The Houston Chronicle accidentally posts an internal memo calling for editorials and news articles supporting an as-of-yet unannounced light rail referendum.
Houston's daily newspaper quickly removed the "internal document" upon its discovery and posted a brief correction to the page, though not before the document was publicly accessible for at least several hours... The memo continues with the suggestion that news stories could be used to accompany the Editorial Board's opinion pieces. "I suggest that [the editorials] could be built upon and informed by a news-feature package with an equally specific focus," writes the unnamed Chronicle official. The main purpose of these "news-features" would be to "inform" readers of a supposed anti-rail conspiracy in Houston. In other words, expect the Chronicle's radical pro-rail editorial opinions to seep over into their news coverage as the Chronicle intentionally engages in the art of yellow journalism so famously associated with the founder of their parent company, William Randolph Hearst.
Thanks to Transport Policy Listserv
Read the full story: Houston Chronicle Secret Memo Alleges Vast Light Rail Conspiracy
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
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.
After public outcry, Massachusetts city releases housing development tracker
Cambridge’s tracker currently shows 250 housing projects in various stages of development.
40 years after approval, Chicago breaks ground on new park
The park honors Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the city’s first permanent non-native settler.
‘Hoodwinked:’ New Mexico bill aimed at microgrids paves way for data center development
In an interview with High Country News, Padilla said the legislation “ignited” New Mexico's economy.
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
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority