Infrastructure

Data centers, which require massive amounts of energy and few jobs, have downsides for Alaska

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has invited big tech companies, including affiliates of Microsoft, Facebook and Amazon, to build data centers in Alaska.

Infrastructure

‘Renewable energy growth is truly a 50-state story now’: New report shows big jump in solar, wind, EVs

A coalition of environmental groups finds U.S. renewable energy development has tripled in the past decade.

Management

What voters had to say about abortion rights in 2024

The majority of ballot measures to protect abortion rights passed, but concerns about women’s health outcomes remain.

Sponsor Content

The State of Government Payments: Insights From 2024 Research

State and local governments have made strides in enhancing online payments, but they must continue to mature their payment systems to meet rising constituent expectations while maintaining back-office efficiency.

Management

What we’re watching this Election Day

Stay tuned for results coverage and analysis through the coming days in the key races and ballot measures Route Fifty is tracking across the country.

Cybersecurity

Russian email domains sent uncredible bomb threats to polling places, FBI says

Kremlin-backed actors have a long record of sowing fear and disinformation into the U.S. election process.

Digital Government

State's education department offers schools guidance on limiting student cell phone use

So far, at least eight Oregon school districts have either banned cell phone use in some schools, in individual classes or in all schools.

Digital Government

End of SNAP’s pandemic internet deduction pinches some Kentuckians at grocery store

JD Charles is among 11,800 Kentuckians who lost SNAP benefits Oct. 1. The $23 a month helped him get by on his Social Security disability income.

Digital Government

Lacking nationwide protections, states are stepping up to protect child influencers

California became the latest to sign legislation to protect so-called “kidfluencers,” after Illinois became the first to do so. More states appear to be following their lead.

Infrastructure

Nevada says it worked out the kinks in its new voter system in time for the election, but concerns remain

After recent practice runs showed significant problems in transferring data accurately, the battleground state’s new centralized voter registration system will get its first real-world test in a major presidential election.

Digital Government

How social media is influencing our interactions with public lands

Getting the perfect online photo is drawing more people into nature. Land managers are trying to mitigate risks and damage to wild places.

Management

Lessons learned from former Mayor Lightfoot’s Chicago tenure

A book released this year by Chicago Tribune journalist Gregory Royal Pratt reflected on her single term in office, broken promises and the need to build relationships inside and outside city hall.

Workforce

No, America’s battery plant boom isn’t going bust – construction is on track for the biggest factories, with over 23,000 jobs planned

The future of these job-generating gigafactories, many of them in Republican states, could be at risk if the next president tries to wipe out the programs that made them possible.

Digital Government

Could Massachusetts AI cheating case push schools to refocus on learning?

The lawsuit tackles key questions of academic integrity, college admissions and the purpose of school in an age of AI.

Management

Over half of states restrict gender-affirming care. Could the Supreme Court change that?

The high court’s ruling on gender-affirming care could also impact other laws affecting transgender people, like rules for sports and bathrooms, one expert says.

Digital Government

Tech associations sue over Florida’s social media restrictions for kids under 16

Opponents of the restrictions say the law barring youths from having social media accounts violates the First Amendment.

Management

Will Mississippi schools join the cellphone ban bandwagon?

A Mississippi lawmaker is already crafting a bill to ban cellphones in classrooms, but how would it play out?

Management

Inside mobile health clinic efforts to reach more residents, address gaps in care

To increase the accessibility and affordability of reproductive health care, local health departments are giving the green light to mobile solutions.

Digital Government

California to kick off first open enrollment season with automated system

The state piloted using artificial intelligence to help with automatic enrollment. Now this year’s open enrollment period is underway, the new system faces its first test.