City Makers: American Futures
The people, organizations, and ideas reshaping the country. A journey piloted by James Fallows with Deborah Fallows.
Politics and Governance
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Hmmm, Why Does This Sound Familiar? Part 1,293
A big theme in our ongoing reports from across the United States, and of my story in our March issue…
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Shifting Back to Better News: What's Happening, Apart from the Primaries, in Ohio
A big theme of our March issue cover stories (main story here; “11 signs of success” checklist; “…
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Local Success, National Paralysis: How Does it Balance Out?
The GOP/Fox last night was genuinely depressing. Donald Trump has brought the other candidates down to his level, in…
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Hmmm, This Sounds Like Something I Would Agree With
From Thomas Friedman in the NYT, emphasis added: … what will be required to produce resilient citizens…
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James Fallows The San Bernardino Story: Fire Fighters Weigh In
Who is to blame when a struggling city runs out of money? A public-safety worker says it’s unfair to point the finger at him and his colleagues. Plus, a young resident of the city discovers reasons to hope.
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Max Whittaker / Reuters Today a Bankrupt City Votes on Its Next Steps
“We’ve gotten used to gridlock and stalemate at the national level. This is what it looks like for a city.” What civic dysfunction has in common with excessive CEO pay, and why it matters.
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James Fallows What It's Like When Your City Goes Broke
San Bernardino, California, is poor, and has a high unemployment rate, and is affected by drought, and is in bankruptcy court. But its real problem is something else.
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St. Louis Art Museum via Wikimedia Commons On the Politics of American Resilience
One reader urges me to embrace my inner conservative. Other readers say: Not so fast!
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BikePGH How Political Leadership Makes City Streets Bikeable
Pittsburgh's Mayor Bill Peduto shows what political will and determination can do.
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Riverlife How Green Riverfronts Transformed Pittsburgh
The City of Bridges revives the rivers that helped make it an economic powerhouse.
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John Tierney Remaking Columbus's Most Downtrodden Neighborhood
Franklinton long has been called "The Bottoms." But not for much longer.
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John Tierney The City That Turned Its Water Into Cash
"We've got unfunded obligations in the hundreds of millions. What can we leverage?"
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John Tierney Breathing Life Into Allentown: Pennsylvania Comes to the Rescue
What does it take to raise a city? More than a village. In fact, it may take a whole state.
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All photos: Deborah and James Fallows The Eagles Come to Allentown, and So Does 'American Futures'
Tomorrow is the first day in an old city's new life—or so the city leaders hope and believe.
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On the Character of a Community: What Local Narratives Emphasize, and Leave Out
The role of universities, and our un-loved public efforts.
