Policy
A Message to FEMA: Respond to Disasters Differently
Providing money to states faster after disasters, and offering funds before they strike, would make communities safer, governors said.
Policy
Trump Administration Releases Rural Broadband Strategy
Officials estimate that 24 million people in the United States can't get broadband internet service. Eighty percent of those people live in rural areas.
Digital Government
State election officials seek more security money, fewer mandates
For more secure election equipment to be available for the 2020 vote, Congress needs to act in 2019, state officials say.
Digital Government
Farm Bill Expands Rural Broadband Funding
But some remain concerned that the money will not get to many places that need it to expand access.
Digital Government
Senators, Providers Criticize ‘Unpredictable’ FCC Funding for Rural Broadband
“Cutting [Universal Service Fund] support cuts the legs out of the business case for rural broadband in many places,” said one telecom CEO.
Digital Government
Forget Fixing NAFTA. Give Rural Americans Broadband Internet and Clean Water
The manufacturing era Trump is seeking to recreate has been killed by globalization and technological change.
Digital Government
Facebook Continues Its Rural Broadband Quest
The massive company is reaching out for help to do it.
Policy
Trump Signs Executive Order to ‘Streamline’ Rural Broadband
The order offers no funding for broadband projects but aims instead to reduce bureaucratic barriers for industry.
Modernization
Granite State opts out of FirstNet
Although 35 states and territories have decided to join the AT&T-based public safety broadband network, the proposal by Rivada Networks was "far and away our best option," the governor said.
Digital Government
FAA's plan to accelerate drone integration
FAA wants companies and local governments to work together on tests to support more low-altitude commercial drone use.
People
Departing OPM CIO heads to Michigan for state post
Michigan's governor has tapped David DeVries, who is retiring as CIO of the Office of Personnel Management, to be the state's top tech official.
Modernization
FAA, FCC tackle hurricane complications
Unauthorized drones in the air over hurricane disaster zone and telecommunications outages are among the myriad issues facing response agencies as Hurricane Harvey churns through Texas.
Digital Government
Election officials: 'We are going to need more assistance'
At the Election Assistance Committee's latest meeting, officials warn of "enlightening and frightening" planning exercises and a need for additional funding.
Digital Government
FCC to Spend Billions to Bring the Broadband to Rural America
The agency made it official at its August meeting.
Emerging Tech
Microsoft to Expand Broadband in Rural Areas
The tech giant wants to bring more internet to more people.
Digital Government
E-diplomacy guru seeks elected office
Alec Ross, a pioneer of e-diplomacy at the State Department and an adviser to Hillary Clinton, is running for governor of Maryland.
Cybersecurity
Bipartsian bill looks to aid state and local governments with cyber response
The legislation would open up new avenues of assistance for state and local cyber incident response and bring resources home for its Texas-based sponsors.
Cybersecurity
Grant program would support state, local cybersecurity
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is looking to help state, local and tribal governments protect their data, systems and networks.
Cybersecurity
States balk at election system move by DHS
A group of state officials formally opposed the DHS critical infrastructure designation for election systems and want it rescinded.
Modernization