“Otero County Commission is flaunting that process by appeasing unfounded conspiracy theories and potentially nullifying the votes of every Otero County voter who participated in the primary.”

Alex Dizengof, chief technology officer and cofounder of Carbyne, a company that makes software for emergency call centers, explaining a key flaw in traditional 911 systems. The comment comes as New Orleans rolls out AI-assisted call triaging to manage heavy demand on its emergency lines. During peak times, hundreds of callers often report duplicate incidents, such as traffic crashes, overwhelming operators and delaying urgent calls. By using AI to identify and filter duplicate reports, the city aims to free up call takers and prioritize life-threatening emergencies, while also introducing AI for non-emergency 311 information calls. (NOLA.com)

San Francisco Supervisor Myrna Melgar underscoring the city’s obligation to sustain the struggling San Francisco Zoo. Melgar made the remark as officials weigh options including a city takeover, a new nonprofit operator or closure. A new analysis found shutting the zoo could cost more than keeping it open, as the city would still be responsible for animal care and the property, prompting a proposed $8.5 million loan to stabilize operations. (The San Francisco Standard)

Idaho House Minority Leader Rep. Ilana Rubel, reflecting on a controversial bill that would have required charities, including churches and food banks, to verify citizenship before providing aid. She and other Democrats criticized the Republican-led Legislature for pursuing policies they say prioritize cuts and culture issues over essential services, while highlighting the defeat of the measure as a key moment of opposition. (Idaho Statesman)

Gregg Phillips, who leads the Office of Response and Recovery at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, recounting on a podcast that his car was once “lifted up” and moved miles away, and in another instance that he suddenly found himself at a Waffle House in Rome, Ga., roughly 50 miles from where he had been moments earlier. He later characterized the experiences as part of a religious journey during a serious illness. Before his appointment, Phillips was also known for his involvement in election conspiracy efforts tied to the 2020 election, adding to scrutiny from lawmakers and critics over his role overseeing a major federal disaster response division. (The Guardian)