Author Archive
Chris Teale
People
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.
Public Safety
Feds tie counterterrorism grants to election security measures
The new guidance from FEMA would require states to take various steps on elections before receiving funds. Government groups criticized the move as an overreach.
Artificial Intelligence
New York governor signs nation’s first moratorium on large data centers
Kathy Hochul said the one-year ban on hyperscale data centers comes alongside an effort to establish standards for their development and prevent residents footing the bill.
People
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.
Artificial Intelligence
Illinois governor signs major AI safety law
The legislation requires large developers to identify, disclose and mitigate risks, protects whistleblowers and — in a national first — mandates regular third-party audits.
Artificial Intelligence
How Texas modernized a ‘train wreck’ customer service center
The licensing division of the state’s Department of Public Safety left people on hold, sometimes for hours, until it modernized its systems and broke down siloes.
People
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.
Artificial Intelligence
How Kansas’ labor department’s tech became ‘built for tomorrow’
The state was reliant on 1970s-era systems that were exposed by COVID-19. Since then, it has moved to the cloud and embraced AI as part of a major modernization push.
Digital Government
FCC votes to review E-Rate program amid screen time concerns
The agency is questioning whether the program has “achieved” its connectivity objectives for schools and libraries, and whether it should be “reoriented” or “narrowed.”
Cybersecurity
Government groups call for $300M to fund cyber grant program
Various state and local organizations urged the Senate in an open letter to appropriate the money for Fiscal Year 2027 to the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program.
Artificial Intelligence
AI just a small part of Amtrak’s ‘invisible infrastructure,’ tech leader says
While new technology can help make operations more efficient, the agency also needs good data, effective change management and improved processes, with AI as the “end state.”
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Cybersecurity
Texas investigates 2 major data breaches
Around 3 million hunting and fishing license customers in the state had their data exposed, according to a recent notification, while another 800,000 cruise line customers had their data breached.
Artificial Intelligence
Business group calls for better coordination as California adopts AI
The Silicon Valley Leadership Group said state and local agencies should coordinate better on the technology and go deeper in evaluating whether the tools and systems are effective.
Cybersecurity
Inside Indiana’s cybersecurity education expansion
The initiative is the first in the nation to also strive to connect students with military service, in addition to careers and higher education.
Artificial Intelligence
Worries mount about another state AI law preemption
Another federal bill — this time in the Great American AI Act — has state lawmakers on edge that Congress will once again try to take away their powers to legislate.
Digital Government
Feds praise BEAD’s progress, but others aren’t convinced
The NTIA touted the program’s first-ever connections and said more is to follow. Some Democrats in Congress said the agency is being evasive about what happens to leftover funds.
Artificial Intelligence
Former New Jersey official argues AI could strengthen, not weaken, democratic institutions
Beth Simone Noveck, a former top AI official in New Jersey, recently released a new book that explains how the technology can help government work better and restore trust in it.
Cybersecurity
Cyber framework harmonization is a thorny, yet not intractable issue, experts say
Those inside and outside government agree harmonizing and streamline cyber regulations would save time and compliance costs. A consensus might be emerging around what to do next.
Digital Government
Attacks on telecom infrastructure are growing, report says
Industry groups found that over 18,000 incidents were reported last year, which represented a 59% jump from 2024. Better enforcement and regulation could prevent it, the groups said.
Artificial Intelligence
Data center moratoriums gain ground in states and cities
Legislators in New York passed a bill imposing a one-year pause on new hyperscale data centers, while residents in one California city voted recently for a complete ban.
