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NASCIO: CIOs Interested in Emerging Tech While Still Focusing on Fundamentals
The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) has released its annual report which finds that state CIOs are focused on both emerging technologies – including generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) – while still spending significant time and energy mastering the fundamentals including enterprise architecture and procurement.
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Calif. County Launches new Emergency Notification System
Yolo County, Calif., has launched Alert Yolo, a county-wide emergency notification system. Under the new system, residents in Davis, West Sacramento, Winters, Woodland, and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, as well as unincorporated areas of Yolo County, will now receive timely and accurate information during emergencies.
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IES Zeroes In on Latest K-12 GenAI Push
The Institute for Education Sciences (IES) announced four new research and development centers focused on expanding generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) for K-12 classrooms, teachers, and students.
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Kansas to Open Application for $451.7M Internet Initiative
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced that the state will open applications for the National Telecommunications Information and Administration Internet for All initiative on Oct. 21.
Recent News
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Chicago Issues RFI for First Responder Technology
Chicago Mayor Brand Johnson has issued a request for information (RFI) to help the city gather recommendations on reliable and efficient forms of first responder technology.
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NASCIO Finds States Struggling With Cyber Threats, Tighter Budgets
The National Association of Chief Information Officers’ (NASCIO) latest survey finds that the majority of state chief information security officers (CISOs) say their responsibilities are increasing, yet more than one-third do not have a dedicated cybersecurity budget.
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West Palm Beach Launches Digital Trust Pilot
The City of West Palm Beach, Fla., is piloting a new way to inform and engage its community about the technologies used in the city’s public spaces.
Join state CIOs and industry experts for discussions on the pressing issues facing state and local government IT teams during the next installment of MeriTalk’s State Tech Vision series.
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Texas CISO Retires, Deputy Named Replacement
The Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) announced that Nancy Rainosek has retired from her position as chief information security officer (CISO), and confirmed that Deputy CISO and State Cybersecurity Coordinator Tony Sauerhoff will take over Rainosek’s successor.
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NYC Releases Annual Open Data Report, Invites Proposals on Technical Standards Manual
New York City’s Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) announced the release of the 2024 Open Data Report, as well as the launch of the annual call for submissions for Open Data Week 2025.
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Calif. Gov. Newsom Signs Bills to Combat Deepfake Election Content
Ahead of the 2024 state elections, California is looking to combat deepfakes and other deceptive digitally generated or altered content in election campaigns.
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Louisiana now Accepting Crypto for Payments
Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming announced that the state is now accepting cryptocurrency as a valid form of payment. This move allows the integration of digital currency into Louisiana’s public operations.
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CISA Offers Guidelines Combat Anonymous Threats for Schools
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued new guidance to assist kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) schools in addressing anonymous threats of violence on social media, and to provide steps for school officials, law enforcement and community partners to take in assessing, responding, and preparing for threats.
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DHS Sets $279M in 2024 Cybersecurity Grants for SLTs
State, local, and territorial (SLT) governments are in line to receive $279.9 million in grant funding in fiscal year (FY) 2024 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) according to an agency announcement on Sept. 23.
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New Mexico Taps Barreras to Lead DoIT
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has appointed Manny Barreras as cabinet secretary of the Department of Information Technology (DoIT), effective Sept. 9.
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NCD Coker Updates Cyber Workforce, Education Strategy Efforts
National Cyber Director (NCD) Harry Coker on Sept. 23 updated recent efforts by the Biden administration to further the National Cybersecurity Workforce and Education Strategy (NCWES), which was first released in July 2023.
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NASCIO: States Lack Quality Data to Support GenAI
A new report by the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) and EY US found that a majority of state CIOs and chief digital officers (CDOs) consider data quality to be important – particularly when it comes to generative AI – but less than a quarter have a dedicated data quality program.
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House Cyber Bill Proposes ROTC-Style Workforce Training Program
Legislation introduced in the House on Wednesday aims to create a cybersecurity training program that will provide Federal scholarship support in exchange for two years of service with governments at all levels in cybersecurity roles.
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Oregon Turns to AI-Powered Career Exploration Coach to Help Students
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE), in partnership with Southern Oregon Education Service District (SOESD) and the Journalistic Learning Initiative (JLI), has launched “Sassy,” an AI-powered career exploration coach that is designed to assist Oregon students in navigating career planning. The tool, named after Sasquatch, the legendary “Bigfoot” humanoid creature said to dwell in Oregon’s […]
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University of Oklahoma Names new CIO
University of Oklahoma has hired Nishanth Rodrigues as the college’s new chief information officer (CIO), effective Sept. 30.
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FCC Opens Cyber Pilot for Schools, Libraries
The Federal Communications Commission has opened the application window for the Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program.
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Hawaii Upgrades Tax System to Improve Security, UX
The Hawaii Department of Taxation (DOTAX) announced that it has upgraded its tax system in an effort to improve performance, security, and user experience.