Massachusetts

The Department of Defense awarded funding to support the creation of a proposed Northeast Microelectronics Coalition Hub. The hub is expected to bring new investments, jobs and training opportunities.

Plus, a new module is added to the Broadband Infrastructure Playbook, Virginia is the latest state to release its five-year broadband action plan, and more.

Plus, a cross-agency partnership in New Jersey is working to get more residents enrolled in affordable broadband programs, North Carolina is looking for participation in digital equity services, and more.

Today, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed an executive order to establish a chief IT accessibility officer role to improve the accessibility of the state’s digital services for people with disabilities.

The state of Massachusetts has announced the launch of a new interactive, online map in an effort to help state agencies, localities and contractors identify certified diverse business partners.

Plus, one Florida city is launching a new digital navigators program; Nebraska names a new state broadband director; a Texas city is launching a digital inclusion art contest for students; and more.

A new report ranks states for their transition to electric vehicles. California leads the list, followed by New York, largely because of the Empire State’s robust plans to transition all of its school buses to zero-emission vehicles.

John Petrozzelli takes over after Stephanie Helm stepped down from the director position in January. He brings cybersecurity experience from his time in the Air Force, FBI and private sector.

As the tech world continues to buzz about the potential of generative artificial intelligence tools, Massachusetts CIO Jason Snyder describes what may be one of the technology’s first uses in state government.

Seven jurisdictions have formed the North Shore IT Collaborative, hoping to overcome limited budgets and other challenges by joining together for bulk purchasing, support and info sharing.

High school and college students will be part of Massachusetts' Digital Equity Partnerships Program, a grant funding initiative to train seniors in technology skills and how to use devices.

Plus, Oklahoma is the latest state to launch a broadband listening tour, FEMA is teaming with the New Orleans Library for a digital literacy workshop, and more.

New CIO Jason Snyder wants to build the state’s municipal outreach efforts, formalize data privacy policies and give residents a single ID experience when accessing government services.

With new state funding available to districts that were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, schools are upgrading to environmentally efficient heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has decided that remote learning will no longer count toward a district’s minimum required structured learning time, having tried it for the 2020-2021 school year.

Employees with 177 public school districts and local governments will get free licenses for cyber trainings under a state grant program. The program will include strength assessments, phishing simulations, training modules and threat briefings.

In Massachusetts, the latest piece of technology to take the Internet by storm — ChatGPT— helped craft a bill aimed at regulating AI. But, the lawmaker behind the bill says the tech isn't ready to write laws without help.

Legislation has been filed in both the House and Senate that calls for the MBTA to operate a fully electric commuter rail system by December 2035. Three lines that serve environmental justice populations would be electrified sooner.