Author Archive
Molly Bolan
Assistant Editor, Route Fifty

Cloud & Infrastructure
A new initiative seeks to help small cities access infrastructure funding
The program will work with communities to assemble strong grant applications that can win some of the billions of dollars available.
- By Molly Bolan
Cybersecurity
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
Emerging Tech
Testing out new transportation options in the nation’s capital
Washington, D.C. officials are hoping a “mobility innovation district” will help address equity concerns.
- By Molly Bolan
Emerging Tech
The small Alabama city that’s gained 117,000 TikTok followers
Oneonta Mayor Richard Phillips’ video posts goofing around about local government and highlighting the town have attracted online fans and, in some cases, real life visitors.
- By Molly Bolan
Emerging Tech
‘Robo-lawyers’ are coming. Are states ready?
Automated legal services are becoming more widely available for routine proceedings, offering possible cost savings and other benefits. But for the emerging tech to thrive, experts say regulations need to be updated.
- By Molly Bolan
Public Safety
One city's proposed e-scooter ultimatum: No sidewalks or no scooting
The new plan under consideration in San Francisco would require all of the transportation devices to have anti-sidewalk technology or to stop operation.
- By Molly Bolan
Cloud & Infrastructure
Why smart cities are about more than just tech
“Diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility—that is a thread throughout, it is not an afterthought.”
- By Molly Bolan
Data & Analytics
New dashboard tracks climate data, projects extreme weather events
The Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation portal tracks real-time and location-specific information about extreme weather threats and shares resources about federal funding opportunities and case studies of how communities are navigating climate threats.
- By Molly Bolan
Data & Analytics
Mayors' initiative to harness data to improve government functions, constituent services
The new effort, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, has 22 members in the initial cohort and is expected to grow to 100 mayors during the next two years.
- By Molly Bolan