A 7-year-old Pearland girl with autism was found dead in a retention pond after an Amber Alert and hours of searching. Advocates and experts say the tragedy spotlights urgent water-safety gaps for children who wander.

Social Circle residents protested sudden spikes in municipal water and sewer bills, with some accounts nearly tripling and a homeowner hit with a $1,200 charge.

A Rice team proposes a "universal basic neighborhood" that ties 35 neighborhood standards to an 80‑year life expectancy goal to tackle Houston's wide life‑span gaps.

Washington Gas filed for an $82.5M increase in base rates; the Maryland PSC has scheduled virtual hearings in March and April.

A new 40‑unit tiny‑house village opened in Tukwila on church land, run by LIHI with 24/7 staff and case management to help residents move into permanent housing.

Seattle Fire says a recent house blaze was likely started when a baseboard heater touched combustibles and reminded residents to keep heaters clear. The department recommends one‑foot clearance for baseboards and three‑foot spacing for portable heaters.

At a packed forum in El Dorado Hills, six mothers shared stories of children who died after taking counterfeit pills. Officials warned of rising carfentanil detections and urged prevention.

Neighbors and the developer struck a settlement that caps commuting students and narrows the Seminary at Strawberry plan, clearing a path to a March 30 Planning Commission review. The deal also raises questions about displacement and relocation for current renters.

Turning Point, Lorain County’s only short-term youth shelter in Elyria, closed after county funding was eliminated, leaving judges and social workers racing to find placements.

Lyft settled with Minnesota after drivers repeatedly canceled rides for a blind college student with a guide dog; the deal includes $63,000 and app, training and monitoring changes.

Vanderbilt named University of Chicago vice provost Jason Merchant as the new Searcy Family Dean of Arts and Science. He starts July 1 and will hold an endowed chair in philosophy.

LA County opened a short, anonymous survey for residents affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires to inform an independent after‑action review and improve recovery efforts.

A county pilot will cover rooftop solar installation costs for income-qualified homeowners in unincorporated San Diego, but spots are limited. The program offers incentives designed to cover installation expenses and has about 22 project slots.