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☆ Los Angeles’ I-10 remains closed indefinitely as damaging fire is investigated as arson. Here’s what we know
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Taylor Romine | Elizabeth Wolfe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Investigators are working to determine who is responsible for a massive fire over the weekend that has forced the indefinite closure of part of Los Angeles’ Interstate 10, as fire officials say the blaze was likely arson. Residents who are impacted have been urged to take public transit, work from home or plan for significant traffic delays. Investigators have sifted through the fire’s rubble in search of evidence and are working with Los Angeles firefighters to canvass the surrounding neighborhoods for potential witnesses and video footage, the fire marshal added. Firefighters responded to reports of the fire around 12:30 a.m. Saturday at a storage yard scattered with pallets, trailers and vehicles, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. About 100 columns beneath the bridge were impacted by fire and are being inspected, according to transportation department director Tony Tavares.

Persons: Karen Bass, “, Daniel Berlant, Berlant, Gavin Newsom, Newsom, ”, ” Bass, ” Newsom, Kristin Crowley, Jae C, ” John Yang, Yang, Tony Tavares, Transportation Toks Omishakin, ” Yang Organizations: CNN —, ”, “, Firefighters, Los Angeles Fire Department, California Department of Transportation, Transportation, Apex Development, CNN Locations: Los Angeles, City, Los Angeles County, California

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described the closure as a “crisis” for a city already notorious for its traffic woes. This photo provided by the California Department of Transportation shows an early morning fire along Interstate 10 near downtown Los Angeles on Saturday. A Los Angeles firefighter uses a robotic hose to douse a fire under Interstate 10 that severely damaged an overpass in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday. Wooden pallets, cars filled with gas and boxes of oranges have all been found under the Los Angeles bridge, officials said. Los Angeles firefighters mop up damage from a fire that severely damaged Interstate 10 near downtown Los Angeles on Saturday.

Persons: Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Gavin Newsom, “, ” Newsom, Bass, Newsom, ”, Firefighters, Richard Vogel, Kristin Crowley, Crowley Organizations: CNN, Los, Angeles Mayor, Los Angeles Fire Department, California Department of Transportation, Caltrans, Sunday, Department of Transportation, LA Unified School District, Los Angeles Locations: Los Angeles, Alameda Street, California, Los Angeles County, Philadelphia

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles motorists should expect traffic snarls indefinitely as crews assess how much damage was caused by a raging fire that closed a major elevated interstate near downtown, officials said Sunday. Commuters were urged to work from home or take public transportation into downtown Los Angeles. Newsom declared a state of emergency Saturday afternoon and directed the state Department of Transportation to request assistance from the federal government. California Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin said storage yards under highways are common statewide and across the country. At least 16 homeless people living underneath the highway were evacuated and brought to shelters, Mayor Karen Bass said.

Persons: Gavin Newsom, ” Newsom, Kristin M, Crowley, Newsom, ”, Transportation Toks, Karen Bass, Bass Organizations: ANGELES, Gov, Patrol, Flames, Fire, Department of Transportation, Sunday, Transportation Locations: Los Angeles, Alameda Street, Santa Fe, California

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A major highway near downtown Los Angeles was closed in both directions Saturday after a fire rampaged through storage lots underneath it. The California Department of Transportations sent personnel to inspect the highway, with detours established to ease snarled highway traffic. Interstate 10, which runs east-west, was closed near downtown Los Angeles for at least 24 hours into Sunday, authorities said. The fire department said the blaze burned through trailers, wood pallets and other things in storage lots on both sides of the highway, though firefighters successfully safeguarded three nearby commercial buildings. Political Cartoons View All 1240 ImagesFire department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart said there were no injuries reported from the fire, which was mostly extinguished by late morning.

Persons: detours, hasn't, Margaret Stewart Organizations: ANGELES, California Department, Transportations Locations: Los Angeles

☆ I was one of the lucky few to escape Gaza. Here’s how I fled for my life
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | Ibrahim Dahman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Cairo, Egypt CNN —My wife woke me up early on Saturday, October 7, saying there were sounds of rocket fire outside. CNN producer Ibrahim Dahman is pictured with his wife, Rasha, and two children, Zeid and Khalil, in Khan Younis, Gaza on October 15. I found a car and headed towards Khan Younis, a city close to the Egyptian border in the south, hoping to stay at the Crescent Hotel there. A life of danger and exhaustionWe stayed in Khan Younis for three weeks. In Khan Younis, I was afraid to sleep, worried I would die in my sleep, unable to save myself or my family.

Persons: Egypt CNN —, – Zeid, Khalil, —, Rasha, Israel, Ibrahim Dahman, Zeid, Khan, Khan Younis, Abeer Salman, Asmaa Khalil, Housam Ahmed, Mary Rogers, Sarah El Sirgany, Lulu, I’ve Organizations: Egypt CNN, CNN, Shifa, Gaza’s, Hamas, Jalaa, Missiles, American Locations: Cairo, Egypt, Gaza, Israel, CNN Gaza, retaliating, Khan Younis, Jerusalem, Al, Amal, Hilal, Khan, Rafah, Palestinian

CNN —More than 20,000 trucks from Poland and Ukraine are blocked at three major border crossings as striking Polish drivers protest an EU deal that allows Ukrainian trucks unlimited access to the bloc. On Monday, Polish carriers began blocking the movement of trucks along the three largest border crossing points between the two countries: Korczowa-Krakowiec, Hrebenne-Rava-Ruska and Dorohusk-Yahodyn, Ukrainian state media Ukrinform reported. Truck drivers from Ukraine have been exempt from seeking permits to cross the Polish border since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, Polish drivers claim that Russian and Belarusian entities have been setting up Polish outfits, according to Reuters. According to the Ukrainian national broadcaster Suspilne, the organizers of the protest said they plan to let one truck per hour to go through the border.

Persons: Rava, Ukrinform, Serhii, ”, Poland Vasyl Zvarych, Suspilne Organizations: CNN, Ukraine’s Ministry of Restoration, Reuters, NATO, International Transport Association of, Ukraine’s Infrastructure Ministry, EU, Ukraine’s, Ukrainian, Suspilne Locations: Poland, Ukraine, Polish, Russia, Europe, International Transport Association of Ukraine

☆ Marjorie Taylor Greene and other Republicans are taking advantage of a 19th-century House rule to try to lower Biden officials' salaries to $1
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

In 1876, the House passed the Holman Rule for the very first time. The rule's been utilized 36 times this year by House Republicans. AdvertisementAdvertisementRep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and House Republicans are trying to bring an obscure House rule from the 19th century back in vogue. The Holman Rule hasn't always been included in rules packages since it its introduction in 1876 — the rule has been removed and re-added to the House rule book on numerous occasions. The 115th Congress also briefly instituted the Holman Rule, though the congressional body never passed a single amendment using it.

Persons: Holman, —, Marjorie Taylor Greene, William S Holman, Greene's, Defense Lloyd Austin, Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Alejandro Mayorkas, Amanda Bennett, Pete, Greene, Antony Blinken, Cyrus Salazar, hasn't, Kevin McCarthy Organizations: House Republicans, Service, Biden, Rep, Defense, Transportation, Homeland, US Agency for Global Media, White, Lawmakers, Department of Defense's, Diversity, Equity, Senate, GOP, Representatives, Congress Locations: Canadian

☆ I'm a Hawaiian Local. Here's What I Think About the Tourism Industry.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Pooja Mistry | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Keani Rawlins-Fernandez grew up in Hawaii and has seen tourism increase over the years. Now a local council member, Rawlins-Fernandez says locals can feel overrun by tourists. Many economic, social, and financial issues arise with unrestricted tourism, and I don't know how Hawaii will continue to cope with these numbers. I grew up in Molokai, the only island of Hawaii where the economy is not reliant on tourism. My island in Molokai fared better because the model is to cater to local businesses and local patrons instead.

Persons: Keani Rawlins, Fernandez, Rawlins, —, Uncle Walter Ritte, We've, aren't, I've Organizations: Service, Maui County Council, Kaho'olawe, Systems, Fernandez Tourism, Department of Transportation Locations: Hawaii, Maui County, Molokai, Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaiian, Maui, Zion, Utah

☆ Republicans approved a bill cutting Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's salary to just $1
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The GOP-controlled House moved to approve a bill to cut Pete Buttigieg's salary. Under the bill, the transportation secretary would be paid just $1 annually. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Republican-controlled House of Representatives moved to pass a bill that would cut Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg's salary to just $1. AdvertisementAdvertisement"American taxpayers should not be on the hook for paying for his lavish trips or his salary," Greene added. He ran as a presidential candidate in 2020 before being appointed to the transportation secretary role by President Joe Biden in 2021.

Persons: Pete Buttigieg's, Buttigieg, —, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Greene, he's Organizations: GOP, Service, General Services Administration, Securities, Exchange Commission, Democratic, Democratic Party, Department of Transportation, Department of Transportation's, Fox News, Democrats Locations: Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, South Bend , Indiana, East Palestine , Ohio

☆ Where are the 12 US gov't funding bills to avert shutdown?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

But first, the House and Senate would have to agree upon the overall dollar amount of spending for the 12 bills combined. The Senate passed its version as part of a three-bill package on Nov. 1 with strong bipartisan support. DEFENSEOne of the largest of the 12 bills funds the Department of Defense - the Army, Navy, Air Force and the CIA. The Senate's version passed out of committee on July 27. The Senate's version passed out of committee on July 27.

Persons: Jon Cherry, shutdowns, Joe Biden, Biden, Kevin McCarthy, Moira Warburton, Aurora Ellis Organizations: U.S . Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic, Republican, Senate, of Veterans Affairs, Army, Navy, Air Force, U.S . Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Housing, Urban, House Republicans, Amtrak, Department of Defense, CIA, Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory, of, of Indian Affairs, Land Management, Environmental Protection Agency, The, Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of State, Agency for International Development, Peace Corps, Congress, Capitol Police, of Congress, Office, Treasury, of Columbia, Federal Trade Commission, COMMERCE, of Commerce, U.S . Census, U.S . Patent, Department of Justice, Republicans, HUMAN, of Education, Department of Health, Human Services, Department of Labor, Social Security Administration, National Labor Relations Board, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, United States, New York, U.S, Washington

☆ Apple is not passing on costs of climate goals to consumers, exec says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

People stand outside an Apple Store as Apple's new iPhone 15 officially goes on sale across China, in Shanghai, China September 22, 2023. "I want to do it in a way that other businesses can say this isn't because they’re Apple," said Jackson, referring to Cook's direction. Critics say it is easier for a tech company like Apple to meet such goals than it would be for corporations in more energy-intensive industries. Jackson also said Apple is working with smaller processing companies to recycle rare earths and other materials. "That's somewhere Apple can invest and then help to scale and bring (other) businesses along," she said.

Persons: Aly, Lisa Jackson, Alessandra Galloni, Jackson, Tim Cook, Jackson nodded, Jeffrey Dastin, Kenneth Li, Ross Kerber, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Apple, REUTERS, Reuters NEXT, Reuters, U.S . Environmental Protection Agency, Apple Watch, Thomson Locations: China, Shanghai, New York, California, U.S, Boston

☆ These 106 House Republicans voted to defund Vice President Kamala Harris's office
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

GOP Rep. Mike Collins tried to cut all funding for Vice President Harris's office. AdvertisementAdvertisementHouse Republicans just tried — and failed — to defund the office of Vice President Kamala Harris. "None of the funds made available by this Act may be used for the salary or expenses of any officer or employee of the Office of the Vice President," read Collins' amendment. I'm sure you'll be shocked, but I just had to debate a Republican on the House floor who was defending funding the Office of the Vice President. AdvertisementAdvertisementBelow are the 106 Republicans who voted for Collins' amendment.

Persons: Mike Collins, Harris's, —, Kamala Harris, Collins, Harris, you'll, shouldn't, Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lloyd Austin's Organizations: Service, Republican, Financial Services, General Government, Democratic, House Republicans Locations: Georgia

☆ Prefabricated home shipments on the rise in a pricey property market
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Amina Niasse | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

That appears to be boosting demand in the prefabricated housing market, a sector that has lost market share in the past decade. "There's going to be continued interest in prefabricated homes because it's a window to building." As of May, the most recent month for which data is available, the average price of a prefabricated home was $129,900, according to Census data. Most modular construction factories are concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, where modular market share outpaces the national average of 2%, said Devin Perry, executive director of business improvement programs at the NAHB. "This is providing opportunities for modular to grab more market share."

Persons: Brian Abramson, Abramson, Danushka Nanayakkara, Devin Perry, Perry, Amina Niasse, Dan Burns, Andrea Ricci Organizations: Census, Reuters, Homes, Mortgage, Association, National Association of Homebuilders, Thomson

More than 3,700 babies were born with congenital syphilis in 2022 — 10 times more than a decade ago and a 32% increase from 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday. The 2022 count was the most in more than 30 years, CDC officials said, and in more than half of the congenital syphilis cases, the mothers tested positive during pregnancy but did not get properly treated. The rise in congenital syphilis comes despite repeated warnings by public health agencies and it’s tied to the surge in primary and secondary cases of syphilis in adults, CDC officials said. It’s also been increasingly difficult for medical providers to get benzathine penicillin injections — the main medical weapon against congenital syphilis — because of supply shortages. Nearly 40% of last year’s congenital syphilis cases involved mothers who didn't have prenatal care, the CDC said.

Persons: it’s, It’s, Laura Bachmann, “, Mike Saag, ”, Nina Ragunanthan, ___ Hunter, Robert Wood Johnson Organizations: Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, CDC, Federal, Associated, University of Alabama, OB, Delta Health Center, Pfizer, Associated Press Health, Science Department, Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science, Educational Media Group, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, AP Locations: U.S, Illinois, Birmingham, Mound Bayou , Mississippi, Atlanta

☆ Biden is pouring $16 billion into making Amtrak trains faster, easier to get to, and more accessible
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Biden is pouring $16.4 billion into passenger rail in the Northeast Regional corridor. AdvertisementAdvertisementPresident Joe Biden — a known proponent of Amtrak — wants trains to run faster and better. His administration is pouring $16.4 billion from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law into the Northeast Regional corridor to do just that. Meanwhile, 80% of Amtrak trains were on time in 2020 — and that fell to 74% by 2022. "We're all on our way to creating world-class passenger rail that benefits communities nationwide by making our rail systems safer, more efficient, and more convenient," Landrieu said.

Persons: Biden, —, Joe Biden —, Mitch Landrieu, Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Bill Flynn, Marc Molinaro, Landrieu Organizations: Service, Amtrak —, White, Penn, Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, Amtrak, European Union, Northeast Corridor Commission, NEC, Infrastructure Investment, Jobs Act, Republicans, New, New York Republican, Republican Locations: Boston, Washington, Baltimore, New York's, Connecticut, Metro, New York, Bronx, Manhattan, —, Northeast, West, Hudson

Most Americans still have to commute every day. Jenn Ackerman for The New York TimesLike a majority of Americans, Ms. Hargreaves was unable to do her work at home. Source: American Community Survey Note: Average commute length for 2020 is not included. The average commute distance changed much less, an indication that commuters are driving faster — but also, more people are driving. “A lot of our choice riders, we're still working to influence them to re-choose transit,” Ms. Tucker said.

Persons: Torie Hargreaves, Jenn Ackerman, Hargreaves, Ms, That’s, Andrea Villanueva, Villanueva, The New York Times “, ” Christopher Wiese, Dr, Wiese, “ There’s, ”, Patricia Mokhtarian, John Goodwin, Rosalind Tucker, we're, Tucker, Aimee Lee, Lee Organizations: Atlanta Washington San, Mo . Chicago Minneapolis New, Mo . Chicago Minneapolis New York City Los Angeles Philadelphia Columbus Denver, The New York Times, Atlanta Austin Boston Charlotte Chicago Columbus Dallas Denver Detroit Houston Kansas City Los Angeles Miami, Atlanta Austin Boston Charlotte Chicago Columbus Dallas Denver Detroit Houston Kansas City Los Angeles Miami Minneapolis Nashville New York, Atlanta Austin Boston Charlotte Chicago Columbus Dallas Denver Detroit Houston Kansas City Los Angeles Miami Minneapolis Nashville New York City Philadelphia San, Atlanta Austin Boston Charlotte Chicago Columbus Dallas Denver Detroit Houston Kansas City Los Angeles Miami Minneapolis Nashville New York City Philadelphia San Francisco Seattle Washington Midnight, Georgia Institute of Technology, Census, New York City –, Philadelphia –, Angeles –, Francisco –, Boston –, Seattle –, Chicago –, Denver –, Kansas City –, Miami –, Houston –, Minneapolis –, Washington –, Austin –, Dallas –, Atlanta –, Charlotte –, Columbus –, Nashville –, Detroit –, BART, area’s Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Labor Department, Atlanta Regional Commission, Lifeline, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Regional Transit Authority, % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % Locations: Atlanta Washington San Francisco Boston Kansas City, Mo . Chicago Minneapolis, Mo . Chicago Minneapolis New York, Minneapolis, postpandemic, Atlanta, Atlanta Austin Boston Charlotte Chicago Columbus Dallas Denver Detroit Houston Kansas City Los Angeles Miami Minneapolis, Atlanta Austin Boston Charlotte Chicago Columbus Dallas Denver Detroit Houston Kansas City Los Angeles Miami Minneapolis Nashville New York City, Atlanta Austin Boston Charlotte Chicago Columbus Dallas Denver Detroit Houston Kansas City Los Angeles Miami Minneapolis Nashville New York City Philadelphia San Francisco Seattle, South Minneapolis, North Minneapolis, Boston, Chicago , Kansas City, San Francisco, Washington, New York, Francisco, area’s

Known for donning a bow tie and bicycle pin, Blumenauer, 75, has served roughly five decades in public office at the local, state and federal level. “I spent a career working to make Portland the most livable city in the country. He would go on to serve as a commissioner in Multnomah County, home to Portland, and on the Portland City Council before being elected to the U.S. House in 1996. His legacy remains visible today — a bike and pedestrian bridge that opened in the city last year bears his name. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

Persons: Earl Blumenauer, We’ve, “, ” Blumenauer, Kevin McCarthy, that's, ”, Jonathan Maus, Blumenauer, Hakeem Jeffries, “ Earl, ” ___ Claire Rush Organizations: — U.S . Rep, Associated Press, Oregon House, Portland City Council, U.S . House, Congressional, Caucus, Rep, Washington D.C, Congress, quicken, Congressional Cannabis Caucus, Congressional Progressive Caucus, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: PORTLAND, Oregon, Portland, City Hall, Multnomah County, Mount Hood, Columbia, America, ”, Washington

☆ Why one Tesla manager thinks used cars are 'absolutely pivotal' for EVs
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Anmar Frangoul | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Used Tesla cars for sale at Big Motoring World's showroom in the U.K., in 2023. Used electric vehicles are set to play an important part in the shift to more sustainable forms of transportation, according to a manager at Elon Musk's Tesla . "Once the early adopters have adopted, we need to start getting in front of new audiences, those who haven't necessarily considered an electric car as their next purchase," he said. Other demographics to consider include those who are interested in EVs but lack the "financial means" to purchase a new one, he added. "That's why I believe that used cars are absolutely pivotal to ensure that as many people as possible can experience the sheer joy of owning and driving an electric car," Oates said.

Persons: Elon Musk's Tesla, Michael Oates —, —, Oates Organizations: Elon Locations: Oxford, U.K

☆ Pilot indicted for threatening to shoot captain who tried to divert a commercial flight for medical emergency, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Lauren Mascarenhas | Rashard Rose | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Jonathan J. Dunn was indicted by a Utah grand jury on October 18 and charged with interference with a flight crew, stemming from an August 2022 incident, according to court documents. Dunn was authorized to carry a gun on board the plane due to the Transportation Security Administration’s Federal Flight Deck Officer program, the Inspector General’s office said. The Federal Flight Deck Officer program was developed in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks and involves training and arming pilots to handle an in-flight attack, such as a hijacking attempt. “Upon successful completion, the pilot is deputized as a federal law enforcement officer and issued a TSA-approved firearm and federal flight deck officer credentials,” the Transportation Security Administration said. Pilots, flight engineers and flight navigators who meet certain requirements are eligible for the program, according to the agency.

Persons: Jonathan J, Dunn, “, General, General’s Organizations: CNN, US Department of Transportation, Delta, Transportation Security, TSA, Transportation Security Administration, Pilots, FBI, Federal Aviation Administration, District of Locations: Utah, District of Utah

☆ A former Delta copilot is accused of threatening to shoot the captain 'multiple times' if he diverted the plane due to a passenger's medical emergency
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A former Delta first officer was indicted on a count of interference with a flight crew. Jonathan Dunn was allowed a firearm in the cockpit through the TSA's Federal Flight Deck Officer program. AdvertisementAdvertisementA first officer threatened to shoot the captain of a commercial flight if he diverted the plane due to a passenger's medical emergency, the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General said. AdvertisementAdvertisementAccording to the inspector general, Dunn had "a disagreement" with the captain over "a potential flight diversion due to a passenger medical event." Dunn then told the captain "they would be shot multiple times" if they diverted the flight, the inspector general said.

Persons: Jonathan Dunn, —, General, Dunn Organizations: Delta, Authorities, Service, Department of Transportation, Delta Air Lines, CBS News, Transportation Security, TSA Locations: Utah

On Tuesday an Israeli strike at the Jabalia refugee camp in north Gaza killed dozens of people according to hospital authorities, leaving a moonscape of craters. In Khan Younis, Farida Abu Azzam was taking her husband to hospital for his cancer treatment. In a shelter for displaced people in a U.N. school in Khan Younis, Salwa Najar stood by her son Majed's bedside, wiping his face. A cousin had taken them to Hilal Hospital in Khan Younis, the biggest city in the southern part of the tiny enclave. "Gaza hospitals are crowded with injured people who are filling the hospital beds," she said.

Persons: Mohammed Al, Masri, Nasr, Khan Younis, Israel, Farida Abu Azzam, Akram al, Qara, Salwa Najar, Majed's, Najar, puffy, Nahed Abu Taeema, Nidal al, Angus McDowall, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Turkish Friendship, Hospital, Nasser Hospital, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Hamas, Khan, Egypt, Khan Younis

☆ There's an easy way cities can lure in more holiday shoppers: Get rid of street parking
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Some shop owners fear that reducing street parking will hurt their sales. But there's mounting evidence that street parking isn't necessarily good for business. The study notes that shop owners often oppose removing street parking around them because they're "afraid of deteriorated accessibility, declining pedestrian frequencies, and lower revenue." Previous studies have shown that bike lanes and more pedestrian-friendly, walkable, and car-light areas are better for business. Shopping districts are much like outdoor malls, which are most convenient and popular when they have both adequate garage parking and are accessible by mass transit.

Persons: —, Tom Harris Organizations: Service, Protesters, RWTH Aachen University, New York City Department of Transportation, New, Times, Times Square Alliance Locations: America, —, Connecticut, Germany, Aachen, New York City, Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York, downtowns

☆ Joe Biden wants more people to start living in empty offices
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Polly Thompson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Office vacancies are at a 30-year high as WFH continues after the pandemic. But the White House initiative will make more than $35 billion available from existing federal programs in the form of grants and low-interest loans to encourage developers to convert offices into residential. Office vacancies stand at a 30-year high of 18.2%, according to research by CBRE. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe White House hopes the initiative will alleviate both these problems, creating more housing and revitalizing the commercial real estate sector. Conversions are faster than new construction, 20% cheaper, and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions, the White House added.

Persons: —, Joe Biden's, Biden, Silverstein, Lael Brainard Organizations: Biden Administration, Service, Resources, Department, Transportation, CBRE, National Association of Realtors, It's, National Economic Council, ABC News Locations: Manhattan, New York, San Francisco, It's

☆ Opinion | The Main Problem With Pedestrian Deaths Isn’t the Pedestrians
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Jamelle Bouie | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

If cyclists are scofflaws and pedestrians are uniformly distracted by phones, it’s not yet showing up in the research. The rise in pedestrian and cyclist deaths is first and foremost a product of design: design of cities, design of our streets, design of our vehicles. To the extent that we can trace it to behavior, it is behavior that has been inculcated by those design choices. The problem, ultimately, is about cars and trucks. And the focus, ultimately, should be on cars and trucks.

Organizations: Florida Department of Transportation, Rutgers University

☆ Cities try to take back curbs from cars and delivery trucks
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

There are a slew of users and uses that compete for curb space. The solution, some advocates say, is removing free parking and charging for spots based on demand. Free parkingThe root of the chaos at the curb stems from free on-street parking, critics say. Cities “squander curbs for free parking for cars because drivers are the people who show up at public meetings,” Shoup said. Smart loading zonesEven if cities managed their on-street parking problems for private vehicles more effectively, bikers, delivery workers, outdoor dining and other uses would still crowd the curb.

Persons: ”, Chrissy Mancini Nichols, ” Nichols, Yorkers, Donald Shoup, ” Shoup, Mike Estey, ” Estey, Michelle Wu Organizations: New, New York CNN, Workers, Walker Consultants, city’s Department of Transportation, University of California, Drivers, New York City’s Department of Transportation, Seattle Department of Transportation, Boston Locations: New York, “, New York City, Seattle, Los Angeles, America, San Francisco, Baltimore, Boston, Los Angeles , Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Washington, New, Omaha , Nebraska, Minneapolis, Philadelphia

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