Voorhees University freshman earns 1st place in national HBCU Smart Cities Program NOTE: The above video is a livestream of WIS featuring current newscasts, Soda City Living, and Gray Media’s Local News Live. DENMARK, S.C. (WIS) - A Voorhees University freshman student has earned 1st place in the National Pathway Community Foundation HBCU Smart Cities Program. Freshman Josephine Mulenga took the top spot in the program, a ten-week national initiative focused on “developing innovative, technology-driven solutions to real-world urban challenges.” “This outstanding accomplishment reflects the innovation and academic excellence we foster at Voorhees University,” said Dr. Edward Hill, Provost and Vice President of Voorhees University. “Josephine’s success demonstrates the power of experiential learning and the impact our students can have in addressing real-world challenges through technology and collaboration.” The HBCU Smart Cities Program, organized by the Pathway Community Foundation, brings together top students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country. Mulenga was selected as one of only eight fellows from more than 150 applicants nationwide and collaborated with a cross-institutional team to design an advanced stormwater management system to improve flood detection and emergency response for communities. Her team’s project was recognized for its innovation, feasibility, and real-world impact during final presentations at Charlotte Community Tech Day 2026 in North Carolina. Mulenga credits her success to her faith and the support of mentors, faculty, and peers who have guided her throughout her journey. Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here. Copyright 2026 WIS. All rights reserved.
May 7, 2026 · via wistv.com
Dive Brief: - Homelessness programs that promote transitional housing, street outreach, childcare, job training and outpatient addiction treatment will get prioritized over housing-first and “harm reduction” efforts for federal funding, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced April 30. - The changes in department funding priorities relate to HUD’s 2026 Continuum of Care notice of funding opportunity for homelessness programs. The notice will be published June 1, with awards distributed by Dec. 1, HUD said. - HUD last year attempted to rescind a previously approved two-year notice of funding opportunity for CoC grants and issue new criteria, an effort that courts have blocked following lawsuits. HUD’s budget proposal to Congress for fiscal 2027 eliminates CoC grants entirely. Dive Insight: The Trump administration has criticized homelessness policies that promote permanent housing and harm reduction, instead promoting a view of homelessness as largely a mental health issue. “We must abandon the failed ‘Housing First’ policies that have misused taxpayer funded resources without any expectation of results and too often leave individuals trapped in addiction, untreated mental illness, and indefinite dependence on government systems,” HUD Secretary Scott Turner said in a press release following an April 14 White House summit focused on “drug addiction among the homeless population.” “HUD will promote treatment, recovery, and self-sufficiency,” Turner said. Homeless advocacy groups such as the National Alliance to End Homelessness have suggested such reforms could be detrimental. Pulling support from existing programs could push as many as 200,000 individuals into homelessness, NAEH said in a press release. In its April 30 CoC grant announcement, HUD encouraged participation from “a wide range of providers,” including faith-based organizations, law enforcement and mental illness treatment providers.
May 7, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
City of Adelanto Announces Completion of Phase One of Peltbeam’s Innovative Wireless Fiber Deployment Published Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 9:50 a.m. Updated Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 9:50 a.m. ADELANTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 7, 2026-- The City of Adelanto today announced the successful completion of the initial deployment of patented wireless fiber technology by Peltbeam, Inc., a Newport Beach–based technology company. Utilizing proprietary WiFi repeater technology, Peltbeam delivers high-speed wireless connectivity to underserved and disadvantaged areas of the city without the need for costly and time-intensive fiber trenching, engineering, or permitting. This high-speed wireless technology represents a first-of-its-kind deployment in the United States and serves as a critical step toward closing the digital divide. This initial deployment provides free outdoor wireless coverage across select public and residential areas. Identified using Peltbeam’s proprietary Pre-Deployment AI Maptool, installation sites in this phase include Adelanto City Hall, the Public Works building, the skate park, community center, and senior center adjacent to City Hall, and several surrounding neighborhoods. This rollout represents a significant and meaningful advancement in bridging the digital divide, ensuring that residents—regardless of income or location—have access to reliable high-speed internet in communities where traditional broadband infrastructure has been difficult or cost-prohibitive to implement. This effort is aligned with broader state and federal digital equity initiatives, including programs supported through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program and the Digital Equity Act, as well as California-led initiatives administered by the California Public Utilities Commission, including the California Advanced Services Fund and the State’s Broadband “Last Mile” investments. Expanded connectivity at the community center will support digital programming, educational workshops, and access to online services for residents of all ages—further reinforcing equitable access to technology. At the senior center, reliable high-speed internet will enable seniors to
May 7, 2026 · via lasvegassun.com
2026 HGTV Smart Home close to Florida theme parks. What to know about Apopka When does voting end for 2026 HGTV Smart Home near Orlando, Florida? 5 pm ET Friday, June 19, 2026, on hgtv.com and foodnetwork.com. - Voting for HGTV Smart Home near Orlando, Florida, worth $1.3 million, ends June 19, 2026, at hgtv.com/smart and foodnetwork.com/smarthome. - 2026 HGTV Smart Home in Apopka was built by Hartizen Homes. Interior design was by Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt, who live in Tampa, Florida. - Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt are the hosts and designers of the 2026 HGTV Smart Home in Apopka, Florida (near Orlando). - 2026 HGTV Smart Home is a 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom resort-style home with a pool, outdoor living center and state-of-the-art technology. Voting continues in the 2026 HGTV Smart Home sweepstakes contest − and whomever wins the gorgeous home gets to live in beautiful Apopka, Florida. Largely advertised for being located in Orlando, this year's coveted prize home is actually 20 miles down the road from the City Beautiful. And since the 2026 HGTV Smart Home is near the Orlando theme parks, of course there are "hidden Mickeys" in the humble abode. At least, that's according to the designers and hosts of the 2026 HGTV special, Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt. The HGTV reality show hosts, who live in Tampa, made the inside and outside living spaces comfortable and compatible with Florida's relentless summer heat, yet magazine cover-worthy. The home and garden network's sweepstakes contest began last month, and those interested in the $1.3 million grand prize − a fully furnished poolside paradise near Orlando and some cool cash − have just over a month to try their luck. In an interview with the USA TODAY Network last month, Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt spoke about "hidden Mickeys" aka Easter eggs
May 7, 2026 · via floridatoday.com
- NEC Corporation (TSE:6701) has appointed Akifumi Katano as President Director of NEC Indonesia. - Katano is tasked with leading business expansion, digital transformation, and connectivity initiatives in Indonesia. - The appointment aligns with Indonesia’s focus on digital resilience, smart cities, and next generation public services. NEC, a long-established technology and communications company, is leaning further into Indonesia’s growing digital economy through this leadership change. For investors, the move highlights how TSE:6701 is positioning its solutions around connectivity, government services, and broader digital infrastructure, an area where public sector priorities and private capital often intersect. With Katano now heading NEC Indonesia, the company is signaling that it sees more room to develop services linked to smart city projects and digital public platforms. Investors watching TSE:6701 can treat this appointment as an indicator of where management is focusing international efforts, alongside existing earnings and dividend information already in the market. Stay updated on the most important news stories for NEC by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on NEC. We've flagged 1 risk for NEC. See which could impact your investment. Investor Checklist Quick Assessment - ✅ Price vs Analyst Target: At ¥4,024 against a consensus target of about ¥6,008, the stock trades roughly 33% below where analysts as a group have set their target. - ✅ Simply Wall St Valuation: The shares are assessed as trading 31.1% below estimated fair value, which supports the undervalued status. - ❌ Recent Momentum: The 30 day return is about 1.2% lower, so price action has been soft into this announcement. There is only one way to know the right time to buy, sell or hold NEC. Head to the Simply Wall St company report for the latest analysis of NEC's Fair Value. Key Considerations
May 7, 2026 · via simplywall.st
Work is changing fast, and residents of European cities are feeling the effects directly. Across neighbourhoods, similar pressures surface again and again: parents unable to take up a job without access to childcare, workers whose wages no longer cover basic costs, young people trying to access labour markets, or older adults needing to retrain as their jobs evolve or disappear. These realities shaped discussions at the Eurocities Social Affairs Forum 2026 in Gijón, where city leaders, EU representatives and experts came together to reflect on skills, employment and job quality across generations. The discussion comes at a decisive moment for Europe’s social agenda, with negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the Union of Skills, the future Quality Jobs Act, the recently published anti-poverty strategy, and the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights. “Quality employment and social inclusion cannot be two separate goals,” said Angela Ángela Pumariega, Vice‑Mayor of Gijón, to open the Forum. She pointed to situations cities encounter every day, highlighting how access to work is closely tied to care responsibilities, education pathways and living conditions. For Myriam Bencharaa, Vice‑President of Lyon Metropole and Chair of the Forum, this close connection explains why cities must be central to Europe’s social agenda. “How can our cities shape a future of work where no generation and no talent is left behind; to be more inclusive, sustainable and family friendly, and to be more efficient?” As she reminded participants, “when we talk about jobs and skills, we talk about issues that affect every citizen.” Employment and skills policies, she argued, only make sense when they reflect people’s lived realities and local contexts. “Cities are not part of the solution, they are the solution” This strong local dimension was reinforced by Susana Solís Pérez, Member of the European Parliament,
May 7, 2026 · via eurocities.eu
Subscribe & Follow Advertise your job vacancies Smart city ambitions expose critical infrastructure to rising cyber threats Countries worldwide are accelerating investment in smart, green cities designed to drive economic growth, attract investment and showcase sustainability innovation. From Masdar City to Freiburg and Songdo, these digitally connected urban environments are reshaping how cities operate and consume resources. Source: Supplied. Taru Madangombe, vice president for power and grid segment, MEA at Schneider Electric. Cape Town is also investing heavily in smart grids, water-management systems and digital ecosystems as it advances its own smart-city ambitions. But, like most things in life, there is always a caveat. With progress and in particular technological progress there is always risk. For example, in Columbia Ohio, US, a major ransomware attack hit the city's digital infrastructure two years ago, compromising the data of half-a-million residents. The threat group in question gained access to the city’s IT environment and posted evidence of the attack on the dark web. The reality is that, due to their very nature, smart cities are built on interconnected digital infrastructure that integrates power grids, intelligent buildings, transportation systems, utilities and millions of IoT devices. This significantly expands the potential attack surface for cybercriminals. Every connected component — from grid-control systems and building automation platforms to seemingly insignificant devices such as smart bulbs or sensors — can become a potential entry point into the wider system. The reality of security risk As mentioned, smart cities offer an expanded attack surface and cyber intrusion can potentially penetrate one part of an interconnected infrastructure, moving laterally across systems, affecting operations far beyond the initial point of compromise. A localised breach within a municipal utility, for example, could disrupt not only the immediate network but also other connected systems or infrastructure that rely on the same
May 7, 2026 · via bizcommunity.com
Every five years or so, Congress writes legislation that establishes policies and funding for highways, bridges, mass transit and other transportation priorities. With the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act expiring on Sept. 30, the 119th Congress began work earlier this year on the next surface transportation bill. Much has changed since 2021, including the party in power across the executive and legislative branches of government and the transportation technologies available, which now include autonomous vehicles, robotaxis, drones and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. Rail and transit advocates want investments to continue at or above the levels the IIJA provided. Local governments want more access to funding for projects in their communities. Project leaders are asking for streamlined permitting processes to reduce delays and grants that cities and metropolitan regions can access to help develop locally informed responses to specific urban mobility challenges. Until now, the Highway Trust Fund provided much of the revenue to support such projects through a federal fuel tax, but it hasn’t kept up with inflation and more fuel-efficient vehicles. Congress is considering supplementing — and perhaps replacing — fuel tax revenue with annual passenger vehicle fees based on yearly mileage or propulsion type, with electric and hybrid vehicle owners paying more than gas-powered drivers. Here are seven stories Smart Cities Dive has reported to date on surface transportation legislation. We will continue to follow developments throughout the year.
May 7, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
Bob Hellman is CEO of American Infrastructure Partners, a private investment firm focused on U.S. infrastructure. The Gateway Hudson Tunnel project was supposed to be a $13.5 billion fix for aging rail infrastructure under the Hudson River. Instead, it is becoming another government-managed money sink, already exceeding $16 billion with completion pushed years beyond its original target. The failure is as sickening as it is predictable. Hitting taxpayers harder is not the answer to constant budgetary and execution failures. The answer is to bring operational and fiscal discipline to critical infrastructure that only private-sector capital and oversight can. Governments simply cannot deliver major publicly funded infrastructure projects on time and under budget. Expecting that they will, given the sorry state of our existing infrastructure, is definitional insanity. Gateway is hardly alone. Voters approved California’s high-speed rail system in 2008 at a cost of $33 billion, with trains scheduled to run by 2020. Today, the projected cost ranges from $89 billion to $128 billion, with no service expected before 2033. Over $15 billion has already been spent. The private capital that was once assumed to join the project has yet to materialize – which should set off alarm bells by itself. This is how governments build megaprojects — and we’ve seen it play out for decades. Costs rise, timelines slip and accountability disappears. Boston’s Big Dig was originally estimated at $2.56 billion. The final construction cost reached nearly $15 billion — more than $24 billion when debt interest is included. Honolulu’s Skyline rail project began at $5.1 billion and is now more than a decade behind schedule and projected to cost about $10 billion. The data are clear: - A widely cited study of 258 transport projects across 20 countries found that 86% experienced cost overruns. - Rail projects averaged 45%
May 7, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
The difference in temperature created by urban trees can translate to as much as 40% less excess heat. A new study from the Healthy Green Spaces Coalition reveals that city blocks with more trees are significantly cooler than blocks without shade, highlighting the importance of tree canopy for reducing the urban heat island effect. "This study links a 65-city urban heat island dataset with American Forests’ Tree Equity Score file for every urban census tract in those cities. For each tract (a neighborhood-sized geography), we matched its heat island intensity in degrees Fahrenheit above a nearby rural baseline to its tree canopy percent and related equity indicators, using the shared census tract GEOID (the unique Census identifier for each tract)." Nationally, the greenest tracts averaged close to a one degree difference from the least green tracts, amounting to roughly 9% less excess heat. In some cities, that gap reaches 20% to 40%. "On a series of extreme heat days, a one‑degree shift in ambient conditions can mean the difference between 'very hot' and 'dangerous,' especially for people with health risks." While the study is isolated to trees, other factors impact the temperature of cities including lawns, natural turf, and other vegetated ground covers. "We do not quantify those turf and lawn effects in this study, so the cooling dividend we report for trees should be read as conservative: in many neighborhoods, additional cooling from ground‑level vegetation, parks, and other green infrastructure sits on top of the canopy effect." FULL STORY: How Much Cooler Are the Greenest Neighborhoods? Planetizen Federal Action Tracker A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America. The trouble with QUIMBY, revisited — a rebuttal to a rebuttal In a perfect world, QUIMBY might get us a bit closer where
May 7, 2026 · via planetizen.com
Dive Brief: - Euna Solutions launched a Solicitation Advisor feature within its Euna Procurement platform that uses artificial intelligence to review drafts of requests for proposals and recommend improvements before the RFPs are published. - The feature, unveiled April 29, is designed to flag ambiguity within public sector solicitations, along with conflicting criteria and “mismatches” between a local government’s evaluation criteria and the information it seeks from suppliers, according to the company. - “Every addendum adds time and administrative burden to the sourcing process,” Euna Solutions Chief Product Officer Mykola Konrad said in a news release. “When teams catch issues at the draft stage instead of after publication, they have a better chance to reduce delays, improve supplier understanding, and run a more competitive [solicitation] event.” Dive Insight: As AI proliferates, more local governments are incorporating it into their operations, with one Gallup poll finding that 21% of public sector employees use AI multiple times a week. The primary goal of AI use for local government workers is increasing efficiency, a Euna Solutions survey found earlier this year. Improving procurement time and efficiency has been an area of focus for some cities, with Dallas shepherding AI into its procurement process last year. The average RFP project takes nearly 90 hours, according to Euna Solutions, citing 2024 National Cooperative Procurement Partners data. Despite the time spent, 62% of public agencies see only two to five bids on RFPs on average, according to the company’s 2025 State of Public Procurement report. The Solicitation Advisor represents a departure from the company’s prior efforts using AI to generate the RFP drafts faster, according to Konrad. The company sees “additional value for AI as helping procurement teams improve solicitation quality before release by bringing intelligent review, guidance, and category-aware insight into their workflow,” Konrad stated.
May 7, 2026 · via constructiondive.com
Understanding How Connected Vehicles & Fleets Can Protect Data Privacy As light-duty and medium-duty vehicles generate significantly more data daily, fleet managers must consider security and data precautions. by Sumit Chauhan, CerebrumX September 11, 2023 5 min to read Automakers are currently faced with the challenge of developing an engaging in-vehicle experience that surpasses their rivals with a focus on rapid innovation. At its core, this innovation is primarily about connectivity through sophisticated and advanced data and algorithms. As light-duty and medium-duty vehicles generate significantly more data daily, and with the advent of high-speed 5G communication, in-vehicle edge computing has become critical to ensure that connected vehicles function at scale to provide quicker and improved performance. Ad Loading... As a result, vehicles can harness data from multiple OEMs and sources scattered in the ecosystem, to be utilized by OEMs, insurers, fleet companies, and smart cities/municipalities. However, all this connectivity also means that security and data precautions must be considered. Connected Vehicles Have a Wealth of Data yet to Be Unlocked Owing to the vast size and breadth of the automotive industry, numerous OEMs are involved in manufacturing connected vehicles and medium-duty trucks as well as a wide variety of models from each OEM. Further, with more than 100 sensors inside each vehicle, tracking everything from driver behavior, vehicle performance, and component lifecycle, the scope and scale of data sources truly becomes exponential. And while all this data can come in handy for various applications, it can be challenging to keep secure. It could become very difficult to enforce conventional cyber security standards with such a complicated automotive supply chain. Protecting vehicles from cyber threats becomes increasingly challenging with each additional connection, embedded or telematics system, and data-collecting sensor. The software and technology industries have had a lot to learn when
May 7, 2026 · via worktruckonline.com
New AI solution for smarter urban and climate planning NEWS Satellite images, weather maps and other data are collected in enormous quantities – but much of this remains unused. The reason is simple: the data is fragmented, difficult to interpret, and stored in different formats. Dr. Arka Ghosh has developed a system capable of transforming this data into comprehensible knowledge. “It is an advanced AI solution that could be highly significant for urban planners as well as crisis and emergency response coordinators.” With Dr Arka Ghosh’s new AI solution, urban planners can be supported in designing more sustainable and climate‑smart cities, companies can choose better locations, and public authorities can respond more quickly during, for example, heatwaves or floods. ImageHans Karlsson Satellite images and other environmental data are stored and available as images. Through his solution Ontoraster, Dr Arka Ghosh has created an intelligent network in which every data point – every pixel in the images – is given a clear meaning and linked to other relevant elements. “Think of it as a super‑organised spider’s web where every thread leads to the right information. Or in Minecraft terms: every block finally knows why it exists,” says Arka Ghosh. Faster decisions in crises and planning By combining knowledge graphs with advanced AI, the system can understand how different data sources are connected. This allows users to ask complex questions and receive direct, comprehensible answers – without needing any programming or data analysis skills themselves. The technology can be used in a range of socially important contexts. “Urban planners can be supported in designing more sustainable and climate‑smart cities. Companies can choose better locations. And authorities can act more quickly during, for example, heatwaves or floods,” Arka Ghosh explains. One example of a question the system can answer directly is: “Where are
May 7, 2026 · via umu.se
UAE Generative AI Market Growth Accelerates Across Industries How Government Initiatives, Enterprise AI Adoption, and Digital Transformation Are Driving Market Expansion. Market Overview The generative AI market in the UAE is witnessing rapid growth, driven by strong government support, increasing enterprise adoption, and rising investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure. Generative AI technologies are being widely used across industries for content creation, automation, customer engagement, and data analysis. According to an analysis by IMARC Group, the UAE generative AI market reached USD 84.7 Million in 2025 and is projected to grow significantly, reaching approximately USD 329.5 Million by 2034. This reflects a strong compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.80% during 2026–2034. This growth is primarily driven by ambitious national AI strategies, expanding enterprise AI adoption, and increasing investments in AI research and innovation. As the UAE positions itself as a global technology hub, the market is evolving into a highly advanced, innovation-driven, and AI-enabled ecosystem. Analyze Market Potential with Expert Insights — Download the Sample Key Drivers Fueling Market Growth - Government-Led AI Initiatives Programs such as the UAE National AI Strategy 2031 are accelerating AI adoption across government and private sectors, strengthening the country’s digital economy vision. - Growing Enterprise Adoption of Generative AI Businesses across banking, healthcare, retail, and logistics are increasingly using generative AI for automation, customer support, and multilingual content generation. - Expansion of AI Infrastructure and Investments Major investments in AI research institutions, data centers, and innovation hubs are supporting rapid market development in the UAE. Role of Technology and Innovation - Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI Assistants Enterprises are adopting AI-powered chatbots, copilots, and virtual assistants to improve productivity and customer engagement. - AI Integration Across Smart Cities Generative AI is being integrated into smart city initiatives for public services, transportation, and digital
May 7, 2026 · via vocal.media
The U.S. EPA’s proposal to remove pyrolysis from a key air emissions rule — and the recent rush of public comments on the proposal — highlights how involved the agency has become in the chemical recycling industry amid longtime tensions over regulating the sector. The EPA is considering clarifying that certain pyrolysis technologies used for chemical recycling purposes “are not forms of incineration” under the Clean Air Act. The proposed update would remove the reference to “pyrolysis/combustion units” in the EPA’s definition of a municipal waste combustion unit under its Other Solid Waste Incinerators category to clarify that the OSWI rule doesn’t regulate such units. A public comment period on the proposal, which closed on May 4, drew hundreds of responses reflecting polarizing opinions on the chemical recycling industry in the U.S. The agency says these comments will help EPA develop future chemical recycling regulations, but has not yet announced next steps on the proposal. Supporters of chemical recycling, including some in the plastic industry, have long pushed to have certain pyrolysis processes to be categorized as manufacturing rather than incineration or waste management. This distinction, they say, will help expand chemical recycling infrastructure and align with the Trump administration's focus on domestic manufacturing. In public comments, these groups said the current regulatory framework is too vague, and that uncertainty is blocking innovation and investment. But environmental groups are continuing their fight against the reclassification, saying removing pyrolysis from the OSWI rule would allow the industry to bypass important, and more stringent, air regulations. These groups have also said the chemical recycling industry’s scale and potential benefits are overexaggerated. Some stakeholders have said the 45-day public comment period was rushed in an effort to speed through regulatory changes favorable to the plastics industry. The Ocean Conservancy called the process “misleading,”
May 7, 2026 · via wastedive.com
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first review meeting of Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (SCTL) after the BJP assumed power in the corporation witnessed sharp differences of opinion over completed and ongoing projects, with Mayor V V Rajesh expressing serious concerns over several key infrastructure works and announcing site visits to identify and address issues. The mayor told TNIE that the corporation is dissatisfied with many projects, particularly the first-ever designated smart vending zone at RKV Lane near Napier museum and the ongoing redevelopment of the Palayam Connemara Market. “They presented details of completed and ongoing projects, along with progress and timelines. However, we have identified several gaps in many of the completed works. Hence, we have decided to conduct joint site visits, as on-ground assessment is crucial for effective decision-making and resolving issues” the mayor said. Launched in 2016 with a project outlay of Rs 1,538 crore, the Smart City initiative aims to improve basic infrastructure and implement IT-based solutions in the city. A total of 43 projects were taken up by SCTL. “We do not want to rely solely on presentations. A team comprising the superintending engineer, secretary, ward councillors, and traders will take part in the site visits. Discussions will be held on-site. There are complaints regarding poor implementation and lack of usability of certain projects,” he said. The mayor pointed out that the row of shops constructed under the smart vending zone is not benefiting traders or the public due to flawed design. Around 36 modules accommodating 46 vendors were set up at a cost of Rs 2 crore. He also noted that several facilities, including e-toilets and water kiosks developed under the Smart City project, are currently non-functional. According to SCTL officials, all completed projects have already been handed over to the corporation. “There has been mismanagement on the
May 7, 2026 · via newindianexpress.com
APPLETON (NBC 26) — A plan to narrow a dead-end street in Appleton as part of routine road repairs is drawing pushback from residents who say the changes would come at their expense and fail to solve the problems the city says they are designed to fix. Driscoll Street is slated to shrink from 32 feet wide to 26 feet, gain new sidewalks, and shift all street parking to one side. But residents say a major sticking point is that they would be required to pay for the new sidewalks installed in their yards. Watch the full broadcast story here: Dawn Gilbert-Biechler, an Appleton neighbor, is pushing back. "It's around two thousand dollars for the sidewalk itself; each person would have to pay on their own." The city says its "Smart Streets" initiative increases access for neighbors and reduces speeding. But residents are skeptical that narrowing the road will have the intended effect. "They're already speeding, they don't care about the laws already. So the narrowing the road isn't going to slow that group down," said Jim Satorius, a Driscoll resident. Neighbors also point out that Driscoll Street is a dead-end road and that its current width already makes it difficult for large vehicles to turn out. They argue that a single citywide guideline should not apply to every street. "It can definitely be deviated, there can be amendments made. So our hope is that they look at our story and our compassion and what we've told them and look at this is not needed on a dead-end road," Gilbert-Biechler said. 30 neighbors who live on Driscoll have signed a petition against the changes to their road. The Municipal Services Committee delayed its decision on Driscoll Street. The Common Council is set to vote on May 6 on narrowing other
May 6, 2026 · via nbc26.com
Atkore Divests HDPE Business to Infra Pipes to Strengthen Portfolio Strategy Atkore Inc. Has Officially Announced The Sale Of Its High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Pipe And Conduit Business To Infra Pipes Atkore Inc. formally announced the divestiture of its High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipe and conduit business. The operations have been acquired by Infra Pipes, a leading North American provider of polyethylene pipeline solutions. Strategic Initiatives Under the terms of the agreement, Atkore will contribute its HDPE business and capitalize the newly formed entity with approximately $28 million, while retaining a 10% equity stake. Additionally, Atkore anticipates realizing various tax benefits as a result of the transaction. The divestiture of the HDPE business aligns with our ongoing strategic assessment and demonstrates our commitment to disciplined portfolio management," stated Bill Waltz, Atkore president and CEO. "We anticipate this transaction will be accretive to Atkore's overall financial profile, enhancing key metrics such as adjusted EBITDA margins and return on invested capital. According to Towards Chemicals And Materials Analytics and Consulting, the global high-density polyethylene market size was estimated at USD 128.55 billion in 2025 and is expected to be worth around USD 229.13 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 5.95% from 2026 to 2035 as investments in water management and utility projects are increasing across the globe. Infrastructure Development Accelerates the High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Market - Increasing demand for sustainable infrastructure, such as sewerage, water, and stormwater management systems, is the major factor driving market growth. - Growing demand to replace concrete pipes and aging metal with corrosion-resistant HDPE, especially in municipal water distribution, fuels demand further. - A surge in investments in urban infrastructure projects, like smart cities, boosts the demand for HDPE pipes in urban planning. - Their flexibility, low maintenance costs, and long service life are propelling preference over
May 6, 2026 · via precedenceresearch.com
Dive Brief: - Euna Solutions launched a Solicitation Advisor feature within its Euna Procurement platform that uses artificial intelligence to review drafts of requests for proposals and recommend improvements before the RFPs are published. - The feature, unveiled April 29, is designed to flag ambiguity within public sector solicitations, along with conflicting criteria and “mismatches” between a local government’s evaluation criteria and the information it seeks from suppliers, according to the company. - “Every addendum adds time and administrative burden to the sourcing process,” Euna Solutions Chief Product Officer Mykola Konrad said in a news release. “When teams catch issues at the draft stage instead of after publication, they have a better chance to reduce delays, improve supplier understanding, and run a more competitive [solicitation] event.” Dive Insight: As AI proliferates, more local governments are incorporating it into their operations, with one Gallup poll finding that 21% of public sector employees use AI multiple times a week. The primary goal of AI use for local government workers is increasing efficiency, a Euna Solutions survey found earlier this year. Improving procurement time and efficiency has been an area of focus for some cities, with Dallas shepherding AI into its procurement process last year. The average RFP project takes nearly 90 hours, according to Euna Solutions, citing 2024 National Cooperative Procurement Partners data. Despite the time spent, 62% of public agencies see only two to five bids on RFPs on average, according to the company’s 2025 State of Public Procurement report. The Solicitation Advisor represents a departure from the company’s prior efforts using AI to generate the RFP drafts faster, according to Konrad. The company sees “additional value for AI as helping procurement teams improve solicitation quality before release by bringing intelligent review, guidance, and category-aware insight into their workflow,” Konrad stated.
May 6, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
Hitachi Vantara: Powering Data with Less Energy Hitachi Vantara, a subsidiary of Hitachi, is placing energy use and carbon reduction at the core of its latest sustainability plans. The company, which provides intelligent data platforms, infrastructure systems and digital solutions, has set out its direction in its 2025 Sustainability Report, Looking Ahead to the Future. The report tracks progress against targets that focus on emissions, renewable energy and energy efficiency across both its own operations and customer environments. The business aims to reach carbon neutrality throughout its value chain by FY2050. As part of that pathway, it has set a nearer-term goal to become carbon neutral in Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by FY2030. In FY2025, Hitachi Vantara recorded a 43% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions. The company links much of that progress to an increase in renewable energy use, alongside changes in how its facilities operate and how energy is sourced. Akinobu Shimada, CEO of Hitachi Vantara, says: “At Hitachi Vantara, our purpose is clear: to help our customers and partners succeed by delivering innovative, high-performing solutions that are designed for a more resilient and responsible future. “Sustainability is integral to how Hitachi Vantara operates and supports long-term growth for customers and the business. “This sustainability report highlights how we continue to embed sustainability across our operations and solutions, with a clear focus on practical progress and customer outcomes.” Data platforms and energy efficiency Energy demand linked to digital infrastructure continues to grow as organisations expand data storage and processing. Hitachi Vantara positions its technology as part of the response, offering dashboards and analytics tools that allow customers to monitor and improve environmental performance. The company has developed a CO2 Estimator tool, which enables organisations to measure the carbon footprint of their data centres
May 6, 2026 · via energydigital.com