Tech & Data

Electric Cars’ Looming Recycling Problem

COMMENTARY | Financial incentives to recycle spent electric vehicle batteries are eroding. That could spell environmental disaster.

  • By Perry Gottesfeld, Undark

To Unlock the Full Potential of Data, Local Governments Need The Right Talent

COMMENTARY | Local governments don’t need more data—they need people who can process what they already have.

  • By Jeff Mazur

Cheaper Solar Power Means Low-Income Families Can Also Benefit—With The Right Kind of Help

New research finds that certain policies and business models can help with getting lower and moderate income households to install solar panels at their homes.

  • By Galen Barbose, Eric O’Shaughnessy and Ryan Wiser, The Conversation

State IT Officials Will Push for New Federal Grants to Help With Tech Upgrades

The group that represents chief information officers says the pandemic has highlighted how unemployment systems and other state and local technology need to be modernized.

  • By Andrea Noble

State Capitols Brace for Cyberattacks, Too

As state capitols prepare for the threat of rioters in the days ahead, information technology experts warn that officials must beef up not only physical security but also cybersecurity.

  • By Jenni Bergal, Stateline
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.

  • Presented by SAP Concur

Cutting-edge Financial Technology is a Must for Local Governments Recovering from the Pandemic

COMMENTARY | States and municipalities who have had to adopt remote services amid the coronavirus pandemic should scale up their digital infrastructure to maintain their ability to collect and reconcile payments. Doing so will help them to prevent disruptions to revenue flows and services.

  • By Mark Engels

How 5G and AI Are Creating an Architectural Revolution

5G will transform IT from the bottom-up—and that means changes for security.

  • By Cameron Chehreh and Steve Orrin

What Democratic Control of Government Could Mean for Biden’s Tech Policies

Though the margins are tight, the incoming president may nominate more progressive candidates for certain positions, experts say.

  • By Frank Konkel

New Law Aims to Help Localities Shift to '.Gov' Web Addresses

Many local governments rely on “.com” or “.org” URLs, making it easier for cyber criminals to trick users with imposter websites.

  • By Bill Lucia

One State is Using Eventbrite to Schedule Covid-19 Vaccine Appointments

Florida health officials say that the event management and ticketing platform is the fastest way to get people in for appointments.

  • By Emma Coleman

Tech and Data Can Serve As the Backbone for Vaccine Distribution

COMMENTARY | Technology and data will need to play a pivotal role for state and local governments’ Covid-19 vaccination distribution programs.

  • By Kevin Grauman

Biden Reveals White House Digital Team

The team will be in charge of communicating with Americans once Biden takes office on Jan. 20.

  • By Frank Konkel

Featured eBooks

Government Tech & Innovation
Management in City and County Government
State CIOs in 2020

Universal Service Fund Wants Automation Tools to Help Bring Broadband to Communities in Need

The corporation that manages the fund for the Federal Communications Commission is looking for a contractor to help automate its manual, time-consuming data verification process.

  • By Aaron Boyd

A State Becomes the First to Suspend Facial Recognition Technology in Schools

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said there are “serious and legitimate privacy concerns” with the technology—but only prohibited its use until 2022.

  • By Emma Coleman

The Hack Roundup: Treasury Briefing Reignites Encryption Debate

Here are the news and updates about the suspected Russian hack you may have missed.

  • By Heather Kuldell and Mariam Baksh

SolarWinds Hack Also Hit States and Local Governments, Reports Say

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Experts worry local news could spread anti-vax conspiracies … Minnesota officials want to keep up fence around state capitol .... Massachusetts town sets out empty chairs as Covid memorial.

  • By Laura Maggi

Only Seven of Stanford’s First 5,000 Vaccines Were Designated for Medical Residents

Stanford Medicine officials relied on a faulty algorithm to determine who should get vaccinated first, and it prioritized some high-ranking doctors over patient-facing medical residents.

  • By Caroline Chen, ProPublica

Time for an Update: How States Can Improve IT Systems to Use Data More Effectively

COMMENTARY | State governments have data, but aren’t using it well. A strategic approach is needed to rebuild their data infrastructure.

  • By Jed Herrmann and Tyler Kleykamp

Republican AGs Sue Google, Alleging Uncompetitive Conduct With Online Ads

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Vegas city council green-lights expansion of Elon Musk-backed tunnel project … City’s plan to spend relief funds on golf course upgrade draws backlash … Santa who visited with kids tests positive for Covid.

  • By Bill Lucia and Laura Maggi

What We Know About the SolarWinds Breach

The White House invoked Presidential Policy Directive-41 to coordinate a "whole of government" response.

  • By Heather Kuldell, Aaron Boyd and Mila Jasper

FBI, CISA, State Leaders Warn Schools About Ransomware Threats

The percentage of ransomware attacks perpetrated against schools more than doubled in 2020.

  • By Mariam Baksh