Digital Government
Local officials have a powerful tool to warn residents of emergencies. They don’t always use it
ProPublica has identified at least 15 major disasters since 2016 in which officials in the most-harmed communities failed to use a federal system to send emergency alerts to residents — or waited until it was too late.
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Eliminate Manual Processes Route and Approve Invoices from Anywhere
Today’s finance teams carry a heavy burden, supporting everything from growth strategies to long-term planning – all while continuously delivering monthly and quarterly numbers and keeping cash flowing. But even as demands on finance departments grow, many still spend excessive time using paper, spreadsheets, and e-mails to process vendor invoices, approvals, and payments.
Police reflect on Hurricane Katrina’s public safety communications legacy
Amid commemorations of the hurricane’s 20th anniversary, those who responded remember how tough it was to communicate and said people must take those lessons into the future.
Bluesky blocks access in Mississippi, citing free speech and privacy concerns over age verification law
Bluesky said on Friday that it made the decision after the U.S. Supreme Court declined for now to block a Mississippi state law that requires users of websites and other digital services to verify their age.
Telemedicine patients with opioid use disorder struggle to fill prescriptions
Nearly a third of patients surveyed had a hard time getting buprenorphine.
Rescissions mean public media can’t fund warning system grants
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting can no longer administer the $136 million Next Generation Warning System grant program, which funds equipment upgrades and training to boost alerts and warnings.
Providence opens Rhode Island’s first ‘real time crime center’
The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island warns the system could normalize constant surveillance and threaten privacy rights.
Mapping helps Maine adapt to changing broadband rules
The Maine Connectivity Authority has mapped its broadband infrastructure and potential service areas, as well as assets related to digital equity. Doing so means everything can be quickly adjusted as guidance changes.
At least 4 bills to reform sweeping AI law expected during Colorado special session
State lawmakers failed to pass tweaks in regular session. They’ll try again this week.
The National Suicide Hotline for LGBTQ+ youth went dead. States are scrambling to help.
Advocates say mental health issues are rising in that population amid hostility from the Trump administration.
How Maryland is approaching statewide IT modernization
The state released an IT master plan that aims to innovate how state employees approach emerging technologies and how services are delivered to residents.
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Innovative mapping tool reveals hidden wetlands and enhances conservation efforts
An AI-powered model aids states and countries in planning and restoration priorities.
State officials should use ‘safety goggles’ when implementing AI, Minnesota official says
As state legislators interested in AI expands, so too should their efforts to establish guardrails and policies that ensure the tech’s responsible use.
Attorneys general call on Meta to place privacy limits on new Instagram location feature
The app's new feature quickly faced backlash from privacy advocates who warn against sharing highly personal data with an intermediary like Meta.
Trump wants states to feed voter info into powerful citizenship data program
Republicans are laser-focused on purging noncitizens from voter rolls.
Florida enlists robot bunnies to manage invasive pythons
To track down and remove invasive Burmese pythons, the South Florida Water Management District is turning to toy rabbits to bait the snakes.
Idaho attorney general joins multi-state crackdown on illegal robocalls
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador said his office is joining a multistate effort to crack down on illegal robocalls nationally.
Iowa leverages data to make child care easier to find.
The state’s Child Care Connect platform is like “OpenTable for childcare,” streamlining the process of finding and researching available care options, one expert says.
Bipartisan state attorneys general target nuisance robocalls
The attorneys general are demanding that voice service providers stop allowing illegal robocalls to be routed through telecom networks.
Quality digital solutions can build public trust, report finds
Digital services that are transparent and informative can help build residents’ trust in their local governments, a new report from CivicPlus says.
Over-compliance and the new normal: How governments can modernize in the scrutiny era
COMMENTARY | As grantmakers contend with growing demands for federal compliance, transparency and fiscal integrity, the need for effective technology is greater than ever.
