#local-government

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San Francisco
fromsfist.com
3 hours ago

Humpday Headlines: Serial Harasser Already In Jail In SF

A previously jailed serial harasser was rearrested for parole violation while San Francisco courts, local governments, and national events face legal, political, and financial disruptions.
US politics
fromSan Jose Spotlight
4 hours ago

San Jose council signs off on new city attorney - San Jose Spotlight

Susana Alcala Wood was unanimously appointed San Jose city attorney and will begin on Nov. 9 with an annual salary of $390,000.
#embezzlement
fromSFGATE
2 weeks ago
US news

After suicide attempt, South Lake Tahoe mayor admits to stealing church funds

fromSFGATE
2 weeks ago
US news

After suicide attempt, South Lake Tahoe mayor admits to stealing church funds

#party-defections
fromwww.bbc.com
8 hours ago
UK politics

Two Labour councillors defect to Green Party

Two Labour councillors in Swindon defected to the Green Party, increasing Greens to three councillors and altering the council's party balance.
fromwww.bbc.com
1 week ago
UK politics

Reform UK defectors reject calls for by-election

Two councillors defected from Conservative to Reform UK and refused to resign for a by-election, citing taxpayer cost and lack of precedent.
fromwww.mercurynews.com
23 hours ago

Milpitas interim city manager resigns amid conflict with City Councilmember

Milpitas Interim City Manager Deanna Santana announced she would be resigning at the end of this month, following a clash with Councilmember Evelyn Chua over an alleged attempt at holding a secret meeting in violation of the Brown Act, according to newly released documents by the city. I came to Milpitas to help fix the organization, not to fight or be disrespected, wrote Santana in an August email announcing her resignation. Unfortunately, over the last two weeks, both have happened with Councilmember Chua.
US politics
UK politics
fromwww.independent.co.uk
1 day ago

Couldn't run a bath, let alone a council': Readers slam Reform after council chaos

Donations fund on-the-ground, paywall-free journalism that investigates major issues, holds power to account, and reports political controversies like Reform UK's turmoil in Kent.
Public health
fromHigh Country News
1 day ago

Want fluoride in the water? Too bad. - High Country News

Local leaders pushed to remove fluoride from Pasco's water amid a federal rollback and misinformation, threatening increased dental decay and pain.
California
fromThe Mercury News
2 days ago

Vallejo's finance director leaves for Hayward park district

Rekha Nayar left Vallejo after nine years as finance director to join the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District, amid multiple city leadership departures.
US politics
fromThe Mercury News
2 days ago

Antioch City Council weighs proposed amendments to police oversight commission

Antioch City Council rejected proposed Police Oversight Commission changes including background/social media checks, temporary meeting pause authority, and allowing current or former officers to serve.
#asylum-seekers
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
4 days ago

Labour's housing hypocrisy: councils serve almost 200 families with no-fault eviction notices

Labour-run councils used arm's-length companies to issue nearly 200 section 21 no-fault eviction notices despite a pledge to abolish them.
#gun-violence-prevention
fromKqed
4 days ago
Public health

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee Convenes Local Leaders To Stop Gun Violence | KQED

Regional leaders and law enforcement convened in Oakland to coordinate local gun-violence prevention after the Trump administration cut over $150 billion in community intervention funding.
fromThe Oaklandside
5 days ago
East Bay (California)

Oakland Mayor Lee hosts Bay Area mayors at gun violence prevention conference

East Bay leaders coordinated regional strategies to reduce gun violence by targeting illegal firearm supply and increasing gun industry accountability.
fromKqed
4 days ago
Public health

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee Convenes Local Leaders To Stop Gun Violence | KQED

fromwww.mercurynews.com
6 days ago

Opponents of Menlo Park affordable housing proposal reach signature threshold for ballot measure

Opponents of a plan to convert downtown parking lots into affordable housing say they've collected enough signatures to put the issue before voters, potentially halting an effort to build 345 affordable units on lots that currently provide more than 500 parking spaces. Save Downtown Menlo Park, a coalition of local businesses and downtown patrons, submitted 3,440 signatures to City Hall last Friday well above the 10% threshold of registered voters needed to qualify the measure for the ballot.
California
Film
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 week ago

Reparo! Harry Potter film crew mend potholes blighting Devon village

Film-makers repairing potholes in Lustleigh, Devon improved local roads while villagers questioned why repairs occurred only because of the Harry Potter production.
fromwww.standard.co.uk
1 week ago

Battle to scrap south London LTNs after 'traffic just pushed elsewhere and no improvement to air quality'

A final decision on whether two unpopular Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) in Greenwich will become permanent will be made next month. Greenwich Council launched the West and East Neighbourhood Management Trial Scheme last November, aiming to reduce traffic and improve air quality in two areas of Greenwich by issuing fines to motorists who drive through certain areas at peak times.
London politics
fromLos Angeles Times
1 week ago

Commentary: One of O.C.'s loudest pro-immigrant politicians is one of the unlikeliest

The Orange city council member comes from O.C. Republican royalty. Her grandfather, Cruz, was a Mexican immigrant and civil rights pioneer who registered with the GOP in the late 1940s after Democratic leaders wouldn't help him and other activists fight school segregation against Mexican American students in Orange County. Her second cousin, Steve Ambriz, was a rising GOP star serving on the Orange City Council when he was killed by wrong-way driver in 2006.
US politics
#cybersecurity
fromIT Pro
2 weeks ago
Information security

Middlesbrough Council boosts cybersecurity spending, strategy in response to repeated cyber attacks

fromIT Pro
2 weeks ago
Information security

Middlesbrough Council boosts cybersecurity spending, strategy in response to repeated cyber attacks

#lgbtq-rights
fromAdvocate.com
4 weeks ago
LGBT

Florida businesses and governments take to walls and parking lots to replace rainbows DeSantis blasted away

fromAdvocate.com
4 weeks ago
LGBT

Florida businesses and governments take to walls and parking lots to replace rainbows DeSantis blasted away

Right-wing politics
fromwww.mercurynews.com
1 week ago

Defamation case against Los Gatos councilmembers dismissed in court

Far-right activist Lynley Hogan must pay legal fees after a judge dismissed her defamation lawsuit against Los Gatos officials and a resident.
World politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 week ago

Guaranteed Maori seats on New Zealand councils to be slashed by more than half

Binding referendums required by a 2024 law reversal eliminated more than half of guaranteed Maori ward seats on New Zealand councils, reducing Indigenous representation.
London politics
fromwww.bbc.com
1 week ago

London councils call for more devolutionary powers

London borough councils seek greater devolved decision-making via a Combined Board model to speed funding delivery and improve collaboration with the Greater London Authority.
California
fromsfist.com
1 week ago

Friday Morning Constitutional: Freeway Shootout In Oakland Leads to Arrest In Walnut Creek

Bay Area saw multiple public-safety, civic, weather, and property developments; MIT declined to sign Trump's conservative-speech pledge.
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
1 week ago

Labour councillor suspended over racist comment

A Bristol Labour councillor was suspended and is under investigation after posting a racist comment calling for detention and deportation of a person accused of theft.
US politics
fromwww.mercurynews.com
1 week ago

Hard-fought battle over Alameda County ethical investment policy comes to a mixed resolution and a muted response

Alameda County adopted an ethical investment policy after divesting from Caterpillar, but implementation will be delayed pending a peer review.
fromMission Local
2 weeks ago

In City Hall, a spooky homage to S.F.'s undead political careers

If you go up the Grand Staircase to the second floor of San Francisco City Hall and then make a right, you will find a graveyard outside the office of District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan. Each tombstone is marked with a Halloweeny riff on the name of a former district supervisor. Is it an homage? Is it a threat? "There's a lot of stuff going on, so it's nice to have a little levity," said Robyn Burke, one of Chan's legislative aides.
SF politics
#asylum-policy
fromwww.independent.co.uk
2 weeks ago

Yelden, Yielden and Yieldon? Decades-long row over village name finally settled

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
UK news
UK politics
fromwww.independent.co.uk
2 weeks ago

Reform UK set to hike council tax in Kent by 5% - despite pledge to cut costs

Reform UK-run Kent County Council may raise council tax despite £40m cost-cutting claims from a Musk-inspired efficiency unit amid rising demand and service pressures.
US politics
fromThe Mercury News
2 weeks ago

Letters: 60 years on, we're still protecting access to contraception

Contraceptive rights remain under threat decades after pill availability while local leadership and election integrity require ongoing public engagement.
#press-freedom
#homelessness
#reform-uk
fromPortland Mercury
3 weeks ago

Democracy Dying in Tigard

Mayor Lueb was the 2nd Leftist to resign from office in Tigard since 2022. I still miss Singh on the city council. What started out looking diverse in 2022 when Portland felt the need to go conservative and got screwed, now is more conservative looking. I feel so unrepresented and wish I were. Our current city council are primarily the fiscally conservatives who could achieve gentrification and more inequity.
US politics
US politics
fromThe Mercury News
3 weeks ago

Antioch council votes for new city clerk after Rhodes resignation in July

Michael Mandy was appointed Antioch city clerk to serve through November 2026, emphasizing transparency, impartiality, and cost-effective appointment over a special election.
fromwww.independent.co.uk
4 weeks ago

Public backs super ID card' which could be used to report potholes

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
UK politics
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

Ministers could give mayors control of schools and hospitals in devolution shake-up

Mayors may gain major new powers over hospitals, schools, social care and parts of the criminal justice system through amendments to the devolution bill.
Agriculture
fromThe Mercury News
1 month ago

Santa Rosa boy and his family at heart of fight for right to keep bees in city

Santa Rosa family fights to keep backyard beekeeping legal after city enforcement threatened hive removal, prompting efforts to craft a local beekeeping ordinance.
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
1 month ago

Five new unitary authorities would 'save 52m a year'

Brighton & Hove proposes five Sussex unitary authorities, claiming £52.4m annual savings and boundary changes expanding the city eastwards while prompting local opposition.
US politics
fromwww.esquire.com
1 month ago

Illinois Republicans Want to Impeach Governor J.B. Pritzker for Hateful Rhetoric

Illinois conservative lawmakers filed unlikely impeachment articles against Governor Pritzker over rhetoric, while an Iowa county official refused a gubernatorial half-staff flag directive.
London politics
fromwww.bbc.com
1 month ago

A four-minute sit-down with Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey

Liberal Democrats are rebuilding in London, focusing on NHS, social care, community politics, and targeting borough gains such as Merton to expand representation.
California
fromoaklandside.org
1 month ago

Alameda County officials won't raise political fundraising limits

Alameda County supervisors rejected increasing individual campaign contribution caps from $20,000 to $40,000 for district races and $40,000 to $60,000 for countywide races.
fromPoynter
1 month ago

Is your mayor using ChatGPT? Here's how to FOIA around and find out - Poynter

Sanford used extensive public records of ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot logs from city employees to show, among other things, the city of Bellingham's draft AI policy was written with the help of ChatGPT. I get excited when I see an intriguing use of FOIA to demystify local government. And leading Poynter's AI work, you can imagine how I geeked out when I saw Sanford's investigations. Here is how they start:
Artificial intelligence
London
fromianVisits
1 month ago

The London Buzz - 15th September 2025

London faces legal battles, public service re-integration, transport negotiations, safety concerns over e-bikes, and tensions around urban development and housing delivery.
Pets
fromwww.standard.co.uk
1 month ago

Barking lives up to its name with most noisy dog complaints in London

Barking and Dagenham recorded 2,239 noisy dog complaints since 2020, the highest total among London boroughs.
fromBoston.com
1 month ago

West Boylston town administrator fired after Trump flag dispute sues town

"Ryan's subsequent termination by the Select Board was purposeful retaliation for refusing to simply go along with the dictates of Chief Minnich." A former West Boylston town administrator who was fired after a spat with the longtime police chief over a Trump flag filed a lawsuit against the town, alleging he was wrongfully terminated.
US news
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
1 month ago

Caerphilly leader quits Labour and backs Plaid Cymru

Sean Morgan resigned as Caerphilly council leader, left Labour, will vote Plaid Cymru, and alleged a fixed selection while criticising Keir Starmer.
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

Reform council to rescind' climate emergency declaration

Reform UK plans to rescind Kent council's climate emergency declaration and replace net-zero targets with an energy-efficiency plan prioritizing financial returns and revenue generation.
US politics
fromSan Jose Spotlight
1 month ago

Mountain View inspires Liccardo to introduce federal housing bill - San Jose Spotlight

A bipartisan UNLOCK Act would allow municipalities greater flexibility to use Community Development Block Grant funds for affordable housing construction.
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

UK couple may have to evict Ukrainian refugees owing to planning rules

Rosemary Duckett, 80, a retired magistrate and former chair of her local YMCA, and her husband, Anthony, 88, have been providing accommodation in a room above their garage to Ukrainian refugees since 2022. The couple were dismayed when the council recently told them they could no longer use the room, which has a small bathroom attached, to provide somewhere for Ukrainians to live without applying for a change of use for the room, at a cost of 600-800.
Miscellaneous
London politics
fromwww.standard.co.uk
1 month ago

Former Labour councillor sexually assaulted woman at wife's leaving party in London's Square Mile

A former Labour councillor, Daniel Lee-Phakoe, sexually assaulted a woman at his wife's leaving party and faces jail.
#london
fromianVisits
1 month ago
UK news

The London Buzz - 4th September 2025

Multiple significant London events: a crash injuring 17, transport disputes and accessibility issues, local controversies, crime incidents, and cultural events.
fromianVisits
1 month ago
UK news

The London Buzz - 25th August 2025

London stories cover accidents, council debt rises, missing funds, public amenities, wildfire risks, business closures, contracts, repairs, arrests, transport and cultural events.
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
1 month ago

Reform boss denies press ban applied to councillors

Mick Barton says the ban on Nottingham Post applies only to press releases and himself, not to Reform councillors speaking to journalists.
Public health
fromenglish.elpais.com
1 month ago

Toyoake: The Japanese city that wants to limit cell phone use to two hours a day

Toyoake proposes a nonbinding guideline urging residents to limit non-work smartphone use to two hours daily and set evening curfews for students.
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

Coventry council to use Palantir AI in social work, Send and children's services

Coventry City Council signed a £500,000-per-year Palantir AI contract to expand AI in children's services, prompting trade union and councillor ethical objections.
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

Rayner set to hit English councils that block new housing with tougher sanctions

Angela Rayner is poised to introduce tougher sanctions on councils in England that block local housing developments. Councils could be forced to approve new housing developments overturning locally agreed plans under stricter rules or risk handing over control of their planning departments to Whitehall officials. Rayner, who has come under pressure this week for adding to her constituency residence and grace-and-favour home in London with the purchase of an 800,000 apartment near Brighton, already has considerable powers to overrule councils that block housing developments.
UK politics
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

Reform UK council removes St George and union flags over safety fears

Durham Council removed St George's cross and union bunting from highway infrastructure after a risk assessment found ropes could pull down poles and threaten safety.
UK news
fromianVisits
1 month ago

The London Buzz - 28th August 2025

South London incinerator exceeded air pollution limits nearly 1,000 times over 16 months, amid local stories on closures, crime, redevelopment, protests, and cultural events.
fromwww.bbc.com
1 month ago

Leader urges people to be 'sensible' with flags

We don't want to see thousands of flags on every lamp-post. I am doing a piece of work over the next few weeks to address that situation to see if we can help that situation. I would like people to relax a little bit for a few weeks and then I will come out with an option that will please everybody. If you look at the law, defacing a piece of council property could carry a FPN [fixed penalty notice]. I'm not saying we're going to do that, but let's just be sensible and speak to us before doing anything.
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
1 month ago

Japanese town proposes two-hour daily limit on smartphones

"The two hour limit... is merely a guideline... to encourage citizens," Toyoake Mayor Masafumi Koki said in a statement.
Digital life
US politics
fromBoston.com
1 month ago

This 60-year-old Beverly mom made her mark at the State House this summer - as an intern.

Lorinda Visnick returned to graduate school in her sixties to pursue public policy research after civic work and elected service inspired her.
California
fromThe Mercury News
1 month ago

Pittsburg names new interim city manager

Maria Aliotti will serve as Pittsburg interim city manager during the search for a permanent city manager, with applications accepted through September 14, 2025.
California
fromwww.mercurynews.com
1 month ago

Monte Sereno appoints Lon Allen as vice mayor on Aug. 19

Lon Allan was appointed vice mayor of Monte Sereno on Aug. 19; his term ends Dec. 16 and one City Council vacancy remains.
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

A dangerous moment': the emboldening of Britain's far right

A high court ruling found the Home Office's use of the Bell hotel to house asylum seekers breached planning laws, threatening nationwide asylum accommodation plans.
US politics
fromABC7 San Francisco
2 months ago

Newsom, Mahan react after Bed, Bath & Beyond CEO shades CA, saying they won't reopen in state

Bed, Bath & Beyond will reopen stores nationwide but excludes California, citing California's overregulation, high costs, and risks for businesses.
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
2 months ago

Former MP Dame Annette Brooke dies

Dame Annette Brooke was a longtime Liberal Democrat MP and local leader who championed education, disability access, microfinance, and community causes, serving 2001–2015.
fromwww.bbc.com
2 months ago

Reform UK confirms new deputy county council leader

We're a new administration, in place for around three months, and finding the right people for the job is very important. I'd like to thank Joseph for his efforts and helping to establish our new team. Adult social care deserves its own focus and I'm delighted to welcome Carl to the cabinet. Kevin brings a lot of experience and I'm pleased he's joining our leadership team.
UK politics
UK news
fromwww.standard.co.uk
2 months ago

A million Londoners expected to attend Notting Hill Carnival following fears over funding and safety issues

Notting Hill Carnival will proceed this year with emergency local and mayoral funding despite safety review concerns and Government refusal to provide extra support.
LGBT
fromAdvocate.com
2 months ago

I faced hate from every side. Morocco showed me another way to lead

Queer Iranian American politician left elected office after harassment to prioritize healing, travel, and embodied, personal advocacy while taking up space on her terms.
Law
fromLondon Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
2 months ago

The Epping Bell Hotel High Court case set a legal precedent, say lawyers - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com

High Court injunction halts further asylum placements at the Bell Hotel and requires current occupants to leave by 12 September 2025, reinforcing council planning authority.
UK politics
fromLondon Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
2 months ago

Dozens of councils 'instructing' legal teams for advice to rid hotels of boat migrants - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com

Multiple local councils are seeking legal advice to use injunctions to evict small-boat migrants from hotels after a High Court allowed Epping Forest Council's injunction.
Social justice
from48 hills
2 months ago

Lurie panel wants to eliminate civilian oversight of the Sheriff's Office - 48 hills

Elimination of the civilian oversight panel for the Sheriff's Department is under consideration, raising accountability concerns.
US politics
fromAustin Monitor
2 months ago

Staff to deliver recommendations for city boards and commissions in October - Austin Monitor

City will present recommendations next month on advisory boards' structure using a new evaluation framework.
LGBT
fromAdvocate.com
2 months ago

Florida threatens to blast rainbow crosswalks away if city governments won't do it

State officials may mandate the removal of rainbow crosswalks in Florida cities defying orders.
fromwww.standard.co.uk
2 months ago

South London drivers are refunded 485,000 in bus lane fines after admin error

Drivers in south London have been refunded £485,000 in bus lane fines due to an administrative error found by Southwark Council.
London politics
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 months ago

Reform UK accused of serving a plate of chaos' at Leicestershire county council

Reform UK-led council in Leicestershire faces criticism after leadership changes, highlighting instability and poor judgment.
Brooklyn
fromwww.amny.com
2 months ago

2025 Elections: What you need to know before voting | amNewYork

Registered voters in New York aged 18 or older can vote in the November general election.
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
2 months ago

Deputy leader of new Reform UK council steps down

The deputy leader of Worcestershire County Council has resigned three months into the role, causing turmoil within the county's leadership.
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 months ago

Scrapping of audit watchdog for English councils led to soaring costs and chaos'

Abolishing the Audit Commission led to increased audit costs and operational inefficiencies, straying from promised savings and causing financial turmoil for local councils.
fromBusiness Matters
2 months ago

John Lewis estate supplies bottled water after pollution contaminates village supply

John Lewis has provided bottled water to Longstock residents after high nitrate levels made local supplies unsafe. This issue stems from fertilizer pollution affecting drinking water.
Public health
fromwww.standard.co.uk
2 months ago

Labour 'waging war on motorists' after scrapping plans to limit number of new Low Traffic Neighbourhoods

The Conservative Party branded the move a kick in the teeth to drivers, criticizing Labour's approach to heavy-handed policies against car owners, especially in London.
UK politics
US politics
fromMission Local
2 months ago

Mayor Lurie takes credit for immigrant legal funding he didn't deliver

Mayor Daniel Lurie announced securing $3.4 million for immigrant legal defense, though the funding was previously awarded and not secured by him.
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