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Major tech firms have signed an accord to fight the deceptive use of AI in 2024 elections. It’s a welcome signal, if not a promise to solve the problem.
A bill would require each county to offer a treatment option as an alternative to the traditional court process for veterans and active military members. About 8 percent of the state’s corrections system population served in the military.
Under a new ordinance, Internet providers can’t provide better service to wealthier neighborhoods. A 2022 investigation found that households in L.A.’s poorest neighborhoods paid high prices for slow service.
Billions of dollars in tax-sheltered municipal bonds are sold to fund stadiums and arenas that enrich team owners while fueling federal deficits. Local politicians can’t say no, but Congress should.
When Mayor Brandon Johnson took office last May, he was praised for his notion of bringing “the people” into City Hall. But progress has been rocky as Johnson must contend with the realities of legislating with 50 different aldermen.
The city’s own study about Mayor London Breed’s proposal to make it more profitable to turn empty offices into new homes found that it is unlikely to drive significant savings under current market conditions.
Staffing shortages, extremely heavy caseloads and lack of state funding have hamstrung the state’s criminal justice system, leaving many communities reeling.
James Gordon of DeLand, Fla., regarding the state’s Florida Man Games that took place this weekend. Gordon won the first event of the weekend by eating a plateful of barbecue pork and sausage faster than the nearest competitor. Spectators paid $45 per ticket or more to attend the games at Francis Field in St. Augustine. (Associated Press — Feb. 24, 2024)
A group of American cities are working to reverse practices that have held down Black homeownership — and the generational wealth it brings — for nearly a century.
Land subsidence is making major seafront metropolises from New York to Jakarta more vulnerable to rising waters. Local decisionmakers need to account for it.
Companies, nonprofit organizations and other groups spent a record amount to influence the state’s General Assembly last year, with Kentucky Merchants and Amusement Coalition topping the list with $483,324 spent.
Just 23 cities across the nation had ridership last year that was equal to or higher than pre-pandemic levels, and 14 of those had free rides at least part of the year. As COVID-19 funds end, cities must weigh the value of free rides.
California workers are allowed to sue employers for themselves and others if they believe they’ve been victims of wage theft under a unique state law. But a new ballot measure would replace the law if approved in November.
There were 3,205 compromises of personal information and consumer data last year that impacted a total of 353 million total victims, 2,365 more than the previous record. T-Mobile topped the list with 37 million affected.
Valli Pendyala, a freshman at Georgetown University, on student-planned protests at 25 campuses across the country to demand their universities kick Starbucks off their campuses because of the coffee giant's failure to negotiate contracts with the thousands of baristas who've unionized over the last two years. (CBS News – Feb. 22, 2024)
Future in Context
The co-author of a new book suggests that when technology, data and collective effort converge, government, the tech industry and higher education can tackle major challenges while bringing a new generation into the workforce.
Ten states have yet to expand eligibility under the Affordable Care Act. Doing so would save lives, improve financial well-being, save states money and support regional economies.
They should. Charters schools aren’t magic, and plenty of them are worse than the average public school. But on average, charters are superior.
Women across the state are dying from pregnancy-related causes at the highest rate that has been documented by the state in the past decade. Between 35 and 40 mothers die every year.
Chicago’s main metro transit system will purchase eight of the two-car trains for $154 million, and may spend up to $181.4 million extra for more. The trains will run during off-peak times.
New Hampshire state Rep. Jennifer Rhodes, speaking against proposed legislation that would allow people to voluntarily prohibit themselves from buying guns. Those against the bill have expressed doubt that removing oneself from the prohibited list would be as easy as supporters have claimed. (Associated Press — Feb. 22, 2024)
A total of eight African Americans are serving as the top chamber leaders in state legislatures. Meanwhile, the fallout from an Oregon Supreme Court ruling that barred some state senators from seeking re-election won't be as great as you might think.
Intercity bus ridership is up and should return to pre-pandemic levels by 2026. Other trends, including the closure of Greyhound stations in big cities such as Philadelphia, are less positive.
State and local governments have an opportunity to fill a sizable gap by subsidizing the conversion of market-rate properties into affordable housing. While costly, it's still cheaper than building new.
The 2023 legislation establishing the grant program also includes new equipment for rural sheriffs.
An anti-union bill that passed last year requires most public-sector unions to increase the rate of members paying dues or be disbanded. Some unions, including police, firefighters and correctional officers, are exempt from the new law.
Adams State University, Fort Lewis College and Western Colorado University are hoping for $3 million per institution from the state to ensure access for students from less populous areas.
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