Infrastructure
North Carolina invests $26M to expand high-speed internet into additional rural areas by 2026
The additional funding targets 5,161 homes, businesses and community anchor institutions in 66 counties across rural portions of the state.
Artificial Intelligence
NYC’s Education Dept. is releasing a long-awaited AI policy. Some schools already have their own.
Schools have embraced a wide variety of approaches, from policies outlining acceptable use, to bans, to no formal discussion of AI at all.
Digital Government
Maryland’s data lead reflects on ongoing ‘culture shift’
Natalie Evans Harris, the state’s chief data officer, said that, while sharing data can be difficult, centralizing it where possible can help agencies work together and make more holistic decisions.
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Management
As Trump demands voter data, this fiercely independent Red State says no
Wary of federal intrusion, Idaho passed a law three decades ago allowing it to sidestep so-called motor-voter laws. The exemption and the sentiment behind it are fueling resistance to President Donald Trump’s Justice Department.
Artificial Intelligence
White House releases regulatory vision for AI
The framework includes seven AI policy recommendations for Congress, including a call to preempt what it terms "cumbersome" state AI laws.
Artificial Intelligence
When publishing stops being the endpoint
COMMENTARY | Government systems were not designed to be interpreted by AI, but by reducing the need for inference, there are ways to improve the process.
Management
Data is the building block to better government, Philadelphia official says
Philadelphia wants to revitalize one of its poorest neighborhoods and is leaning on data to keep officials accountable to the public throughout the process.
Digital Government
New ‘quirks’ could make states’ privacy laws impossible to follow, experts worry
Speakers during a recent webinar repeated their calls for Congress to pass a national standard, and warned that new approaches in several states could complicate matters further.
Artificial Intelligence
Hochul, DiNapoli want more information on AI’s threat and benefits to the workforce
A new commission is tasked with creating policy remedies to the potential rise in automation.
Digital Government
Trump’s anti-fraud task force poised to scrutinize benefits programs
The new White House task force will withhold government funding for state and local benefits programs if their anti-fraud controls are viewed as lacking.
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Infrastructure
Granular driving and intersection data helps drive traffic safety investments
The Missouri Department of Transportation is turning to telematics data to identify high-risk intersections that officials hope will bolster their efforts to deploy solutions that can improve roadway safety.
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Digital Government
City leaders predict ‘real bad trouble’ if FirstNet isn’t reauthorized
The reauthorization push ahead of the February deadline arrived at a National League of Cities conference this week as the effort moves through Congress.
Digital Government
Buying a ‘loot box’ in an online game? Some of the swag could help public schools under a Colorado bill
A bill aimed at enhancing data privacy for children would also subject online gaming add-on transactions to a 5% fee.
Management
Gov. Sherrill backs social media restrictions for young people
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill indicated support for bills demanding black box warning for frequent social media users and limits on targeted ads for minors.
Digital Government
Governments’ website accessibility deadline is fast approaching
It’s still unclear how the federal government will enforce the rule for larger jurisdictions under the Americans with Disabilities Act, while small jurisdictions have another year to comply.
Infrastructure
Shifting politics around data centers scramble Healey AI push
A backlash to data centers is scrambling whether and how the AI industry takes hold in Massachusetts, how it plays politically for Democrats in a deep-blue state and how state officials manage the tradeoffs.
Digital Government
In unprecedented move, Arizona files criminal charges against prediction market company Kalshi
Attorney General Kris Mayes filed criminal charges against Kalshi for illegal gambling and election betting, a first among U.S. states.
Artificial Intelligence
I tested 3 city AI chatbots. Here's what they actually do.
COMMENTARY | Results were decidedly mixed and revealed different problems with each, as well as consistent patterns.
Emerging Tech
A new kind of fire detection technology comes to a California county
San Bernardino County is building a network of sensors that detect when high-risk lightning strikes the ground, giving fire officials an early warning to weather events that could escalate into wild fires.
