President Bush promotes a "healthy forests" initiative, which would protect homes by thinning dense undergrowth.
"President Bush visited a fire-ravaged Arizona community Monday as he urged Congress to enact his controversial "healthy forests" initiative, which he said would protect homes from wildfires by thinning dense undergrowth and brush but critics said would make it easier for the logging industry to cut down trees... The debate over how to thin the forest and prevent wildfires has spawned angry debate throughout the West, with environmental groups claiming that Bush's plan would allow timber companies not only to remove kindling but also to cut down healthy older trees and avoid lengthy delays posed by current logging requirements."
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: Bush Pushes 'Healthy Forests' Plan

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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