James Brasuell, AICP is the former editorial director of Planetizen and is now a senior public affairs specialist at the Southern California Association of Governments. James managed all editorial content and direction for Planetizen from 2014 to 2023, and was promoted from manging editor to editorial director in 2021. After a first career as a class five white water river guide in Trinity County in Northern California, James started his career in Los Angeles as a volunteer at a risk reduction center in Skid Row. Prior to joining Planetizen, James worked at the Cal Poly Pomona College of Environmental Design, as an editor at Curbed LA, as editor of The Planning Report, and as a freelance contributor for The Architect’s Newspaper, the Urban Land Institute – Los Angeles Chapter, FORM, KCET, and the California Planning & Development Report.

Waco, Texas Region Needs a New Water Plan
Communities in McClennan County, Texas, are working together to plan for a new water supply infrastructure that relies less on groundwater from the depleted Trinity Aquifer.

Big Hopes Ride on a Recently Approved Transit Station in Alexandria
A long-delayed decision by the National Park Service and the Federal Highway Administration removes the final regulatory obstacle for the construction of a new Metro station in Alexandria, Virginia.

Sunday Fun: The Mountain Lions of Los Angeles Get Their Own Social Media Presence
The National Park Service has launched the Puma Profiles, making it easier to explore the lives of the city's largest collection of feral residents.
D.C. Raises Taxes on Vacant and Blighted Properties
It got more expensive to neglect properties in Washington, D.C. this week.

Santa Monica Ordinance Would Require Net-Zero Energy Standards for New Homes
Santa Monica is the first city in California to adopt an ordinance requiring new single-family homes be built to net-zero energy standards.