NACo

National Association of Counties

County News

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County News

County News, the official publication of the National Association of Counties, publishes news and ideas from Washington, D.C. and local county governments across the country

County News, the official publication of the National Association of Counties, publishes news and ideas from Washington, D.C. and local county governments across the country

2015-03-13

Basic page

2021-09-14

Environment, Energy & Land Use

Robert Weygandt, chairman of the Placer County Board of Supervisors, speaks at the July 22 signing ceremony for the Placer County Conservation Plan. Photo courtesy of Placer County, Calif.

County News

Placer County, Calif. debuts program to conserve land, streamline permitting

After 20 years of work, Placer County, Calif. is finally putting its conservation program in place. Real estate developers certainly know how a wait like that feels.

Health

Nathan Fletcher, chairman of the San Diego County, Calif. Board of Supervisors. Photo courtesy of San Diego County, Calif.

County News

County fights against vaccine misinformation start in California

San Diego County declared COVID-19 vaccine misinformation a public health crisis, starting what leaders hope is a national conversation among local governments and taking action to address myths head-on.
Justice & Public Safety

(L-r) Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Leigh Hlavaty and Assistant Medical Examiners Lokman Sung, Milad Webb and Omar Rayes record the “Detroit’s Daily Docket” podcast in a vacant office that was repurposed for recording in the Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office in Wayne County, Mich. Photo by Kelly Root

County News

County podcast on death investigations proves popular

Detroit’s Daily Docket, produced by the Wayne County, Mich. medical examiner's office, brings professional insight into a podcast market flooded with amateur true crime enthusiasts.
Agriculture

Erie County, N.Y. launched the Erie Grown website to encourage residents to purchase local produce.

County News

‘Erie Grown’ website promotes local agriculture

Erie County, N.Y. developed a website connecting local farmers to consumers when the pandemic interrupted the food supply chain.
Public Lands

A group of hikers overlooks the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Garfield County, Utah. Photo by Jack Morgan

County News

National monument becomes a double-edged sword for a Utah county

When Sheriff Danny Perkins gets a call that someone is missing in Garfield County, Utah, that person is probably on the extreme end of missing.
Transportation & Infrastructure

NACo President Larry Johnson, a DeKalb County, Ga. commissioner, speaks during a virtual press conference Aug. 13.

County News

County officials urge House to pass bipartisan infrastructure bill

Pointing to many ways it would help their local priorities, county leaders pushed for the House of Representatives to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which the Senate passed on a bipartisan vote Aug. 10.
Arts & Culture

Hanover County, Va. residents enjoy a past Strawberry Faire. County officials are stepping up efforts there to celebrate their anniversary this year after COVID pre-empted last year’s events.

County News

Hanover County, Va. makes up for lost time with 301st anniversary celebration

You’d have to really look hard over Hanover County, Va.’s first 301 years to find one that was as tough as its 300th. But with the public health conditions improving, officials finally feel safe to commit to a range of deferred celebrations, eager to make up for lost time.
Health

A girl receives a COVID-19 vaccine at the “Vax and Snax” Block Party in New Hanover County, N.C. Photo courtesy of New Hanover County

County News

County vaccine efforts target youth 12 years and up

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children 12 years and older in May. With younger populations now eligible for the vaccine, counties are encouraging youth to get vaccinated.
Health

County News

Virus surge prompts county action

A recent surge in COVID-19 cases, fueled by the more contagious Delta variant, has prompted some counties to reissue mask mandates, regardless of vaccination status, in government buildings or all indoor settings and in some cases require vaccinations for employees.

Go In-Depth

Explore special features on a variety of topics important to counties.

Community & Economic Development

Reports & Toolkits

County News Hot Topics: Economic Recovery

Back to the not so familiar: Counties forge a way forward in this new frontier
Broadband

Reports & Toolkits

County News Hot Topic: Broadband

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it abundantly clear, access to high-speed internet is a make-or-break proposition for counties.
About NACo

County News

County News Coverage: COVID-19

County News has explored many facets of county governments' response to the COVID-19 pandemic, big and small.
Resiliency

Reports & Toolkits

County News Hot Topic: Preventing Disasters: How prepared is your county for an emergency?

Threats are growing and the world changes, but counties likewise display the creativity and insight needed to prepare for natural and manmade disasters.

The Latest

Health

Blog

FDA panel recommends COVID-19 booster shots for older adults and high-risk individuals

On September 17, a panel of advisors to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unanimously voted to recommend individuals ages 65 and older and those at high-risk of contracting severe COVID-19 receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster shot at least six months after initial vaccination.
Health

Blog

HHS to provide $350 million to maternal and child health programs

On September 17, the Biden administration announced it would invest approximately $350 million to improve maternal and child health through funding to several key federal programs administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Telecommunications & Technology

Wise County, Texas Judge J.D. Clark and Montgomery County, Md. Councilmember Craig Rice serve as co-chairs of NACo's Broadband Task Force. Photo by Denny Henry

County News

Counties pitch broadband needs, input to Congress

Counties are in a prime position to partner with the federal government to help build out high-speed internet service, offering local expertise and reasons why it is crucial for American health and economic success.
Tax & Finance

Blog

Treasury Department releases guidance on the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund

On September 20, the U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury) released new guidance for the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, a $10 billion program authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) for states and territories.
Intergovernmental Affairs

Blog

Congress turns to continuing resolution to fund government as negotiations over FY 2022 spending, the debt ceiling, infrastructure and reconciliation continue

The U.S. Congress is currently undergoing several concurrent negotiations around budget reconciliation, the bipartisan infrastructure bill, Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 appropriations and raising the debt ceiling.
Agriculture

Blog

USDA hosting webinar on federal Emergency Rental Assistance program and other rural housing resources

On September 28, from 2:00–3:00 p.m. ET, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will host a webinar on housing resources for rural America.
Environment, Energy & Land Use

Blog

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration releases guidelines on nature-based solutions for flood risk management

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), and other partners published the International Guidelines on the Use of Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBF) for Flood Risk Management.
Public Lands

Blog

Bureau of Land Management to relocate headquarters from Grand Junction, Colorado to Washington, D.C.

On September 17, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced the relocation of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) headquarters back to Washington, D.C.
Intergovernmental Affairs

Press Release

Counties Call on Congress to Raise Debt Limit

WASHINGTON – With the nation coming dangerously close to exhausting fiscal resources this fall, the National Association of Counties (NACo) called on Congress to work in a bipartisan fashion to raise the debt limit. Inaction would result in the U.S. defaulting for the first time in history.
Environment, Energy & Land Use

Blog

EPA rescinds 2021 Clean Water Act guidance from the U.S. Supreme Court’s Maui Decision

On September 15, the EPA announced the recission of its 2021 guidance on the Clean Water Act (CWA).
Intergovernmental Affairs

Blog

Senate introduces new election reform legislation

On September 14, a group of U.S. Senators led by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced an election reform bill, the Freedom to Vote Act.
Justice & Public Safety

Blog

Data-Driven Justice Community Portrait: Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr.

This Data-Driven Justice Community Portrait is the fifth in a series highlighting individuals who are championing cross-systems collaboration and data sharing within their jurisdictions

Download Latest PDF

Aug. 23, 2021 | View Issue

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Contact Information

Mary Ann Barton

County News Editor & Senior Writer

(202) 942-4223
Charlie Ban

County News Digital Editor & Senior Writer

(202) 942-4210

Additional Resources