People
Voting machine researchers say federal work abruptly ended after Trump ally pushed back on their findings
Mojave Research executives said at DEF CON that the government had been preparing to expand the company’s election security work, and linked Trump adviser Kurt Olsen to pressure they faced after finding election system vulnerabilities but no evidence votes were altered.
Tribes join pushback against prediction markets
Amid the explosive growth of platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket, Tribal leaders said they undermine sovereignty and represent a major threat to gaming in Indian Country.
Former county CIO reflects on lessons learned from decades in government
Steve Monaghan, the former CIO of Nevada County, California, said workers should be focused on building their organizational health, not just fixing the issues of the day.
Inside the World Cup security operation
A massive effort years in the planning at the federal, state and local level helped keep the tournament safe, even as it faced enormous threats of many kinds that all needed mitigating.
The biggest barrier to building America isn’t politics. It’s paperwork
COMMENTARY | Too many projects are trapped in overlapping permit reviews, with no accountability for delay. If the nation is to lead on emerging tech, this has to change.
How Maryland embraced government efficiency
The state has looked to improve its service delivery both for its residents and the employees who administer those programs, including in major initiatives like benefits.
Governors ban state employees from insider trading on prediction markets
More state leaders are either banning or severely curtailing workers from using nonpublic information to profit on the platforms amid worries of wagering on government actions.
Beeck Center leader reflects on ‘bipartisan opportunity’ for government efficiency
Efforts at the federal level generated a lot of headlines, but at the state level, where the goal is delivery, a lot more progress can be made, said the head of the Georgetown University-based center.
Trump empties out election commission leadership just months before midterms
The shake-up raises questions about voting system certification, federal election security coordination, and the commission’s ability to approve key policy decisions.
Libraries lament ‘cascading effects’ of E-Rate’s potential demise
Advocates warned the FCC’s vote to review the program could blow massive holes in their budgets and force service reductions or even closures if new funding sources aren’t found.
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A new kind of bet on sports gambling
COMMENTARY | The Online Problem Gambling Act, while far from perfect, will reshape sports betting in Colorado and could provide more insight into how to curb harms.
Digital tools connect rural Texans to mental health care
In Bastrop County, Texas, the public health department is implementing a new digital platform to deliver mental health support to rural residents.
More homes, safe neighborhoods, lower costs: The mayors’ agenda
COMMENTARY | City leaders are in a unique position to solve their communities’ problems and manage crises. With numerous challenges ahead, they are ready to get to work.
The workforce cliff: What happens when the last IBM i engineer retires from government
COMMENTARY | Many agencies still rely on mainframes, which are built on programming languages kept alive by a shrinking group of late-career specialists. This creates operational and cybersecurity risks.
Feds intensify screen time scrutiny in schools
The FCC will vote later this month to study whether its E-Rate program is fulfilling its goal of improving educational outcomes, rather than subsidizing kids’ misuse of devices.
Education leader proposes stronger restrictions on AI and screentime
Randi Weingarten, head of the American Federation of Teachers, said students are “drowning in tech” that is disrupting their lives, and policymakers need to get a handle on it.
Massachusetts establishes nation’s first union for ride-hailing drivers
The state’s almost 70,000 drivers can now join the App Driver’s Union, following voter approval of the right to unionize in November 2024 via ballot question.
How Dayton’s citizens’ assembly showed a new path for community engagement
The Ohio city already has a long history of civic participation, but the prospect of a new hospital on its west side made officials want to get residents involved in a new way.
Feds assign two officials to lead intelligence coordination on election threats
For months, it was unclear if ODNI ever named an election threats executive responsible for leading election security efforts in the 2026 midterm cycle.
Advocates pledge action to restore digital equity grants
One year after President Donald Trump rescinded the funds, various groups and lawmakers have kicked off a month of action to push for their restoration.
