Artificial Intelligence
AI is being used to boost Medicaid enrollment, but not without concerns
A health plan in California will use an AI program to schedule appointments and remind Medicaid enrollees to fill out paperwork. The plan says it can do the work of 40 employees at a fraction of the cost.
Artificial Intelligence
Data center approvals in Texas halted until audits completed, Gov. Greg Abbott says
On Monday, the governor ordered the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to audit all data centers wanting to connect to the state’s power grid.
People
Former county CIO reflects on lessons learned from decades in government
Steve Monaghan, the former CIO of Nevada County, California, said workers should be focused on building their organizational health, not just fixing the issues of the day.
Sponsor Content
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Discover how AI literacy helps state and local agencies build responsible adoption, stronger governance and workforce readiness.
Digital Government
Rural health transformation funds go to tech companies for innovations
The new fund will implement new technologies from health-focused startups in rural communities, but the strategy has its doubters.
Digital Government
Online prediction markets rile up state lawmakers
They say Kalshi and Polymarket are more like sportsbooks than commodity markets.
Artificial Intelligence
Beyond the note-taker: What city managers should demand from meeting intelligence
COMMENTARY | General AI tools and note-takers fall short of what is required to act on decisions made. Several key questions help separate a note-taker from meeting intelligence.
Insights & Reports
Artificial Intelligence
Community opposition helped block $170B in data center projects, report finds
A lack of transparency around ownership, power and water requirements was cited as the most common issue in 46 cancelled projects across a two-year period in 20 states.
Cybersecurity
Smart phones render Nevada privacy law vague and outdated, says attorney
“The burden has now become placed on us as humans. If we want to have a private conversation, we really need to take extra steps to have that private conversation,” an attorney said while arguing a case involving the statute.
Cybersecurity
CISA urges water utilities to take exposed systems down after Minnesota hacks
A memo distributed to water industry members and obtained by Nextgov/FCW makes mention of Iran but does not directly present evidence attributing the latest Minnesota incident to the country.
Artificial Intelligence
From pilot to proof: How revenue agencies can launch AI responsibly
COMMENTARY | Leaders typically face constrained budgets, staffing gaps and complex fraud. AI can help address one of those issues, if it is tested properly and can work well under strain.
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Digital Government
Yearbook report recognizes states’ phone-free school laws
Eleven states were honored for passing new laws or strengthening existing ones governing phone use in schools, although some were dinged for confusing implementation.
Sponsor Content
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Artificial Intelligence
New York Is struggling to track its own AI use
Several agencies’ high-profile AI programs do not appear in the state’s AI inventory.
Digital Government
Feds quietly moved a Medicaid technology project to a central data hub as new eligibility requirements approach
Federal technology offerings promise to help states implement some parts of Medicaid work requirements kicking in on Jan. 1, 2027, but not all of them.
Public Safety
Why large events require smarter, long-term security investments
COMMENTARY | The just-concluded World Cup and upcoming Olympics highlight the need to plan beyond the stadium or venue and support public safety years after fans go home.
People
Inside the World Cup security operation
A massive effort years in the planning at the federal, state and local level helped keep the tournament safe, even as it faced enormous threats of many kinds that all needed mitigating.
Artificial Intelligence
Pro-data center industry group behind ad campaign in Oregon, six other states
Oregon Connects is one of several new nonprofits registered by the Data Center Coalition, an industry group backed by major tech companies.
Cybersecurity
FCC blocks approval of new foreign-made robots, power inverters
National security agencies said the devices could create supply-chain vulnerabilities, threaten critical infrastructure and enable surveillance or remote manipulation.
Digital Government
From Benjamin Franklin to satellite: Celebrating 250 years of American communication
COMMENTARY | Our success as the United States has hinged not just on our shared ideals, but also on our ability to communicate and connect across long distances.
Digital Government
Building regions’ economies must move beyond ‘incentive wars,’ leading researcher says
Too often, state and local governments try to attract large tech companies with tax breaks and other sweeteners. But true growth should build an ecosystem that lets businesses of all sizes scale up.
