Civic Tech

The Federation of American Scientists has acquired MetroLab Network to expand the work in policymaking and local tech innovation the organizations do through universities and government partnerships.

Grand Traverse County reports reveal how its human resources team is quickening around key tasks with new software and best practices. Elsewhere, no longer providing IT services to Traverse City will yield a revenue loss.

The autonomous vehicle firm, a sister company to Google, will begin road trips this summer to test and explore its offerings in Houston, San Antonio and Orlando, Fla. In Houston, about 10 vehicles will be on the road.

The recent launch of the centralized Workday Strategic Sourcing tool aims to unify and smooth the city-county’s sourcing activities, for a swifter, more transparent process. It unifies requests once managed separately.

In Florida, Tampa and Orlando are exploring new water treatment methods. The cities aim to uncover more effective ways to manage pollutants, improve water quality and significantly cut treatment costs.

The project, which this month has simulated delivery of Munson Healthcare supplies, lab samples and medications, has linked its facilities by drone. The endeavor received a second $950,000 state grant, announced earlier this week.

Its Board of Commissioners is examining a system that could result in the county being able to reduce its full-time hours. One idea still under discussion is the duration of a potential contract.

The online tool makes information available on every neighborhood in the Pennsylvania city. Years in the making, it includes data dating to Jan. 1, 2024, with near real-time updates, and may add older details.

The state’s National Guard has donated five devices to local law enforcement to assist it in combatting drug trafficking. The components and software will aid in managing mobile device data and extracting information.

The city has improved customer service and billing for its water and sewer customers, in part through new customer service software and a policy alerting residents to issues with bills.

Preorders have opened prior to construction, enabling officials in the city of more than 21,000 to ensure the network will pay for itself. Willmar has partnered with Silverlight Fiber Network, an aggregate Internet service provider.

A new study from the Mineta Transportation Institute outlines the symbiotic relationship between highway tolling and transit, and how each program needs the other. Transportation panelists examined the idea recently.

Commissioners for the local government of just over 180,000 unanimously approved a new solution that will eliminate paper checks and offer the option of a payment card. A goal is making sure jurors actually spend the money they’re paid for service.

State officials are pitching a plan to businesses and hoteliers that would enable it to have real-time access to their private security camera footage. One goal is to address an ongoing shortage of law enforcement officers.

The city is readying DallasNow, a comprehensive planning, permitting and land management system intended to enhance efficiency, transparency and customer service in one of the nation’s most populous municipalities.

The $7 billion project now being planned would be one of the largest such investments in Indiana history and create more than 1,200 construction jobs. But officials wonder whether power can ultimately be supplied fast enough.

Salt Lake City and Minneapolis are saving yearly staff hours and simplifying processes with an artificial intelligence-powered cloud-based work management tool. It’s helping reshape two familiar areas of municipal need.

The city’s municipal utility, EPB, which provides electricity and fiber optics to the greater metropolitan area, will spend $22 million to buy the computer. It is expected to be up and running in early 2026, officials said.