The Los Angeles Times has named Christopher Hawthorne as its new architecture critic.
"After mounting a global search worthy of its serious subject while nonetheless ignoring several well-qualified local candidates the Los Angeles Times has selected Christopher Hawthorne as its new architecture critic. Hawthorne, the architecture writer for the online magazine Slate, replaces Nicolai Ouroussoff, who departed from LA faster than you can say F-O-G when he was tapped by the New York Times to replace Herbert Muschamp.Both appointments reflect the truism that it helps to know someone: Michael Kinsley, Slates founding editor, is the op-ed editor of the LA. Times. And Muschamp is widely viewed as his replacements mentor."
Thanks to Peter Slatin
FULL STORY: Clean Slate

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?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie