Social media cases hinge on definition of what amounts to state action online
The U.S. Supreme Court wrestled in two important cases over whether public officials acted improperly in blocking constituents on their personal social media accounts.
How California and Florida are trying to stave off the home insurance crisis
Historically, the two states have had very different approaches to insuring against natural disasters. That’s changing.
Earth is getting extra salty, an ‘existential threat’ to freshwater supplies
Salt pollution, like that used to make roads safer after snow or ice storms, is contaminating the nation's water supplies and corroding underground pipes. States are exploring salt alternatives to combat the “existential threat to our freshwater."
GOP states embrace Uber, Lyft to take low-income patients to medical appointments
The companies have lobbied states to use Medicaid funding to pay for the trips.
Feds ease capital requirement for broadband funding
The rule, which required internet companies to put down millions of dollars upfront, would have excluded all but the biggest providers.
Looming ‘fiscal cliff’ shows deeper problems with transit funding, researchers say
A new report from the Urban Institute finds that too many transit agencies rely on a single source of funding, and those revenue streams are often volatile.
Access to public records is 'deteriorating terribly'
In a time when trust in state and local government is under siege, public access to information is particularly vital.
The cyber workforce gap is growing
Despite a significant increase in the number of people entering the cyber field in 2023, demand is still far outpacing that supply.
Counties use high school students as poll workers to shore up staff
Aging poll workers leaves some Indiana communities short-staffed during election time. A statewide program helps fill those workforce gaps by recruiting high school students to help with administrative tasks during elections.
Cities ask the EPA to help them curb methane emissions from landfills
Despite local efforts, millions of tons of the powerful greenhouse gas, mostly from thrown-out food, are being released into the atmosphere. In a letter, cities have asked the EPA for grants, trainings and stronger regulations.
Why some schools are halting Halloween celebrations
Concerns that some students may feel excluded from Halloween celebrations has prompted some districts to move celebrations outside of school hours.
States’ lawsuits pile up against social media companies
A multistate coalition filed suit against Facebook parent Meta, accusing it of damaging young people’s mental health and illegally harvesting their data. It is the latest in a long line of actions taken against social media platforms to reckon with the growing youth mental health crisis.
After hottest summer on record, local governments are underreporting heat deaths
Bexar County’s medical examiner blames lack of data for the decision not to list heat as a cause on any summer deaths.
Western states look to these lands for new affordable housing
State-owned trust lands were created to support schools and other community benefits.
Interest rates are rising, but states aren’t worried yet. Here’s why.
State and local governments generally use bonds to finance major infrastructure projects. But higher rates won’t bust budgets just yet. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
4 questions to ask before sharing constituent data
As more Americans grow concerned about how their personal data is being used and shared, a new report offers state and local agencies tips on how to handle it responsibly in order to avoid further eroding trust.
Politicians love to cite crime data. It’s often wrong.
Only 71% of U.S. law enforcement agencies submitted 2022 crime data to the FBI.
The Biden administration looks to spur office-to-housing conversions
The White House launched a multi-agency effort to encourage states and cities to convert more empty office buildings into housing units. It is putting billions of federal dollars behind the announcement.
As e-bikes grow in popularity, so do calls for safety certification
Last month, New York City became the first in the nation to require e-bikes to be tested and certified for safety.
Communities look to end prison-to-homelessness pipeline
Incarceration and homelessness are inextricably linked, each cycling into the other. As the housing crisis drags on, state and local governments are looking to prevent former inmates from becoming homeless in the first place.
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