Read more about the article Cybercrime Is Booming: Why Local Govts Should Pay Attention
County News / Cyber / Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues / Public Safety and Corrections
Cybercrime Is Booming: Why Local Govts Should Pay Attention

Cybercrime is no longer just a consumer issue; it’s a growing threat to public trust, local services, and the financial well-being of communities. In a recent Maryland Matters article, former FBI investigator Greg Louderback explains how international criminal networks now run large-scale operations that employ psychological strategies to exploit individuals, utilizing tactics such as romance scams and fake investments. These networks operate mostly outside US jurisdiction and evolve faster than law enforcement can keep up.…

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June 16, 2025
Read more about the article CalHeatScore: California’s New Tool for Beating the Heat
Employee Benefits and Relations / Health and Human Services / Human Resources / Information Technology / Labor
CalHeatScore: California’s New Tool for Beating the Heat

Extreme heat is more than a summer nuisance. California’s new tool helps residents identify potential dangers early and take action to stay safe. In a recent Government Technology article, California introduced CalHeatScore, a new tool that forecasts and ranks the risk of heat-related illness on a daily basis. Using a 0-to-4 scale, the system helps residents understand when conditions are most hazardous, with a score of 4 indicating a severe risk. The platform also provides…

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June 12, 2025
Read more about the article The Energy Cost of Using AI
County News / Environment / Information Technology / News You Can Use
The Energy Cost of Using AI

Every AI prompt comes with a power cost, even something as simple as writing an email. As the use of artificial intelligence grows, so does interest in understanding its environmental impact. A new tool created by Hugging Face engineer Julien Delavande and collaborators helps users estimate the energy used for each interaction with a generative AI model. For example, generating an email with Meta’s Llama 3.3 70B model consumes about 0.1841 Watt-hours, which is similar…

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June 12, 2025
Read more about the article AI and the Growing Risk of Government-Inspired Scams
Information Technology
AI and the Growing Risk of Government-Inspired Scams

Scammers are increasingly posing as government agencies, exploiting technology and public trust to steal millions from residents. According to a recent Government Technology article, government imposter scams are on the rise. New FBI and FTC data reveal alarming growth in both the number of victims and the amount of money lost. Reports of scammers posing as public agencies, such as DMVs, tax offices, and court systems, continue to rise. Total losses skyrocketed to more than…

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June 12, 2025
Read more about the article Louisville, KY Pilots Anti-Displacement Tool in Determining Housing Funds
Housing and Community Development / Information Technology
Louisville, KY Pilots Anti-Displacement Tool in Determining Housing Funds

Louisville, KY, is piloting an anti-displacement tool to help ensure city-funded projects grow the affordable housing supply without displacing residents.  Louisville, KY, is piloting an innovative anti-displacement tool aimed at ensuring city-funded housing developments align with the affordability needs of existing residents. This algorithmic tool evaluates proposed projects based on various data inputs, including the project's location, number of units, and the income levels targeted by those units. By analyzing factors such as changes in…

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June 5, 2025
Read more about the article Register Today! Public Safety CyberBrief Webinar by Motorola Solutions
Cyber / Information Technology / News You Can Use
Register Today! Public Safety CyberBrief Webinar by Motorola Solutions

Secure your spot for “Public Safety CyberBrief." Register and join the Motorola Solutions Public Safety Threat Alliance (PSTA) on June 4, from 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM EDT. This session will provide critical insights into the evolving cyber threat landscape facing public safety emergency communications. The PSTA’s Threat Intelligence team will deliver actionable intelligence, practical mitigation strategies, and real-world incident analyses, equipping attendees with the skills to strengthen their cybersecurity posture. With a focus on…

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June 3, 2025
Read more about the article When Tech Booms, Who Pays? Data Centers and the Power Bill Problem
Business Affairs / Energy / Information Technology
When Tech Booms, Who Pays? Data Centers and the Power Bill Problem

As artificial intelligence becomes a fixture in both the private and public sectors, local governments may face a new challenge in protecting residents from incurring the costs associated with the growing power demands of the technology. A recent Government Technology article highlights a new report from energy research firm Wood Mackenzie warning that the rapid expansion of data centers could lead to higher electricity bills for residential consumers. These centers are essential to AI, cloud computing,…

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May 28, 2025
Read more about the article US House Passes 10-Year Ban on State and Local AI Laws
Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
US House Passes 10-Year Ban on State and Local AI Laws

A provision quietly inserted into the federal budget reconciliation bill — and now passed by the US House of Representatives — would ban states and local governments from passing or enforcing any laws regulating artificial intelligence (AI) for the next 10 years. This sweeping federal preemption would directly undercut Maryland’s existing AI laws, including newly passed protections against deepfakes, child exploitation online, and consumer data misuse. It would also prevent counties from adopting or enforcing…

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May 22, 2025
Read more about the article How Pennsylvania Is Shrinking Time-to-Hire
Cyber / Human Resources / Information Technology / Labor
How Pennsylvania Is Shrinking Time-to-Hire

In Pennsylvania, state leaders are using AI and data to speed up hiring to compete with the private sector's faster timelines. To tackle workforce shortages and fill government positions faster, Pennsylvania has launched a multifaceted effort to modernize its hiring process. The state’s Office of Administration is combining data analytics, applicant tracking dashboards, and generative AI tools like ChatGPT Enterprise to streamline key hiring steps. Since Governor Josh Shapiro took office in 2023, the average…

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May 20, 2025
Read more about the article Navigating the Automation Wave and Its Effects on the Workforce
County News / Cyber / Information Technology / Labor
Navigating the Automation Wave and Its Effects on the Workforce

As automation and artificial intelligence (AI) continue to evolve, public and private employers must prepare for workforce shifts that could reshape communities and economies. A new report from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) warns that more than 19 million US jobs, or roughly one in eight, face a high or very high risk of near-term displacement due to automation. SHRM analyzed over 800 occupations from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and found that…

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May 12, 2025
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