5 Questions About the Role of Code in Modern Government IT

by  Asim Iqbal

Modern code practices help state and local agencies scale services, strengthen security, accelerate innovation and improve cost-efficiency.

Summary

In essence, code sets the tone for citizen experiences, and when paired with edge and core technologies, its potential multiplies. Modern code practices deliver significant benefits for state and local governments.

They support scalability and flexibility, enabling agencies to quickly adjust to demand spikes during emergencies or high-traffic events like elections. Secure coding frameworks, code audits, and DevSecOps practices improve security by detecting and patching vulnerabilities early.

Agile development, APIs, and low-code/no-code platforms accelerate innovation, allowing rapid prototyping and deployment of citizen services. Optimized code also drives cost-efficiency by reducing resource consumption and infrastructure expenses, ensuring better use of taxpayer dollars and employee time.

Artificial intelligence plays a key role by automatically scanning code for vulnerabilities, inefficiencies, and bugs, helping prevent security breaches and optimize performance before issues arise.

 Read full story at StateTech

Modernizing Federal Applications Without Disrupting Mission-Critical Systems

by  Mickey McCarter

Software upgrades require clarity and prioritization as government IT admins confront legacy systems, security risks and pressure to move faster to the cloud.

Summary

Federal agencies face growing pressure to modernize aging application portfolios, yet many are rushing into cloud migrations and digital transformations without fully understanding the issues within their application stacks.

“Most organizations are reacting to directives from elected officials, the CIO or the CTO to move to the cloud,” says Greg Peters, chief architect for Strategic Application Modernization Assessment (SAMA) at CDW. “But what they often don’t realize is that they have more security issues in their applications than they think.”

In several cases, these discoveries have been significant enough to halt major cloud initiatives entirely until fundamental problems are addressed.

Application modernization is becoming increasingly difficult as agencies manage complex hybrid environments, legacy mainframes, and tightly coupled systems that cannot be refactored quickly or in isolation. Organizations often underestimate these interdependencies, leading to misguided priorities and wasted resources.

Common misconceptions include the belief that AI can fully automate modernization decisions—which Peters says is not yet viable for high-stakes government environments—and that the process must be slow and highly disruptive.

 Read full story at FedTech

Pentagon Adds Google's Latest Model to GenAI.mil as Usage Soars

by  Frank Konkel

Users have built more than 100,000 AI agents using the generative-AI platform, officials said.

Summary

The Pentagon's GenAI.mil platform now includes Google Cloud's Gemini 3.1 Pro, the latest AI model, providing defense users with advanced capabilities.

Over 1.3 million users are actively utilizing the platform to automate tasks, streamline processes, and manage data. Additionally, the Agent Designer tool has enabled the creation of over 100,000 AI agents, allowing users to build autonomous systems without extensive coding knowledge.

 Read full story at NextGov

20 Free Windows Apps That Fix the Most Annoying Parts of Your PC

by  Jon Martindale

So many great apps eventually cost money. These fantastic apps cost nothing.

Summary

PCWorld highlights 20 free Windows applications that address common PC frustrations, from poor search functionality to audio control issues.

Featured tools include Microsoft PowerToys for system utilities, Voidtools Everything for faster file searching, and EarTrumpet for individual app volume management.

These hidden gems can significantly improve PC workflows by offering alternatives to built-in Windows features and solving everyday computing problems.

 Read full story at PCWorld

Open Source Package With 1 Million Monthly Downloads Stole User Credentials

by  Dan Goodin

If you're one of millions using element-data, it's time to check for compromise.

Summary

The open-source package element-data, with over 1 million monthly downloads, was compromised when attackers exploited a vulnerability in the developers' account workflow.

The attackers published a malicious version (0.23.3) that stole sensitive data from users' systems. Users who installed this version should assume their credentials are compromised and take immediate action to rotate them.

 Read full story at arsTechnica

The AI Workplace Paradox: Higher Productivity, Higher Anxiety

by  Taryn Plumb

Anthropic data shows widespread AI adoption among developers and IT staff, even as their concerns about long-term job security intensify.

Summary

A recent survey of 81,000 Claude users reveals a complex relationship between AI adoption and economic anxiety. While many respondents reported feeling substantially more productive – particularly in management and technical roles – one-fifth expressed significant fears regarding job displacement. The study found that perceived threats correlate directly with “observed exposure,” meaning those in occupations where Claude performs the most tasks, such as software engineering, are the most concerned.

Early-career workers reported higher levels of anxiety than senior professionals, though most users felt the benefits of AI primarily accrued to themselves rather than employers. Interestingly, the relationship between speed and worry is U-shaped: both those slowed down by AI and those experiencing the greatest speedups expressed the most job insecurity — highlighting the uncertainty defining this transition.

 Read full story at Computerworld

New York Electric Grid Faces Narrow Reliability Margin Heading into Summer

by  Paul Ciampoli

The New York Independent System Operator on April 24 released its annual Summer Reliability Assessment, finding that the reliability margin under baseline summer conditions is 417 megawatts -- the lowest margin in recent history.

Summary

Under baseline conditions, 34,615 MW of resources are available against a forecasted peak demand of 31,578 MW. However, the assessment warns of significant reliability challenges during extreme heat. A prolonged 95-degree heatwave could push the capacity margin to -1,679 MW, worsening to -3,370 MW at 98 degrees.

“This assessment reflects the challenges of the grid in transition — declining reliability margins, performance issues with aging generators, and an absence of new dispatchable resources,” said Aaron Markham, NYISO Vice President of Operations.

 Read full story at American Public Power Association

Ohio Is Where Wind and Solar Projects Go to Die

by  Dan Gearino

State governments have approved 90 percent of the renewable energy projects to come before them, and make decisions in about a year. Ohio leads in permit rejections and withdrawals.

Summary

New research reveals that Ohio leads in rejecting and withdrawing renewable energy projects, with seven rejections and five withdrawals.

This trend began in 2021 after Senate Bill 52 allowed local governments to ban renewable energy development in certain areas, giving significant weight to local opposition.

Despite a high approval rate of 80%, developers find the process unpredictable and are withdrawing projects from Ohio.

 Read full story at Inside Climate News

Utility Giant Duke Energy Plans to Spend Industry Record $103 Billion on Growth

by  Jordan Blum

Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Meta are all expanding in the Duke service footprint.

Summary

Utility giant Duke Energy stands at the center of the AI data center boom, planning a record $103 billion capital spend over five years – a figure CEO Harry Sideris expects will only increase.

“We're only beginning. This thing is not just a blip; it's going to go on for a while,” Sideris told Fortune, citing surging AI-driven demand. The Charlotte-based company aims to add roughly 20 gigawatts of new generation through gas plants, solar, battery storage, and grid upgrades to serve its rapidly growing Southern and Midwestern territories.

While Duke counts Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Meta among its major data center customers, rising rates have sparked tension with North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein. Sideris argues hyperscalers pay for their own infrastructure, with increases driven mainly by population growth and grid hardening against more severe weather.

 Read full story at Fortune