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The Push is On To Recruit Enough Vaccinators
As states prepare to begin vaccinating the general public in the coming weeks and months, the White House is taking steps to make sure there are enough workers to administer the shots.
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The Overshadowed Plight of City Budgets
New federal aid offers welcome relief for many local governments, which have seen their financial difficulties upstaged at times by better-than-expected state revenues.
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Cities Direct Johnson & Johnson Vaccine to Homeless Populations
There are practical reasons why it makes sense to use the one-dose vaccine for hard-to-reach groups, but experts say the practice can also fuel skepticism and concern if public officials aren’t careful.
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State and Federal Wildlife Officials Would Like You to Please Destroy Your Moss Balls
Invasive zebra mussels have been found in aquarium moss balls in at least 21 states. Wildlife officials say the balls must be destroyed to prevent the fast-multiplying mollusk from spreading.
Nextgov
Consumer Privacy Bill Would Set National Data Privacy Standard
The legislation would require companies to write their privacy policies in plain English.
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With Covid Aid Approved, Counties Will Look to Infrastructure
A major public works package, which proved elusive during the Trump years, is the next priority county governments will press for on Capitol Hill.
Nextgov
DARPA Building Special Chips for Data Privacy Protection
Fully Homomorphic Encryption is considered the “holy grail” of encryption. But right now it takes too much compute power to be used widely.
Nextgov
CISA: No Federal Agencies Compromised Through Microsoft Exchange Servers
Investigations remain ongoing, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency leaders said at a hearing on modernizing the federal government’s approach to cybersecurity.
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Covid Relief Bill Will Infuse Billions into Local Economies
From $1,400 stimulus payments to $300-a-week unemployment benefits, the $1.9 trillion aid package gets cash to residents that can translate to stronger state and local tax revenues.
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Alaska Becomes First State to End Restrictions on Vaccine Eligibility
The governor's office said shots of the Covid-19 vaccine will now be available to all residents age 16 and older.
Nextgov
Biden Names Federal CIO to Lead Governmentwide Modernization Efforts
A familiar face from the U.S. Digital Service and Office of Personnel Management will serve as the next federal chief information officer.
Nextgov
Air Force Only Service to Develop Cybersecurity Requirements for Weapon Systems Contracts, GAO Says
The audit found the Defense Department has improved weapon systems cybersecurity in recent years, but detailed requirements must make it into contracts.
Nextgov
Critical Update: Let’s Talk About UFOs
What’s behind unidentified aerial phenomena observed by military officials? Are we alone in the universe? Nextgov asks some experts.
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The Best and Worst States of 2021
U.S. News & World Report published the latest edition of its Best States Rankings.
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Chicago Ballparks Will Reopen to Limited Number of Fans
The city will allow about 8,000 people to attend upcoming Cubs and White Sox baseball games.
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Additional State and Local Perks Make it Into Senate Covid Relief Bill
Extra money for counties with untaxable public land and provisions that allow localities to spend federal dollars on hazard pay for workers are included in the version approved over the weekend.
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States Look to Forgive Unemployment Overpayments
Missouri lawmakers advanced a bill that would waive the federal but not state portion of any mistakenly paid unemployment benefits.
Nextgov
HHS Aims to Accelerate Technologies for Combatting Lyme Disease
The often-overlooked illness radically disrupts hundreds of thousands of lives each year.
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Senate Covid Bill Adds Restrictions on State and Local Aid
The legislation would impose requirements on how states can use the money, and also redirect $10 billion that had been bound for cities and counties.
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