Artificial Intelligence
How an AI agent can help caseworkers maintain the ‘human relationship’ with clients
In California, Riverside County is experimenting with an AI agent that aims to help caseworkers focus more on supporting public benefit recipients and less on administrative tasks.
Digital Government
Failure to activate: When Utah officers violate body-cam policies
The Utah Investigative Journalism Project filed nearly 170 records requests with 48 Utah law enforcement agencies about body camera use.
Artificial Intelligence
Texas lawmakers from both parties oppose Trump’s order targeting state AI laws
Texas’ new law regulating AI is set to take effect Jan. 1, two months after Trump’s executive order threatening to cut off some federal money if states pass “onerous” AI laws.
Sponsor Content
A Connected Government: A Roadmap for State and Local Health and Human Services
State and Local Government (SLG) agencies, especially those operating in Health and Human Services (HHS), sit at the epicenter of public need.
Artificial Intelligence
How AI is helping local governments access federal grant funding
COMMENTARY | Before, employees had to sift through hundreds of pages of information and fill out unique applications. AI has made the process more streamlined and less time-consuming.
Digital Government
Louisiana’s age-check law for social media is unconstitutional, federal judge rules
The Secure Online Child Interaction and Age Limitation Act calls for all social media sites with more than 5 million users to make “reasonable efforts” to obtain proof of age to establish an account.
Artificial Intelligence
Meeting with developers, New Hampshire representatives assess AI tools, concerns
Legislators and officials could conscript AI agents to streamline their work, but such tools also carry risks and warrant regulation, employees of AI developer Anthropic said to representatives at a Dec. 15 meeting of the caucus.
Cybersecurity
CISA opens 100 applications for CyberCorps students
Earlier hiring snags had forced the scholarship program to pause recruitment of top student talent for cyber jobs.
Artificial Intelligence
New Jersey’s New Year’s resolution to tap AI for better service delivery
At a time when states are pressed to innovate their public benefit systems, the Garden State is prioritizing expanding its AI tools under a new grant program.
Cybersecurity
Whole-of-state strategy needs more ‘carrots’ than sticks, cyber leaders say
Partnership between a state government and its localities is crucial in making information-sharing work, rather than just being enforcement and auditing when things go wrong.
Digital Government
In the vast expanses of Indian country, broadband gaps create health gaps, too
On Idaho’s remote Fort Hall Reservation, thousands live without reliable high-speed internet, which supports health care, education, and daily life.
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Infrastructure
Frustrations with data center projects bubble over at Michigan Capitol
Attorney General Dana Nessel and lawmakers call for scrutiny of DTE contracts, an end to tax breaks and stronger protections for local communities.
Sponsor Content
Trusted AI 101 For Public Sector – Tips for Getting Your Data AI-Ready
Trusted data requires data integrity – or data with maximum accuracy, consistency, and context. With this in mind, let’s explore the data integrity fundamentals you need to ensure trust and success in your results.
Management
Washington enlists data as a public health defense against ongoing measles outbreak
The U.S. has seen nearly 2,000 measles cases this year. The Evergreen State is leveraging data as a tool to inform disease prevention efforts like residents’ vaccination uptake.
Cybersecurity
Cyber success is about building ‘muscle memory,’ experts say
Working with jurisdictions that have varying degrees of cybersecurity preparedness can be a challenge, cyber leaders said last week, so coordination and partnerships are key.
Emerging Tech
Could self-driving cars be on a collision course with Zohran Mamdani?
The incoming mayor has not weighed in on the autonomous vehicles that have taken other cities by storm. But he’s certain to face pressure to do so, from both the industry and taxi workers.
Artificial Intelligence
States will keep pushing AI laws despite Trump’s efforts to stop them
Nearly 40 states have adopted or enacted artificial intelligence measures this year, and more are expected in 2026.
Artificial Intelligence
Trump AI preemption order likely to face legal challenges
State leaders said preempting tech regulation is a “dereliction of duty” and does not properly protect residents from the harms they may face.
Management
Trump administration sues Colorado secretary of state over voter data request
The U.S. Department of Justice sued Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold over her refusal to hand over sensitive voter files.
Artificial Intelligence
Texas universities deploy AI tools to review and rewrite how some courses discuss race and gender
Records obtained by The Texas Tribune show how universities are using the technology to reshape curriculum under political pressure, raising concerns about academic freedom.
Emerging Tech
The drone threat is here. Is your community ready?
COMMENTARY | The technology exists to mitigate threats, and governments must act now to make policy and planning decisions, get people trained and establish a command structure.
