Improving public transit, whether it’s for subways, buses, light rail or trolleys, is very tricky. But some enhancements turn out to be surprisingly simple. Here’s what we can learn from one of the best transit systems.
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They are resilient, having survived political, economic and environmental turmoil in Haiti. Yet, we don’t like to admit them to our country, and we treat them miserably if they get here. -
During the second week of the federal Annual National Cybersecurity Summit, experts shared their thoughts on the roles of states and federal agencies when it comes to dealing with cyber attacks within state borders.
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A collapsing rural economy and what to do about it has been a long-term policy problem. In the 1890s, states combined sentimentality and patriotism to woo young people back to their hometowns in New England and beyond.
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The country’s political environment has left many wanting to live in communities of like-minded individuals or to be left alone. But as Jefferson made clear, turning away from the public arena will only make things worse.
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The state Supreme Court will determine if police should be allowed to track people via their cellphone location without a court-issued warrant. The court will deliver a decision in the coming months.
A recent analysis found that women lost $46 billion and that people of color lost $61 billion in California during 2020 due to the gender and race pay gaps. California has the second smallest gender pay gap in the nation.
A proposed 25-mile bike path that would stretch from Portland to Auburn using a retired railway has run into complications as transit officials are working to draft a new agreement with the rail company.
One day after the city’s vaccine mandate went into effect, police officers and firefighters are unable to report to work for not being vaccinated. Some have filed for an exemption while others are facing separation.
Establishing a union amongst home health-care workers could ensure access to necessary supplies and better wages, but there are challenges, ranging from employees who typically work alone to high turnover rates.
The project uses bacteria to remove more than 99 percent of ammonia from sewer water, which is part of a larger effort to ensure clean water quality and allow for potential recycling, which will increase drought resilience.
As Washington state’s vaccine mandate began this week, officials warned workers who quit or are fired over the governor’s vaccine mandate shouldn’t expect to receive unemployment aid. But there are many exceptions.
After a summer of devastating wildfires, many parts of California are expecting rain over the next several weeks. The early precipitation would end the fire season but could cause severe flooding.
The state Department of Transportation is looking to hire 500 seasonal plow drivers ahead of winter, but is struggling to find workers. Without enough drivers, clearing roads of snow could take much longer than in prior years.
Baltimore City and County vaccine mandate has gone into effect, but vaccine rate information for several police and fire departments in the area is incomplete or unavailable. Maryland’s vaccination rate is at more than 80 percent.
Hundreds of Pennsylvania residents are worried that personal information may be released as the state’s Senate Republicans begin a review of the 2020 election results, despite no evidence of voter fraud.
State officials worry that the few programmers who know how to operate the antiquated system will soon retire, leaving many of the state’s critical functions inaccessible. It’s also a growing cybersecurity risk.
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Fred Guttenberg, father of a 14-year-old girl who was killed in the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Fla., commenting on gun violence prevention laws and regulations. Guttenberg, who has become a nationally known activist in the years since the shooting, will be a senior adviser to Brady PAC, a gun violence prevention group. (Associated Press — October 21, 2021)
The state received a warning from the federal government in May 2020 to avoid overly lenient qualifications for pandemic unemployment assistance. The state didn’t update its requirements until June 2021.
Analysts attribute the surge in background checks for firearm purchases to a fear of COVID-related closures, a summer of protests and a contentious presidential election in the fall. But the increase in purchases has created shortages.
A preliminary estimate shows that the Caldor Fire cost tens of millions in lost economic activity. Wildfires, and the economic disruption they cause, have a large economic impact. But right now, California has a mostly incomplete picture of how much fires cost the state each year.
Whether you pay tax on your Halloween treat supply depends on which state you live in and how it defines candy.
Cybersecurity insurance is becoming more expensive and harder to get, and some insurers are backing out of the market altogether. Where does that leave state and local government?
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People call it the “next normal” but the truth is it’s long overdue. The future of work is now here.
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The proportion of Americans who believe that social media companies, like Facebook and Twitter, do more harm than good, according to a new poll. Forty-seven percent of respondents said the government should be involved with regulating Facebook and Twitter, while 45 percent do not believe government should intervene.
The estimated number of children in the age group of 5 to 11 years old, who may soon be eligible to receive a COVID-19 shot. The White House has estimated that authorization for the Pfizer shot for elementary-aged children is within a matter of weeks.
The number of pregnant women who died from COVID-19 in August, a one-month record. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 161 pregnant women have died from the virus. The CDC has issued an urgent advisory that recommends pregnant women get vaccinated against the coronavirus to protect themselves and their babies.
The size of West Virginia’s broadband strategy that Gov. Jim Justice announced last week. The plan is expected to bring high-speed Internet to more than 200,000 homes and businesses across the state.
The decrease in President Biden’s net approval rating among Black voters since Sept. 8, the day before he issued vaccine mandates.
The proportion of American households that have had to delay care for serious illness because hospitals are filled with COVID-19 patients.
The proportion of eligible Americans who have received at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, an increase of 20 percentage points after the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate.
The number of times Americans quit jobs in August, the highest amount on record since December 2000.
The increase in homicides among people ages 19 and younger during 2020. As of Oct. 6, 2021, 1,165 people 17 or younger had died from gun violence and 3,216 had been injured.
The proportion of Black residents in 152 counties across 10 southern states that do not have access to the Internet in their homes, compared to only 23 percent of white residents in the same areas. The counties that were included all had populations with at least 35 percent Black residents.
The number of U.S. children who have lost a parent or grandparent who was a primary care and financial provider during the pandemic; more than half of the children who lost their primary caregiver are Black or Hispanic. Researchers estimate that the number of orphaned children increased by 15 percent due to COVID-19.
The proportion of Seattle, Wash., sworn police officers who have not submitted proof of vaccination against COVID-19. All city employees must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18, unless they have religious exemption.
View demographic data showing representation of racial and ethnic minorities in each police department.
Newly released data shows an increasingly diverse American population. About 30 percent identify as racial or ethnic minorities, according to the latest Census Bureau estimates.
Governing is building a 50-state map to visualize the changes underway to declare states “Open for Business” even as the coronavirus remains at large across the country.
Recent data shows that while overall spending has increased, there is great variation among states on public education expenditures per student. The average is $12,612, but New York spends nearly double that amount.
A comprehensive view of the states’ marijuana laws regarding medical use, workplace accommodations and driving under the influence. Today, 36 states and the District of Columbia allow medical use of marijuana.
View population density and land area data for U.S. cities.
State totals on active duty, reserve forces and civilian employees for each branch of the military.
Connecticut tops the list of states whose taxpayers receive the least bang for their buck from the feds.
Voters made Texas the 19th state to add legal protections for hunting and fishing, which are now also the preferred methods for controlling wildlife.
In hopes of reducing the city's high crime rate, Camden, N.J., made a controversial and unprecedented move a year ago to replace its police force.
Data shows total law enforcement staff and per capita rates.
Thirty-seven states had legalized same-sex marriage prior to the Supreme Court ruling.
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Government organizations around the world are experiencing the consequences of plagiarism firsthand. A simple mistake can lead to loss of reputation, loss of trust and even lawsuits. It’s important to avoid plagiarism at all costs, and government organizations are held to a particularly high standard. Fortunately, technological solutions such as iThenticate allow government organizations to avoid instances of text plagiarism in an efficient manner.
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