Policy

Problems with construction permits have slowed progress on an $84 million, three-year project to reach 570 schools and administrative buildings with high-speed Internet, expected to be finished by 2023.

Editorial staff of The Columbian in Vancouver, Wash., make the case that the state has an essential role in helping rural school districts with smaller tax bases to fund necessary modernization and facility upgrades.

Much of the growth in gambling revenue over the last two years has been through new online forms of gaming, including such casino games as slots and blackjack, and sports betting. Many casinos, meanwhile, are struggling.

Internet-based service firms such as Airbnb, Vacasa and VRBO had been bumping up against short-term rental caps in Oregon towns. So they began aggressively soliciting property owners in unincorporated seaside neighborhoods.

As cases of COVID-19 skyrocket with the prevalence of a new variant, New Jersey’s largest school district is preparing technology, materials and all necessary links and codes should students have to learn remotely.

Federal Communications Commission Chair Jessica Rosenworcel recently responded to a congressional letter requesting a timeline for critical FCC broadband map updates. No dates were provided in the response.

The new product goes deeper on geographic information, offering data such as property assessment, outlines, demographics and building type — even in rural and tribal areas. It comes amid an influx of broadband funding.

At a summit earlier this month, experts explored policy questions around electric vehicle charging infrastructure. In general, policymakers should look at all levels of charging to serve as many EV use cases as possible.

The new round of funding will go toward digital skills, data analytics, the state’s educational and workforce data infrastructure, programs for front-line health care workers, special education, charter schools and more.

Buffalo Public Schools are considering temporarily resuming remote instruction after winter break as the new omicron variant of COVID-19 continues spreading rapidly. Administrators are waiting on more data.

Three school districts and 39 career and technology centers will receive money from the state’s Career and Technical Education Equipment Grant program, for new equipment to train students for high-demand jobs.

In 2022, the city of Dublin, Ohio, plans to unveil its digital identity project that allows users to confirm their residency, respond to custom surveys and earn “Dublin Points” through a centralized app.

In celebration of Computer Science Education Week earlier this month, Santa Fe Public Schools are highlighting how local tax dollars fund multi-year plans to deepen and expand computer science education across the state.

The Colorado Transportation Commission has set new rules that will direct less money toward highways for cars and more money toward alternate forms of transportation. Some rural areas oppose the rules.

The 125,000-square-foot building will house modern laboratories, research and teaching space to prepare students for careers in geosciences, chemistry, biology, physics, astronomy and psychological sciences.

The Hamm Institute for American Energy at Oklahoma State University will bring scientists, students and faculty together to research innovative energy production as well as environmental concerns and solutions.

Plus, apply for a job with the New York City Digital Service, Virginia announces more than $700 million in broadband connection grants, new data visualization shows innovations in cities spending federal money and more.