Infrastructure
Texas data center boom could erase decades of progress on air quality
A new report warns that the state’s air quality progress could be reversed by the end of the decade, especially if facilities use natural gas power.
Artificial Intelligence
Google Public Sector unveils Gemini for government services
Agencies already have discounted access to Gemini through Nov. 15 under a OneGov deal.
Cybersecurity
As AI accelerates cyberattacks, governments need to rethink resilience
COMMENTARY | As attacks move faster, the ability to limit disruption and keep public services running will be one of the clearest measures of resilience.
Sponsor Content
From cloud migration to mission enablement: The next phase of SLED Modernization
Discover how SLED leaders are moving beyond cloud migration to unlock AI, strengthen cybersecurity, and deliver better outcomes for communities.
Artificial Intelligence
Report: How to make government websites AI friendly
As residents’ use of AI to find government information grows, a new report from the Beeck Center offers recommendations for officials to ensure their content doesn’t get excluded from outputs.
Cybersecurity
This cybersecurity agency is supposed to protect U.S. elections. Officials fear it’s been compromised by Trump.
President Donald Trump’s 2027 budget proposal would reduce funding for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency by another $700 million, which could necessitate 900 additional layoffs.
Artificial Intelligence
Utah AI sandbox launches new health care pilots — with question marks
The state is mulling how the high-profile AI initiative will tackle medical liability concerns, independent third-party analysis and other questions.
Artificial Intelligence
How state and local agencies can build an AI-ready data loss prevention strategy
COMMENTARY | Agencies need to know where their sensitive information is before they can govern AI. Data loss prevention provides that visibility and protection.
People
How digital service experience is shaping CIO approaches to state operations
Better communication with and recognition of IT teams can help chief information officers deliver enhanced services to residents and improve staff morale, state officials said.
Artificial Intelligence
Data centers are now the largest financial bet in US history
The $10.3 trillion buildout dwarfs dot-com, electrification, railroad booms.
Emerging Tech
Minneapolis will not require human drivers in robotaxis after council fails to override veto
The proposal aimed to protect the jobs of the state’s roughly 10,000 rideshare drivers, who have become well organized since successfully campaigning for statewide minimum pay rates and job protections.
Featured eBooks
Digital Government
More body-cam footage is not the end goal. More usable, accountable footage should be
COMMENTARY | Programs should not be judged on how many officers wear them or how many hours of footage they obtain. What agencies do with that footage must also be considered.
Sponsor Content
Enabling resilient, secure and sustainable IT infrastructure
Discover how DCIM 3.0 helps organizations secure, optimize, and future-proof hybrid IT infrastructure for greater resilience and sustainability.
Workforce
Playbook offers states guidance for skills-based hiring in an ‘AI world’
With artificial intelligence becoming more infused into government operations, state leaders have an opportunity to consider new workforce policies and strategies ahead of the Nov. 3 elections, an expert says.
Digital Government
Schools, libraries say E-Rate’s ‘ongoing’ work should continue
In comments filed with the FCC, hundreds of school districts and libraries said the program is vital, and tweaking it would blow holes in local budgets that would be impossible to plug.
Digital Government
Washington AG will not pursue youth online protection legislation in wake of Meta settlement
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown will not ask state lawmakers again to pass a sweeping bill to limit social media for youths, saying a recent court settlement with a social media giant is sufficient.
People
Officials see gaps in election communications as AI makes foreign influence easier
Sources describe weakening cooperation between the federal government and state and industry partners ahead of the midterms, as AI gives foreign operatives cheaper ways to produce and spread deceptive messages.
Workforce
New York City links with labor unions to drive hiring modernization
Revamping the city’s hiring system is one step to enabling broader government modernization, one official says.
Artificial Intelligence
How one city balances its economy and community needs on data centers
Colorado Springs, Colorado wants to bring in data centers but do so in a way that’s transparent and protects quality of life. Being proactive is crucial, an economic development leader there said.
People
Fears about kids’ online safety unite Democrats and Republicans
Amid a decline in youth mental health, momentum builds for a federal crackdown on social media companies over protections for kids.
Artificial Intelligence
Despite tough talk from Abbott and Paxton, Texas penalties for data center violations are light
Texas officials are promising tougher enforcement on data centers, but the existing law may offer limited leverage over the industry that has largely failed to report its water use.
