Infrastructure

Rural Wisconsin has become a hotspot for data centers. State’s unique tax instrument explains why

Concerns over transparency, tax policy, and data centers’ utility usage drive many rural residents to oppose planned developments.

Artificial Intelligence

‘I think about Jurassic Park’: DeSantis-backed AI Bill of Rights clears first committee hurdle

A key proposal from Gov. Ron DeSantis aimed at shielding Floridians from the growing power of artificial intelligence unanimously cleared its first committee hurdle Wednesday.

Digital Government

As budgets tighten, states double down on efficiency and tech innovation

Government efficiency means different things to different states, but a common thread is a deliberate effort to rethink key systems and processes, optimize services and cut costs.

Sponsor Content

Building public trust in a data-driven government

How agencies are modernizing legacy systems to unify citizen data, power AI-driven digital experiences, and deliver more trusted, responsive public services.

Digital Government

How a social media-like platform is helping state agencies streamline accessibility efforts

Georgia recently adopted a customer relationship tool that aims to foster collaboration among agencies as they work toward making their online content compliant with federal accessibility rules.

Artificial Intelligence

House hearings highlight AI divides

Two separate hearings last week shone light on lingering issues over preempting state and local AI regulations and the role of Congress in finally forming a national standard.

Emerging Tech

Scottsdale PD’s massive use of AI license plate tracking cameras raises privacy concerns in Arizona

Scottsdale police conducted 12,527 searches of nationwide license plate database, nearly 1-in-4 queries by state agencies.

Infrastructure

Bill to provide tax breaks for data centers reintroduced by Colorado lawmakers

The bill would offer a 100% sales and use tax exemption for qualified data centers for at least 20 years.

Management

Maternal telehealth emerges as a priority for states via new federal program

Under the Rural Health Transformation Program, several states have dedicated a share of their funds to innovating and modernizing maternal health care delivery.

People

Reddit briefly blocked on university network

Catholic University in Washington, D.C. said an automated system flagged the platform during a routine scan, and it was quickly reversed after pushback. Some worry it sets a dangerous precedent for the future.

Management

ICE may be tracking you via your cell phone. A Minnesota law can help.

A data privacy law — signed into law in 2024 — gives Minnesota residents the right to tell companies “no” when it comes to selling their data or using it for profiling and targeted advertising.

Sponsor Content

How US federal agencies accelerate efficiency and innovation with Equinix

Federal agencies face AI constraints—learn how leaders modernize infrastructure to support mission-critical AI workloads.

Digital Government

State and local governments must automate digital accessibility processes

COMMENTARY | The Department of Justice’s April 2026 deadline for ADA compliance is fast approaching for many. Automation can help solve some of the biggest challenges.

Artificial Intelligence

Counties wrestle with data centers’ power consumption

A recent survey from the National Association of Counties found that more than half of leaders spend time discussing data centers and other energy-intensive facilities.

Artificial Intelligence

AI therapy chatbots draw new oversight as suicides raise alarm

Despite Trump efforts to override state laws, legislators press ahead.

Cybersecurity

Election officials say trust with CISA is broken — and may not come back

States once embraced federal election security help. Now many say politicization and pullbacks have shattered that partnership.

Artificial Intelligence

While Washington talks AI, 16,000 small towns are on their own

COMMENTARY | Federal initiatives and state programs to help local governments navigate artificial intelligence are flourishing. But they're barely reaching the communities that need them most.

Management

Report: How governments can balance fraud prevention with benefit accessibility

Research suggests that some Americans can accept some level of benefit fraud to ensure more eligible recipients have access to the assistance they need.

Emerging Tech

Feds announce two new drone test sites

The sites — the first new ones in over a decade — will be in the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

Artificial Intelligence

New York lawmakers are ready to try regulating the AI industry again

Past bills attempting to rein in the powerful industry have been watered down, but lawmakers have ambitious plans to regulate AI in 2026.