Welcome back to our weekly behind-the-scenes glimpse at what’s getting our team talking. Tell us what you’ve been reading at info@reasonstobecheerful.world and we just might feature it here. Street smarts In the year and change since New York City implemented congestion pricing, we’ve been closely following its myriad positive impacts, from easing gridlock to making streets safer and improving air quality. As it turns out, Chicago has also been following these impacts with interest: In a story shared this week by RTBC Executive Editor Will Doig, Bloomberg CityLab reports that a number of Windy City leaders see potential for congestion pricing in their city. But, like pizza, it would look quite different in Chicago than it does back east. Will says: I’m in Chicago this week, and this piece rings true: Traffic on local city streets feels less intense than in many eastern cities, but expressway traffic is nuts. Just the fact that Chicago is considering emulating New York — where congestion pricing has been a huge success — is a perfect example of working solutions multiplying almost by magic. Quick learners Across the U.S., colleges are beginning to offer a faster path to an undergraduate degree. According to a Hechinger Report story that caught Contributing Editor Geetanjali Krishna’s attention, nearly 60 schools are considering or have already developed reduced-credit, three-year bachelor’s degrees. The goal: to lower costs — and dropout rates. Geetanjali says: What makes this especially interesting is how directly it contrasts with the recent decision by University of Delhi to do the exact opposite — and extend its traditional three-year program to four years, despite similar concerns that longer degrees can increase costs and discourage completion! What else we’re reading How Camden, N.J., Cut Its Murder Rate to a 40-Year Low — shared by RTBC founder David Byrne from the New York Times Chinook salmon found naturally hatching in Upper Klamath River for first time in a century — shared by Editorial Director Rebecca from Oregon Public Broadcasting ‘There’s biological treasure here’: Chile’s endemic seals gain protection with new marine park — shared by Contributing Editor Michaela Haas from the Guardian In other news… Arbutus, RTBC’s parent nonprofit, has officially opened its new project at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. Theater of the Mind is a brain-bending journey through a life lived in reverse — and RTBC Executive Editor Will Doig found the experience mesmerizing. Get a peek behind the scenes and hear more of Will’s thoughts about the show here. The post What We’re Reading: Will Chicago Be the Next City to Try Congestion Pricing? appeared first on Reasons to be Cheerful.