Over the July 4th weekend, extreme rainfall in Central Texas caused catastrophic flooding along the Guadalupe River, leaving over 100 people dead and 160 people missing. Amidst the devastation, one question remains: in an area known as “flash flood alley,” why wasn’t there a flood warning system in place? This week, the Priorities Podcast reruns an episode from last year that centered on the alerts issued in another disaster, in North Carolina. A system there uses data from stream gauges, small devices that measure the water level and discharge of rivers and streams, for flood forecasting and disaster preparedness, which helped in the response to Hurricane Helene.

Top stories this week:

On Monday, ranking members of Congress sent a letter to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, demanding to know why the agency hasn’t responded to their recent inquiries about how its supporting state and local election offices. Democratic leaders Rep. Joseph D. Morelle and Sen. Alex Padilla wrote that they’re seeking “urgent updates” to the status of numerous election security policies and programs available under previous administrations.

A new California bill aims to address the harmful impacts of “companion” chatbots, artificial intelligence-powered systems designed to simulate human-like relationships and provide emotional support. The bill would require companies running companion chatbots to remind users that they’re talking to a machine, not a person and clearly state that chatbots may not be suitable for minors. If passed, it would be among the first laws in the country to regulate AI companions with clear safety standards and user protections.

In signing the state’s two-year budget last week, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont authorized funding for the Voting Rights Act. The act offers voter protections, including legal tools to fight discriminatory voting rules in court, expanded language assistance for voters who struggle with English and a data portal to host all of the state’s election results and demographic information.

New episodes of StateScoop’s Priorities Podcast are posted each Wednesday.
For more of the latest news and trends across the state and local government technology community, subscribe to the Priorities Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts,Soundcloud or Spotify.

What could Texas learn from North Carolina’s flood warning system?

This event celebrated the work of Professor Charles Tripp through a new edited volume by Toby Dodge, Daniel Neep and Ali Ansari.

The work of Charles Tripp – professor at SOAS University of London for over three decades – has shaped a distinct approach to the study of Middle East politics: an analytical sensibility that is empirically rich, theoretically insightful, and historically sensitive. This edited volume brings together contributions from ten political scientists and historians from across Europe, the United States, and the Middle East, each of whom takes Tripp’s work as the intellectual point of departure for studying politics in the region. 

Speakers:

Ali M. Ansari is Professor of Iranian History and founding Director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews. 

Eberhard Kienle is Directeur de recherche (Research Professor) at the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) in Paris and teaches politics at SciencesPo Paris. 

Daniel Neep is a political scientist who works on conflict and state-building in the Middle East, with a focus on Syria. 

Evaleila Pesaran is Senior College Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge. 

Charles Tripp and the Comparative Politics of the Middle East

plugpack

July 11, 2025 News

Jump back into the Pure Report as we welcome back Jim Weaver, Pure Storage Strategic Advisor for the Public Sector, to explore how federal policy changes and budget uncertainties are reshaping state and local government IT strategies. Drawing from his extensive experience as a former state CIO, Jim provides insider insights into navigating federal impacts while discussing the shift from CAPEX to OPEX models as agencies seek operational flexibility in turbulent times. The conversation dives deep into Pure Storage's new Public Safety campaign, examining the technology behind video surveillance, body cameras, forensics data collection, and next-generation 911 systems that are transforming how government agencies serve and protect their communities. Don't miss this essential discussion on the intersection of politics, budgets, and cutting-edge technology in the public sector.

Inside Public Sector IT: Federal Impacts, Budget Realities, and Public Safety Innovation

https://www.hanf-magazin.com/wissenschaft/studien/keine-einschraenkung-der-emotionskontrolle-durch-thc/

Eine aktuelle Studie der Oregon State University bestätigt, dass THC-Konsum nicht die Fähigkeit beeinträchtigt, Emotionen oder Impulse zu kontrollieren. Mithilfe umfangreicher psychologischer Tests wie dem EGNG-Test konnten keine negativen Auswirkungen auf Reaktionszeit oder emotionale Zuordnung festgestellt werden – selbst unter starkem THC-Einfluss. Im Gegensatz dazu zeigte eine Vergleichsstudie mit alkoholisierten Probanden deutliche Störungen der Impulskontrolle. Die sogenannte Alkoholmyopie kann bereits bei moderatem Konsum zu riskantem Verhalten führen. Ergänzend belegte eine Langzeitstudie aus den USA mit 634 Ehepaaren, dass THC-Konsum mit einem signifikant geringeren Vorkommen häuslicher Gewalt einhergeht. Je häufiger konsumiert wurde, desto seltener kam es zu Auseinandersetzungen. Die Ergebnisse unterstreichen die Notwendigkeit, Vorurteile über THC wissenschaftlich zu hinterfragen und eine faktenbasierte Drogenpolitik zu fördern.

Keine Einschränkung der Emotionskontrolle durch THC

July 18, 2025 News

In this episode of Buckeyes Abroadcasts, we hear from Air Transportation major Matthew Swearingen and Aviation major Lindsey Tima about their experience on the Spring Break: International Perspectives on Aviation program through the College of Engineering. Matthew and Lindsey share how the program enhanced their understanding of aviation as a global industry and gave them valuable insights into working in international settings.

They reflect on their spring break travel to Brazil, highlighting site visits to Embraer, Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica, Lider Aviação, and GE Aviation. From learning about Brazil's unique aviation infrastructure to experiencing cultural differences firsthand, both students emphasize how the program brought classroom discussions to life.

The next iteration of this program will travel to Germany in spring break of 2026.

To learn more about this program or any of the 200+ Global Education opportunities at Ohio State, visit globaleducation.osu.edu.

To learn more or apply for the Spring Break: International Perspectives on Aviation program, visit: go.osu.edu/AviationAbroad

The producers of this podcast are Charlie Gbur and Ryan Vonderhaar. #BuckeyesAbroad

International Perspectives on Aviation - Student Experience Lindsey Tima & Matthew Swearingen

Today on the Digging in Podcast. Jason Moore breaks down all things Missouri State Fair. From BBQ competitions, live shows, and even world record holders. Plus, a whole lot more. There are a ton of things to get excited about and it's coming up fast. August 7th through the 17th in Sedalia, Missouri. 

Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts to have Digging In sent directly to your smart device each time it's released!

Host: Janet Adkison, Missouri Farm Bureau Director of Public Affairs
Guest: Jason Moore, Missouri State Fair Director
Producer: Jacob King, Missouri Farm Bureau Video & Audio Media Specialist

Digging Into Missouri State Fair with Jason Moore

July 25, 2025 News

Each Wednesday, StateScoop’s Priorities Podcast explores the latest in state and local government technology news and analysis. Listen to in-depth conversations with government and industry’s top executives, and learn about trending stories affecting state and local IT leaders ranging from modernization and digital accessibility to the latest advances in generative artificial intelligence.

Welcome to the LSE Middle East Centre's podcast feed.

The MEC builds on LSE's long engagement with the Middle East and North Africa and provides a central hub for the wide range of research on the region carried out at LSE.

Follow us and keep up to date with our latest event podcasts and interviews!

hanf-magazin.com ist das größte deutschsprachige Magazin zum Thema Hanf.

Bringing you direct access to Pure Storage thought leaders, technology experts, alliance partners, customer insights, and our latest product news.

New tracks tagged #State