.
Arts & Culture

What is Year-Round Arts Programming and Why Does it Matter?

In City X, a summer jazz festival that once packed parks for a single weekend now anchors a year-round music academy, boosting local business revenue by 18% in off-peak months.

Caitlin O'Malley·Jun 29