National League of Cities

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new episode of the National League of Cities’ (NLC) CitiesSpeak podcast offers local leaders practical strategies for making the most of the Congressional August recess, when members of Congress return to their home states and districts to meet with constituents and engage with their communities.

Authored by Frank Canavan, Senior Manager, State Affairs for the American Gas Association Whether you are heating your home, cooking a meal or drying your clothes, using natural gas helps save you money. The latest Natural Gas Market Outlook confirms that while America’s natural gas utilities continue to meet record sustained demand, prices remain stable and affordable for homes and small businesses.

HOUSTON — Legislative leaders from across the country gathered Aug. 12–15 for the 2026 Large City Council Presidents’ Convening, hosted by the National League of Cities (NLC). The convening gave leaders representing America’s largest cities an opportunity to exchange ideas, strengthen peer relationships and explore practical solutions to the complex challenges facing their communities.

For some, having a savings account with enough to buy new tires if your car needs them, living a comfortable retirement or the opportunity to pass on investment to the next generation is their savings goal. But many low- and moderate-income workers don’t have access to savings products. Cities across the country are taking note and developing programs or leveraging federal or state programs to help more residents understand that savings can be a possibility for them and their families.

Local governments are moving beyond broad discussions about artificial intelligence (AI) and beginning to make practical decisions about how it should be used, governed and supported. Local officials, in a conversation that NLC convened at its Summer Board and Leadership Meeting, described how their communities are approaching AI from two connected but distinct directions.

Property tax is a key source of revenue for over 90 percent of local governments across the country. Across all state and local governments, property tax generates about 37 percent of total tax revenue. Most municipal governments rely heavily on property taxes to fund essential services such as education, schools, police and fire departments, public works and recreation and infrastructure.

Cities produce a constant stream of information. Council actions, infrastructure improvements, public safety programs and community events generate notices and social posts. But information alone does not always show how a city is changing or why municipal work matters. Strong community storytelling connects public action to daily life and helps residents recognize the people and organizations shaping the place they call home. Four categories provide a practical place to begin.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new episode of the CitiesSpeak podcast from the National League of Cities (NLC) features Mayor Pro Tem Alejandra Chavez (El Paso, Texas) in conversation with Dante Moreno, NLC Legislative Advocacy Manager, about why cities, towns and villages should begin preparing now for the 2030 Census. Chavez joined the podcast while in Washington, D.C., ahead of a congressional briefing focused on the 2020 Census undercount of young children and its consequences for communities.

Housing stability during pregnancy and within the first three years of a child’s life has lifelong implications for health, brain development and overall wellbeing. Having a safe, reliable home supports many of the conditions young children need to thrive (PDF), such as consistent caregiver relationships, predictable routines and a sense of security.

Authored by Lila Valencia, Ph.D., City Demographer, City of Austin, Texas To highlight ACS (American Community Survey) Awareness Month, the National League of Cities is spotlighting communities that have used ACS data to drive positive change in our From Data to Decisions series. Austin, Texas is one of a handful of U.S. cities that employs a city demographer, a social scientist who studies population to assess demographic shifts and growth patterns.