Caroline Cournoyer

On a recent Friday, she attached flyers about an upcoming education and training fair to more than 500 pizza boxes, one of the ways she’s tried to persuade men in this northern Michigan town to enroll in college, a certificate program or even just a single course. “On a Friday night when somebody wants to watch a basketball game or some other sporting event, they’re probably gonna order pizza,” said Bacon. “Part of that target was those working-age adult men.” Maggie Bacon is seeking men.

Some of these changes include allowing low-rise apartment buildings to have just one stairway, reducing how often building codes are updated and rolling back specific electrical or fire safety standards. But critics have raised safety concerns, noting that existing rules were shaped by past tragedies and aim to prevent future harm. States and cities are loosening building code requirements in an effort to lower construction costs and boost affordable housing.