Author Archive
Chris Teale
People
‘We're all just trying to help,’ local Service to the Citizen winner says
Crystal Sprague, the director of innovation and performance in Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, said her Service to the Citizen honor comes amid massive upheaval and change.
Cybersecurity
How cyber ranges can help build trust in AI
The public and private sectors are turning more and more to closed environments to help prepare for a cyberattack. Experts said they can also build an understanding of AI and its capabilities.
Digital Government
States can spend leftover BEAD funds to connect missed locations, NTIA says
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration said states can use at least some of the remaining $21 billion for anywhere still unserved by broadband.
Emerging Tech
Mobile IDs are an ‘easy sell,’ but state leaders urge more education
More than 20 states now accept mobile driver’s licenses but there is relatively low uptake among residents.
Emerging Tech
How tech can help localities solve weather gaps
National Weather Service radars may miss storms or other incidents, but now local governments are investing in their own equipment to supplement those federal tools.
Artificial Intelligence
New AI center announced for St. Louis
The Spirit of St. Louis AI Innovation Center looks to position the city and the surrounding region as a hub for the technology with computing power and other resources.
Artificial Intelligence
Data centers are Americans’ least favored development, poll finds
The survey from Public First and ITIF found that 46% oppose data centers in their communities, compared to 26% who support, far behind other projects.
Digital Government
States are mostly compliant with website accessibility rule, report finds
But many remain concerned about their ability to investigate and remediate any issues ahead of next year’s extended deadline, the report from NASCIO notes.
Artificial Intelligence
Many localities have tried data center moratoriums, tracker finds
The National League of Cities found that 76 cities, counties or towns have at least attempted moratoriums or permanent bans, with most being successful. That number is likely even higher.
Cybersecurity
States, feds scramble to prevent more water cyberattacks
In the weeks after nine states were hit, lawmakers at the federal and state levels have proposed new funding to harden infrastructure, but experts warned they remain vulnerable.
Emerging Tech
How the World Cup became a ‘forcing function’ for drone security
While some acknowledged the rollout was a little “chaotic” at times, experts said it has helped states and cities think a lot more about how they manage their skies.
Featured eBooks
Artificial Intelligence
How one Virginia county’s AI platform protects sensitive data
Prince William County uses Liminal to prevent employees from inputting sensitive data into generative AI in what a spokesperson described as a “filtration level.”
Public Safety
Counties and cities sue over counterterrorism grant rule changes
The four local governments said the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to tie the grants to election security measures were unconstitutional, as states run elections, not the feds.
Artificial Intelligence
Iowa academics launch tool to help localities weigh proposed data centers
The Iowa Data Center Decision Tool helps communities decide if data centers are right for them by identifying key questions they should ask about a project’s impact.
Cybersecurity
Former California CISO reflects on cyber’s importance in state government
Now a senior advisor at World Wide Technology, Vitaliy Panych said his aim was always to make everyone a “risk practitioner,” while managing an enormous state infrastructure.
Digital Government
6,000 BEAD projects need 86K+ permits, report finds
Researchers found that over half of those projects will need at least 10 permits, while 1 in 7 will require more than 20 across the state, local and federal levels.
Artificial Intelligence
Report finds most data centers in urban, not rural, areas
Researchers at New York University found that 97.5% of existing data centers sit in metro areas, counter to the industry narrative that most are in rural regions.
Artificial Intelligence
How a research paper helped spark Utah’s data center water law
What began as an effort by three fellows at the Aspen Institute resulted in a push to bring more transparency around how data centers consume water in the state.
People
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.
Cybersecurity
More US water systems struck by hackers
The FBI said systems in at least seven states have been hit, following an Iran-linked group’s hack in Minnesota. Experts urged operators to beef up operational technology cybersecurity.
