February, 2024

article thumbnail

Affordable Housing Is Never the Only Problem – Or the Only Solution

Next City

Poverty doesn’t cause social breakdown, nor is social breakdown confined to areas with high levels of poverty, Seth Kaplan writes in “Fragile Neighborhoods.

Housing 297
article thumbnail

West Virginia’s top election official on trust, social media and secure elections

GCN

Ahead of what promises to be a hectic election season, Secretary of State Mac Warner spent part of his last National Association of Secretaries of State Winter Conference touching on conspiracy theories, among other topics.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Deploying generative AI in US state governments: Pilot, scale, adopt

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

States could have much to gain from using generative AI tools in their operations. A low-risk strategy may be to test some applications while preparing a longer-term implementation plan.

article thumbnail

Gentrification’s Roots in the Post-Industrial City

Next City

Op-ed: De-industrialization isn’t just a Detroit story. It’s also the story of Silicon Valley, whose crown jewel, San Jose, urbanized to house workers for now long-outsourced microchip factories.

Housing 308
article thumbnail

How Breckenridge, CO Ensures Tax & Licensing Compliance

Breckenridge’s short-term rental boom—over 4,200 licenses —put intense pressure on the town’s small staff and manual processes. Facing compliance and efficiency challenges, the town teamed up with GovOS to automate its STR licensing. The new system: Cut admin time Reduced errors Improved the experience for property owners and town staff Discover the full impact of automation on Breckenridge’s STR management—download the case study.

article thumbnail

A Warning About the Nation’s Fiscal Health

GAO (US Government Accountability Office)

The federal government is on an unsustainable long-term fiscal path that poses serious economic, national security, and social challenges if not addressed. And the longer we wait to act, the more dire the consequences will be on the economy and the.

Security 143
article thumbnail

SCP 200: Bringing Entertainers to Camps: A Chat with Academic Entertainment

Summer Camp Programming

SHOW NOTES Chris and Curt welcome Whitney Mueller from Academic Entertainment, who shares her journey with the company from its humble beginnings to becoming a leading provider of entertainers for camps and schools. The episode covers the variety of programs offered, ensuring no camp ever has to endure the horror of a boring guest […] The post SCP 200: Bringing Entertainers to Camps: A Chat with Academic Entertainment first appeared on Summer Camp Programming.

264
264

More Trending

article thumbnail

Meet the Your Place in Space Challenge Winners

Homeroom

High school teachers across the country worked with their students this past fall to enter the U.S. Department of Education’s (Department’s) Your Place in Space Challenge. The challenge was the first in the CTE Momentum series, which prepares high school students for rewarding careers and increases access to career and technical education (CTE). Through the Continue Reading The post Meet the Your Place in Space Challenge Winners appeared first on ED.gov Blog.

Education 133
article thumbnail

Beyond the hype: New opportunities for gen AI in energy and materials

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Generative AI can create additional value from other forms of AI and analytics—and the energy and materials sector is uniquely well-positioned to benefit from these advancements.

article thumbnail

The Black Immigrant Women Who Bought a Minneapolis Mall

Next City

Lack of access to proper retail space was crippling these immigrant businesswomen in the Twin Cities. In forming a commercial real estate cooperative, they’re going far by going together.

295
295
article thumbnail

WEST 2024: Artificial Intelligence Still Needs a Human Touch

FedTech Magazine

Artificial intelligence can be a valuable military tool, but several top military officials and industry experts said this week that they believe it will work best only if humans remain involved in its use. Speaking at WEST 2024 in San Diego, several officials talked about the coming use of AI in the Navy’s future hybrid fleet, a combination of manned and unmanned vessels.

article thumbnail

Overcoming Operational Challenges in Parks & Recreation

Speaker: Noratek

Maintaining parks and recreation facilities efficiently is no easy task, especially when faced with scheduling issues, aging infrastructure, and inconsistent inspections. Join us for this insightful webinar where we explore the most common challenges departments like yours are facing and how digital tools like CityReporter can help you streamline operations, ensure safety, and make better use of your resources.

article thumbnail

Vote for Your Favorite Camp Program (Voting Ends Thursday)

Summer Camp Programming

Last week I ran a roundtable for the Best Camp Program. Anyone could submit an idea. I received over 60 submissions. Twelve of them did not meet the guidelines, so they were ineligible. Many of the rest were fantastic. It was difficult for us to widdle them down to the top six. To vote, use […] The post Vote for Your Favorite Camp Program (Voting Ends Thursday) first appeared on Summer Camp Programming.

Voting 246
article thumbnail

Corporate tax breaks are costing schools billions

GCN

A three-month investigation finds that tax abatements are coming at the expense of critical funding for school districts. But not all schools in a community are sharing the cash drain equally.

128
128
article thumbnail

How Passwordless Authentication Supports Zero Trust

State Tech Magazine

State and local government agencies carry the heavy burden of collecting and managing large amounts of sensitive data to bring essential services to citizens. Naturally, they want to be on the cutting edge of cybersecurity, which is where the zero-trust security model comes in. And now, we’re seeing an innovation that could bolster zero trust’s already formidable defenses: passwordless authentication.

article thumbnail

What programmatic acquirers do differently

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Our latest findings bolster the case for programmatic M&A. But beyond doing more deals, what gives programmatic acquirers an edge—and how does their dealmaking translate to value creation?

article thumbnail

Empower Digital Government: Strategic Workbook for Modern Transformation

Digital transformation is reshaping government interactions, bringing agencies closer to the communities they serve. However, while many have adopted new digital tools, few have implemented comprehensive strategies to maximize their benefits. Our Strategic Workbook for Modern Government offers a step-by-step guide to developing a sustainable digital strategy.

article thumbnail

Individualism Is Making Public Transit Worse

Next City

For buses and trains to work well, they must meet the needs of many different people at the same time.

344
344
article thumbnail

Transforming education globally through generative AI: Insights from AWS executive Valerie Singer

AWS Public Sector Blog

Sarah Storelli, left, interviews Valerie Singer during the fifth episode of the AWS Behind the Cloud vodcast. The education industry witnessed rapid transformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by student-centric, flexible learning. The industry made great strides in the digital divide, but there are still challenges that education leaders seek to address.

Education 127
article thumbnail

Summer Camp Programming Ideas for Campers Ages 8-10

Summer Camp Programming

I recently wrote a post on programming for younger campers ages 5-7. In this post, I’m covering ages 8-10 with 5 summer camp programs that offer multiple activities. Each program session is 50 minutes. Digital Storytelling and Animation This program introduces campers to the basics of creating digital narratives and animations, empowering them to express […] The post Summer Camp Programming Ideas for Campers Ages 8-10 first appeared on Summer Camp Programming.

246
246
article thumbnail

5 Ways Artists Can Help Local Government

NLC (National League of Cities)

Cities are no strangers to supporting arts and culture. But cities should consider deeper (and not necessarily more expensive) levels of partnership with artists to support all areas of their governance. Partnering with artists can help local government achieve common and ongoing goals that often feel elusive.

article thumbnail

7 Signs Your Local Government ERP Is Holding You Back: A Guide for Small Municipalities

Local governments and municipalities serving populations under 200,000 face distinctive challenges in delivering efficient and effective services to their communities. To overcome these challenges, many rely on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems tailored to their specific needs. Not all ERP systems are created equal, and some may hinder progress rather than support it.

article thumbnail

What Is Memory Safety, and What Does It Mean for Federal Agencies?

FedTech Magazine

Federal agencies face a wide range of cybersecurity threats, including ransomware, insider attacks and phishing attacks. Some of these threats come from relatively new vectors such as Internet of Things devices. Others are much older and elemental, including memory safety. As far back as 1996, when Phrack magazine published an article by the hacker Aleph One titled “Smashing The Stack For Fun And Profit,” the world has known about memory safety vulnerabilities and how malicious actors can exploi

Security 122
article thumbnail

Organizational health is (still) the key to long-term performance

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

McKinsey’s latest findings on organizational health demonstrate that it remains the best predictor of value creation and a sustainable source of competitive advantage in today’s global marketplace.

article thumbnail

In Philly’s Chinatown, a Community Workshop Envisions Alternatives to Sixers Arena

Next City

Chinatown residents are working on new proposals for the downtown strip where developers are planning a new basketball arena.

article thumbnail

FCC will start turning away hundreds of thousands seeking internet subsidies

GCN

The program serving 23 million low-income households will begin winding down this month. It is set to run out of money in April unless Congress can reach an agreement to increase funding.

article thumbnail

ASPA TIMES Magazine: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

PA TIMES Magazine is a publication of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), a not-for-profit corporation. This edition focused on diversity, equity and inclusion in public administration, including guest columns, insights for the field and interviews with city government DEI officers about their work at the local level.

article thumbnail

Summer Camp Programming Ideas for Younger Campers (Ages 5-7)

Summer Camp Programming

Programming for different age groups can be difficult. Each of us tends to have good instincts for a specific age range when it comes to programming. I, for example, am better at programming for tweens (ages 11-13). A colleague of mine is great at coming up with programming for the in-between ages of 8-10. As […] The post Summer Camp Programming Ideas for Younger Campers (Ages 5-7) first appeared on Summer Camp Programming.

246
246
article thumbnail

Making Women’s History: NLC’s Small Cities Council Breaking Barriers with All-Women Leadership Team  

NLC (National League of Cities)

As the National League of Cities (NLC) celebrates 100 years of impact, it’s fair to acknowledge that the organization has witnessed some of the most significant transformations in municipalities and encountered influential leaders who have played pivotal roles in shaping and driving our local communities.

article thumbnail

How State and Local Governments Are Working Toward Vision Zero

State Tech Magazine

State and local government procurement trends are always evolving, and the transportation industry is currently leading that charge. According to a recent Deltek GovWin report on state and local procurement, the SLED procurement market showed stability, though the top four industries — transportation, public safety, architecture and engineering, and professional business services — saw significant growth, by 2 to 9 percent year over year from the third quarter of 2022 to the third quarter of 202

article thumbnail

Strengthening fraying ties: The Global Cooperation Barometer 2024

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Global cooperation is key to better human lives. Our new barometer, developed with the World Economic Forum, can help leaders track trends, monitor critical outcomes, and act to increase cooperation.

article thumbnail

Boost Revenue With Simple Short-Term Rental Registration and Tax Collections

Government agencies that rely on tax revenue to fund critical services and infrastructure are finding it more urgent than ever to bridge the gap between under-reported tax revenue and taxpayers’ understanding of the processes. This is especially true as things like short-term rentals (STRs) have grown in popularity and become new sources of income for residents.

article thumbnail

It’s Time for City Planners To Be Proactive About Church Property Transitions

Next City

Around the country, churches are closing, downsizing and selling their real estate. Urban planners need to be prepared.

253
253
article thumbnail

County officials lobby for internet subsidies

GCN

The FCC is currently turning away hundreds of thousands seeking assistance. If Congress doesn’t soon approve more funding, rural and urban county officials warn, millions will be plunged into “digital darkness.

article thumbnail

The Best Camp Programs Competition

Summer Camp Programming

Starting Monday, February 19, 2024, I am holding a best camp programs competition. If you would like to enter, click here. GENERAL OVERVIEW This is similar to the online/email roundtables I have run in the past. This time, however, there are prizes involved. While our favorite six submissions will be made public, all those who […] The post The Best Camp Programs Competition first appeared on Summer Camp Programming.

246
246
article thumbnail

Ways to Celebrate Employee Appreciation Day

GovLoop

National Employee Appreciation Day is the first Friday in March, which this year falls on March 1. Here’s a few ideas to help you honor the occasion. Take a moment to think about each person and communicate thanks. An individualized note can mean a lot. Recognize an employee at a meeting. Consider a creative gesture like a photo collage for the team that points out employee contributions.

article thumbnail

Easy to Do Business With: Why Simplifying Business Licensing Is a Best Practice

Many business license applications still can't be completed online, creating a frustrating user experience and lowering compliance. Shifting to a digital process makes it easier for staff and businesses alike. This guide covers: How to build a licensing and registration experience that works for your staff and local businesses. Why technology is your best partner for improving licensing and registration compliance.