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Largely funded from the CARES Act, the state will begin working on implementing 71 broadband expansion projects in 23 counties across the state. But there is still a long way to go before the whole state is connected.
The bullet train project was already downsized last year after the state realized it couldn’t afford the full route, but COVID-19 has further diminished financial resources. The rail authority is reassessing the project.
With increased COVID safety concerns, more workers seek assistance from labor unions, which have their own challenges. Organizing workers is easier in-person and many unions face financial shortfalls due to widespread layoffs.
Political exploitation of pain and fear has diverted our attention from the goals of the Black Lives Matter movement. Public officials need to work to bring us back to the more important issues.
New York City has rescinded its threat to lay off 22,000 city workers as Mayor de Blasio works to find other funding sources to offset a $9 billion deficit. But some city workers worry that furloughs might happen anyway.
Mark Zuckerberg, commenting on a call he had with President Trump after he suggested that voters should vote twice to test the system. Facebook has since imposed new election security measures that include removing false claims about voting and freezing new political ads a week before the election. (Business Insider — September 4, 2020)
The number of consecutive days that Portland, Ore., has had protests over racial injustice.
Texas, the nation’s top oil-producer, is entering into the renewable energy world as Tesla begins construction of its Austin-based gigafactory. But Houston, which is dependent on oil companies, isn’t so welcoming.
There are nearly 500,000 North Carolinans who have no or unreliable access to high-speed Internet. For many rural communities, not having Internet access is like the state telling them, “You’re not important.”
Despite skepticism from scientists and health officials, the state is beginning preparations for a COVID-19 vaccine distribution as recommended by the CDC. But there are many steps before the state is ready.
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Virtual cooking classes, ‘Photoshop the Boss’ and other initiatives are helping teams stay engaged.
Most Americans would prefer not to mix sports and politics. But when NBA players protested by canceling playoff games, they brought the issue of race relations to the forefront better than any politician or protest group.
Cities have had a lot of problems in recent months, but the Trump campaign's focus on those short-term issues ignores the reality that over the longer term they have become safer, cleaner and richer.
Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams, speaking of his office’s partnership with the Kentucky Guild of Brewers to encourage citizens to volunteer as a poll worker and register to vote. (Courier Journal — September 1, 2020)
The number of states with a higher proportion of workers receiving unemployment benefits last week than the July unemployment rate, which could signify an increase in unemployment.
The Indianapolis subscription service, Motor Drive, allows users to drive Teslas, Nissan Leafs or Chevy Bolts for as long as they want, to show the benefits of driving electric vehicles by making them more accessible.
For large parts of rural California, the numbers forecast by health officials ended up completely wrong because they didn’t account for social distancing or mask mandates. Many found the data useless.
In addition to dealing with the cyberattack that is affecting thousands of teachers and students, County officials also must explain the missing signature on the $15 million contract for faulty school software.
Gov. Mike Parsons doesn’t plan to extend the new law, expanding mail-in voting into next year. The legislation was in response to the coronavirus pandemic and is set to expire at the end of 2020.
Cities keep lurching between electing their governing bodies from districts and choosing them at large. The district approach is gaining, but its fragmentation doesn't promote a broad view of community needs.
Schools and colleges are relying on technology more than ever to deliver learning during the pandemic. Criminals are ready to exploit vulnerabilities with ransomware and other tactics. Help is needed, say experts.
Lawmakers have introduced dozens of shield bills that limit COVID-related liability for businesses, schools and caregivers, as the pandemic has sown divisiveness and rancor, creating a fertile ground for lawsuits.
Dr. Nicole Lurie, who helped in pandemic planning for the Obama administration, speaking about the development of COVID-19 vaccines and the risk that as they move into the final stage of testing, they will not work or be distributed to the public. (AP News — September 2, 2020)
The amount that the Environmental Protection Agency claims will be saved under new regulations that cut back on coal plant pollution regulation. If these savings are passed onto American customers, those consumers will save an estimated 49 cents per year.
Due in part to three new Amazon fulfillment centers, the state’s economic development has increased by 4 percent from the last fiscal year. But the projects are investing in technology and automation, not new jobs.
Officials were nervous that the pandemic would discourage citizens from volunteering to help voting centers on Election Day, but they have been happily surprised by a remarkable response.
In the first two days of digital instruction, Miami-Dade County Public Schools suffered from software malfunctions and a cyberattack against the school district that impeded access for thousands of teachers and students.
Lawmakers want to increase the budget by adding tax credits for immigrants, increasing COVID-19 outreach and encouraging businesses to hire workers while facing a projected $8.7 billion deficit for next year.
In the 18th annual Digital Counties Survey, leading jurisdictions had made investments in broadband, remote collaboration and digital citizen engagement long before COVID-19 tested whether they were up to the challenge.
Before he was our fifth president, Monroe was Virginia’s governor at a time when yellow fever was deadly and hard to control. Setting aside ideology, he prevented a health crisis despite his disdain for strong government.
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