Maine

Officials are dealing with a growing number of "Zoombombings" in Maine and other states in which callers have interrupted municipal meetings with racist, antisemitic and homophobic language.

Plus, Oklahoma has launched a new interactive map to track Internet service in the state, Maine has submitted a new broadband plan to the federal government, and more.

Recently passed and proposed legislation across the country is bolstering telehealth expansion by redefining telehealth benefit specifications, enabling coverage across state lines and eliminating patient care obstacles for medical professionals.

Maine paused the use of ChatGPT and other generative AI apps for six months beginning in June. After hearing wide-ranging reactions, I decided to ask Nathan Willigar, the state CISO, about the move.

Maine recently got official word that it will receive $272 million in federal funding to build more Internet connectivity in the state as part of the bipartisan infrastructure law passed by Congress in 2021.

As of June 21, Maine’s executive branch entities are barred from using generative AI. This moratorium is intended to give the state time to research and evaluate risks posed by the technology.

Plus, Detroit’s parks are getting public Wi-Fi; the White House has launched invest.gov; New York continues to up enrollment in broadband program; and more.

Although some websites contain lists and maps of EV chargers, they do not tell whether the chargers work, which could make it tough for tourists and for the state to encourage EV purchases.

The industry group TechNet, which represents several Silicon Valley tech giants like Apple and Meta, is trying to push Maine lawmakers away from ACLU-backed privacy legislation that the group says is too broad.

With a new public awareness campaign there and a new group of supportive backers, an organization based in Maine is trying to turn that state into the next hub for the so-called New Space industry.

MaineIT's executive director of client and infrastructure services, Nick Marquis, will serve as CIO on an interim basis while a permanent replacement is found.

Funds from the Maine Jobs & Recovery Grant program will go toward new facilities and expanding career and technical education programs in fields like welding, electrical work and building construction.

A new report commissioned by the Maine Connectivity Authority said the state is already expected to have a shortfall of 3,240 workers in broadband jobs. The figure casts a shadow on the goal of connecting every part of the state.

The city's metro area may get a faster, better-connected mass transit system in the future but not right away, according to an agreement released this week that was signed by seven separate agencies.

Lawmakers are considering a trial electric vehicle rebate for commercial vehicles to find out if they will work in Maine's challenging environment and if the state's industrial sector will give them a shot.

Roughly 116,000 homes and businesses in Maine do not have broadband service, according to federal data. The grants announced this week will expand service to more than 16,000 homes and businesses in nine counties.

On the heels of a week-long civil trial surrounding the data collection practices of the Maine State Police, officials will seek an outside review into whether its intelligence unit is violating federal privacy laws.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s recent announcement that it would again be delaying the deadline for compliance with federal identification requirements has prompted some to call for an end to the initiative.