Technology & Society
Connectivity, automation, and everyday technology are changing how cities run, how people work, and how communities live. This section looks at the programs, policies, and tools putting technology to work for real people, and what those changes mean for daily life.
We cover topics such as broadband access, digital equity grants, public-sector AI tools, and community technology projects. Each article explains who is affected and what changes for them, and links to official sources so you can check the details and find help or funding where it is available.
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New Jersey’s Doula Assistant Shortens a Medicaid Sign-Up Form
New Jersey’s Doula Assistant replaces a 38-page packet of six forms with a guided online application the state says takes about 20 minutes. The tool is still in beta, and no enrollment results are published.
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Bath County, Kentucky Launches Text-to-911 Service
Bath County, Kentucky dispatchers can now take 911 texts, which helps callers who cannot speak. Availability still varies by county, and voice calls remain the first choice.
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Maryland Tax Connect Opens for Individual Filers Sept. 1
Maryland’s Comptroller launched Tax Connect on September 1, 2026, a free online portal for individual state taxes. It replaces a 1993 system, but staffing and phone problems remain.
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Canada and Alberta Announce $24.8M for 1,833 Rural Households
Ottawa and Alberta announced $24.8 million for two projects that are expected to bring high-speed internet to 1,833 rural and remote households. The release does not name providers or the funding split.
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Moreno Valley Adds Three Free WiFi Garden Parks
Moreno Valley added free WiFi Gardens at Parque Amistad, Vista Lomas Park, and Hound Town Dog Park on September 17, 2026. The city had added 14 earlier locations this year.
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NWS to Expand TACLS Flash Flood Tool to All Offices
TACLS pairs satellite moisture data with machine learning to flag possible flash floods for forecasters. Reports say an upgraded version reaches all NWS offices in late October.
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California’s AskCA AI Assistant Is in Prototype Testing
California’s Office of Data and Innovation introduced AskCA on September 9, 2026, a prototype assistant for jobs, business, family services, and disaster recovery. Beta testing has just begun.
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New Mexico Awards $5.9M for Public Wi-Fi in 17 Counties
New Mexico’s broadband office awarded $5,941,326 in federal ARPA money to five government recipients for public Wi-Fi at parks, plazas, and other sites. All projects must finish by December 31, 2026.
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Orlando Gives Low-Income Renters Free Energy-Saving Devices
Orlando’s Energy Savings Program gives income-qualified renters portable heat pumps, solar panels and other devices. The city reports average savings of about $16 a month for 95 households.
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Twin Cities EV Spot Network: Shared Electric Cars and Chargers
Minneapolis and St. Paul run an electric car-sharing and curbside charging network through the nonprofit Hourcar. We check what the program reports about its users and what it has not shown.