How ‘continuous innovation’ means more than just product launches
Speakers at Route Fifty’s recent Innovation Spotlight said governments should also modernize processes and lean on data to improve transparency and public trust.
North Dakota’s ‘aviation spirit’ lives on through drones
The state used drones to examine damage from last month’s severe storms and is experimenting with delivery as a way to make life easier for its rural residents and military bases.
Texts to 988 hotline must now be georouted to local crisis centers
The Federal Communications Commission approved rules requiring wireless providers to route texts to the mental health line based on their origin, rather than area code.
Birmingham looks to write new chapter as a tech hub
Alabama’s “Magic City” often evokes images of heavy industry, or the nation’s difficult past. A coalition of businesses, political leaders and others are looking to turn it into a technology leader.
Mayors worry about cybersecurity almost as much as substance use, mental health
The National League of Cities’ State of the Cities survey found that 39% of mayors are very concerned about cyber, which is not far behind more traditional public health issues.
Trump’s AI Action Plan targets states with ‘burdensome’ regulations
The new roadmap recommends cutting off federal funding for states if they are deemed to be stifling innovation. Opponents say it’s the 10-year moratorium on state AI regulations under a different name.
Age verification needs better privacy protections, report says
New America’s Open Technology Institute called for the use of zero-knowledge proofs, which verify a user’s age without disclosing any personal information.
BEAD critic Arielle Roth confirmed to lead NTIA
Roth will oversee the $42 billion federal program, having previously criticized it for pushing a “woke social agenda.”
Virginia Lottery looks to AI to improve gamers’ experience
After a bumper 2024 and alongside his role as sports betting regulator, Virginia Lottery Executive Director Khalid Jones has taken inspiration from Candy Crush and other apps as he plans for the future.
Transit leaders look to efficient, tech-driven future
Amid funding uncertainty, speakers during the GovExec Efficiency Summit said tech could help with predictive maintenance and making the trains run smoother. A lot of work lies ahead.
‘Uncertainty’ swirls around federal funding cuts’ state and local impact
State and local tech leaders said during a webinar the impacts may not be truly felt until the end of this year. They said governments cannot just “hunker down,” but must prioritize where to spend.
Better broadband needs better data collection, report says
A new report from The Pew Charitable Trusts said the federal government has made progress, but BEAD and other programs could still struggle to achieve their goals.
Usual cities dominate AI readiness, but more are rising
Traditional tech hubs like Silicon Valley, New York City and other major metro areas are still leading in AI, according to the Brookings Institution. But more are showing promise and could catch up.
Virginia looks to AI to ‘supercharge’ streamlining regulatory requirements
The commonwealth’s Office of Regulatory Management has already streamlined more than a quarter of regulations. Now, it will turn to agentic AI to accelerate that mission.
Metaverse takes ‘guesswork’ out of Georgia city’s planning, official says
Peachtree Corners, Georgia, now has a digital twin of its downtown in the metaverse, which it can use to make data-driven decisions.
Louisiana becomes third state to pass app store accountability law
It follows Texas and Utah in passing legislation this year to mandate that app stores identify when users are minors and require parental consent before they download apps.
State DOGEs tackle local spending, property taxes
Florida’s has asked for line-by-line accounting of its local governments’ spending and any evidence of financial distress. Iowa appears to be targeting local taxation.
Texas age verification decision could create a First Amendment ‘pornography exception,’ experts worry
The Supreme Court ruled the state could require users to verify their age before visiting porn sites. Some are concerned about the future of the internet and free speech.
New York cyber law strengths local reporting requirements
Local governments that are hacked now have 72 hours to tell the state, and 24 hours to disclose if they paid a ransom. The new law also mandates cyber training and sets data protection standards.
AI moratorium could return despite removal from ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’
Senators passed an amendment removing the provision that would have prevented states regulating the tech for 10 years. But some experts warn that a repeat effort is likely and could be successful.
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