State and Local

Trust will be key for US Notify—a text message service for state benefits

A pilot program will help state benefits programs send text alerts to low-income families in need of public services.

  • By Aaron Boyd

Maine’s 3D-printed wood-fiber home

The recyclable, 3D-printed homes could help fill the housing gap while advancing sustainable manufacturing.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Opioid prediction model gives state life-saving prep time

West Virginia health officials can reliably forecast drug overdoses based on data from neighboring areas.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Nonprofit cites ‘inaccuracies’ in new broadband maps

Open internet advocate Public Knowledge urged the FCC to clarify the challenge process, the availability of satellite internet and the role of anchor institutions.

  • By Chris Teale

Energy sets aside $550 million for state and local clean energy efforts

The money is available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

  • By Frank Konkel

How one state’s phishing training evolves with threats

Indiana regularly tests employees on various platforms and attachment formats, including prompts related to headline news and retests of scams those that have proved difficult for workers to catch.

  • By Chris Teale

Twitter turbulence under Elon Musk poses headache for governments

States and localities have come to depend on the social media platform to get information out in emergencies and other situations. But a surge in imposter accounts has some worried.

  • By Molly Bolan

State and local agencies buying banned Chinese equipment, report finds

Chinese-made smartphones, surveillance cameras, temperature scanners, handheld radios and networking equipment have been deployed in government offices, transit systems, schools, hospitals and prisons.

  • By Edward Graham

Cyber mandates too costly for water utilities, experts say

A House hearing saw expert testimony emphasizing the need for steady funding to cybersecurity programs in water utility providers––especially in rural regions. 

  • By Alexandra Kelley

White House looks to government and community data collaboration to promote equity

The administration wants to hear how best to encourage collaborations that facilitate producing, accessing and using equitable data.

  • By Kirsten Errick

A step closer to seamless transit

Interoperability of platforms that promote data sharing and collaboration across stakeholders will be critical to improved agency services and better the passenger experience. 

  • By Audrey Denis

As remote work persists, cities struggle to adapt

The shift to remote work will prompt cities to focus on broadband access and remote shared workspaces, as they contend for workers who can live anywhere.

  • By Tim Henderson, Stateline

Cities that hyped crypto are now contending with the crash

This month's cryptocurrency market meltdown is raising new questions about how far local governments and public officials should go getting involved with the virtual asset.

  • By Sharon O'Malley

State and local governments turn to normalizing the ‘new normal’ workplace

With lessons from the rapid shift to telework, officials are rejiggering plans for hybrid environments and keeping nimble, problem-solving mentalities.

  • By Stephanie Kanowitz
Featured eBooks

New online hub to help cities apply for federal infrastructure funding

The $50 million initiative will provide advice and resources to municipalities, especially small towns, through public sector groups and nonprofits, according to Bloomberg Philanthropies.

  • By Jean Dimeo

How a Virginia county wooed Amazon and Boeing

It takes more than tax breaks to get large tech companies to come to a locality.

  • By Stephanie Kanowitz

Legislation promoting cyber collaboration between DHS and states awaits Biden signature

The legislation would improve information sharing between federal cybersecurity authorities and state and local governments.

  • By Frank Konkel

Code for America unveils first states in Safety Net Innovation Lab cohort

The nonprofit’s lab aims to help states build digital tools and services to connect people with health, food assistance and other benefits programs. 

  • By Stephanie Kanowitz

New cybersecurity bill authorizes DHS to ramp up incident response efforts nationwide

The National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act gives the Department of Homeland Security a range of opportunities to bolster cybersecurity preparedness at the state and local level, including and technical assistance services.

  • By Chris Riotta

Can CDM work for state, local governments?

Proposed legislation would extend the federal Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation program to state and local governments to help them strengthen their cybersecurity.

  • By Susan Miller

NJ mulls cyber incident reporting

A state Senate bill would require public agencies and government contractors to report cybersecurity incidents within 72 hours.

  • By Susan Miller