News

Explore articles from our award-winning County News, NACo press releases and other news.
(L-r): Lynn Carey and Maggie Purvis meet after becoming pen pal friends.
County News

County pen pal program helps developmentally disabled residents

Lynn Carey, a site manager of pulmonary services at Marion General Hospital, and Maggie Purvis, a high school freshman with autism, have been mailing each other letters back and forth for six months.

deeds
News

County shines light on property deed history of racially restrictive covenants

The Durham County, N.C. Register of Deeds is using public records information and archival documentation to educate county residents on racially restrictive covenants in property deeds and how their impact can still be felt today. 

Arati Prabhakar, director, White House Office of Science and Technology, speaks to county officials at AI Summit. Photo by Leon Lawrence III
News

Creating guardrails will be ‘essential’ to the success of AI

CFBP director: Counties should focus on the ways artificial intelligence affects residents, particularly those who are most vulnerable to AI scams, rather that becomming experts in the technical specifications of artificial intelligence.

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U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack describes the benefits of climate-smart agriculture to NACo’s Rural Action Caucus Feb. 11. Photo by Leon Lawrence III
County News

USDA secretary charts new course for small farms

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities will set small-to-mid-sized farmers up for sustained growth and security.

HHS Sec. Xavier Becerra makes a point Sunday while speaking to members of NACo’s Large Urban County Caucus at the NACo Legislative Conference. Photo by Denny Henry
County News

Intergovernmental partnerships offer strategy for mental health crisis

"Drug use is a disease, and stigma isn’t going to get rid of it."

Nina Waters, a Summit County, Colo. commissioner, discusses her county's work with the U.S. Forest Service to expand housing. Photo by Charlie Ban
County News

Housing shortage bedevils public lands counties, employers, feds

Restrictions on how the federal government can pay for housing for employees has prompted the U.S. Forest Service to work with a county to develop residential units, thanks to a farm bill provision.

Evan Feinman, deputy associate administrator of the NTIA’s Broadband, Equity and Deployment program, talks about its progress with members of the NACo Telecommunications & Technology Policy Steering Committee. Photo by Denny Henry
County News

Broadband administrator to counties: ‘I need you to lead on this issue’

Evan Feinman, who is charged with leading the $42.5 billion Broadband, Equity and Deployment (BEAD) program, led county officials through the application process during the Telecommunications & Technology Policy Steering Committee meeting.

Richard Cho, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, senior advisor for housing and services, speaks Saturday to members of the Health Policy Steering Committee at the NACo Legislative Conference. Photo by Leon Lawrence III
County News

HUD, HHS team up to help people with medical needs get stable housing

Housing and health outcomes are “undeniably linked,” and counties can use Medicaid as a way to address both.

Hot Topic: Elections

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A firetruck parks in West Texas as smoke billows from wildfires. Photo courtesy of Greenville, Texas Fire-Rescue
County News

Texas counties fight the largest wildfire in state history

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared a disaster in at least 60 West Texas counties last week as they continued to fight the largest wildfire in the state’s history.

Jeremy J. Chatelain rides a trail in El Paso County, Colo. using an off-road wheelchair. Photo courtesy of Jeremy J. Chatelain
County News

County offers off-road wheelchairs for visitors with disability, mobility issues

El Paso County, Colo.’s Trailability Program offers off-road wheelchairs for county park visitors with disabilities and mobility issues, increasing access to nature and reinvigorating residents’ love for the outdoors. 

interview
County News

Citizens help parish hire administrator

Jefferson Davis Parish, La. looked to its civically-engaged residents to help take politics out of hiring an administrator.

cook county asylum
County News

Cook County creates health and social services center for asylum-seekers

Cook County opened and expanded the Refugee Health Center to meet the needs of an influx of asylum-seekers. 

rv
County News

Safe parking lots offer midway point to fight homelessness

The opportunity to sleep overnight in Deschutes County, Ore. comes with a major string attached—people who take advantage must work toward a long-term housing solution.

Terry Tempest Williams draws a strong crowd for her appearance at Salt Lake County’s book club. Photo courtesy of Salt Lake County
County News

County book club links local population, local interests

Salt Lake County, Utah Mayor Jenny Wilson is blending literature and local topics to give her residents something to come together and discuss.

County officials from around the country visit the Orange County, Fla. jail Oct. 6 at the LUCC Symposium. Photo by Mike Davies, Orange County, Fla. Corrections
County News

Florida county jail addresses mental health crisis

Orange County, Fla.’s Belvin Perry Jr. Central Receiving Center diverts people experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis from incarceration, connecting them to care and resources, while also relieving hospital emergency departments and reducing recidivism and jail costs. 

Tony McDowell (right), executive director, Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority, speaks to Stephen Acquario, executive director, New York State Association of Counties and Gina Nikkel, executive director, Association of Oregon Counties Jan. 10 in Washington, D.C.  Photo by Charlie Ban
County News

Opioid fight gets resources, faces pitfalls after settlement

Counties are receiving a sizable amount of money from the national opioids settlement, but the needs generated by the crisis continue to grow.

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Together, we are highlighting innovative solutions for counties, as we work with our federal, state, local and private sector partners to build healthy, safe and vibrant communities.

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Picnic
News

Feeding kids during the summer requires county officials

The introduction of the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program marks a pivotal shift in addressing childhood hunger, especially during the summer when school meals are unavailable. This nationwide initiative, offering substantial grocery benefits, promises transformative support for over 29 million children, with a significant impact on communities facing systemic inequalities.

Programmers
News

Why customer-centric strategy is vital for digital service adoption

The importance of a customer-centric strategy in digital service adoption for county governments is emphasized, highlighting the need for thoughtful design, clear communication, and multi-channel engagement to meet user expectations and improve customer experience.

EMS
News

Fighting opioid addiction – one life at a time

The opioid crisis, a major national issue, saw a 55% increase in drug overdose deaths from 2019 to 2022, with 75% involving opioids. Effective strategies to combat this include integrated care, policy enhancement, and technology, focusing on whole-person care and intervention opportunities to save lives.

Building facade
News

Planning for the post-American Rescue Plan Act future

Guidehouse outlines strategies for state and local governments to sustain programs after the end of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) funding. It emphasizes the need for reassessing constituent needs, measuring program impact, and considering fiscal implications to ensure long-term viability and effective resource allocation for programs initially funded by SLFRF.

Group with hands in
News

How voluntary benefits can help improve your employee benefit package

Voluntary benefits, tailored to diverse employee needs and often at reduced costs, are proving essential in enhancing employer benefit packages, attracting, and retaining talent, and addressing specific wellbeing issues across different age and income groups.

Deterra
News

A countywide opioid misuse prevention campaign is easier to implement than you think

The Deterra Household Mailing Campaign delivers educational tools and deactivation pouches directly to homes. To save lives by tackling the opioid crisis.

Fire danger sign
News

From prevention to resilience: Strategies in wildfire mitigation

Explore a multifaceted approach to wildfire mitigation with Tidal Basin. From creating defensible spaces to early detection systems, discover strategies fostering resilient communities, protecting lives & property. Urgent action is crucial amidst rising wildfire risks. Learn more at TidalBasinGroup.com. 

San Francisco smog
News

A breathing crisis: Rising concerns over U.S. air quality

Facing a stark rise in hazardous air quality, the U.S. grapples with the health implications of escalating pollutants. The alarming data from the American Lung Association urges a renewed focus on air quality management. Federal and local initiatives are in play, yet a unified approach is crucial to mitigate risks and safeguard public health. 

Laptop
News

Cybersecurity insurance can be affordable

Cybersecurity insurance rates rose significantly in 2022, with some policyholders experiencing up to 100% rate increases due to the evolving threat landscape and their own cybersecurity measures. CAI emphasizes the importance of understanding and improving an organization's cybersecurity maturity using the NIST 2.0 framework, which can not only strengthen protection against cyber threats but also potentially lower insurance premiums.

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News

Equitable climate resilience (ECR) for local governments: Using data to drive decision making

Discover vital strategies for embedding social equity in your climate resilience plans.

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News

Everything you need to know about artificial intelligence and GIS

Explore the transformative power of AI & GIS in county government operations.

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News

How counties are taking control of constituent communication

Discover the best strategies for effective constituent communication.

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News

How counties can extend the reach of drug disposal programs with at-home drug deactivation and disposal

Now is a critical time for counties to engage their communities in the prevention of drug misuse.

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County News Contacts

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Mary Ann Barton

County News Editor & Senior Writer
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Charlie Ban

County News Digital Editor & Senior Writer
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Meredith Moran

County News Junior Staff Writer

Media Contact

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Nicole Weissman

Director of Strategic Communications