Civic Tech

Citizen data scientists documenting algae and water conditions from their docks at Lake Wallenpaupack will play a key role in a community-led water quality monitoring program, officials have said.

Plus, Virginia launches a statewide public health equity dashboard, data from Yelp shows the impact of car-free streets in communities, Alabama launches new centralized COVID-19 response app, and more.

A Johnson C. Smith University project will give individuals a view into the destruction of historical Black neighborhoods of Charlotte, N.C., through virtual reality tech. The project is expected to be completed in 2022.

The startup has made a name for itself with software that reminds defendants of court dates so they don't get hit with penalties for failing to appear. Now the company is expanding into more of the justice process.

Drawing on user survey results, Utah has revamped how its official website presents services in order to reach younger generations. The state plans to offer even more services soon through its “Next Gen Citizen Portal.”

Plus, this week Code for America holds its annual summit event, Boston’s Digital Team shares case study giving transparency to its work, a map charts recent American migration data, and more.

To address the diversity gaps in the state’s public- and private-sector workforce, the Delaware Prosperity Partnership has developed a strategy to help build a more inclusive tech talent pipeline.

After taking down many of its digital services due to a malware infection, the Alaska Court System is slowly putting services back on the Internet. Citizens may be able to make online payments again early next week.

The Partnership for Inclusive Innovation, a public-private partnership focused on spurring innovation, is working to move the needle on the mission to make the state the “technology capital of the East Coast.”

Plus, an internal federal government innovation program picks 22 ideas to receive phased support funding, a new data warehouse aims to consolidate California’s statewide data on homelessness, and more.

The Texas county’s EMS now includes SPARTAN: a program using drones to assist first responders in various missions to improve public health and safety and give the department a better look at the big picture.

As the definition of literacy evolves to include digital and technological literacy, libraries are also evolving to include new technologies in their offerings to meet a wide range of community needs.

Plus, Maine rolls out an innovation challenge around advancing the state's clean energy sector; New Mexico welcomes an aerospace-technology collaborative program hub; Microsoft shares open data campaign tips; and more.

The book — co-authored by Tara McGuinness and Hana Schank — details examples of how tech and innovation can streamline governmental service delivery, and why it is important the country embrace it.

Plus, Boston offers free public transit to test financial incentives’ influence over commuter behavior, San Diego expands its free Wi-Fi program to 300 new locations, and more.

Plus, Maryland lawmakers have approved the creation of a new state digital equity office, the Colorado Smart Cities Alliance has launched a new pandemic recovery innovation challenge, and more.

CitizenLab’s recently announced decision to shift to an open source model will remove barriers to participation in an attempt to make the platform more accessible to all civic organizations.

Plus, San Francisco is hiring for multiple roles, a report examines the world of intergovernmental software co-ops, and a new organization has called on the Biden administration to create a local innovation unit.