The residents and government of the city of Nome, Alaska are unimpressed with the whining they heard this winter.
Nome, Alaska - The Office of Mayor Denise Michels released a statement earlier this week in response to claims that this winter was more difficult than normal in many parts of the United States.
Included in the statement: “Which Polar Vortex? Oh, that Polar Vortex? We call that Thursday.”
At a press conference to announce the statement, Mayor Michels asked reporters, “Did you hear what happened in Atlanta?” before slapping her forehead and exhaling pure disgust.
“I just want to offer you all some perspective,” said Mayor Michels. “Here in Nome, the average January temperature is 5.2 °F. That’s -14.9 °C for those of you living it up in Canada all winter long.”
Mayor Michels reminded the Lower 48 that although highs may breach the freezing point 2-4 times per month from December to March, Nome experiences 74-75 days a year when temperatures fall to 0 °F (-18 °C) or lower.
Michels concluded the press conference with an invitation: “If you think you can handle that, you’re welcome in Nome any time. We’ll grab a beer and watch the Seahawks game or something.”
Read the full story: Nome, Alaska to Lower 48: What Polar Vortex?
California-Style Rolling Blackouts Come to Texas
As bad as the power outages are in Texas, they would be much worse if the independent energy grid operator hadn't initiated rolling blackouts. In an extensive interview with CBS Austin, Bill Magness, the head of ERCOT, explains what went wrong.
Self-Driving Cars Still Can't Recognize the Difference Between a Wedding Planner and an Urban Planner
Pundits agree that planners need to prepare for self-driving cars. Self-driving cars still need to prepare for planners.
Florida Man Thought the New Comp Plan Included Zoning Changes
A Florida man is accused of not realizing an entirely separate process would be required to implement the zoning changes recommended in a recently approved comprehensive plan.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Move over, LA: St. Louis gears up for Olympics, invests millions in downtown redevelopment
The Missouri city will host the 2028 Olympic soccer group stage and knockout matches.
Mass. votes against statewide minimum lot size for single-family homes
Over 2 million residents voted on Question 7; it was decided by just over 30,000 votes.
Maryland’s $15 billion bridge project gains key approval
The Maryland Transit Authority said the project will create over 60,000 jobs and add $23 billion to the local economy.
‘No clear next steps’ for Chicago's permanent festival grounds
Eleventh Ward Ald. Nicole Lee has suggested Soldier Field as a possible location for the permanent event space.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority