CitiesSpeak With Clarence Anthony

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In this episode of CitiesSpeak, Clarence E. Anthony sits down with Irma Esparza Diggs, NLC’s Director and Senior Executive for Federal Advocacy, to unpack the latest election results and what it means for cities, towns, and villages. The conversation explores voter sentiment, potential shifts in Congress, key federal priorities affecting local governments, and how local leaders can prepare for the next congressional session.

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Summer learning programs for youth may traditionally be seen as the responsibility of school districts, but local governments have an important role to play in ensuring young people have access to enriching opportunities when school is out. October may seem like an unusual time to be talking about summer learning, but planning for high-quality summer programs should begin in the fall, not the spring.

In this episode of CitiesSpeak, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Madison Metropolitan School District Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard join NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony to discuss how cities and schools can work together to expand summer learning. They share how Madison is using data, innovative funding strategies, and partnerships with community-based organizations to reach more young people and offer lessons for local leaders looking to strengthen programs in their own communities.

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U.S. Rep. Mike Flood has served Nebraska’s 1st District in Congress since 2022 and prior to that, he served in the Nebraska Legislature, including six years as Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature. As Chair of the Housing & Insurance Subcommittee, he played a key role in passing the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act into law. Today, he joins CitiesSpeak to share how he helped move the housing act over the finish line.

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Doug Linkhart is an expert in civic engagement and works to connect residents, government, nonprofits and business. As the National Civic League President, he draws on his lifelong values of inclusiveness and equity to guide his leadership. He shares his 40 years of experience in the public policy arena and best practices to engage residents and drive positive civic engagement.

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Mayor Freddie O’Connell is the tenth mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. He served on the Metro Council from 2015 to 2023, and he is welcoming the National League of Cities to town for City Summit, November 19 – 21.

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Newly proposed census rules will not only change who is counted in the upcoming 2030 census, but also where and how they are counted. This change is expected to lead to an undercount of residents, which will decrease a city's political representation and power, as well as its state and federal funding allocations. NLC’s Second Vice President, Doreen Garlid, Councilmember, Tempe, Arizona, joins CitiesSpeak to discuss how this can lead to an undercount and how that would negatively impact local governments.

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NLC leadership applications are open until September 28. That means anyone interested in serving on NLC’s Board of Directors or applying for a leadership role with our constituency groups, member councils, or federal advocacy committees should act now. NLC President Kevin Kramer hosts conversations with Councilmember Bradley Carter, Mayor Jodi Miller, and NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony about leadership and the value of seizing opportunities beyond our local communities.

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Data centers have quickly become one of the most consequential local issues in the country. More than 3,000 currently operate in the United States, and over half of the world’s hyperscale, or AI data centers, are located here. A recent Gallup Poll shows that 70% of Americans oppose data centers in their community, and communities are responding differently. NLC research has found that at least 120 communities have adopted moratoria on data centers, and 60 have passed new zoning regulations this year. Kate Stoll, Tucson Councilmember Nikki Lee and Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell join CitiesSpeak to discuss policy and the paths different communities are taking.

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Brad Gaolach is Director of the National Urban Research and Extension Center, or NUREC. He also leads the Building Integrated Agriculture (BIA) Academy, a NUREC initiative in partnership with the National League of Cities University, which supports local leaders in exploring BIA as a strategy for community and environmental resilience, sustainability, food access, and economic opportunity. The first academy cohort kicks off this November at City Summit in Nashville.

More details about building-integrated agriculture can be found on the NUREC BIA project page where you can find white papers on Defining BIA and BIA and Urban Systems: Opportunities for Climate Resilience, Food Systems, and Community Wellbeing. NUREC's BIA Academy web page provides more specifics on the Academy including module topics and learning objectives.

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For the past five years, Rick Reinhard has been a consultant and thought leader on the issue of the reuse and redevelopment of empty faith properties. He’s leading a new course with NLC University called “Spiritual Brownfields:  How Can Cities Strategically Reuse and Redevelop Their Emptying Faith Properties?” which explores ways cities can redevelop their unused houses of worship.

For more information, visit us at nlc.org.