Route Fifty

To Rebuild Damaged Section of Interstate 95, Officials Will Draw on Past Incidents

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said during his visit Tuesday that a 2017 bridge collapse in Georgia may provide a roadmap for how to rebuild quickly. A timetable for building a replacement set to be released Wednesday will depend on many factors, including finding the necessary materials.

By Daniel C. Vock
June 13, 2023

How Targeted Emails Help One Agency Fill Critical Jobs

The Oregon Department of Transportation is using data software to target recruitment emails to potential job candidates.

By Stephanie Kanowitz
June 13, 2023

Governor Paves the Way for an 'AI Bill of Rights'

The Connecticut legislation calls for an inventory of the technology’s use in government and establishes an artificial intelligence working group to make recommendations.

By Chris Teale
June 13, 2023

Chronic Lifeguard Shortage Serves as Springboard to Address Racial Inequities

Cities and towns are again in deep waters this summer trying to hire enough lifeguards to open their public pools. Many are proceeding with sensitivity to issues of race and ethnicity.

By Michelle Andrews, KFF Health News
June 13, 2023

As Kentucky’s Largest Coal Producer Mines Bitcoin, Its Power Discounts Draw Scrutiny

State utility regulator launches investigations into cryptocurrency industry’s impacts.

By Liam Niemeyer, Kentucky Lantern
June 13, 2023

The Debt Deal Casts Doubt on Whether Congress Will Fully Fund the CHIPS Act

The Commerce Department has made available $500 million in its $11 billion effort to create regional technology and innovation hubs in small rural communities across the country.

By Kery Murakami
June 12, 2023

A Model for Reducing Female Incarceration and Breaking the Generational Cycle

A program in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been changing lives for addicted women and their children. Here’s how it works.

By Katherine Barrett & Richard Greene
June 12, 2023

Modern Grants Management Requires Agility, Simplicity

COMMENTARY | As grants management grows increasingly complex, an automated and agile approach can give agencies relief from time-consuming work and improve their ability to easily track outcomes.

By Vishal Hanjan
June 12, 2023

Better Data Sharing Begins With Dispelling Staff Mistrust

Ensuring that employees understand data-sharing agreements and are comfortable with the terminology will build the trust they need to learn to use data effectively, experts say.

By Chris Teale
June 12, 2023

How NYC Officials Failed to Prepare for an Air Quality Crisis

"It’s been a lackluster, underwhelming, frankly problematic response."

By Lylla Younes, Grist
June 12, 2023

SCOTUS Preserves Medicaid Patients’ Right to Sue

Had the court ruled differently, it would have stripped millions of people who rely on federal assistance programs of the ability to sue states when their rights are violated. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Round

By Elizabeth Daigneau
June 9, 2023

A New Map Could Mean Less Money to Expand Broadband for Some States

The revised map that shows where there is little to no internet service in the U.S. comes as the feds are about to distribute nearly $42.5 billion in broadband funding.

By Kery Murakami
June 9, 2023

Officials Tout Data Centers’ Economic Benefits

Amazon said its facilities in Virginia paid more than $300 million in taxes last year alone, and local leaders said the campuses contribute to economic development.

By Chris Teale
June 9, 2023

Is Generative AI Bad for the Environment?

COMMENTARY | A computer scientist explains the carbon footprint of ChatGPT and its cousins.

By Kate Saenko, The Conversation
June 9, 2023

Las Vegas Needs to Save Water. It Won’t Find It in Lawns.

Drought-plagued Nevada pledged to do away with 3,900 acres of grass in the Las Vegas area within six years, but a ProPublica analysis found that the state grossly overestimated how much of that grass would likely be removed.

By Nat Lash, Mark Olalde and Ash Ngu, ProPublica
June 9, 2023

Lawmakers Try to Keep Kids Off Social Media, Porn Sites

Skeptics doubt legislators’ ability to thwart tech-savvy teens.

By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline
June 9, 2023

Alabama Loses High Court Bid to Rewrite Redistricting Rules

The Supreme Court ordered state lawmakers to draw another majority Black congressional district, in a case that could have a far-reaching impact.

By Daniel C. Vock
June 8, 2023

Digital Atlas Could Reveal Zoning's Social Impact

An initiative to map out states’ zoning codes could help policymakers and citizens address urgent challenges in their communities.

By Molly Bolan
June 8, 2023

Let's Play: How Games Can Improve Employee Learning

COMMENTARY | Gamification or game-based learning is a great tactic in training employees on the skills and processes they need to know for their current positions and to encourage them to upskill for their next jobs.

By Richard Lowenthal
June 8, 2023

To Rebuild Damaged Section of Interstate 95, Officials Will Draw on Past Incidents

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said during his visit Tuesday that a 2017 bridge collapse in Georgia may provide a roadmap for how to rebuild quickly. A timetable for building a replacement set to be released Wednesday will depend on many factors, including finding the necessary materials.

How Targeted Emails Help One Agency Fill Critical Jobs

The Oregon Department of Transportation is using data software to target recruitment emails to potential job candidates.

Governor Paves the Way for an 'AI Bill of Rights'

The Connecticut legislation calls for an inventory of the technology’s use in government and establishes an artificial intelligence working group to make recommendations.

Chronic Lifeguard Shortage Serves as Springboard to Address Racial Inequities

Cities and towns are again in deep waters this summer trying to hire enough lifeguards to open their public pools. Many are proceeding with sensitivity to issues of race and ethnicity.

As Kentucky’s Largest Coal Producer Mines Bitcoin, Its Power Discounts Draw Scrutiny

State utility regulator launches investigations into cryptocurrency industry’s impacts.

The Debt Deal Casts Doubt on Whether Congress Will Fully Fund the CHIPS Act

The Commerce Department has made available $500 million in its $11 billion effort to create regional technology and innovation hubs in small rural communities across the country.

A Model for Reducing Female Incarceration and Breaking the Generational Cycle

A program in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been changing lives for addicted women and their children. Here’s how it works.

Modern Grants Management Requires Agility, Simplicity

COMMENTARY | As grants management grows increasingly complex, an automated and agile approach can give agencies relief from time-consuming work and improve their ability to easily track outcomes.

Better Data Sharing Begins With Dispelling Staff Mistrust

Ensuring that employees understand data-sharing agreements and are comfortable with the terminology will build the trust they need to learn to use data effectively, experts say.

How NYC Officials Failed to Prepare for an Air Quality Crisis

"It’s been a lackluster, underwhelming, frankly problematic response."

SCOTUS Preserves Medicaid Patients’ Right to Sue

Had the court ruled differently, it would have stripped millions of people who rely on federal assistance programs of the ability to sue states when their rights are violated. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Round

A New Map Could Mean Less Money to Expand Broadband for Some States

The revised map that shows where there is little to no internet service in the U.S. comes as the feds are about to distribute nearly $42.5 billion in broadband funding.

Officials Tout Data Centers’ Economic Benefits

Amazon said its facilities in Virginia paid more than $300 million in taxes last year alone, and local leaders said the campuses contribute to economic development.

Is Generative AI Bad for the Environment?

COMMENTARY | A computer scientist explains the carbon footprint of ChatGPT and its cousins.

Las Vegas Needs to Save Water. It Won’t Find It in Lawns.

Drought-plagued Nevada pledged to do away with 3,900 acres of grass in the Las Vegas area within six years, but a ProPublica analysis found that the state grossly overestimated how much of that grass would likely be removed.

Lawmakers Try to Keep Kids Off Social Media, Porn Sites

Skeptics doubt legislators’ ability to thwart tech-savvy teens.

Alabama Loses High Court Bid to Rewrite Redistricting Rules

The Supreme Court ordered state lawmakers to draw another majority Black congressional district, in a case that could have a far-reaching impact.

Digital Atlas Could Reveal Zoning's Social Impact

An initiative to map out states’ zoning codes could help policymakers and citizens address urgent challenges in their communities.

Let's Play: How Games Can Improve Employee Learning

COMMENTARY | Gamification or game-based learning is a great tactic in training employees on the skills and processes they need to know for their current positions and to encourage them to upskill for their next jobs.

More States OK Postpartum Medicaid Coverage Beyond Two Months

At least eight states are moving to provide health coverage for up to a year after pregnancy under the program.The decisions to join 33 other states and Washington, D.C., come as policymakers recognize that the U.S. is in a maternal health crisis.