Can AI Become a Colleague Instead of a Competitor?

by  Nikki Davidson

Speaking at the recent NASCIO conference, Mississippi CIO Craig Orgeron struck optimistic notes about the technology. He views it as a tool that can put new capabilities in the hands of more government workers.

Summary

At the 2025 National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) Annual Conference in Denver, Mississippi CIO Craig Orgeron shared an optimistic view on artificial intelligence (AI) in government. Despite concerns about job losses, privacy, bias, and an “evil singularity,” Orgeron believes AI is “democratizing tech in a generational way.” He sees AI as an augmenter, not a competitor, providing tools to workers at all levels.

Orgeron predicts team reorganizations as AI becomes a teammate, significantly impacting organizations. Mississippi is fostering AI innovation through an executive order and legislative action, while state students engage in a “sandbox” to develop AI proofs of value and concepts, enhancing education and government applications.

 Read full story at GovTech…

Critical Infrastructure Security: What State and Local Leaders Need to Know

by  Mickey McCarter

Here's how utilities and their public sector partners can strengthen electric grid security

Summary

Critical infrastructure security faces challenges as aging systems, retrofitted with networked computing, expand the attack surface. Gaps emerge from inconsistent governance across jurisdictions and limited cybersecurity resources at utilities. Nation-state attackers increasingly target state, local, and utility entities, exploiting enterprise systems to reach operational technology (OT), says Rob Sheldon of CrowdStrike.

Aging infrastructure and uneven regulations complicate protection, notes Dr. Sibin Mohan. Physical threats, like attacks on electrical substations, add risk, as Jim Richberg of Fortinet emphasizes the energy sector’s critical role. Artificial intelligence accelerates cyberthreats, compressing attack timelines. Rural utilities with limited IT struggle, but shared standards, threat intelligence, and managed security services can strengthen defenses.

Critical infrastructure protection requires aligning physical and cyber defenses to prevent cascading failures.

 Read full story at StateTech…

Transportation Awards Google Major Contract After 'OneGov' Deal

by  Frank Konkel

The five-year contract for Google's Workspace software suite has a ceiling of $89 million.

Summary

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has signed a five-year, $89 million enterprise license agreement (ELA) with Carahsoft for Google Workspace, leveraging a significant discount through the General Services Administration's “OneGov” strategy. This deal grants the DOT's over 50,000 employees access to cloud-native apps like Gmail, Drive, and AI tools Gemini and NotebookLM.

Google was the first company to negotiate a OneGov agreement, offering a temporary 71% discount on Workspace, which the DOT utilized. GSA Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum praised the outcome, stating, “This outcome shows how diversity in the federal marketplace yields efficiency, prioritizing American taxpayers first.” This agreement is a potential harbinger of wider government adoption for Google Public Sector, challenging the decade–long dominance of Microsoft 365, though the impact on the DOT's current Microsoft relationship remains unclear. The DOT's CIO has previously expressed a vision for streamlining IT and shifting to a product–focused organization.

 Read full story at NextGov…

Elon Musk on data centers in orbit: “SpaceX will be doing this”

by  Eric Berger

We could see another transformation of what's done in space.

Summary

Space-based data centers are gaining traction as AI demands more computing power. Startups like Starcloud and tech moguls, including Eric Schmidt, who acquired Relativity Space, and Jeff Bezos, who predicts gigawatt-scale space data centers within 10–20 years, are driving interest.

Elon Musk, leveraging SpaceX's Starlink, also sees potential, stating on X that scaling up Starlink V3 satellites with high-speed laser links could enable this. These satellites, expected to reach 1 Tbps capacity–a tenfold increase over V2's 100 Gbps–could launch in droves by 2026. Advocates highlight free solar power and no environmental costs, while critics argue it's economically impractical. SpaceX's proven Starlink success suggests this vision could reshape the industry.

 Read full story at arsTechnica…

These 15+ Google Docs Hacks Will Supercharge Your Workflow (And They're Free)

by  Cesar Cadenas

From editable PDFs to instant translations, Google Docs is packed with features most people never use.

Summary

Having used Google Docs for nearly two decades, the author compiled over 25 tips and tricks to enhance productivity and collaboration, noting that many users miss out on its packed features.

The comprehensive guide is broken down into six categories. The Basic Productivity section covers essentials like keyboard shortcuts (e.g., Ctrl + / for the menu), Voice Typing, Find and Replace, and Bookmarks. Page Layout focuses on creating organized documents using Headlines for a Table of Contents/Outline, managing Headers and Footers, and adding visuals or Smart Chips.

For Collaboration, the guide explains how to share and email files, enable offline access, utilize Version History, and compare documents. The Writing and Editing tips include the integrated dictionary, a robust Citations tool, time-saving Substitutions, converting PDFs to editable files, and document translation. Finally, the guide covers enhancing functionality with Add-ons and Troubleshooting by clearing the cache and updating the browser.

 Read full story at ZDNEt…

Windows 10 May Warn Support Has Ended Even if You Paid for Extended Updates - Here's Why

by  Lance Whitney

Microsoft has acknowledged the problem.

Summary

Microsoft has acknowledged a display bug causing Windows 10 PCs enrolled in the Extended Security Update (ESU) program to incorrectly display an “end of support” message.

This glitch affects consumer and business versions, including Pro, Education, and Enterprise editions with a valid ESU product key, and appears after installing the KB5066791 update. Microsoft confirms that affected machines will continue to receive security updates as promised, stating it’s only a visual issue.

While a cloud configuration update is available for businesses, individual consumers may need to wait for a future Windows update to fix the error. Users can verify their status by checking Windows Update settings for the confirmation: “Your PC is enrolled to get extended security updates.” Enrollment options include paying $30, using Microsoft Rewards points, or utilizing the built–in Windows Backup tool.

 Read full story at ZDNET/Tech…

Tech Companies Starting to Recognize the Need for Collaboration with Utilities on Data Centers

by  Paul Ciampoli

There is a need for public power utilities to have conversations with data center developers because we'e community owned utilities.

Summary

Tech companies are beginning to collaborate with utilities on data center development, recognizing the need for a holistic approach to load growth. This collaboration involves discussions on power generation, water usage, and job creation, ensuring data centers benefit the community.

Utilities are encouraged to engage with data center developers to create a consolidated strategy that aligns with community goals.

 Read full story at American Public Power Association…

US Installed Nearly 26 GW of New Generating Capacity From January to August

by  Meris Lutz

Solar dominated capacity additions, according to FERC's monthly report, while a controversial gas pipeline project from New Jersey to New York got a green light.

Summary

The U.S. added nearly 26 GW of new generation capacity from January to August 2025, a slight increase from about 23 GW in the same period last year, per the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s latest report.

Solar led additions, contributing 2.7 GW of 4 GW in August and 19 GW — roughly three-quarters — year-to-date. FERC reissued a certificate for Williams Companies’ Northeast Supply Enhancement Project, expanding the Transco gas pipeline from New Jersey to New York, following Trump-Hochul talks amid a reported gas-for-wind deal, though Hochul denies it.

Despite fossil fuel focus, renewables dominate: 136 GW of high-probability additions through 2028, with solar and wind at nearly 84%, natural gas 15%. Key August projects include Hecate Energy’s 517-MW Outpost solar-storage in Texas, Gibson Solar’s 280-MW in Indiana, and 254-MW wind expansions. Gas added 888 MW via smaller plants.

 Read full story at Utility Dive…

US States Take Steps Towards Nuclear New Build

by  WNN Staff

In the same week that Illinois lawmakers passed legislation that will lift the state's moratorium on the construction of new large-scale reactors, the New York Power Authority has released its first solicitations for plans to develop advanced nuclear reactors in the state's upstate communities.

Summary

New York Governor Kathy Hochul directed the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to develop at least one gigawatt of new advanced nuclear capacity in upstate New York. Following this, NYPA issued two Requests for Information (RFIs): one seeking interested communities to host a project, and another for potential development partners. NYPA President Justin Driscoll stated that the RFIs will enable the authority to shape its approach to site selection and partnerships, fostering job creation and the clean energy transition.

Communities responding to the first RFI must identify a potential site with strong attributes and demonstrate local support, while developers must present viable project concepts, aiming for 1 GW capacity with construction starting by 2033. Both RFI deadlines are 11 December. Separately, Illinois passed legislation to lift its 30–year moratorium on new large–scale nuclear reactor construction starting January 1, 2026. Governor JB Pritzker, who is expected to sign the bill, noted the action furthers the state's clean energy efforts.

 Read full story at World Nuclear News…