Modernization

Local Officials to FCC: We’re Not the Ones Impeding 5G

A group of mostly mayors encouraged the Federal Communications Commission to refocus its efforts on new broadband investment, instead of preempting their oversight of public rights of way.

Modernization

Trump Administration Mum on Nationalizing 5G

The proposal is still on the table, according to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, though localities may find their authority on public rights of way preempted regardless.

Policy

5G Faceoff on Capitol Hill

Localities want more of a say in broadband policymaking. The U.S. wireless industry wants to win its race with China.

Modernization

5G Preemption Is Coming

The streamlined broadband deployment the FCC is contemplating will lessen local control without making rural build-outs more likely.

Digital Government

FEMA Wants Counties to Take Charge of Pre-Disaster Logistics

The agency has its hands full with 21 disasters in 14 states, which means federal assistance may arrive slowly in the event of yet another national emergency.

Digital Government

Puerto Rico’s Government Agencies Need Aid, Too

Work conditions at the territory’s Department of Justice haven’t been the same since Hurricane Maria, to the detriment of morale and legal proceedings.

Cybersecurity

Secretaries of State Find Federal Election Cyber Intelligence Elusive

With the upcoming midterm elections, it's a race to establish better information sharing between Homeland Security and state and local elections officials.

Modernization

Is 2018 the Year Congress Finally Passes 'Dig Once' Broadband Legislation?

Advocates worry the allure of Trump’s elusive infrastructure package is stalling improved Internet access, particularly in rural America.

Policy

Blaming States, Trump Dissolves Election Integrity Commission

The body struggled to compile concrete evidence of widespread voter fraud, wracking up lawsuits over voter suppression in the process.

Policy

Proposed FCC Rules Could Threaten Local Broadband Competition

Rural areas, in particular, may continue to go unserved if small wireless internet providers get shut out of bidding wars for large license areas by the mobile industry.

Emerging Tech

Virginia Beach Is Using an IoT-Enabled Sensor Network to Predict Flooding in Real Time

Local officials are hoping high-resolution, hydrodynamic models using fluid physics will improve preparedness and response in a low-lying region vulnerable to flooding.

Artificial Intelligence

How One Law Enforcement Agency Is Using Facial Recognition to Identify Suspects

In Oregon, the Washington County Sheriff’s Department can review 300,000 mugshots in seconds and is helping other agencies to query their databases as well.

Digital Government

Here’s a New Playbook for Municipal Civic Tech Projects

The guide was compiled based on lessons learned in Austin, Louisville and Raleigh.

Digital Government

High-Tech Innovation Is Happening in More Places Than You Think

And federal funding should match the the economy’s diaspora, according to a newly released ITIF report.

Digital Government

Feds Look to States for Next Generation 9-1-1 Systems

As for FirstNet? “We anticipate this will be a long-term partnership and implementation that will grow just like any other network we’ve seen in the last 10 years.”

Emerging Tech

3 Gigabit Cities Using High-Speed Broadband for Civic Engagement

Next Century Cities just gave Raleigh, Austin and Louisville $30,000 and will provide technical assistance to get their innovative, repeatable projects off the ground.