At a recent gathering of North Carolina municipal leaders, discussion briefly fell on a viral form of accountability activism from the public: “First Amendment audits," performed by citizen "auditors," with whom many local governments have had unforgettable experiences. Styles and practices of auditing vary, but generally in this context it’s the term for when private citizens, equipped with recording devices, occupy public spaces and engage with government officials (police officers, mostly) to test or evaluate their conduct. It can get tense. YouTube is bursting with videos uploaded by auditors that appear to show police and other government employees failing their test -- for example, an auditor might use provocative language to get a reaction from the police officer, who is expected to be cool and respectful of the auditor's free speech and other constitutional rights throughout. There are several cases of auditors successfully suing towns or police agencies over how their officers handled encounters, and it's a subject the N.C. League of Municipalities has followed for many years, even offering a course (called “Dangerous Crossroads”) meant to help with awareness of and readiness for peaceful outcomes with auditors, should they come around. On this episode, we talk with expert Scott MacLatchie about the subject and how the course, which he teaches, can help local agencies of any size.

Municipal Equation over the years has covered the challenges and successes of local law enforcement in a variety of ways. Today, we hear from the League of Municipalities’ in-house Shield Services experts – Tom Anderson and Joe Graziano, both of whom help agencies through the times, able to cite their own experience on the clock as sworn officers – about what it’s looking like out there today for law enforcement and public safety. Analysis of risks and liabilities; work toward innovations and solutions – it all makes for a thick conversation, evolving always, and it’s important that agencies participate together to understand and move the common needle, they say. “We’re only as strong as our networking,” Graziano told Municipal Equation. “Nobody can do this job alone.” Enjoy a full episode of interesting facts and candid perspective from League representatives who know the story closely. 

We talk with Lena Geraghty of the National League of Cities about in our cities and towns, and how municipal leaders can play a role in making it as good and inclusive as possible. 

What do Dobros and datasets have in common? We're about to find out. On this episode we talk with A'yen Tran and Jer Thorp of the New York-based Office for Creative Research to hear about their folksy initiative -- a finalist in the 2017 Knight Cities Challenge, no less -- to strengthen civic engagement via bluegrass music. Mystified? Well, the modern wave of data in municipal policymaking can sometimes mystify, too, at least when put in the form of charts and graphs for public consumption. Could data-fied mountain string music -- and lessons from the past that changed the history of bluegrass -- strike a new chord? Listen and learn why this novel approach is a Knight Cities finalist. Show notes: A'yen Tran, Jer Thorp and the Office for Creative Research - https://ocr.nyc Tran-authored piece, "Cultural Data Collection in Appalachia" - https://medium.com/memo-random/cultural-data-collection-in-appalachia-9c4a9547e80f#.l39hmhnrp 2017 Knight Cities Challenge Finalists, including "That High Lonesome Data" - http://www.knightfoundation.org/articles/144-finalists-advance-in-2017-knight-cities-challenge GovTech coverage about the project - http://www.govtech.com/civic/Demystifying-Civic-Data-Through-Song-and-10-Other-Civic-Tech-Finalists-in-the-Knight-Cities-Challenge.html A front-porch tune from Bascom Lunsford - https://youtu.be/FS_BeQMWUEA

A preview of the next Municipal Equation

Are we catching up to pop-fiction's futuristic portrayal of DNA in crimesolving? How about a technology that can sketch up an image of a suspect based solely on a sample of his or her DNA? The Fayetteville, North Carolina, Police Department is one of just a few local law enforcement agencies in the U.S. openly using such a tool. Applying it to a decade-old, unsolved local case of a serial rapist, the FPD is catching new tips after releasing facial renderings based on analysis of the perpetrator's DNA -- a potentially important development, as victims didn't get a clear look at his face and could only give authorities limited descriptions. FPD says it's using this innovation cautiously but wants to show the public that the department is willing to try cutting-edge techniques to bring about justice. Hear how it works on this episode. Show notes: Complete details about the 'Ramsey Street Rapist' suspect - https://nextdoor.com/agency-post/nc/fayetteville/fayetteville-police-department/fayetteville-police-department-media-release-38457122/ Report leads on the case to FPD at 910-483-8477 or 910-433-1855 Fayetteville Observer story about 'Ramsey Street Rapist,' with composite images of suspect - http://www.fayobserver.com/news/local/fayetteville-police-closer-to-catching-ramsey-street-rapist/article_1509b1c0-6bac-5384-8c09-958a510467eb.html Police release DNA-based photos of 'Ramsey Street Rapist' - http://wncn.com/2016/12/14/fayetteville-police-release-dna-based-photos-of-ramsey-street-rapist/ More details - http://abc11.com/news/fayetteville-pd-hopes-new-technology-helps-catch-rapist/1657206/ NBC News from 2014 on "dying art" of police sketches - http://www.nbcnews.com/news/crime-courts/dying-art-forensic-sketch-artists-face-digital-future-n41421 AP story on oldschool police sketch artistry - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-3512027/Sketchy-work-Police-artists-nab-bad-guys-pencil-paper.html BBC coverage of Alec Jeffreys and DNA - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/8245312.stm More - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/5405470.stm

Our 2016 year-end.

When we think of the word "brand" in an advertising sense, surely we first picture the Nike Swoosh, or the Coca-Cola can, or the Ford medallion, or, who knows, maybe the Quaker Oats guy. And for good reason. Their owners put forth gargantuan levels of money and strategy to make you think of them before their competitors. But what about when branding is the project of a local government? It's been happening a lot over the past decade, as cities and towns across the country seek to freshen or sharpen their images, most often to win new businesses, residents and economic growth. Just like with the private sector, town branding or rebranding is a delicate process that requires steady navigation to stay out of the ditch. What are the best practices? What's the secret? What happens when a town branding goes right? Or wrong? On this episode we talk with a town that's embarking on a branding project, another town that recently completed one, and a researcher who's written a lot on the subject. If your town is thinking about branding or rebranding, you might want to give this one a listen. Show notes: Southern City article, "Being a Brand Apart"- http://www.nclm.org/programs-services/publications/southern-city/2016/2016-05/Pages/BeingaBrandApart.aspx Town of Morrisville, "Live Connected. Live Well." - http://www.townofmorrisville.org/index.aspx?NID=794 City of Newton branding initiative - http://newtonnc.gov/brand/ Town of Fuquay-Varina, "A Dash More" - http://www.fuquay-varina.org/416/Fuquay-Varina---A-Dash-More Staci Zavattaro - https://www.cohpa.ucf.edu/directory/staci-zavattaro/ Zavattaro on Twitter, with links to books - https://twitter.com/staciwithaz

A look ahead at Episode 14 of the Municipal Equation podcast from the North Carolina League of Municipalities.

What do drones mean for local government? How can city hall regulate these unmanned aerial systems? What are the rules to fly one? And -- perhaps most interestingly -- how might local governments adopt drones for better service delivery? Or even to save lives? On this episode, we hear from national and state experts in the public and private sectors, and from one town already flying its own drone. And yes, as drones are commonly outfitted with high-resolution cameras, the discussion didn't get away without a discussion of privacy issues. Don't miss. Show notes: National League of Cities report, "Cities and Drones" - http://www.nlc.org/find-city-solutions/city-solutions-and-applied-research/governance/cities-and-drones N.C. League of Municipalities video, "Educational Forum on Unmanned Aerial Systems, Drones" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKK_loUcbg0 FAA drone info - https://www.faa.gov/uas/ NCDOT drone info - https://www.ncdot.gov/aviation/UAS/ YouTube rabbit hole, "Drones" - https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%22drone%22 Town of Manteo - http://www.townofmanteo.com/

Preview of Episode 13, a look at where drones and local government intersect.

Place your order! Local governments are taking after food trucks and serving up convenience at a curb near you. That's on this episode of Municipal Equation, the podcast from the N.C. League of Municipalities about today's challenges, trends and concepts for cities and towns. We talk with the City of Boston about its City Hall To Go program, which converted an old food truck into a city hall on wheels. Yes, that means it travels from hotspot to hotspot to make it easier for residents to connect with local government and access services. Since Boston pioneered it four years ago, several other U.S. cities have joined the fleet -- most recently Durham, North Carolina, with whom we discuss the program. Could it work in your hometown? Show notes: Boston's City Hall To Go - https://www.boston.gov/departments/city-hall-go Durham's City Hall On The Go - http://durhamnc.gov/2883/City-Hall-on-the-Go CityLab, "In Houston, Taco Trucks Serve Up Voter Registration" - http://www.citylab.com/politics/2016/09/food-trucks-serve-tacos-with-a-side-of-voter-registration/502034/

A preview of Episode 12.

Let's take a tour around this state we love so much. On this episode of Municipal Equation, NCLM's podcast about cities and towns adapting to change, we explore how municipalities from the mountains to the coast are programming their American Rescue Plan allocations -- federal funds with transformative potential, and recipient cities are acting in that regard. Our guest on this episode is NCLM's Jack Cassidy, who has been covering ARP from its inception and likes to point out that when municipalities get support, they get the job done. Plenty of examples to celebrate and inspire, here. Listen now. 

Mash 'play' for a personal crash-course in local economic development -- with high-value tools, tips and insider knowledge -- in this special, extended episode featuring a couple of pros who know both sides of the business -- public and private -- and where they can pair up to make a difference for cities and towns of any size. It's important to recognize that economic development isn't just one thing. It can take one of many directions, each with its own terrain and set of tools for positive outcomes. Our expert guests, Mac McCarley and Ron Kimble -- among spotlight speakers at the League's recent CityVision 2016 conference, where the bulk of this episode was recorded -- break it down for us and offer hugely important know-how. Anyone can learn from this episode, whether you're a locally elected official, a town administrator or resident curious about what all goes into business recruitment or downtown development. Don't miss this one. Show notes: Ron Kimble - http://charlottenc.gov/CityManager/AboutUs/Pages/Interim%20City%20Manager%20Ron%20Kimble.aspx Mac McCarley - http://www.parkerpoe.com/attorneys/dewitt-f-mccarley CityVision 2016 coverage - https://www.nclm.org/PROGRAMS-SERVICES/PUBLICATIONS/LINCED-IN/2016/Pages/default.aspx?issue=38 Followup notes from Episode 10: New report/manual, 11/16, "Selecting Trees to Grow in Cities" - http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/compass/2016/11/03/selecting-trees-to-grow-in-cities/ CityLab article, "The Big Green Payoff From Bigger Urban Forests" - http://www.citylab.com/design/2016/10/the-big-green-payoff-from-bigger-urban-forests/505913/ Smithsonian.com, "Why Public Health Researchers Are Looking to Urban Trees" - http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-public-health-researchers-are-looking-urban-trees-180960985/?no-ist Governing article, "Phoenix's Ambitious Plan to Beat the Desert Heat" - http://www.governing.com/topics/transportation-infrastructure/gov-phoenix-shade.html

Preview of Episode 11, all about local economic development tools and how to negotiate with business prospects.

We enter a better kind of urban jungle on this episode all about the science and economics of trees in cities -- way more interesting than you might think at first. Yep, there's a big economic argument for more trees in our cityscapes. Our guests here apply scientifically backed dollars-and-cents appraisals to the trees that line our streets or green our downtowns. And they discuss tools you can access to tally such values where you live. And, yes, we also discuss the much-harder-to-quantify relationship that humans and trees have shared since the dawn of man -- and what that means for city neighborhoods lacking in greenery. A lot to think about -- and surely a few surprises -- in the episode. Show notes: Greg McPherson - http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/programs/uesd/staff/gmcpherson/ Report, "Structure, function and value of street trees in California, USA" -http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/publications/mcpherson/psw_2016_mcpherson004.pdf David Nowak - http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/people/dnowak iTree - http://www.itreetools.org Adam Dale - https://adamgdale.org Report, "Forecasting the Effects of Heat and Pests on Urban Trees: Impervious Surface Thresholds and the 'Pace-to-Plant' Technique" - http://ecoipm.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Dale_2016_Arb.pdf Jill Jonnes, "Urban Forests: A Natural History of Trees and People in the American Cityscape" - http://jilljonnes.com UPI story, "Tree growth slows as cities heat up" - http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2016/10/05/Tree-growth-slows-as-cities-heat-up/2081475676027/ Report, "Urban warming reduces aboveground carbon storage" -http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/283/1840/20161574 OpenTreeMap - https://www.opentreemap.org City of Raleigh Urban Forestry Division - http://www.raleighnc.gov/community/content/ParksRec/Articles/Programs/UrbanForestry/UFDivision.html NEWS AND REPORTS SINCE THIS EPISODE'S AIRING: New report, 11/16, "Selecting Trees to Grow in Cities" - http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/compass/ CityLab article, "The Big Green Payoff From Bigger Urban Forests" -http://www.citylab.com/design/2016/10/the-big-green-payoff-from-bigger-urban-forests/505913/ Smithsonian.com, "Why Public Health Researchers Are Looking to Urban Trees" - http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-public-health-researchers-are-looking-urban-trees-180960985/?no-ist Governing article, "Phoenix's Ambitious Plan to Beat the Desert Heat" -http://www.governing.com/topics/transportation-infrastructure/gov-phoenix-shade.html

A preview of Episode 10, a look at the science of city trees.

A question dangles before populous states that grew with low-density development in the 20th century: What do we do now? Planning and development preferences aren't what they used to be. Today they favor higher-density, walkable, mixed use layouts, and local governments far and wide are wondering how to best reshape the traditionally spread-out suburban spaces. "What is the local government’s role in this transition? How does a city or county encourage the redevelopment of suburban spaces? And what are the practical and political implications?" Those are questions posed by UNC School of Government Assistant Professor Adam Lovelady, our guest on this episode. If one thing's for sure, he says, it's a complex issue. Show notes: Report, "Reshaping Suburban Spaces: Lessons from North Carolina Cities" - https://www.sog.unc.edu/publications/reports/reshaping-suburban-spaces-lessons-north-carolina-cities

Preview of Episode Nine, another look at suburbia and where it's going.

Joel Kotkin, a prolific writer of articles and books on urbanism, demographics, city planning and density, takes a different angle. Often at odds with convention or popular beliefs on planning, the suburbs, the patterns of millennials and so on, Kotkin in his latest book -- "The Human City: Urbanism for the Rest of Us" -- argues that ongoing focuses on high-density layouts and other popular planning approaches don't serve most people well and that the suburbs deserve much more love than they get. We hear why on this interesting and challenging episode with the man whom The New York Times calls "America's uber-geographer." We also hear why he thinks local governments should be allowed to decide their own policies with fewer constraints from the state and federal levels. Listen in. Show notes: http://www.joelkotkin.com "The Human City" - http://www.joelkotkin.com/content/006-joels-books Kotkin article on local government authority - http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2016/09/16/local_govt_control_the_ignored_campaign_issue_131786.html Archive audio source - "The Dynamic American City" (1956, U.S. Chamber of Commerce)

Preview of Episode Eight, a talk with Joel Kotkin.

Where's your local government with technology? Sensors? Automation? Readiness for self-driving vehicles? Teleportation? Kidding on that last one but, because we're in an age of exponential advances in technology and the Internet of Things, and with the consumer market now so accustomed to quick gratification and one-touch app services, there's pressure on government to act more quickly, streamlined and futuristic than ever before. ".... government just can't be immune to this massive change" in our culture and commerce, says William Eggers, executive director of Deloitte's Center for Government Insights. Eggers is our guest as we dive into today's digital technology, where it's going and how local governments can catch up. It's even an issue with government employee hiring and retention, he says. A lot to think about here. Show notes: William Eggers at Deloitte - http://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/profiles/weggers.html "Delivering on Digital" - http://www.deliveringondigital.com

A look ahead at Episode Seven, about the rate of technology, what today's consumers expect and what that means for local government.

Cities and towns so good that vacations become permanent stays. On this episode of Municipal Equation, we talk with VisitNC, the state's promotional and tourism outfit, about its Dream Big in Small Town NC initiative, which aims to connect travelers with the state's alluring small towns -- places so great they're hard to leave, and that's the idea. 

In this extended episode all about law enforcement, we spend time with a number of police leaders ready to hit the reset button and create positive, new interaction between sworn officers and the public. But with so much tension in the air lately, what can actually be changed? What can police and the greater public learn from one another to create harmony? During a recent panel discussion arranged by the North Carolina League of Municipalities at the request of the state's Legislative Black Caucus, things got frank and clear, and we'll hear plenty of it here. Later, we'll check in on another challenge -- the search for best-practices with police body-cameras. We'll also learn from an expert about psychological reactions to active shooter situations and how a little bit of forethought can go a long way. And have you ever been a little nervous about meeting a stranger to complete a transaction for goods arranged online? We hear from one police department that's implemented a pretty simple solution. Tons of takeaways and ponderings on this episode. Show notes: Video of the full panel discussion featured - https://youtu.be/Dhidnbk1tcM Southern City magazine past issues - http://www.nclm.org/programs-services/publications/southern-city/Pages/default.aspx

A look ahead at Episode Six, a special focus on police and public safety issues. Trust, technology, a changing conversation and some news you can definitely use.

What's your town doing with its government access television channel? Creatively, we mean. In Raleigh, North Carolina, city government is putting the spotlight on the local music scene with top-shelf live performances -- professionally produced, as good as anything you'll see on TV -- to in turn shine light on the city itself and humanize local government. Using city-owned or -operated venues to showcase public spaces or functions, Raleigh's government basically has its own Austin City Limits, with some extra, local flair to set it apart. The bands that perform even take the time to talk about their love for Raleigh. Could this be something your town could duplicate? Show notes: Oak City Sessions episodes - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0mTYYBl2CE_gwkMKoVomQr8Xxzw7icl9

A preview of Episode Five, out Aug. 16, 2016.

On this episode, we journey into the psychology of moving from place to place and searching for the perfect town or city to settle down in -- if there is such a thing. Sometimes it comes with finding creative ways to build a relationship with your locale -- a conversation with huge insights not only for residents of any town but for local government as well. Our guest is Melody Warnick, author of a new book, "This is Where You Belong: The Art and Science of Loving the Place You Live." You can listen to the episode over and over again and still find new things to take away. Show notes: http://melodywarnick.com Clip near beginning from 1970s "Greensboro is a Place" promotional video, via UNC-Greensboro University Libraries.

Preview of Episode Four: Place Attachment! (The 'Art & Science' of...) by NC League of Municipalities

If a city or town is intentional enough, it can foster a local innovation ecosystem -- which isn't just a game reserved for major metros. Christopher Gergen, leader of learning collaborative Forward Cities and entrepreneurship group Forward Impact, tells us how he's seen his town and others of varying sizes become thriving, colorful hubs of creativity and innovation. How? It starts with understanding five specific levers, and the role of local government in pulling them. Gergen offers big takeaways in this field-trip episode recorded at the Bullpen, Duke University’s bullish entrepreneurial space in downtown Durham, North Carolina. Show notes: -Christopher Gergen: https://entrepreneurship.duke.edu/associate/christopher-gergen/ Forward Cities: http://www.forwardcities.org Forward Impact: http://www.forwardimpact.info The Bullpen: https://entrepreneurship.duke.edu/bullpen/

Preview of Episode Three: Innovation! (And Where Local Gov't Fits In) by NC League of Municipalities

It's no secret that infrastructure across the nation has gotten to ragged condition. What you maybe didn't know was that the burden of paying for it keeps sliding to local government. Why? And, more importantly, is there anything we can do? We dig in with guests national, state and local to talk about the infrastructure deficit and the tools municipalities can explore to trim it down. A recent report from the National League of Cities served as inspiration for this episode. Show notes: NLC report: http://www.nlc.org/Documents/Find%20City%20Solutions/City-Solutions-and-Applied-Research/NLC_2016_Infrastructure_Report.pdf

A preview of Episode Two: Infrastructure!

On this episode of Municipal Equation, the podcast about cities adapting to change, we talk with Mayor Hugh Credle of Weldon, N.C., to learn how his small town is thinking big with the help of the river -- the Roanoke -- running just alongside its limits. 

We kick off Municipal Equation with one of the toughest local leaders around -- Winston-Salem City Council Member Denise D. Adams, who crashed through a sudden series of mysterious and deadly health problems all while ramping up a contested re-election campaign. How in the world did she pull through? And how did it change her perspective on life and public service? Huge takeaways here.

In April, during his acceptance speech as the new president of the N.C. League of Municipalities, Kings Mountain Mayor Scott Neisler emphasized that public service can be fun, that we can enjoy ourselves in working together, knowing our communities and their histories, charting how they've changed over time and what the future calls for. On this episode, we hear the affable president's perspective on service and his priorities ahead, in addition to some of the ways he's stepped forward to make positive change where he lives.

In 2017, the City of Greensboro logged more than 40 vehicle crash fatalities, at the time a high mark that rattled officials enough to explore ways toward safer travels. This led city officials to a global movement in the form of a scalable initiative called Vision Zero. On this episode, City of Greensboro Transportation Planning Engineer Lydia McIntyre explains what Vision Zero is, how it seeks to reduce traffic fatalities and serious accidents, and what the city has learned (with surprises) since embarking.  Related material:

It seems inconsistent: pandemic-related, record-level job losses while employers report their own hardships in finding workers. But that’s the nature of what analysts have called one of the strangest labor shortages in memory. Nationally, employers have reported too-tight talent pools or general hard times retaining staff. While much of the labor-shortage news spotlight is usually either broad-talking or sector-specific, municipalities far and wide indeed have felt the effect. On this episode, we hear from a few on their unique challenges and ideas to improve their situations. And we've love to hear about yours. 

The Town of Boone appears to be the first in North Carolina to have shifted from fossil fuels to 100 percent renewable energy for its municipal facilities, and many years ahead of its own timeline for doing so. But how? On this episode of Municipal Equation, the League’s podcast about cities and towns adapting in the face of change, we talk with Boone Sustainability Manager George Santucci for an education on how the town and its leaders paired will with recognition of resources to achieve a big goal the town’s people can be proud of.  Is there a story from your town that would make a great highlight for Municipal Equation? Email the show’s host/producer Ben Brown at to be featured.

North Carolina cities and towns will receive $1.3 billion in federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds in 2021 and 2022. That is a staggering number, and it encompasses just a small piece of the ARP. More funds will be sent to North Carolina counties. Still more is going to the state itself. Never before has money flowed directly to our cities and towns like it will through the ARP, and as such, it is a generational opportunity—to both recover from the pandemic and to prosper well into the future.

A new program from the North Carolina League of Municipalities is convening frank talks with municipal officials about racial tensions and inequities in our communities. Learn how DIRECT (Diversity, Inclusion & Racial Equity for Cities & Towns) works for better lives through best practices and historical knowledge. Mark your calendars -- on Feb. 1, at 10 a.m., DIRECT will hold a webinar, which you'll have to register for. You can find it on the events calendar at nclm.org. This webinar will provide the basics city and town leaders need to advance discussions and local efforts on racial equity. Webinar attendees will have the opportunity to learn valuable information and engage in meaningful conversations. The course includes: -Discussion of the importance of racial equity and its associated values -Review of historical events that have impacted racial equity at the national, state, and local level -Examination of relevant data that impacts racial equity -Strategies and tools for practical solutions at the local level -Participation in a racial wealth gap learning simulation The DIRECT webinar is available to members for $65 plus applicable taxes and $75 plus applicable taxes to nonmembers. Attendees who complete the course will earn 2.5 credit hours toward AML’s Order of Municipal Leadership. ​If your town wants to address racial inequities, but you’re not sure where to start, Introducing DIRECT: How Cities and Towns Can Engage in Racial Equity Conversations is the first step in learning more. .

Government communications, specifically the kind meant to connect with a diverse mix of everyday people, are always evolving in their reach, variety, and challenges. “I’ve been in the government communications side of things for 12 years, and it has changed dramatically over time,” said City of Hickory Communications and Marketing Manager Dana Kaminske. “It’s not just a press release anymore.” Kaminske, recently named Communicator of the Year by trade advancement group North Carolina City and County Communicators, in an interview with Municipal Equation said the city appreciates its media partners in helping to get the word out (about city hall programs, initiatives, proposals, announcements of immediacy, and so on), but there’s plenty more for government communicators to do. “We as governments have to be very active, just like a business, to communicate what I’d say our air-quote product is, and that’s our city, that’s our town, our government and what we’re doing,” said Kaminske. “We have to find what works really well for our community. I think everybody has to do that.” These points start off a great conversation between Kaminske and League podcast host Ben Brown about the modern and changing landscape of government outreach and information sharing, what the challenges are, what the public might expect, and what seems to be working in the state’s array of cities and towns. How does your town approach it? // Municipal Equation is a production of the N.C. League of Municipalities, . Contact host/producer Ben Brown at . 

Audio companion to the North Carolina League of Municipalities' fiscal year 2019-20 annual report. Produced by the League's Communications team. 

Iowa Watershed Approach  

What could aliens and flying saucers mean to a community and its government? Like, for real. Whether you believe we've actually been visited by interplanetary travelers or whether simple, Earthly explanations cover the sightings and stories, no community has a stronger association with extra terrestrials and UFOs than Roswell, New Mexico. On this episode, we look at what that means from a community and economic-development angle. We're joined by a ufologist and one of the world's foremost experts on what's called "the Roswell Incident" and from a spokesperson of the local government itself. Ultimately it's about embracing your community's story and taking it to intergalatic levels. City of Roswell, N.M. https://roswell-nm.gov Blog of Dr. Kevin Randle http://kevinrandle.blogspot.com Randle's latest book on Roswell, "Roswell in the 21st Century" "Report of Air Force Research Regarding the 'Roswell Incident'" (July 1994) https://www.nsa.gov/Portals/70/documents/news-features/declassified-documents/ufo/report_af_roswell.pdf "The Roswell Report: Case Closed" https://archive.org/stream/AFD-101027-030/AFD-101027-030_djvu.txt Roswell tourism video https://roswell-nm.gov/656/Tourism-Video  

Calling climate change an intimidating issue may be understating it. It's massive, right? Being so global and often pulled into intense debate, climate change may have us individuals feeling helpless against it. But there are local-level approaches for making a difference, and municipal governments are sharing best-practices with one another to that end. We travel to Chapel Hill -- the electric-vehicle capital of North Carolina -- to learn how they are others are leading the charge in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and minimizing other environmental impacts as part of a program called the Cities Initiative, which seeks to remove the barriers to sensible policies and practices that could be exactly what the world needs right now.  To join or pose questions about the Cities Initiative, email Zach Ambrose at .  Cities Initiative overview and consensus action items   Description of phases 1 and 2   Mayor Pam Hemminger, Chapel Hill, North Carolina   

Superheroes exist. Yes, in real life. Just like in the comics, they wear masks and uniforms, they nab bad guys, and they spread peace across the city. On this episode, we talk to a couple of them, and their stories are absolutely amazing. Thanks to Sgt. Clint Ferguson and Officer Damon Cole for making this happen. Sgt. Clint Ferguson and Deadpool https://www.policeone.com/chiefs-sheriffs/articles/480045006-NC-cop-uses-Marvel-costume-to-connect-with-teens-community/ Officer Damon Cole http://www.heroesandcopsagainstchildhoodcancer.org/what-we-do.html 2020 Census news update https://www.npr.org/2019/01/28/689237309/census-bureau-conducts-massive-recruiting-effort-for-2020-head-count

It's one of the biggest federal projects going, and it affects all of us. What do we need to know about the 2020 Census? It's different from any in the past. How private is the information being collected? What's it's used for? And how can we be sure it's accurate? We're joined by the U.S. Census Bureau, the National League of Cities, state government and academics on this, our 60th episode. General 2020 Census info   2020 Census questions   NLC resource, Cities Count: Preparing for the 2020 Census   D. Sunshine Hillygus   The Hard Count: The Political and Social Challenges of Census Mobilization   News story, Census Bureau to Test How Controversial Citizenship Question Affects Responses