Solano Beach City Council greenlights plans for school updates, renovations

The Solana Beach City Council recently approved plans for the second phase of a rebuild project at the Santa Fe Christian Schools campus on Academy Drive.   The school is planning to begin construction “as soon as possible,” the city said. Phase 2 will be divided into four smaller stages, with all work expected to be completed by 2028, according […]

San Antonio’s new budget features over $1.1B in capital investments

The city of San Antonio has adopted its $4 billion budget for fiscal year (FY) 2026, placing an increased emphasis on public safety, housing and infrastructure. The city council’s approval of the spending plan includes $1.1 billion allocated to the Capital Fund – approximately a third of which is dedicated to airport expansion. The approved […]

UNC Charlotte grid-hardening energy project gains federal NSF support

An innovative energy program at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte seeking to build an energy innovation hub is a step closer to $160 million in federal funding.  UNC Charlotte’s Engine for Grid Modernization has been named one of 15 finalists in the U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines competition, being selected from more than 300 initial applicants.  Each finalist is eligible for up to $160 […]

States fund massive capital projects for infrastructure in 2026

State budgets for FY 2026 share a striking set of priorities. Almost all are channeling major resources into long-term infrastructure strategies, especially transportation networks, water supply systems, broadband expansion, and energy resilience. Already, New York has committed to a record $68.4 billion for its Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s capital program – the largest transit investment in […]

New federal grant priority could reshape civics education nationwide

The U.S. Department of Education has proposed patriotic education as its fifth priority among supplemental criteria for discretionary grant funding. The proposal emphasizes civics and history instruction in advance of the nation’s 250th anniversary of independence.   Secretary of Education Linda McMahon made the announcement on Constitution Day, calling for teaching that highlights founding principles, […]

Interior to launch new unified wildfire response agency in 2026

The Department of the Interior (DOI) issued Secretary’s Order 3443 earlier this month, establishing the new U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS) with implementation planned for Jan. 2026. The announcement fulfills Executive Order 14308, Empowering Commonsense Wildfire Prevention and Response, which directs federal agencies to modernize wildfire management nationwide.  The new service will unify the DOI’s […]

Massachusetts distributes nearly $30M to support resilient infrastructure

Massachusetts has awarded $28.7 million to increase resilience in communities, preparing them to better handle flooding, heat waves, wildfires and other forms of extreme weather.  The Massachusetts Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action Grant Program prioritized underserved, rural and small-town communities this year for awards. Extreme weather has caused damage, impacting property, critical infrastructure and public well-being, […]