Public Safety
Covering topics such as corrections, criminal justice, emergency management, gun control and police/fire/EMS.
Wildfires will continue to rage out of control unless federal forest managers learn from Western states how to properly steward public lands and contain their fires.
Weeks after hurricanes Milton and Helene, businesses across the state are still feeling the financial impacts of the disasters. As of Nov. 1, storm damage had forced about 2,300 people across two counties out of work temporarily.
Hurricane Helene put rural Western North Carolina’s home-based child-care providers under an existential threat. The natural disaster exacerbated problems caused by years of insufficient funding and lack of support, causing many child-care providers to fear they won’t be able to start over.
Sweeping police reforms in 2020 stripped Colorado law enforcement of qualified immunity, a legal defense that previously blocked officers and sheriffs from being sued in their individual capacities in most cases.
Dallas voters narrowly passed a new city charter that mandates the Texas city maintain a police force of at least 4,000 cops, an increase of about 900 positions. It’s unclear when the city will complete the “monumental task.”
The city government will discuss a proposed state of emergency over pedestrian and cyclist safety just six days after the city’s 31st traffic death of 2024.
If it moves on Taiwan, it’s likely that China would try to distract the United States by attacking our water, power and communications systems. It’s already demonstrated those capabilities here, and we need to be better prepared.
Oakland voters recalled the mayor and county prosecutor, while Los Angeles voters fired their progressive district attorney. Across the country, several major cities elected new mayors.
Some Metropolitan Police officers use Signal, a communication app known for its end-to-end encryption and disappearing messages, which raised concerns about whether the department is in compliance with the state’s public records law.
After years under progressive measures aimed to reduce incarceration, California, Arizona and Colorado voters will all decide measures aimed at cracking down on crime.
Public service videos featuring election officials and voices from law enforcement and the military stress the importance of secure elections — and that interference will be punished.
Major sources of federal support are about to expire. Investing money will save lives, so several states are stepping up their own efforts.
There have been 46 lawsuits filed by the Justice Department, Maryland, Baltimore, the families of the workers and businesses affected against the two companies that own and manage the container ship that was involved in the crash.
Texas challenged federal supremacy by creating a state crime for illegal entry into the U.S. The courts will decide whether it's constitutional — and whether other states can follow Texas’ lead.
The Hawthorne Fire on Lamentation Mountain continues to spread. 127,000 gallons of water from next-door Silver Lake has been dumped on the fire so far.
Future in Context
Drawing from his experience in San Jose, Seattle Chief Technology Officer Rob Lloyd seeks to address pressing issues like homelessness and public safety in a post-pandemic landscape in the Emerald City.
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