Author Archive

Jenni Bergal

Tech & Data

‘Ghost Buses’ Haunt Transit Agencies and Frustrate Riders

Transit agencies should release canceled or delayed bus data to the public to avoid unhappy travelers, experts say.

Tech & Data

Governors' TikTok Bans Make Sense, Cybersecurity Experts Say

Republican governor after Republican governor has recently announced a TikTok ban for state employees. There are more than 100 million TikTok users in the U.S.

Finance

Inflation Is Cutting Into States’ Big Infrastructure Windfall

The costs of road and bridge projects have increased by as much as 40%.

Tech & Data

States Test an Electrifying Idea: Roads That Can Recharge Your EV

Some states will embed electromagnetic coils in roads to recharge electric vehicles while they’re moving.

Infrastructure

States Steer More Money Toward Rural Roads

A federal infusion of grant money is paying for repaving and other safety improvements.

Infrastructure

Can Uber-like Public Transit Replace Old-fashioned Buses?

Transit agencies are turning to on-demand, shared-ride services to reach underserved communities.

Public Safety

States Post Yellow Alerts to Try to Nab Hit-and-Run Drivers

Hit-and-run crash fatalities in the United States jumped 26% from 2019 to 2020.

Public Safety

Early Warning System Pinpoints Flooded Roads in Some States

Nearly a dozen states are using real-time, hyper-local monitoring to assess potential flooding at specific bridges or roads.

Public Safety

Ransomware Attacks on Hospitals Put Patients at Risk

In 2020 and 2021, U.S. health care facilities faced at least 168 such attacks.

Public Safety

Residents Left Behind as Pandemic Hurts Bus Companies

Publicly funded bus services in rural communities fared better, but “in a lot of major urban areas, commuters aren’t coming back.”

Tech & Data

Ukraine War Puts US Cities, States on Cyber Alert

Local governments are seeing more phishing probes from Russia and Eastern Europe.

Tech & Data

States Use Road Sensors to Combat Treacherous ‘Tire Carcasses’

A growing number of states are hoping to use sensor technology embedded in the pavement to fight climate change, keep traffic flowing and save lives.

Tech & Data

Think Twice Before Scanning That QR Code

“Cybercriminals always look for disruption to cause disruption.”

Infrastructure

Fraudsters Set to Pounce on Massive Infrastructure Money

“Monitoring is critical. You have to have somebody looking,” says president of the Association of Inspectors General.

Finance

Small Cities Worry Cybersecurity Money Won't Reach Them

Ransomware attacks have wreaked havoc on state and local governments. There are new federal cybersecurity grants to help but small places may lack the staff resources to get them.

Infrastructure

No More Stairs: Cash Influx to Make Transit More Accessible

More than 25 million Americans have self-reported travel-limiting disabilities.

Public Safety

Surging Catalytic Converter Thefts Spur State Crackdowns

The pollution control devices contain precious metals worth thousands of dollars per ounce.

Tech & Data

Natural Disasters Can Set the Stage for Cyberattacks

Indiana and some other state and local governments are trying to prepare by holding drills or creating preparedness plans.