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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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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. -
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. -
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.
Recent News
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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. -
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. -
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.

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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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. -
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. -
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. -
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.
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Chicago Launches Workforce Vacancy Data Dashboard
The Chicago Office of the Mayor and the City of Chicago’s Office of Budget and Management (OBM) have launched the Workforce Vacancy Data Dashboard on OBM’s website. The new interactive tool provides an accessible, user-friendly way to explore and filter vacancy data across all city departments.
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Oklahoma IT Disposal Program Supporting Conservation Efforts
The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Foundation, a nonprofit partner of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, recently received a $15,000 donation thanks to the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services’ (OMES) IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) program.
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FCC Fast-Tracks Copper Line Phase-Out for Modern Networks
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is expediting its transition from legacy copper lines to modern network infrastructure after announcing a new series of actions to help streamline its modernization efforts.
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Hawaii Looks to Digitize Plants and Animals Declaration Form
The state of Hawaii is piloting “Akamai Arrival,” a new program that will digitize the state’s Plants and Animals Declaration Form, with a goal of streamlining the process for travelers arriving in the islands.
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Tennessee Names Kristin Darby CIO
Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson announced that Kristin Darby will become the state’s new chief information officer (CIO).
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Hawaii Community College Turns to AI to Train Paralegals
Kapiʻolani Community College’s Legal Education Program is integrating artificial intelligence (AI) education into its curriculum.
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Missouri Official Suspends Funding to OverDrive, Citing Content Concerns
Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins has suspended state funding for OverDrive – a digital distributor of ebooks, audiobooks, online magazines and streaming video titles that is used in Missouri public schools – in a move that is drawing pushback from the Missouri Library Association (MLA) which voiced concerns with the decision.
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Report Finds Cyberattacks Hit 82% of K-12 Organizations
Nearly 82 percent of K-12 organizations were the victims of cyber incidents between 2023 and 2024, according to a new study showing that schools are increasingly the target of cyber threat actors.
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Trump ‘National Resilience Strategy’ Pushing Risk Management to States
President Donald Trump signed an executive order (EO) on March 18 that seeks to shift some responsibilities for risk management from the Federal government to state and local governments through the creation of a new “National Resilience Strategy” and a review of government’s critical infrastructure and preparedness policies.
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Cyber Defense Madness: Higher Ed’s Full-Court Press Against Cyber Threats
Much like teams in the annual March Madness collegiate basketball tournament, higher education institutions must stay on their toes, anticipate their opponents’ moves, and execute a winning game plan to beat cyber attackers. Against an onslaught of cyber threats, IT leaders are deploying a full-court press to enhance institutional resilience, reduce vulnerabilities, and rebound from cyber incidents.