Route Fifty

ICYMI: Current models excel at demonstrating wildfires’ behaviors and risk of spreading, but new research identifies key data points that could optimize governments’ planning and preparation for such events. buff.ly/Wzcu1vs

COMMENTARY | Public-sector failures can have life-altering consequences, so governments must work to build trust and have the right governance in place. buff.ly/BPlpTQJ

A state lawmaker is planning to propose a bill to regulate the use of controversial automated license plate readers, such as Flock cameras. via @NDMonitor buff.ly/BNp8Jy6

Election officials for more than a year sought fixes to the state’s voter registration and management system. The Secretary of State’s Office will create working groups and commission an audit. via @VotebeatUS buff.ly/omZBTMs

COMMENTARY | Chief information officers are asked to keep mission-critical systems running and also innovate. That means innovation becomes a risky side project, not a priority. buff.ly/Bny49AC

State agencies have dramatically improved their CX and service delivery over the last four years, and the satisfaction gap compared to the private sector has almost closed, according to McKinsey & Company (@McKinsey). ✍️ @chris_teale buff.ly/yZ50uj4

ICYMI: The lawsuit against Kalshi is the latest in a wave of actions states have taken accusing the online prediction market operator of skirting anti-gambling laws. via @ArkAdvocate buff.ly/IBgjQS8

ICYMI: The Center for Civic Futures announced last month it had awarded $11 million to 11 AI projects to help governments make it easier for residents to access benefits. buff.ly/BWngoVW

To limit pollution from data center construction reaching public bodies of water, Mississippi state law requires companies to first obtain a permit. via @MSTODAYnews buff.ly/Bz3p5oj

Chamber of Progress (@ProgressChamber) hopes for a greater focus on consumer protection and access to technological benefits when Democrats take over the majority in January. via @NextgovFCW buff.ly/QtAuqBm

COMMENTARY | The need for robust, accurate data remains important for the steps needed to make our roadways safer, faster, more predictable and accessible to everyone. buff.ly/WTc100x

New York lawmakers are taking a precise approach to AI chatbots available to children rather than limiting overall access with a new bill, observers say. buff.ly/gcjGCvd

COMMENTARY | Local governments need to plan for the services communities will need tomorrow, and better use of data can help get them there. buff.ly/zWTnhI7

The growing severity and frequency of wildfires across the U.S. show little signs of slowing down, which is why the scope of wildfire models used to plan and prepare for such disasters must expand too, new research has found. buff.ly/Wzcu1vs

The lawsuit against Kalshi is the latest in a wave of actions states have taken accusing the online prediction market operator of skirting anti-gambling laws. via @ArkAdvocate buff.ly/IBgjQS8

The lack of clear metrics makes it harder for the state to track the wellbeing of farmworkers throughout the state, the report argues. via @ORCapChronicle buff.ly/s7lVcgS

COMMENTARY | Public-sector failures can have life-altering consequences, so governments must work to build trust and have the right governance in place. buff.ly/BPlpTQJ

The Center for Civic Futures awarded the grants to 11 groups and said the time is now for state governments to lead the way on AI adoption and governance. ✍️ @chris_teale buff.ly/8f4THUT

COMMENTARY | If an agency saves 1,000 staff hours by automating routine preparation, it should deliberately reinvest some of those hours in supervised work that builds judgment. buff.ly/m5gESKs

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission also filed a lawsuit against Utah, adding to a now long list of legal fights between the state and prediction market platforms. via @UTNewsDispatch buff.ly/V5YyjU9