The New York Times

A footbrinde crosses over a small cascade of flowing water on a sunny day in Yonkers, New York.

'Daylighting' Project to Restore Nature in the Big Apple

More cities are returning waterways to a more natural state—in some cases unearthing them from subterranean pipes in a process known as "daylighting." A new example can be found, perhaps surprisingly, in New York City.

December 9, 2021 - The New York Times

A sin on a street in Chur, Switzerland lists public health precautions.

Swiss Vote to Retain COVID Mitigation Measures

A nationwide referendum held on Sunday, Nov. 28, on coronavirus measures enacted by the Swiss federal government, including the controversial Swiss Covid certificate (vaccination verification), passed with 62% of the vote.

December 7, 2021 - The New York Times

NYC Subway Construction

Why Big Infrastructure Projects Go Over Budget

Most major infrastructure projects fail to meet projected timelines or budgets. Some experts say this is a structural flaw built into "systematically deceptive" estimate practices.

December 2, 2021 - The New York Times

A sign on a door says proof of vaccine is required to enter.

Another Biden COVID Vaccine Mandate on Hold

Last month, a court stayed Biden's large private employer mandate that requires workers to be vaccinated or test-and-mask. On Tuesday, a federal district court judge stayed the vaccine mandate that applies nationwide to most health care workers.

December 1, 2021 - The New York Times

Austin Traffic

Austin Becoming Least Affordable City Outside California

The Texas capital, once one of the most affordable metro areas, is experiencing a housing affordability crisis as median prices soar and longtime residents face displacement.

December 1, 2021 - The New York Times

An image showing a smart phone with information from the World Health Organization about the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Omicron Variant: No Good Science Goes Unpunished

The discovery by South African scientists will enable the world to prepare for the newest coronavirus variant, but it will also cause enormous hardship due to the travel restrictions on flights to/from eight nations in southern Africa.

November 30, 2021 - The New York Times

Mass Vaccination

Austria to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccination

Life for the unvaccinated in many European countries is becoming more difficult as infections surge. Austria will take the ultimate step in February and require residents to become inoculated unless medically exempt. A lockdown begins Monday.

November 22, 2021 - The New York Times

Homeless encampments on the Venice Beach Ocean Front Walk.

The Blue State Problem

The New York Times and Last Week Tonight With John Oliver have a message for progressives living in liberal cities in Blue States: you're part of the problem.

November 21, 2021 - The New York Times

Sunstar electric bikes displayed during the japanese festival in Geneva on the 7th october 2012

The E-Bike Boom Continues

The popularity of electric bikes doesn't seem to be waning as the devices outpace electric car sales by almost two to one.

November 21, 2021 - The New York Times

Coronavirus Testing

Court: Federal COVID-19 'Vaccine or Test-and-Mask' Mandate 'Fatally Flawed'

The Biden Administration's most sweeping and possibly controversial action to increase COVID vaccinations has been stayed twice by a federal appeals court and is likely headed to the Supreme Court

November 15, 2021 - The New York Times

COVID-19 Test

Global COVID Death Toll Reaches Another Grim Milestone

The official death toll due to COVID-19 since the first recorded death in Wuhan, China, on Jan. 10, 2020, passed 5 million on Nov. 1, although The New York Times stresses that's a vast undercount. The WHO points to Europe as the latest hot spot.

November 10, 2021 - The New York Times

Solar and Wind Energy

As Solar Scales Up, Development Controversies Follow

Utility-scale solar is increasingly looking east to develop new facilities and encountering a common form of resistance from local communities.

November 3, 2021 - The New York Times

A groundskeeper blows autumn leaves in the Homewood Cemetery, Pittsburgh

Opinion: To Protect Biodiversity, Eliminate All Leaf Blowers

Electric and battery-powered leaf blowers have a reduced impact on pollution and human health, but our lawn care practices continue to harm plant and animal habitats.

October 29, 2021 - The New York Times

Bus Priority Zones

Bus Lane Plans Continue Retreat in New York City—This Time it's Fifth Avenue

The de Blasio administration caved to the interests of a Manhattan real estate developer and shelved a plan to prioritize bus transit over private automobiles on one of the most famous corridors in the world.

October 26, 2021 - The New York Times

Empty living room/dining room in an apartment in a 1920s apartment house, Los Angeles, California.

Spiking Rents Putting More People at Risk of Eviction

Housing costs across the country are becoming more and more unaffordable for low- and moderate-income households, a trend that began even before the COVID-19 pandemic.

October 26, 2021 - The New York Times

Emergency Response

Sirens May Do 'More Harm Than Good,' Research Shows

The ear-piercing sirens used by emergency vehicles are shown to have little impact on patient outcomes while contributing to more dangerous road conditions, experts say.

October 21, 2021 - The New York Times

A photo of a bridge reading Long Island City in front of high-rise buildings glittering in a sunset.

Where New Asian Residents Are Transforming New York City

Asians were the only major racial group in increase in population in all five boroughs of New York City since 2010. Long Island City in Queens saw a fivefold increase of Asian residents.

October 20, 2021 - The New York Times

Germany

How Global Cities Are Working to Electrify Transit

With the transportation sector accounting for a third of urban carbon emissions, cities around the world are seeking new ways to electrify their transit fleets and reduce fossil fuel consumption.

October 18, 2021 - The New York Times

Houston

Texas, the Bellwether State

With its rapid economic growth, dynamic cities, and increasingly diverse population, Texas could offer a model for the future of the United States.

October 13, 2021 - The New York Times

San Antonio Christmas

Growth and Heritage Colliding in San Antonio

As demand for real estate grows, residents in the city's historic neighborhoods face rising costs and the threat of displacement.

October 12, 2021 - The New York Times

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