People
Majority of applicants say they’d use AI agent to navigate public benefits processes
A new survey from Salesforce found that 87% of respondents would use an AI agent. Many of the public feel interactions with government agencies can be challenging and leave behind billions of dollars in unclaimed benefits because of it.
Bill would add protections for children used as content by social media influencers
HB 392 gives legal, financial protections to minors for appearance in parent blogs and other social media content.
Democrats push Justice Department to keep Election Threats Task Force amid rollbacks
The task force was created to help protect election officials from stalking and threats, but its future remains in question after the Trump administration scrapped other election integrity initiatives.
Mapping vulnerability in Arlington County, Virginia
Local leaders last month released the Community Vulnerability Index Map, which uses various data points to find vulnerable populations and inform where resources should be allocated.
New bill would loosen various BEAD rules
Republicans have long complained about some of the broadband program’s requirements and preference for fiber. New legislation would tweak many of those rules.
A new Texas bill is coming after online abortion pills
The 43-page measure, introduced Friday, may be the most meaningful attempt this year to block the ordering and mailing of medication abortion.
What’s next for cybersecurity, election info sharing?
Federal funding has been slashed by $10 million for two information sharing centers, which both have tens of thousands of members. A more fragmented and expensive future could follow as states and others go it alone.
Doug Mastriano calls on Congress to support DOGE as he backs state-level DOGE bill
The former candidate for Pennsylvania governor has sponsored legislation seeking to create a state-level Department of Government Efficiency.
Commerce secretary announces ‘rigorous review’ of BEAD program
Howard Lutnick said it is in “dire need of a readjustment,” and pledged to take a tech-neutral approach while dismantling many of the broadband access program’s Biden-era requirements.
‘Science experimenting’ in a leading AI state
New York CIO Dru Rai said failing fast doesn’t need to be a bad thing as agencies experiment with new technologies.
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Tech boom highlights need for regional collaboration
Dallas and its surrounding communities in North Texas are experiencing an influx of companies and people. As the issues that come along with that boom don’t respect county or city lines, one expert says a regional approach is needed.
Advocates gear up for FirstNet reauthorization push
The dedicated public safety communications network's authority runs out in 2027. Supporters don’t want to see the service interrupted given the good it has done already.
Amid DOGE push, states wrestle with defining ‘government efficiency’
Several states have instituted new committees in their legislatures in a bid to rein in spending. But others suggest the path to efficiency is less about grabbing headlines and more about finding new ways of working.
DHS personnel descend on New Orleans to help secure Super Bowl LIX
CISA has already conducted physical and cybersecurity vulnerability assessments ahead of the Feb. 9 NFL championship game.
A BEAD critic could end up running the internet access program
Arielle Roth, a former aide to Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has been tapped to head up the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. She has long been skeptical of some of the $42 billion effort’s provisions.
Preparing for battle: Cybersecurity incident response for public bodies
COMMENTARY | It may feel impossible to plan for a cyberattack, but public sector organizations can take several steps now to protect themselves, both legally and through policy.
Trump signs AI executive order
The order calls for the development of an AI action plan and sets up a process for revoking actions taken under President Biden’s previous AI executive order signed in October 2023.
Rethink federal spending to save broadband subsidy, tech group argues
The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation said the government should prioritize affordability over infrastructure and tweak eligibility for the Affordable Connectivity Program.
In times of crisis, states have few tools to fight misinformation
Social media companies have pushed back against efforts to crack down on falsehoods.
North Dakota lawmakers discuss adding computer-generated images to definition of child pornography
Possessing a computer-generated image of child pornography would be punishable as a felony in North Dakota under a bill discussed Monday by state lawmakers.
