Quick Hit News
Illinois fire departments are transitioning to the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS), which will replace the 50-year-old NFIRS program starting January 1. NERIS offers cloud-based tools for data collection, GIS-based reporting, and local data ownership to improve emergency response and resource management. With support from federal agencies, the system is being adopted by departments in over 30 states.
A prosecutor in Nevada County, California, used AI to draft a court filing that included fabricated legal citations, prompting its immediate withdrawal and
raising concerns about the reliability of AI in legal contexts. The incident, part of a broader petition to the California Supreme Court, highlights the risk of
“hallucinatedˮ references in criminal cases, where inaccurate filings could impact judicial decisions and defendantsʼ rights.
Alex Pettit, Oregonʼs former state CIO (2014-2018), is returning to state government as Digital Transformation Projects Director, where heʼll lead
modernization of legacy platforms and advance enterprise architecture. He
steps in after six years as Coloradoʼs chief technology officer (Jan 2020-Nov 2025), where he guided work on emerging tech, including AI and blockchain.
Community Spotlight
Mayor Eric Adams, City of New York: Digital Assets and Blockchain for Inclusive Innovation
Bold investments in emerging technologies are shaping New York Cityʼs future. Thatʼs the vision Mayor Eric Adams brings to his newly launched Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain, the first municipal agency of its kind in the United States. Created through Executive Order 57, the office positions NYC as a global capital for cryptocurrency, blockchain, and financial innovation.
Inside City Hall, the initiative is cross-functional and future-facing. Led by Executive Director Moises Rendon, the office will coordinate efforts across city agencies, working closely with the Office of Technology and Innovation to align digital asset policies and services. A newly formed commission of fintech leaders will advise on strategy, ensuring NYC remains competitive and inclusive in the digital economy.
Governance is rooted in responsibility and public protection. The office will promote consumer education, raise awareness about scams and fraud, and advocate for nonpartisan, policy-driven legislation. It also aims to foster economic inclusion by supporting underbanked communities with safer financial tools and access to resources.
At the street level, the work is tangible. From crypto paychecks to public blockchain education, Adamsʼ administration is making digital assets accessible to everyday New Yorkers. The city hosted its first crypto summit at Gracie Mansion and continues to attract world-class talent and investment to fuel innovation.
Looking ahead, Mayor Adams views blockchain not just as a technological trend but as a civic infrastructure that can make government more transparent, efficient, and equitable. His administration is committed to responsible deployment, ensuring that digital assets serve all 8.5 million New Yorkers.
Resources & Events
📅 Texas IT Leadership Forum 2025 (Austin, TX - November 18, 2025)
Leaders in state and local government IT will convene to explore cutting-edge strategies in digital government, cybersecurity, AI deployment, and workforce transformation. Sessions include Overcoming Analysis Paralysis, IT Leadership Awards, and Empowering IT Leaders to Navigate Cybersecurity and AI. Details →
📅 Defense TechConnect Innovation Summit & Expo (Washington, D.C. - November 19-21, 2025)
The Defense TechConnect Innovation Summit & Expo 2025 unites the U.S. Department of Defense, federal agencies, research institutions, and private innovators to advance dual-use technologies for national security. Focused on AI, autonomy, advanced materials, biosecurity, energy resilience, and next-gen manufacturing, the event features sessions on defense modernization, microelectronics, and secure data infrastructure, along with one of the nationʼs largest innovation expos and matchmaking sessions. Details →
Sessions
Innovation Spotlights: Data/AI/Cyber III
Thu, Nov 20, 2:30 PM ET
Review Panelist: James Mitchell (Fractional Source)
Daryl Haegley, Office of the Secretary of Defense
📝 Report Spotlight: How State and Local Agencies Can Keep Pace with AI Cyber Threats (GovTech Thought Leadership Paper)
The report examines how government agencies are confronting cyber adversaries that increasingly use generative AI, large language models, and autonomous tools to infiltrate systems, mimic legitimate users, and outpace legacy defenses. It urges a shift from reactive security to proactive, intelligence-driven protection by deploying AI for threat detection, automating response workflows, and improving visibility across hybrid and cloud networks. Read →
Insight of the Week
State and local governments are bracing for major federal funding cuts of more than $207 billion across education, Medicaid, infrastructure, and public safety, forcing them to make tough choices about service delivery. In this environment, fractional leaders provide targeted, senior expertise on a flexible basis, helping agencies optimize costs, manage change, and establish new operating models without incurring full-time overhead. Their cross-sector experience accelerates restructuring and training, using proven frameworks to build internal capacity and transition wins back to agency teams.
For the Commute
How Kansas lost the weird short-codes and modernized (Priorities Podcast)
This episode examines how Kansas overhauled its legacy text-message alert system, specifically scrapping old “short-codesˮ in favor of a unified, modern mobile-notification platform. The shift highlights how state IT shops are prioritizing citizen-centered digital communications and retiring technical debt while managing stakeholder buy-in and compliance challenges.
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