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Texas Creates State Cyber Command
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation on June 3 to create the Texas Cyber Command, which the governor’s office billed as the largest state-run cybersecurity department in the United States.
Recent News
  1. Education Dept. Plans National Effort to Combat Student Aid Fraud
    The U.S. Department of Education is preparing to launch a nationwide effort this fall to combat identity theft and fraud in Federal student aid programs.
  2. cybersecurity, education IST Launches K-12 Cyber Defense Coalition
    In response to the growing cybersecurity threats facing America’s public schools, the Institute for Security and Technology (IST) has launched the K–12 Cyber Defense Coalition (K12 CDC) – a new national partnership made up of 13 education organizations working to protect schools from cyberattacks and improve response strategies.
  3. DC Public Schools to Ban Cellphones in Classroom
    The District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) announced that it will ban the use of personal cellphones in the classroom beginning in the fall to help refocus student attention on “academic excellence.”
  1. San Jose Launches First-Ever Data Strategy
    The city of San Jose, Calif., has launched its first-ever Citywide Data Strategy with the goal of providing quality, equitable services for all residents and businesses through data-driven solutions.
  2. broadband Commerce Ditches Fiber Focus in BEAD Program Overhaul
    The U.S. Commerce Department on Friday unveiled its revamps to the government’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, touting a new “tech-neutral” approach and tossing its previous fiber-centric efforts to the curb.
  3. State AI Moratorium Eroding Reconciliation Bill Support
    A small but significant slice of lawmakers – including several Republican members of the House and Senate – are getting cold feet over supporting the Trump administration’s reconciliation funding bill because it includes a House-approved provision that would impose a ten-year moratorium on state-level artificial intelligence regulation.
  4. School, Library Leaders Tell Congress Not to Repeal E-Rate Rule
    National and state school and library organizations are calling on Congress not to repeal a Federal rule that allows schools and libraries to use the government’s E-Rate program to buy discounted Wi-Fi hot spots and related mobile connectivity services for off-premises use. 
  1. USC Launches $12M Computing Institute
    The University of Southern California (USC) is launching the Institute on Ethics & Trust in Computing, supported by $12 million in funding from the Lord Foundation of California.
  2. Industry Urges Student Visa, Curriculum Overhauls to Boost Cyber Workforce
    Federal lawmakers and cybersecurity leaders are calling for sweeping education reforms and expanded student visa opportunities to help build a stronger, more resilient cyber workforce in the United States – one they say is essential to defending against growing digital threats. 
  3. South Dakota Taps Mark Wixon as CIO
    South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden has announced that Mark Wixon is the state’s new chief information officer (CIO) and commissioner of the Bureau of Information Technology (BIT).
  4. OPM’s ‘Merit’ Hiring Plan Targets STEM, Early Career Talent
    The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a governmentwide hiring plan on Thursday that instructs agencies to hire employees more quickly, focusing on early career and STEM talent.
  5. White House Halts Grants for State UI System Modernization
    The Trump administration has cancelled funding for a Department of Labor (DoL) grant program that was used to fund modernization efforts for states’ unemployment insurance (UI) systems that were overwhelmed with claims during the coronavirus pandemic.
  6. Powering Public Safety, CX Gains With AI-Driven Tech
    The use of artificial intelligence-powered computer vision and edge computing are combining to reshape public safety and customer service capabilities, local government and municipal officials said during a new webinar produced by MeriTalk and underwritten by Dell Technologies.
  7. AI, CV Paying Off With Better Campus Safety
    Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision technologies is paying off with improvements to campus safety and operational efficiencies, AI experts told MeriTalk in a new webinar in which they advised organizations to consider a deliberate approach to implementation.
  8. USF Launches K-12 AI Programs, Summer Camps
    The University of South Florida (USF) is partnering with local community groups to launch a range of new initiatives aimed at arming K-12 students with artificial intelligence skills. 
  9. NSF AI Program Teaches Students to Train Machines with Fossils
    The National Science Foundation (NSF) has launched a free online curriculum to introduce Florida middle schoolers and teachers to artificial intelligence using paleontology.  
  10. Senators Urge Trump Administration to Release BEAD Funding
    A group of 12 senators led by Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., is calling on the Trump administration to release funding for states under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.