Management

A Government Program Hopes to Find Critical Minerals Right Beneath our Feet

Federal scientists are using recon flights and field research to track down metals that are key to the energy transition.

Public Sector Work Equals High Job Satisfaction

A new workforce survey reveals what employees love about the public sector, and what’s driving them away.

New York City Mayor Keeps Creating New Offices

From child care to rats, if you’ve got a problem, Mayor Eric Adams has a job to tackle it.

Some Election Officials Refused to Certify Results. Few Were Held Accountable.

A ProPublica review of local officials who refused to certify 2022 election results found that most did not face formal consequences. Experts explain what that means for the future of American elections.

Sponsor Content

Eliminate Manual Processes Route and Approve Invoices from Anywhere

Today’s finance teams carry a heavy burden, supporting everything from growth strategies to long-term planning – all while continuously delivering monthly and quarterly numbers and keeping cash flowing. But even as demands on finance departments grow, many still spend excessive time using paper, spreadsheets, and e-mails to process vendor invoices, approvals, and payments.

The Five Best Movies About State or Local Government

The glitz! The glamour! The government officials! In honor of this weekend’s Oscar Awards, here are our team’s top picks depicting everything from municipal water wars to prominent politicians.

How Washington Raised $300 Million for Climate Action From Polluters

The state's first "cap-and-invest" auction nearly doubled the price of carbon recently sold in California.

Home-Based Care: Fixing the Childcare Drought in Rural America

Some rural counties are trying an approach to tackle childcare shortages. A new program supports home-based childcare providers with resources, education, and grants.

Utah Set to Adopt a New State Flag

If the governor signs the bill, the state will join a wave of city and state flag redesigns across the nation and cap a process four years in the making.

The Fight Against Election Lies Never Ends for Local Officials

Election officials are working across state and partisan lines to earn back voters’ trust.

New College Corps Program in California Offers Students Debt-Free Pathways

Working on issues like climate mitigation, education, and food insecurity, students from rural schools help solve some of the most pressing issues rural communities face today.

Legislative Staffs Are Pushing to Unionize

Since Oregon successfully unionized in 2021, statehouse employees in half a dozen states have also sought to organize.

Can You Lend This Sewer Agency an Ear?

A new podcast from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District seeks to connect with its residents.

In Rural America, Right-to-Repair Laws are Leading the Pushback Against Growing Corporate Power

Corporations restrict what farmers can do with their own seeds, as well as their farm equipment when it breaks down.

Finding Public Sector Workers in High Schools

Though many young people are ignorant about jobs in the public sector, internships can help educate them and draw them into the workforce.

State & Local Roundup: Governors Unveil Plans for Budget Surpluses

Plus: North Carolina’s possible Medicaid expansion; a “humiliating” debate; ransomware cripples Oakland; and a power outage at J.F.K. airport; and more news you can use from around the country.

New York’s Death Grip on In-office Work is Starting to Loosen

Amid workforce crises, Eric Adams cracks open the door to “flexible” arrangements and Kathy Hochul invests in a hybrid future.

The Worker Shortage Is Real. Could Tech Help Governors Close Gaps?

Business leaders pointed to high-tech job training and tools like artificial intelligence as possible solutions to the historic shortage of workers.

How Records of Life’s Milestones Help Solve Cold Cases, Pinpoint Health Risks and Allocate Public Resources

Agencies should adopt a centralized approach to managing vital records such as marriage licenses and birth certificates to better track population data.

Ohio Gov. DeWine Calls for Stricter Regulations on Railways after East Palestine Derailment

“We should know when we have trains carrying hazardous material that are going to the state of Ohio.”

As Texas Booms, Local Governments — Especially in Small Towns — Struggle to Find Workers

A cascade of issues including inflation and growing distrust in government aren’t helping local governments hire for critical positions in public safety and utilities.