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Police are using DNA genealogical databases to find and arrest suspects without getting approval from the customers. There is little to no regulation of police usage of DNA websites, but customers’ privacy is at risk.
Cities are beginning to worry that a susceptibility to climate change could reduce the chance that partners will invest in them. No financial support means no funds for the infrastructure to protect against the climate.
The first autonomous freight vehicle will drive alone but guided by a behind-the-wheel driver, just in case. The self-driving semi could revolutionize trucking, alleviating the deficit of drivers.
North Carolina officials are hoping that Pokket will help prisoners set up appointments, download documents and communicate clearly with probation officers. There’s one problem: Prisoners must have a phone or tablet before and after release.
The police believe that ShotSpotter could decrease response time and “bring a sense of calm,” but Mayor Carter doesn’t think the system works to reduce crime saying, “The available data is inconclusive at best.”
As an increasing number of cities nationwide work to foster equitable outcomes for residents, Albuquerque has created a new case study for how data can be used in various ways to lift populations up.
Former President Barack Obama speaking about how technology has shifted societal focus onto status, allowing for a rise in inequality, which has risen partly due to the confusion about what is credible and what is not. (Fortune — November 21, 2019)
The percentage of Oracle board and leadership members who are African American or Asian American. A group of House Democrats sent a letter on Friday to Oracle CEO Larry Ellison reprimanding the company’s lack of diversity on their board. The six members requested a response from the computer technology company in the form of an executive-level briefing.
Constructing buildings out of wood is the latest in San Francisco’s aim to be eco-friendly, fire-resistant and aesthetically pleasing. The 60-foot-high building is projected to open in 2022.
Virgin Hyperloop, the Los-Angeles-based company, is looking for new locations to establish testing centers. West Virginia hopes to eventually be part of the high-speed travel technology phenomenon.
The state’s gas tax is becoming obsolete as more drivers are opting for electric vehicles, which don’t require gas. Oregon now is mixing incentives and higher registration fees to try to make up the money.
The state Legislature rejected AEP Ohio’s plan to have solar-power projects in southwest Ohio funded by customer dollars. The utility now must look to other funding sources for the 300-megawatt and 100-megawatt plans.
At an Arizona symposium earlier this month, stakeholders discussed what an autonomous vehicle future will look like. A big concern was liability, but others feared that regulations will limit the field’s innovation.
Why are some lawmakers calling each other ‘bastards’ and ‘bat shit crazy’? Because governors in a dozen states now face legislatures controlled by the other party. While some can reach compromises, policy fights and angry words are common.
Elon Musk, Tesla CEO, tweeted in July 2012 an idea for a supertruck that, at the time, was just an idea. Last night, seven years after his initial ideas of a Tesla Truck graced Twitter, Tesla debuted the Cybertruck at a Los Angeles Tesla Event. (Twitter — July 31, 2012/ November 21, 2019)
The number of workers that will be laid off by the shared workspaces company, WeWork. The company released a statement on Thursday explaining that the layoffs, which will release nearly 20 percent of the company’s staff, are “to create a more efficient organization.” WeWork has been struggling to keep afloat as it has undergone several large losses in the previous months.
Launching in D.C., the “Helmet Selfie” initiative will encourage riders to wear helmets in exchange for credits towards their next ride, which will, hopefully, prevent injuries. Austin wants to join in on the campaign.
Police can request videos from Ring doorbell owners before meeting any “evidentiary standard.” Once the video is given to the police, they “can keep the video as long as they like and share it at their discretion.”
When Switch first moved to Michigan four years ago, it promised the area jobs, growth, and a big future. Many exemptions and not many jobs later, officials are growing weary of giving more breaks.
The Los Angeles City Controller, Ron Galperin, reported that the Department of Water and Power has 49,000 power poles in high fire risk locations. The LADWP says they’ve done a lot to reduce risk, but Galperin suggests more.
The Cambridge Analytica whistleblower, Brittany Kaiser, will be speaking to New York lawmakers about data harvesting practices. Officials hope to stop big tech from “exploiting all the information they have on us.”
Washington's capital city hopes to create an online platform in which voters can see “what ads are in a race that’s relevant to them, what the spending was like, who was targeted, [and] who was reached by that ad.”
Gov. Ned Lamont has proposed tolls to pay for a portion of his $21 billion, 10-year plan transportation plan. House Democrats have proposed tolls only on tractor-trailer trucks and Senate Republicans are calling for using the state’s rainy-day fund.
The report from the Legislative Analyst’s Office estimates a $7-billion budget surplus by July 2021, giving the state the potential of $26 billion in cash reserves, one quarter of which lawmakers could use at their discretion.
In addition to the tax, the bill, passed by the state’s Senate, bans all flavored tobacco products, including mint and menthol. The House passed a similar bill last week; differences still need to be worked out.
The Federal Reserve’s decision to create its own money transfer network has received a quick response: Banks are asking Congress to stop the plan and companies like Amazon and Google are supportive, as long as they have entry.
Democratic U.S. Senator Ed Markey expressed his concerns over Tesla’s Autopilot capabilities at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) told Markey that they would “be in touch with Tesla about the issue.” (Reuters — November 20, 2019)
The size of the new, $1 billion Apple Campus that will be constructed in Austin, Texas, next to the existing facility that produces MacBook Pro laptops. There are currently 7,000 Apple employees working in Austin, but the new campus plans to host 5,000 new employees with capacity to grow the staff to 15,000. The Austin Campus is projected to open in 2022.
Two advocates of driverless vehicles have argued that Florida has a perfect combination for autonomous vehicles and they predict that 10 to 15 percent of vehicles could be self-driving by 2040.
Toyota proposed plans for a fuel cell power plant that runs on half natural and half nearly identical biogas. While this seems to be the best idea yet, California hasn’t yet decided that biogas is clean enough.
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