Commentary

Original essays, new research and data analysis on many of the biggest questions facing cities

How Off the Rails Is ICE? A Q&A With Former DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson

Immigration

How Off the Rails Is ICE? A Q&A With Former DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson

Vital City Jan. 27 2026

What ICE’s Recklessness Teaches Us About Real Policing

policy

What ICE’s Recklessness Teaches Us About Real Policing

Marc Perel Jan. 27 2026

Trump’s Unconstitutional Coercion

policy

Trump’s Unconstitutional Coercion

Marc Perel Jan. 22 2026

How Criminals Get Their Guns

Gun Violence

How Criminals Get Their Guns

Anthony A. Braga Jan. 21 2026

A Crucial Tool in the Fight Against Pollution

Climate Change

A Crucial Tool in the Fight Against Pollution

Pete Sikora Jan. 21 2026

Supporting Children Who Experience Violence at Home

Child Welfare

Supporting Children Who Experience Violence at Home

Liberty Aldrich Jan. 16 2026

Small Children, Big Looming Policy Questions

Government Operations

Small Children, Big Looming Policy Questions

Elliot Haspel Jan. 14 2026

Mamdani as Mr. Fix-It

Government Operations

Mamdani as Mr. Fix-It

Jamie Rubin Jan. 14 2026

The Real Reasons New Yorkers’ Groceries Cost So Much

Housing

The Real Reasons New Yorkers’ Groceries Cost So Much

Stephen Smith Jan. 14 2026

Mamdani’s Affordability Dilemma: The Challenge of Making New York City Housing Less Expensive

Housing

Mamdani’s Affordability Dilemma: The Challenge of Making New York City Housing Less Expensive

Vicki Been, Ingrid Gould Ellen Jan. 07 2026

Revealing Hidden Signals in City Hotline Data

Crime

Revealing Hidden Signals in City Hotline Data

Vital City Jan. 07 2026

Mamdani, Like Mayors Before Him, Can Have a Foreign Policy

Politics

Mamdani, Like Mayors Before Him, Can Have a Foreign Policy

Chris McNickle Jan. 06 2026