Author Archive
Digital Government
2020 Census May Have Missed More Than 1.6M Residents
New research from the Urban Institute found that minorities were likely underrepresented in the population count, leaving some states with a windfall of federal funding while others came up short.
Digital Government
Elections Officials Are Still Receiving Death Threats and Harassment About the 2020 Election. They’re Asking Congress For Help.
Three state and local election officials testified before a Senate committee about their terrifying experiences since last year’s election in support of proposed voting reform legislation.
Emerging Tech
A State’s Plan for the Nation’s First Section of Wireless Charging Road
Michigan hopes to test out a short segment of roadway that will allow electric cars to recharge as they drive, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said.
Digital Government
State and Local Government Beats out Federal in Survey of Citizen Trust
Digital services had a strong impact on whether residents found governments trustworthy, according to the report from Deloitte.
Modernization
Libraries Eligible for Billions in Federal Funding to Improve Connectivity for Residents
The Emergency Connectivity Fund Program, announced by the Federal Communications Commission, will help libraries purchase laptops, Wi-Fi hot spots and more for patrons.
Digital Government
The Cicadas Aren’t Coming. Billions are Already Here.
The 17-year cicadas are set to emerge from their underground lairs in multiple areas, with some cities and states finding creative ways to celebrate these large, noisy, clumsy insects.
Emerging Tech
Police Departments Experiment With 70-Pound Robot Dog
Departments have deployed the cyber K-9s in hostage situations and as part of the covid response. Proponents say the robots can help keep officers out of harm's way, while critics worry how they could be used without clear policy guidelines in place.
Digital Government
Covid-19 Cases Dropped by 75% in Arizona After Local Leaders Were Allowed to Require Masks
A CDC report said the drop followed a spike in cases in Arizona after the state's stay-at-home order expired, underscoring the utility of face coverings in curbing spread of the disease.
Modernization
Local Governments Have Embraced New Technology to Weather the Pandemic, Survey Finds
More than 95% of state and local leaders who responded to the poll said their agencies used software to maintain service levels as employees began working largely from home.
Modernization
One State Launches Online Tool to Help Residents Gauge Risk of Exposure to Covid-19
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services launched the "Decision Tool" after contact-tracing data showed an increase in the number of positive coronavirus cases linked to mass gatherings.
Digital Government
Poll: Nearly Three-Fourths of Americans Would Get Coronavirus Vaccine
Seventy-one percent of Americans would get a coronavirus vaccine if it were free and widely available, a large increase from just a week ago, according to a poll released Tuesday.
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Digital Government
D.C.'s Transit System Won't Fully Restart Service Until Next Spring
A phased recovery plan for the Metro system in the Washington, D.C. area doesn't envision a quick return to normal levels of service. Across the country, transit agencies are figuring out how to balance safety and service.
Digital Government
Need Help With Covid-19 Tech? This Nonprofit Connects Volunteers with Governments
The U.S. Digital Response, a new nonprofit, dispatches tech-sector volunteers to assist governments with coronavirus-related projects.
Modernization
A Plan to Reduce Bench Warrants—By Text Message
After success in one county, Minnesota is rolling out a statewide program that sends reminders to defendants about their court appearances.
Artificial Intelligence
States Try to Stop Political Deepfake Videos
State lawmakers are increasingly focused on deceptively edited videos, a pervasive technology that advocates say has the potential to disrupt elections. But are bans constitutional?
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.
Artificial Intelligence
How Libraries are Embracing Artificial Intelligence
A humanoid robot named Pepper helps teach coding at Roanoke County Public Libraries, one of many branches across the country embracing the emerging technology.
Emerging Tech
States Move Ahead With Digital License Plates
Maryland is the latest state to launch a pilot program to test the technology for consumer use.
Digital Government
America is Aging and Growing More Diverse, Census Data Shows
“More than four out of every five counties were older in 2018 than in 2010," said one Census Bureau official about new population estimates.
Digital Government