Drones

Bill Would Offer Grants to Boost Use of Drones to Inspect Infrastructure

One of the U.S. senators backing the legislation says it would "help local governments invest in drones and skilled workers to ensure America’s existing infrastructure remains safe.” 

  • By Kirsten Errick

Autonomous Drones Could Speed Up Search and Rescue After Flash Floods, Hurricanes and Other Disasters

COMMENTARY | Drones that do not require individual pilots could cover ground quickly and identify people in need of help.

  • By Vijayan Asari, The Conversation

State Officials to Drone Operators: Please Stop Harassing the Animals

Wildlife officials in Colorado this week urged recreational drone pilots to avoid disrupting animals during flights, the latest example of a growing issue for state agencies.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

IoT Security Bill Nears Passage as New Consortium Tackles Open 5G

Government officials are thinking about how the use of drones as part of the network infrastructure will affect security.

  • By Mariam Baksh

Local Law Enforcement Should Be Able to Protect Airports From Drones, Report Says

To address security risks, a task force recommends that Congress authorize local law enforcement to take down drones flown too close to airports.

  • By Andrea Noble

FAA Greenlights Drone Company to Deliver Food in One Virginia Town

The Federal Aviation Administration gave its first OK to drone company to deliver commercial goods.

  • By Heather Kuldell

Federal Agency Drone Use to Monitor Natural Disasters Expanded Dramatically in 2018

The Interior Department flew more than 10,000 unmanned missions to survey federal land, monitor wildlife and respond to natural disasters.

  • By Jack Corrigan

FAA Wants to Protect First Responders from Drone Bombs

Under a new ruling, law enforcement officers would be able to identify drones from afar.

  • By Jack Corrigan

FAA Declares the Super Bowl a 'No Drone Zone'

People who violate the temporary flight restriction will face jail time and hefty fines.

  • By Jack Corrigan

This Virginia County Tracks Missing Persons With a Drone

Project Lifesaver offered local law enforcement the air support it needed.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

Surveying the Public in a City Being Used as Federal Drone Testing Site

Taking the temperature of San Diego residents before UberEats starts deploying delivery drones to the skies.

  • By Michael Grass

This Florida Fire and Rescue District Changed Its Outlook on Drones

The district started using drones for more than situational awareness and eventually ended up expanding the fleet.

  • By Dave Nyczepir
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Drones Can Fix Problems on the Ground

COMMENTARY | Expediting adoption will save lives—and possibly our failing national infrastructure.

  • By Joe Rinzel

Another Use for Drones: Investigating Car Wrecks

Law enforcement agencies are finding it is quicker and safer to do scene investigations with drones.

  • By The Pew Charitable Trusts

Senators Want to Double Funding for Putting Commercial Drones in the Air

A bipartisan amendment would double 2019 funding for FAA’s efforts to integrate drones into national airspace.

  • By Aaron Boyd

Federal Drone Committee Faces ‘Kitty Hawk Moment’

The body’s lone local government representative discusses filling the late San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee’s shoes and keeping pace with technology.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

Drone-Sparked Fire Prompts Important Safety Questions

A recent incident in Oregon offers "a cautionary tale about dog ownership and fire danger this time of year."

  • By Michael Grass

Another Drone Intrusion Grounds Aircraft Fighting Western Wildfires

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Trillions of quagga mussels carpet Lake Michigan ... pulling back on San Francisco's citywide broadband ambitions … and New Mexico’s brain drain.

  • By Michael Grass

Thinking About How to Manage L.A.’s Future Drone-Filled Skies

“When that airspace becomes more complicated, ‘just don’t hit anything’ isn’t going to be enough,” according to Seleta Reynolds, the general manager of the L.A. Department of Transportation.

  • By Michael Grass

Chicago City Hall Pushes State to OK Use of Public Safety Drones

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Philly’s sloppy accounting … high eviction rates in rural Minnesota … New Orleans short-term rental freeze … and Jersey City clears newspaper box “clutter.”

  • By Michael Grass

Drone Cops Take Flight in Los Angeles

The L.A. County Sheriff has deployed a quadcopter drone for rescue and reconnaissance. But will the public accept that these aerial officers come in peace?

  • By Geoff Manaugh, The Atlantic