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Fairfax County, Va., has appointed Matt Harrison as its new chief information officer (CIO) and director of the Department of Information Technology (DIT).
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Mass. High Schools Launch Cybersecurity Coursework
Eleven high schools in Massachusetts have signed up to introduce Advanced Placement (AP) cybersecurity coursework as part of a new national pilot program, Mass. Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll said on March 20. -
MSU, Michigan Virtual Partner on Next Gen EdTech Accelerator
The Michigan State University (MSU) Research Foundation is partnering with non-profit Michigan Virtual to help connect early-stage education technology startups with resources. -
Rep. Swalwell: Trump’s Cyber EO Leaves States Defenseless
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., called out President Trump’s recent cybersecurity executive order (EO) today, asserting that it leaves states vulnerable to future cyberattacks.
Recent News
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Northeastern Rolls Out Claude GenAI for Students, Staff
Northeastern University has partnered with AI company Anthropic to provide Claude – a secure, enterprise-level generative AI platform – to all active students, faculty, and staff. -
CDC Disease Tracking System Modernization Jeopardized by Cuts
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is in the middle of modernizing a data system responsible for tracking diseases across the nation, but recent layoffs and contract uncertainty have put the future of the critical system in jeopardy. -
Florida Virtual School Introduces ‘AI in Math’ Certification
Florida Virtual School (FLVS), an online K–12 school primarily operating in the state of Florida, has introduced a year-long “Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Math” supplemental certification for middle and high school students.

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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Rice University Launches AI Venture Accelerator
Houston-based Rice University has launched its Rice AI Venture Accelerator (RAVA) that aims to help AI start-up firms connect with major corporations and public sector organizations and address real-world challenges that can be solved with AI solutions. -
University of Tulsa Launches State’s First Cyber Range
The University of Tulsa’s Oklahoma Cyber Innovation Institute (OCII) announced the launch of the state’s first cyber range, which will focus on expanding services to protect and defend Oklahoma entities from cyber threats. -
Witnesses Urge Improvements for ‘Essential’ State/Local Cyber Grant Program
The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) is up for reauthorization this year, and cybersecurity experts testified before Congress on Tuesday to explain that the program is working but may need some tweaks to make it more effective. -
Annette Taylor to Help Lead North Carolina’s Efforts to Close Digital Divide
The N.C. Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) has named Annette Taylor as the new deputy secretary for NCDIT’s Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity. The position, created in July 2021, is intended to prioritize the state’s efforts to close the digital divide.
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NTIA Nominee Pledges Broadband Expansion Without Favoritism for Musk
Arielle Roth, the Trump administration’s pick to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), pledged to implement Biden-era bipartisan broadband expansion plans while vowing not to favor White House advisor Elon Musk’s Starlink as part of that process.
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Better Together: A Community-based Approach Boosts State and Local Cybersecurity
Evolving cybersecurity threats are putting constant pressure on state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) organizations, which must shore up their defenses despite limited resources. In a recent interview, Kateri Gill, Director of CIS Services at the Center for Internet Security (CIS), provides critical insight into navigating today’s cyber landscape.
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California Bill Targets AI-Powered ‘Robo Bosses’
Calif. State Senator Jerry McNerney, a Democrat, has introduced the “No Robo Bosses Act” that would require human oversight of artificial intelligence systems in the workplace with the goal of preventing abuse.
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Virginia Expands Permit Transparency Website
The Commonwealth of Virginia has added two new state agencies to its Virginia Permit Transparency (VPT) website, which serves as an online resource featuring the vast majority of permit applications considered by Virginia agencies.
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New York State Names First Chief AI Officer
The New York State Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) announced the appointment of Shreya Amin as the state’s first chief artificial intelligence (AI) officer. In her new role, Amin will play a pivotal role in shaping AI strategy for ITS, its partner agencies, and New York State.
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Trump Issues Executive Order Seeking Broad Changes to Elections
President Donald Trump issued an executive order (EO) on Tuesday that aims to make sweeping changes to U.S. elections, and warns that states will lose Federal election grants if they do not comply with new requirements.
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Alabama Schools Install new Weapon Detection Systems
Huntsville City Schools (HCS) – the school district that serves Huntsville, Ala. – is rolling out a new advanced weapon detection systems at all elementary schools across the district.
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University of Hawaii Offers Free AI Training to Students, Employees
The University of Hawaii is partnering with Google to provide free AI training to its students and employees across its 10-campus system.
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USF Lands $40M Gift to Create College for AI, Cybersecurity
The University of South Florida (USF) has received a $40 million gift to establish the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing.
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Montana AG Bans Chinese AI Platform on Department Devices
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen banned the use of DeepSeek, a China-based artificial intelligence platform, on all Montana Department of Justice (MTDOJ) devices.