http://www.governing.com/authors/rss/rss/?a=87483757 Christopher Conte is a former correspondent for GOVERNING. http://www.governing.com/topics/politics/Expert-Exodus.html As baby boomers retire, governments are trying to keep knowledge and experience from going out the door with them. http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/Fat-City.html Is there a way for a government to fight obesity? Chicago's new health commissioner is trying to figure that out. http://www.governing.com/topics/politics/Politics-Preschool.html Most states are sold on the benefits of universal preschool, but limited funding may compromise its quality and availability. http://www.governing.com/topics/public-workforce/Training-Line.html States are under pressure to update the way they prepare prison guards for their job--and what they prepare them to do. http://www.governing.com/topics/public-justice-safety/Dealing-Demons.html Seen as a public health problem, suicide is preventable--at least that's an approach several states are starting to take. http://www.governing.com/topics/politics/Gwendolyn-Faison-Mother-Camden.html When Mayor Milton Milan was convicted in December on corruption charges, it seemed that the so-called "Curse of Camden" had dropped this dysfunctional New Jersey city to a new low. Milan was the third mayor in 20 years to plead guilty to felony charges, and his fall came as the state of New Jersey, which already supervises some of the city's finances, was pressing for legislation to assume complete control of city operations. But the Camden City Council earned at least a temporary reprieve by making an unorthodox choice as Milan's replacement. http://www.governing.com/topics/politics/Boss-Thy-Neighbor.html Homeowner associations are an increasingly prevalent--and troubled-- form of local government. http://www.governing.com/topics/politics/Ruben-Barrales-Beyond-Cheerleading.html Here's a challenge: Name a White House director of intergovernmental affairs who has ever been a major player in federal policy. If you are stumped, you are in good company. Nominally the liaison between the president and state and local governments, he or she has tended to serve as a glorified social secretary--an aide who leads cheers for the president's programs and handles the protocol when the chief executive gets together with the relevant officials outside Washington, D.C. http://www.governing.com/topics/energy-env/Dry-Spell-Denver.html Places can't stop drought from coming their way, but they can control its devastating effects. http://www.governing.com/topics/energy-env/Dry-Spell-Denver.html Places can't stop drought from coming their way, but they can control its devastating effects. http://www.governing.com/topics/politics/James-Mejia-Park-Fixer.html James Mejia owes a lot to his boss, Denver Mayor Wellington Webb. And now Webb is asking much in return: He wants Mejia to clean up the city's scandal-ridden parks and recreation department and, in the process, protect the mayor's own legacy. http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/Deadly-Strains.html SARS, West Nile virus and bioterrorism are the big scares. But the greater threat is the gradual erosion of public health services. http://www.governing.com/topics/transportation-infrastructure/Boys-Sprawl.html Free-market think tanks are working hard to convince Americans that Smart Growth is a stupid idea. http://www.governing.com/topics/politics/Sudden-City.html Deciding how to run a newly incorporated city inevitably ignites debate over the role and responsibilities of government. http://www.governing.com/topics/public-justice-safety/Security-Costs-Hit-Home.html State and local budgets are pressed to pay for more police, fire and public health personnel and for new safety equipment.