Welcome back to The Weekly Wrap, our Friday roundup of stories that explain the problems oppressing people in cities and elevate the solutions that bring us closer to economic, environmental and social justice.

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NY Bail Reform Has Reduced Recidivism, Study Finds

A recent study on New York’s 2019 bail reforms shows that eliminating cash bail for misdemeanors and most nonviolent felonies has driven recidivism rates down in New York City’s suburbs and upstate, Hell Gate NYC reports.

An analysis by the Data Collaborative for Justice at John Jay College tracked people for a 50-month period after their arrest to see if they would be arrested again. They found that people were less likely to be arrested again in the last few years post-bail reform compared to before: 57% of people released without bail were re-arrested before 2020, as compared to 66% the year prior for those who had bail set against them.

People released under bail reform were also less likely to be rearrested on more serious crimes. Following reforms, 33% of people arrested on felony charges and 20% of those arrested on violent felony charges were rearrested – down from 40% and 25%, respectively, before bail reform.

Zillow Is Being Sued for Pressuring Homebuyers into Using Their Mortgages

Zillow is facing a lawsuit for allegedly incentivizing agents affiliated with the platform to pressure homebuyers into using its mortgages, the Seattle Times reports. Though the company is known for its digital real estate listings, it also functions as a lending agency and a brokerage.

An Alaska homebuyer, who filed the lawsuit this month through the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, claims that her Zillow-affiliated agent led her to believe her only option was to take out a loan through Zillow Home Loans.

Attorneys argue that Zillow-affiliated agents have been directing clients toward preapproval with Zillow Home Loans in exchange for customer leads, in violation of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and Washington Consumer Protection Act.

St. Paul and Environmental Groups Sue Over Canceled Federal Energy Grants

The City of St. Paul, Minnesota, joined clean energy and environmental groups in suing the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and the U.S. Department of Energy this week in hopes of restoring more than $7 billion in clean energy grants that were canceled last month, Smart Cities Dive reports.

“Nearly $8 billion in Green New Scam funding to fuel the Left’s climate agenda is being cancelled,” Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought posted on X in October. Grants were cancelled for over a dozen states including New York, New Jersey and California. The lawsuit claims that partisan politics played a role in the cancelation, and that the 16 states mentioned have Democratic senators and overwhelmingly voted for Trump’s Democratic opponent in the 2024 elections.

Meanwhile, St. Paul also joined Chicago in suing the Department of Justice this week in hopes of preventing the federal government from imposing new conditions on the Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Program (COPS) grant, Smart Cities Dive reports. These new grant conditions include preventing local governments from limiting information-sharing with federal immigration authorities; requiring grantees to forgo any DEI programs deemed unlawful by the federal administration; banning grant funds from “directly or indirectly” supporting educational institutions that require students receive Covid-19 vaccinations, promote gender ideology and advance DEI and environmental justice.

San Diego County Will Test Health Monitors on Inmates

After several in-custody deaths, San Diego County’s Sheriff’s Office is launching a pilot where jail inmates wear biometric devices to monitor their health, Governing reports.

The devices, described as similar to a smartwatch, will regularly check vital signs like heart rate and respiration and alert medical staff of rapid changes in someone’s condition. Local officials say the pilot will begin with a small group of volunteers who are described as medically vulnerable. Law enforcement officials and privacy groups have urged for strict rules on data use and retention.

It’ll Take a While Before Air Travel Gets Back to Normal

The federal government shutdown has officially ended after 43 days, creating chaos and major delays at airports throughout the country as federal employees worked without pay. But conditions for air travel remain uncertain, NBC News reports, and it’s unclear when paychecks will be restored for those workers.

It is also unclear when flight schedules will go back to normal after the Federal Aviation Administration was forced to restrict flights at high-traffic airports. Though it is still the first official week since the shutdown ended, thousands of flights were delayed on Thursday and more than a thousand were cancelled, according to FlightAware.

The chaos has left its mark on local and regional economies. Tourism rates have taken a hit in Las Vegas, Hawaiʻi and beyond, and hotels, restaurants and taxi drivers have seen less business nationwide.

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MORE NEWS

• Vancouver mayor plans to eliminate the city’s climate and sustainability department. National Observer

• Los Angeles looks to cap rent increases on rent-stabilized units. Los Angeles Times

• The need for food assistance will continue after the government shutdown ends. NPR

• Pro-Palestine nonprofits are struggling financially after being defunded for their stance. Prism

• California defunds its popular e-bike incentive program. Smart Cities Dive

• Cities issue bonds at record pace. Marketplace

• Black-owned farms have worked to fill in the gap left by SNAP. Capital B

• New foreclosures jump 20% in October, a sign of more distress in the housing market. CNBC

• Progressive newcomer Katie Wilson is Seattle’s new mayor, portending a shift on public safety and homelessness. Bolts

• This map showcases major flooding blind spots throughout Miami. Miami Herald

OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES

• Lime Rock New Energy is offering a fellowship for graduate students interested in learning about how to lead impact-focused investment funds. Apply by Nov. 16.

• The Urban Justice Center is offering an accelerator for start-up or early stage organizations that focus on social justice. Apply by Dec. 1.

• The Climate Smart Communities Initiative has launched a grants competition for funding and assistance to support community-based climate resilience in vulnerable communities. Apply by March 12, 2026.

• Check out Next City’s jobs board for new opportunities.

EVENTS

• Nov. 17 at noon Pacific: California YIMBY and Lambda Alpha International look at how deposit reform can help finance the next wave of homeownership.

• Nov. 19 at 10 a.m. Pacific: UC Berkeley’s Terner Center for Housing Innovation hosts a virtual discussion examining the California housing supply legislation that will go into effect in 2026.

• Nov. 20 at 1 p.m. Eastern: The Environmental Law & Policy Center, Alliance of the Southeast and Friends of the Parks examine a successful community campaign to prevent a proposed toxic waste dump.

• Check out events from Next City and our partners here.

This post was originally published on Next City.