State and Local
Election office reports failed attempts to hack its online services
A state election office also saw five spikes in traffic to its ballot drop box locator on Election Day. By 9:30 p.m. EST, analysts had received no reports of a foreign influence operation.
Election security center reports limited threats as voting glitches fuel fraud claims
A bomb threat briefly forced voting outdoors at an Ohio polling place. In New York and Florida, equipment problems prompted unfounded claims that Democrats were interfering with the vote.
White House takes Texas water cybersecurity model to rural hospitals
Project Lifeline 250 will provide free cybersecurity assistance to South Carolina hospitals, extending the administration’s effort to connect vulnerable infrastructure operators with industry support.
Utah AI sandbox launches new health care pilots — with question marks
The state is mulling how the high-profile AI initiative will tackle medical liability concerns, independent third-party analysis and other questions.
Officials see gaps in election communications as AI makes foreign influence easier
Sources describe weakening cooperation between the federal government and state and industry partners ahead of the midterms, as AI gives foreign operatives cheaper ways to produce and spread deceptive messages.
Renewed CISA support comes too late for midterm prep, some election officials say
Arizona still plans to accept federal help on Election Day, while officials warn that staffing cuts have weakened relationships and left smaller jurisdictions with fewer resources.
MAHA advocates eye federal partnerships with state orgs to advance research agenda
Federal health agencies under the Trump administration are working with the state-level groups on research projects of interest to the movement.
Maryland governor touts new quantum partnership with venture capital firm
The partnership is part of Maryland’s effort to attract $1 billion in public and private quantum spending by 2030.
AI safety advocacy group launches new state-level effort
Americans for Responsible Innovation debuted the advocacy arm to bring responsible AI policy assistance to local lawmakers.
GSA and CMS continue Medicaid tech vendor collaboration, but its impact is likely limited, experts say
The partnership is part of the broader CMS effort to help states comply with Medicaid work requirements enacted by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
White House launches water cybersecurity pilot in Texas
Project Watershed 250 will stress-test utilities over six months and could serve as a model for protecting water providers nationwide.
CMS quietly moved a Medicaid technology project to a federal data hub as new eligibility requirements approach
Federal technology offerings promise to help states implement some parts of Medicaid work requirements kicking in on Jan. 1, 2027, but not all of them.
Warner unveils bill to restore cyber information-sharing program funding
The top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee also sent letters to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and to every governor urging them to support state and local cyberdefense.
Lawmakers propose AI framework that would preempt state laws for 3 years
A bipartisan House proposal looks to codify existing programs, set an all-hands-on-deck approach to AI governance and allow for the federal preemption of state AI laws for 3 years.
State leaders renew call for cyber grant program’s renewal
The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program is facing down a September deadline for reauthorization. Without it, officials warned that current efforts would lose momentum.
Advocates pledge action to restore digital equity grants
One year after President Donald Trump rescinded the funds, various groups and lawmakers have kicked off a month of action to push for their restoration.
Anthropic and nonprofit partner to streamline benefits administration with AI
Code for America is working with the AI company to build and pilot solutions that leverage Anthropic’s Claude chatbot to help benefit caseworkers improve service delivery.
White House official advocates for a ‘give and take’ on state AI preemption
Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios argued the administration’s AI policy framework allows states to regulate some things about the technology — like child safety and state government procurement — while ensuring a national standard.
White House ‘war on fraud’ to begin with freezing Medicaid payments to Minnesota
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the move “retribution.”
Republican governor asserts states’ right to legislate AI
Utah Governor Spencer Cox acknowledged the logic to the Trump administration’s plan for U.S. AI dominance, but not at the expense of state laws ensuring safety.
