Tech & Data
‘It’s Patchwork’: Rural Teachers Struggle to Connect in Pandemic
Some teachers are hand-delivering reading material to students’ homes.
Management
Biden Criticizes ‘Neanderthal Thinking’ as Two Governors Roll Back Mask Mandates
The Republican governors of Texas and Mississippi this week announced plans to ease public health restrictions, prompting the rebuke from the president.
Infrastructure
Coming Soon to a Snowy Road in Minnesota: 'Plowy McPlowFace'
Plowy McPlowFace was the runaway winner in an online contest to name eight Minnesota Department of Transportation snowplows.
Sponsor Content
4 Top Considerations for State and Local Agencies Looking to Protect Against Credential-Based Attacks
Here’s what types of attacks are on the rise — and what governments can do about it.
Health & Human Services
These Steps Can Help Build Trust in Vaccination Programs
COMMENTARY | States and localities should prioritize using clear, science-based communication, restoring trust and providing better data to address the hesitancy some people have about getting the Covid-19 vaccine.
Public Safety
A Las Vegas Judge Approves $1.4 Million Payment to Wrongfully Convicted Man Who Served More Than Two Decades
Fred Steese, who spent decades behind bars for murder — despite the fact that Nevada state prosecutors had documents showing he was in another state at the time of the crime — will receive cash, fees and a certificate of innocence.
Health & Human Services
'It’s Putting Us in The Firing Line': Some Small Business Owners Worry About Gov. Greg Abbott Lifting Coronavirus Restrictions
Abbott’s order will leave it to business owners to decide whether to require customers wear masks inside their establishments. Some say they will keep coronavirus restrictions in place, but some business owners worry those decisions could anger potential customers.
Infrastructure
The Biden Administration Increases the Social Cost of Carbon
A new policy brings back an old approach to tallying the cost of carbon, but critics say it has limitations.
Health & Human Services
Gov. Greg Abbott Says He's Rescinding Statewide Mask Mandate and Capacity Limits on Businesses
The change, which comes as the seven-day average of new coronavirus deaths in Texas remains above 200, will go into effect March 10.
Health & Human Services
Covid-19 Revealed How Sick the U.S. Health Care Delivery System Really is
COMMENTARY | The pandemic has exposed flaws like subpar IT systems and lacking coordination between public health agencies and medical providers.
Health & Human Services
Covid Infections Fall Steeply in Nursing Homes Since Vaccine Rollout
Since December, infection and death rates among residents and workers in long-term care facilities have significantly declined and fewer health care workers are refusing vaccines.
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Tech & Data
The States Where Driving Was Up and Down the Most After Covid Hit
A new report shows wide variation between states when it comes to how often people got behind the wheel after March of last year.
Sponsor Content
Prevent Ransomware Attacks from Disrupting Your Business with Thales Data Security - White Paper
Baseline security best practices such as security awareness training, applying latest security patches, deploying email/web security gateways and DNS countermeasures are not enough to detect and prevent ransomware attacks.
Infrastructure
An Initiative to Improve Street Safety through Public Art
Officials used street murals and planters to transform a hazardous intersection in Kansas City, Missouri, tapping grant funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies' Asphalt Art Initiative.
Health & Human Services
Travel Bans do Little to Stem Covid-19 Spread
COMMENTARY | New research finds that limiting personal mobility through travel restrictions and similar tactics is effective only in the first phases of the epidemic, and reduces in proportion to the spread of infection across a population.
Infrastructure
House to Vote on Elections Bill That Would Set New Standards For States
Supporters say the legislation will protect voter access. Republican officials argue that it will encroach on states’ rights.
Tech & Data
Police Departments Experiment With 70-Pound Robot Dog
Departments have deployed the cyber K-9s in hostage situations and as part of the covid response. Proponents say the robots can help keep officers out of harm's way, while critics worry how they could be used without clear policy guidelines in place.
Health & Human Services
Texas Workers Struggle to Pay for Groceries and Rent after Losing Wages During Winter Storm
Many hourly wage employees across the state lost working hours last week during the storm and power outage disaster. Now, they’re left with a choice between paying for rent or groceries.
Infrastructure
As More Americans Struggle to Pay Water Bills, Affordability Solutions Are Past Due
COMMENTARY | With utility shutoff moratoriums expiring, millions of people, particularly people of color and low-income families, are at risk of losing water service.
Health & Human Services
Where the Economy Tanks, Heart Attack Deaths Rise
COMMENTARY | The diverging economic fortunes of different parts of the country in the period after the 2008-2009 recession is linked to differing death rates from heart disease and stroke among middle-aged Americans, researchers report.
Health & Human Services