Technology
State's education department offers schools guidance on limiting student cell phone use
So far, at least eight Oregon school districts have either banned cell phone use in some schools, in individual classes or in all schools.
End of SNAP’s pandemic internet deduction pinches some Kentuckians at grocery store
JD Charles is among 11,800 Kentuckians who lost SNAP benefits Oct. 1. The $23 a month helped him get by on his Social Security disability income.
Nevada says it worked out the kinks in its new voter system in time for the election, but concerns remain
After recent practice runs showed significant problems in transferring data accurately, the battleground state’s new centralized voter registration system will get its first real-world test in a major presidential election.
How Nebraska's new tech chief is moving the state out of the era of mainframes and landlines
Nebraska’s technology infrastructure is outdated and its data is largely neglected. Matthew McCarville, the state’s new CIO, has big plans to change that, and it starts with the state’s employees.
Why Cybersecurity Awareness Month should be every month
COMMENTARY | Cybercrime costs have surpassed $10 trillion globally, illustrating the relentless threat and why state CISOs say they want the spotlight on cybersecurity year-round.
Letter from Congress warns county against Chinese drone use
Arguing that the drones put privacy and national security at risk, a U.S. House committee is asking the country to stop buying them. The letter hints its efforts could expand to localities nationwide.
Computer programs monitor students’ every word in the name of safety
Companies tout security features; privacy advocates dislike constant surveillance.
What states learned from the CrowdStrike outage
Three months since a faulty update caused outages and disruptions worldwide, state CIOs are looking back and assessing how they did.
State CIOs take on bigger role in natural disasters
A recent survey of state tech leaders found that CIOs are increasingly an integral part of state emergency operations, tasked with making sure critical systems and communications remain available.
Move over! Two map apps to notify drivers when state police are stopped ahead
The Illinois State Police is using Waze and Google Maps to alert drivers in real time about roadside personnel in an effort to cut down on injuries.
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Amid tight budgets and talent gaps, the job of state technology chief just keeps expanding
Many state chief information security officers say they don’t have a reliable budget, staff or expertise to adequately protect against cyberattacks, according to a new survey.
State IT innovations honored in annual awards
States’ efforts to improve the delivery of benefits, such as food stamps and Medicaid, strengthen cybersecurity, and enhance residents’ overall digital experiences were recognized by the association of state IT leaders.
To fight online misinformation, engage with the 'trolls,' city leaders say
City communications strategists say it is crucial to engage, and quickly, before false narratives take hold.
Breaking News
FBI raids government IT and cyber contractor Carahsoft
Company president says the agents were there "as part of an investigation into a company with which Carahsoft has done business in the past."
Meet the 2024 Rising Stars
This year's cohort of Rising Stars has been selected for their accomplishments and impact over the past year and for their leadership potential.
Some states want to make it easier to cancel subscriptions
Pushback from cable, streaming services has challenged their efforts.
As wildfires burn throughout the West, officials are turning to AI
In California, fire officials began using artificial intelligence last year to scan cameras for smoke.
Two years later, money from the CHIPS Act is moving
Now that more than half of the almost $53 billion federal investment has been spoken for, the real work has begun as state and local governments look to cash in. Here’s what experts say officials need to do.
Errors in Deloitte-run Medicaid systems can cost millions and take years To fix
Twenty-five states have awarded Deloitte contracts for eligibility systems totally at least $6 billion, giving the company a stronghold in a lucrative segment of the government benefits business.
Governments often struggle with massive new IT projects
Culture, bureaucracy and serving a broad patchwork of agencies can make a comprehensive technology update a challenge, experts say.
