Public Safety
Governments need community trust to get drone programs off the ground, experts say
From public safety missions to medical equipment delivery, the success of drone programs often boils down to community acceptance, speakers said at a recent event.
Artificial Intelligence
Data center outrage swept Pennsylvania Democrats into office. What comes next?
Democrats who flipped seats in the state legislature say they’ll prioritize regulating data centers in 2027.
Finance
New York City Council votes to ban surveillance pricing
The City Council speaker, who sponsored the legislation, pushed back on arguments against it from companies like Uber.
Sponsor Content
How Modern DCIM Supports CIOs in Managing Distributed, AI-Driven IT Environments
As state and local IT environments grow more distributed and AI-driven, discover how modern data center management helps CIOs improve infrastructure resiliency, security and sustainability.
Infrastructure
How GIS data helps airports improve customer experience
As airports look to expand their operations, geospatial data is emerging as a tool to manage passengers’ expectations amid those operational changes, observers say.
Infrastructure
In a Virginia county, environmental groups rally for statewide data center moratorium
Environmental groups urged the state government to implement a statewide pause on all new data center permits.
Public Safety
Lawmakers propose banning Flock camera grants by Texas agency
The grants, funded by a fee on Texans’ auto insurance policies, helped install more than 3,200 of the surveillance cameras.
Artificial Intelligence
Government’s AI publishing problem is now a coordination problem
COMMENTARY | That coordination problem may require a National AI Feed, which provides a record and clearer information about who actually said what.
People
Election results mean a ‘new day’ for state government, civic tech leader says
Amanda Renteria, CEO of Code for America, told Route Fifty the bevy of new governors can use technology to weather coming storms, and plan for a brighter future.
Management
Kansas lawmakers plunge ahead with unproven IT system despite huge risks
Altaf Uddin, chief information technology officer for the Legislature, recommended lawmakers move ahead despite risks of a meltdown.
Digital Government
Tennessee senators talk state efficiency as Blackburn plans ‘Tennessee-style DOGE’ review
Gov.-elect Marsha Blackburn said she plans to ‘right-size’ the state’s budget by reviewing unfilled positions, contracts and programs.
Emerging Tech
America needs a GPS backup, and California leads the way
COMMENTARY | Signals can be jammed or spoofed, but new systems are being tested that would avoid those disruptions and provide a resilient backup.
Sponsor Content
Granicus’ Libr(AI)ry highlights local wins at ICMA
Discover how local governments are moving beyond AI pilots to improve resident experiences, streamline services and build public trust through real-world success stories and innovative solutions.
Customer Experience
Satisfaction with states’ service delivery has jumped dramatically, report finds
McKinsey & Company found average satisfaction scores had improved — at times by 20 to 30 percentage points — since 2022, and the satisfaction gap compared to the private sector has almost closed.
Public Safety
North Dakota lawmaker seeks limits on Flock-style cameras
A state lawmaker is planning to propose a bill to regulate the use of controversial automated license plate readers, such as Flock cameras.
Management
Texas officials acknowledge problems with voter registration system and say they’ll work with local election officials to fix it
Election officials for more than a year sought fixes to the state’s voter registration and management system, known as TEAM. The Secretary of State’s Office will create working groups and commission an audit.
People
Innovate or die: The case for a public sector chief innovation officer
COMMENTARY | Chief information officers are asked to keep mission-critical systems running and also innovate. That means innovation becomes a risky side project, not a priority.
Artificial Intelligence
Targeting AI chatbot features could have more impact than blanket bans, expert says
New York lawmakers are taking a precise approach to AI chatbots rather than limiting overall access with a new bill, observers say.
Infrastructure
SpaceXAI started Southaven data center construction without water permits, state alleges. Fines could exceed $6M
A Mississippi agency also responds after a federal judge criticized the state’s Clean Air Act enforcement.
Artificial Intelligence
Tech policy coalition calls for new Congress to set AI safety standards
Chamber of Progress hopes for a greater focus on consumer protection and access to technological benefits when Democrats take over the majority in January.
Artificial Intelligence
Does AI fit into the traffic data collection picture?
COMMENTARY | The need for robust, accurate data remains important for the steps needed to make our roadways safer, faster, more predictable and accessible to everyone.
