Ideas

What Urban Sprawl Is Really Doing to Your Commute

Urban traffic congestion is growing dramatically, according to a new report. So why aren’t drivers taking longer to get to work?

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers Want to Expand DHS' Cyber Monitoring Program to State and Local Governments

Under a forthcoming bill, lawmakers also aim to make it easier for agencies to put the data collected under the program to good use.

Ideas

The Dangers in Smart Cities

Smart cities make for a larger attack footprint, and more potentially devastating results from a breach or hack.

Modernization

Leveraging Technology to Clear Criminal Records

Cook County, Illinois, will automatically expunge low-level convictions for marijuana offenses using software from Code for America.

Modernization

Facebook Expands Tool That Lets Local Governments Send Alerts

The system will offer authorities a way to send targeted notifications about emergencies and other issues to residents.

Cybersecurity

Coordinated Ransomware Attack in Texas Seen as Escalation From Prior Hacks

Twenty-three local governments were attacked over the weekend. The willingness of city governments to pay ransoms may be emboldening opportunistic hackers, security experts warn.

Ideas

How Cities Are Getting Smarter

There isn’t one definition of a smart city technology, but here are places governments are making progress.

Cybersecurity

Fewer Than Half of States Take These Two Election Security Precautions

The Brennan Center for Justice found only 24 states will both have voting systems that create a paper trail and require audits of the 2020 election results.

Artificial Intelligence

How One City Saved $5 Million by Routing School Buses with an Algorithm

The Boston Public School District held a contest to determine the best solution for busing around 25,000 students to school every day. The winning algorithm improved the efficiency of the routes in 30 minutes.

Modernization

In This City, Residents Can Search And Apply for Affordable Housing Online

San Francisco took a laborious paper process and transformed it into an easy-to-use online application system for open affordable housing spots.

Emerging Tech

Facial Recognition Software Prompts Privacy, Racism Concerns in Cities and States

Some lawmakers are proposing to limit its use even as law enforcement officials and landlords are embracing it.

Digital Government

The Benefits of High-Tech Job Growth Don't Trickle Down

A new study from the U.K. finds that although high-tech and digital industries spur job growth, less-skilled workers don’t even get spillover benefits.

Emerging Tech

A Small Texas City Will Become the Country’s ‘Hypersonics Research Capital’

The Army Futures Command will test missiles and autonomous vehicles some 100 miles east of Austin.

Modernization

Can Voting Online Via Phone Boost Turnout?

West Virginia became the first U.S. state to use mobile voting in a federal election.

Cybersecurity

How government entities can combat cyber threats

Rather than getting to the point of no return, agencies should manage cybersecurity through preventative action, technological excellence, hygiene and training.

Emerging Tech

The Role States Are Playing in Expanding Broadband Access

New research offers a window into what states are doing to help get about 20 million Americans who now lack reliable, high-speed internet connected with the service.

Digital Government

The Old College Try: Getting Students Into Government

A new initiative will establish regional councils to create talent pipelines from universities to state, local and federal government agencies