Artificial Intelligence
Clark County commissioners hear push for data center moratorium but take no action
Nevada residents have protested the number of data centers going up in their communities, but elected leaders did not lay out any specific plans or regulations.
Management
Crypto kiosks were used to scam $56 million from Texans last year. Lawmakers are calling for regulation.
Fraudsters are increasingly using the ATM-like machines for fast access to money that’s difficult to trace.
Digital Government
Kentucky bill regulating kids’ social media had bipartisan support, AG backing. What killed it?
The bill took a sweeping aim at “addictive” online features like doomscrolling and autoplay, and would have also required social media platforms to estimate the age of users and restrict usage for those under the age of 15.
Sponsor Content
Smarter cities, safer communities: How state and local government leaders are advancing public services with AI
Discover how AI agents are transforming government services with faster decisions, smarter automation, and measurable productivity gains.
Management
U.S. Supreme Court declines request to block Texas’ app age verification law
A federal appeals court had allowed Texas to require app stores to verify users’ ages and seek parental consent before a minor can download apps while litigation continues.
Digital Government
How states can address broadband worker shortages
Amid funding uncertainty, existing programs may offer starting point to build workforce.
Artificial Intelligence
How Kansas’ labor department’s tech became ‘built for tomorrow’
The state was reliant on 1970s-era systems that were exposed by COVID-19. Since then, it has moved to the cloud and embraced AI as part of a major modernization push.
Management
A last-minute change to Georgia’s ballot QR code bill could steer voting in a new direction
A small change to a bill passed during June’s special session adds a new twist to the question of how future elections in Georgia will be run.
Artificial Intelligence
How Virginia became the world’s data center capital and how it’s going
From AOL’s arrival in Ashburn to today’s AI-driven boom, Virginia became the backbone of the internet economy. Now lawmakers are debating how to manage the industry’s soaring energy demands and economic influence.
People
A new kind of bet on sports gambling
COMMENTARY | The Online Problem Gambling Act, while far from perfect, will reshape sports betting in Colorado and could provide more insight into how to curb harms.
Public Safety
What California has learned from an AI-enabled early wildfire detection system
A public safety program in the state is using a sensor network and real-time data to suppress wildfires more quickly and gain insights on developing climate-related risks.
Featured eBooks
People
Digital tools connect rural Texans to mental health care
In Bastrop County, Texas, the public health department is implementing a new digital platform to deliver mental health support to rural residents.
Sponsor Content
The war on fraud. Protecting federal benefits programs.
Learn how agencies uncover fraud networks faster and meet evolving federal anti fraud requirements with actionable intelligence.
Infrastructure
New Mexico residents say their names used without permission to support Project Jupiter data center
Letters supporting project appeared on a state comment portal after Project Jupiter canvassers approached residents in at least three cities.
Artificial Intelligence
Where a small government should start on its AI journey
COMMENTARY | The fastest path is towards better operations, and over the course of a 90-day period, even a small team can embrace the tech and make big improvements.
Finance
Nevada official ‘cautiously optimistic’ about AI solution to reducing SNAP error rates
After launching a new data analytics program earlier this year, the Nevada Division of Social Services is seeing early gains in identifying erroneous or fraudulent SNAP payments.
Digital Government
FCC votes to review E-Rate program amid screen time concerns
The agency is questioning whether the program has “achieved” its connectivity objectives for schools and libraries, and whether it should be “reoriented” or “narrowed.”
Finance
House passes bill that would ban ride share ‘surveillance pricing’ based on personal data
Surveillance pricing is the practice of using information about a consumer gathered from personal devices or other sources and charging different prices to individuals or groups based on their likely willingness to pay.
Infrastructure
San Marcos becomes the first Texas city to ban data centers, testing its local control
As Texas counties have faced hurdles to curb the rapid growth of data center developments, cities could have more success with banning them through their zoning laws, land experts say.
Cybersecurity
Government groups call for $300M to fund cyber grant program
Various state and local organizations urged the Senate in an open letter to appropriate the money for Fiscal Year 2027 to the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program.
Artificial Intelligence
In bipartisan fashion, PA lawmakers vote to repeal tax incentives for data centers
House lawmakers voted 197-5 on Thursday to pass a bill that would repeal sales tax incentives for data center owners and operators.
