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Remote government work can have many benefits, as the last several months have shown. But whether state IT agencies should recruit more remote workers, regardless of where they live, remains an open question.
Mindy Romero, a political sociologist with the University of Southern California’s Sol Price School of Public Policy, speaking about the changes that will occur in the upcoming election due to COVID-19 and the risk that voters may not participate if they don’t feel services are adequate or accurate. (PEW — September 9, 2020)
The positive test rate of South Dakota last week, currently one of the highest coronavirus infection rates in the country. Iowa and North Dakota have also revealed themselves as hot spots in recent weeks, with positive test rates of 15 and 18 percent, respectively.
A new study from the National Association of Realtors identified which areas of the country were likely to continue working remotely after the pandemic subsides. Delaware County, Ohio, had the eighth highest score.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has postponed naturalization interviews and ceremonies, deepening the backlog of applications. For many immigrants, this means that they will miss another opportunity to vote.
Experts predict cyberattacks against school systems will continue to increase as students return for the fall semester. More investments in cybersecurity is the only way to prevent future breaches.
The city has seen a 53 percent increase in shootings in recent months. Officials hope to curb the rise with gunshot surveillance technology. However, studies have not shown a decrease in crime rates after the tech was implemented.
Georgia Secretary of State Raffensperger revealed that approximately 1,000 people voted twice during the state’s June primary, which is considered a felony. However, the fraud was still minimal, at only 0.09 percent.
It may not have always received the best word of mouth, but the space technology continues to advance with big names behind it and a market that has seen significant growth during COVID-19.
There have already been clashes, sometimes fatal, between protesters and self-styled militia. The public appears to be growing more tolerant of political violence, at least when perpetrated by partisans on their side.
Gov. Jared Polis has signed an executive order to prioritize diversity and equity within the state workforce. The move is the first step in improving what critics have called a problem within the Polis administration.
Don’t think you are going to find a troll. It’s about guarding yourself from emotional manipulation.
Nina Jankowicz, a disinformation fellow at the Wilson Center, discussing disinformation on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter that intends to influence the upcoming 2020 election. (AP News — September 5, 2020)
The rate at which Alaskans are self-responding to the 2020 Census by computer, phone or mail as of Sept. 1, the lowest of all 50 states. The national self-response rate is 63 percent.
Despite efforts across Maryland, thousands of students without Internet or computers will not be attending their school classes until campuses reopen. “If kids aren’t in class, nothing else about the education system matters.”
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.
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