Damien Newton

On Monday, the Los Angeles Times published a bombshell article, outlining the details of a "confidential Federal Railroad Administration risk analysis," in an attack on the competence and ethics of the California High Speed Rail Authority. Reporter Ralph Vartabedian claims the report shows cost overruns and delays, although the Times does not provide readers a chance to read the report for themselves.

In 1967, the City of Davis installed America's first protected bikeway. The parking-protected bikeway was not only the first of its kind, but was actually illegal until the citizen's campaign convinced the California legislature to change state law to allow it.

2017 is likely to be a year of unprecedented challenges for the broader movement to create safe and healthy communities through smart urban planning and progressive transportation design. Even before the bizarre proposed appointment of Dr. Ben Carson to head the federal Department of Housing and Urban Design, the change in administrations in Washington, D.C. promises to complicate an already challenging movement in San Francisco and the Greater Bay Area.

By now you’ve gotten at least a dozen emails about #GivingTuesday asking you to donate to an important and worthy nonprofit. This year, of all years, there are a lot of great causes to support.

Where do we go from here?

Welcome back to #DamienTalks. Today, #DamienTalks with Chanell Fletcher, the associate director of Climate Plan. With the the California legislature passing and the governor signing new legislation this year furthering the state's efforts to clean the air and slow global warming, we discuss what's next for the movement to impact man-made climate change.

Last night, the City of Santa Monica painted the first of its "creative crosswalks" designed to improve both safety and fun for people walking across the street. Last night's painting was at the intersection of Ocean and Broadway. A second installation is planned for Arizona and Second Street tonight.

It's been awhile since we recorded a #DamienTalks specifically for the California website, but now we're back with a good one. In this week's edition, Damien Talks with Michael Manville, a professor and researcher at UCLA.

Tomorrow! Tomorrow! Roger is back! Tomorrow! It's Only a Day Away. Keep up with state stories at Streetsblog CAL and Streetsblog LA and national news at Streetsblog USA. 

Roger is on vacation! Keep up with state stories at Streetsblog CAL and Streetsblog LA and national news at Streetsblog USA. I’ll be back to do another Today’s Headlines on Monday. Roger will return on Tuesday.