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Fraud scammers from all over the world began targeting the states’ mostly antiquated employment insurance systems, moving swiftly to collect billions of dollars and using the money to fund other illegal activities.
A one-size-fits-all approach defies local cost-of-living realities. County-based indexing could help avoid losses of jobs and tax revenues, and it could appeal to policymakers on both sides of the rural-urban divide.
Utah’s Maria Montessori Academy Director Micah Hirokawa, regarding the decision to include the histories of people of color as a part of the school’s instruction. There had been requests from some parents at the school to have their children opt out of learning the Black History Month curriculum, but they have since been withdrawn. (Associated Press — Feb. 10, 2021)
The estimated number of metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions that Bitcoin production generates every year, which is comparable to the amount that Jordan and Sri Lanka produce annually. The increasingly-popular cryptocurrency relies on high-powered computers to solve complex mathematical puzzles that are largely powered by coal.
Assembly Member Chiu has proposed a bill that would prevent police agencies from buying certain types of military-style equipment, such as armored vehicles and drones, in hopes of cutting back the use of deadly force.
Recent trials show the new smartphone app, PedNav, is about 95 percent effective in communicating with traffic control systems and audio directions, and can aid the visually impaired to cross the street.
Hackers continue to use the coronavirus pandemic as a multi-billion dollar opportunity, flooding the state with thousands of false claims. Many fraud victims are unable to receive any helpful response from the state.
Black, Latino and Native American communities have been impacted the most by COVID-19, and yet they have the lowest rate of vaccinations in Los Angeles County. Officials are increasing efforts to fix the racial disparities.
Variants of the original COVID-19 strain are making their way into the U.S. While the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines still seem to be effective, there are concerns if the virus continues to mutate.
When a development causes a problem, we should be dealing with the problem where it exists – not cordoning off whole areas of the city. Let’s scrap the old Euclidean codes and update with market urbanism zoning.
Across the country, legislators are trying to gain more control over their states' courts. Many of the efforts are from Republicans aiming to diminish the role of judicial nominating commissions.
As strains on public resources grow, a new center at the National Conference of State Legislatures shares lessons from evidence-based policymaking to help states make the most of programs and budgets.
A move by Uber signals an opportunity to permanently end Prohibition-rooted restrictions that prevent many Americans from getting their drinks the same way they get their groceries and takeout meals.
Jose Arballo, public health agency spokesperson for Riverside County, Calif., speaking of the challenges for vaccinating communities that are suspicious of health care or other government services, despite that these communities are often some of the most vulnerable to the coronavirus. (Associated Press — Feb. 9, 2021)
The number of states that have introduced more than 100 bills in total to tighten the rules on voting, through new voter registration requirements, voter identification requirements and reducing vote-by-mail options. All of the bills have been proposed by GOP lawmakers.
The state is paying San Diego prison guards to wear body cameras in an attempt to increase transparency about the treatment of disabled inmates. The facility will also install a surveillance system.
Lawmakers proposed two bills that would ban registration of new gas- and diesel-powered vehicles to further push the state towards EVs. The bills do not put end dates on ownership and the sale of 2029 or earlier gas models.
The coronavirus has altered Oklahoma’s businesses permanently. While many were forced to close, some simply closed their buildings and shifted online. Others have increased their staff as demand changes.
A cyberattack on Oldsmar’s treatment system tried to increase the amount of lye in the water, but it was caught before damage was done. The county has disabled remote access to the system and is investigating the attack.
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Considering licensing reform? Here are five facts you should know as you work to develop responsible licensing policy that supports jobs, creates opportunity, and protects consumers.
Over the past several decades, spending on jails has grown significantly. As the coronavirus pandemic reduces revenue and forces budget cuts, cutting jail expenditures could save cities and counties billions of dollars.
Tampa, Fla., Mayor Jane Castor, speaking of the lack of masks that were used at Super Bowl parties and celebrations on Sunday. (Associated Press — Feb. 8, 2021)
The proportion of Americans who believe that democracy is not functioning as it should be, with just 16 percent saying that democracy is working extremely well.
Data loss from a 2019 ransomware attack on the New York county could result in the dismissal of some criminal cases. The district attorney claims he didn’t learn of the loss until 18 months after the attack.
State representatives have proposed a bill that would clear 50 percent of debt owed by low-income utility customers in arrears and the other half would be paid through payment plans, giving many immediate relief.
While contact tracing existed before the coronavirus pandemic, the virus’ speed of transmission and likeliness of asymptomatic cases required contact tracing teams to revise their efforts.
For most places around the nation, getting a vaccine appointment requires you to register online. For some who don’t have computers, smartphones or aren’t tech-savvy, getting an appointment can be difficult.
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Now that 2021 is upon us and there is a faintly visible conclusion to the pandemic, the question remains — will public-sector contact centers revert to the models they had relied on prior to COVID-19?
A 285-page complaint filed by Smartmatic USA against Rudy Giuliani, Sydney Powell and Fox News for spreading false claims that the voting technology company helped to “steal” the presidential election from Donald Trump. The lawsuit totals $2.7 billion, one of the largest libel suits ever. (Associated Press — Feb. 5, 2021)
The proportion of Americans who believe the Senate should vote to convict former President Trump in the impeachment trial which begins next week.
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