Local Government

A funding freeze for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is holding up an estimated $500 million allocated to clean energy projects, and federal officials are ignoring court orders to restore access to the funding.

A Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit has created a platform where government workers and others can share how federal contract terminations, staff cuts and data issues impact their work without using personal information.

The Seattle-based company has said operations in the Gilliam County city of nearly 600 could be many years off, but planning for the installation is already underway. It could deliver millions of dollars a year to the city and county.

The city’s new chief information security officer was previously its deputy CISO. He takes over a role vacated by Shannon Lawson in October, bringing with him two decades’ experience in the public and private sectors.

The city has strengthened its cybersecurity efforts, using artificial intelligence to analyze more than 1 million pieces of incoming communication and protecting employees from impersonation attempts and data theft.

Officials were able to take down a server, make repairs and restore service after an attempt to extort money through an attack on the police department’s system. For now, the department is filing paper police reports.

Tucked away in a small room, a band of data analysts are putting technology to use to help solve crimes in real time — without leaving their desks.

The Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania serves 150 member entities representing more than 1,700 people. The goal, its president said, is to identify local problems — and offer local answers.

The city has announced a data breach impacting Social Security and driver’s license numbers, credit card information and other data for nearly 18,000 people. There’s no indication of actual or attempted misuse.

The Eureka City Council tossed a contract to install 21 automated license plate reader cameras throughout the city at a Tuesday meeting, with a vote that came after public opposition to the tech.

The state has been successful at reducing its cyber vulnerabilities by nearly 50 percent in the last year, its CISO said, as it undertakes a statewide strategy to grow a cybersecurity culture.

The county’s board of commissioners has approved a service agreement with a new vendor to upgrade software at its building department. The move will facilitate work with cities and conversations with customers.

As tech positions go unfilled across public-sector organizations, recruiting experts recommend lowering the hurdles. Suggested strategies include clarifying job descriptions and tailoring hiring processes.

A new report lays out the strategy of the city and the New York City Economic Development Corp. in leading on applied artificial intelligence. Goals include fostering a dynamic AI ecosystem.

Officials at Arizona’s capital city have elevated an executive into the new role of chief privacy officer. She will help to improve data governance, mitigate privacy risks and ensure compliance with privacy laws.

A problem detected in early January prompted the city police department to shut down its computer system in order to contain its spread. Many components have been restored but a secure server is still coming back online.

U.S. officials commemorated Data Privacy Day in several ways, ranging from spreading awareness to sharing informational materials at state and local levels. Observance of the occasion originated in 2007.

MyGov serves some 150 clients and gives Tyler a way to boost its product offerings to local governments. The move comes as public administration stands as one of the main gov tech opportunities for 2025.