County News

Elections

In Douglas County, Neb., a self-service station in the lobby of the elections commission office allows voters to complete early voting applications and drop off forms in a secure box without coming into contact with any county employees.

County News

Counties plan for election changes amid COVID-19 outbreak

Social distancing protocols will create challenges for counties at election time, ranging from shortages of poll workers to providing additional voting options and keeping polling locations clean.

About NACo

County News

National County Government Month takes on new meaning amid coronavirus pandemic

There is no clearer demonstration of this year’s National County Government Month theme — Counties Matter — than the public health emergency we are facing across the country.
Intergovernmental Affairs

County News

Coronavirus: Census Bureau pauses field operations, extends completion deadline

To slow the spread of coronavirus among workers and the public, 2020 census field operations are suspended until April 15 and the deadline to complete the census is now extended to August 14, the Census Bureau announced Friday.
Human Services

County News

Sheltering homeless residents key in counties’ coronavirus fight

When all health signs point to COVID-19, the first recommendation people get is to isolate themselves and avoid infecting others. What if they don’t have a home where they can do that? The coronavirus poses a unique challenge to people who are homeless and the counties who serve them.
Management & Administration

Mecklenburg County, N.C. IT staff prepare laptops for county employees to take to work from home during the coronavirus outbreak. Photo courtesy of Mecklenburg County

County News

Counties get creative to navigate coronavirus crisis

Dealing with the coronavirus has meant rethinking operations for many counties, from limiting public interactions to “flatten the curve,” rethinking service delivery and assessing personnel. Hennepin County, Minn. Manager Dave Hough sees a potential for long-term improvement in county operations.
Health

County News

Coronavirus: Counties move to protect elderly, vulnerable residents

Because people over 65 are more vulnerable to COVID-19, counties are taking extra precautions to protect them during the coronavirus pandemic.
Health

The drive-thru COVID-19 screening site provides free coronavirus tests to county residents at the Blue Ridge Community College in Henderson County, N.C. Photo by BILL MOSS/Hendersonville Lightning

County News

Coronavirus: Counties find solutions to monitor symptoms, test for cases

Drive-through testing stations, self-reporting protocols help counties keep track of COVID-19 cases.
Health

County News

County jails, court systems brace for potential coronavirus spread

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, county jails and detention centers are reducing jail populations and suspending visitations to protect incarcerated individuals while court systems are making changes to protect members of the community.
Health

NACCHO President George T. Roberts, Jr. prepares to speak at the National Press Club March 6. Photo by Hugh Clarke

County News

Coronavirus challenges county public health departments

Responding to the novel coronavirus outbreak has been like shoring up the foundation of a house built on sand.

Go In-Depth

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

View all

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.
Western Interstate Region

County News

Western county officials flow into Spokane for WIR 2019

Speakers from the U.S. departments of Interior and Agriculture updated attendees on their agendas and Washington state officials showed how things were done in the Evergreen State.
Environment

Reports & Toolkits

County News Spotlight: Environment and Energy

County News takes a closer look at environment and energy issues that counties are facing.
Telecommunications & Technology

Reports & Toolkits

County News Spotlight: Rural Broadband

For rural counties, broadband internet supports commerce, medicine, agriculture and educational opportunities that even the playing field in attracting and retaining residents and steadying economic health.

The Latest

Public Lands

Blog

U.S. Forest Service announces the release of FY 2019 Secure Rural Schools (SRS) payments to counties

On March 31, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced the release of $215 million in FY 2019 Secure Rural Schools (SRS) payments to 742 eligible counties.
Telecommunications & Technology

Blog

U.S. Digital Response Program matches volunteers with county needs

The U.S. Digital Response (USDR) is a new opportunity available to counties where requests can be submitted for assistance in the areas of data, digital and operational capacities of government. These volunteers come from technology backgrounds. Founded by former U.S.
Civic Engagement

Blog

This Week in Photos: Mar. 29 – Apr. 4

Photos from Washington, D.C. and counties across the country.
Health

Blog

Congress completes third COVID-19 legislative package containing key county priorities

Congress completes third legislative package to address mounting national impacts of COVID-19 pandemic, bill contains new funding & resources for counties. Congress and the White House are now eyeing a fourth emergency response package that would build on measures outlined under the previous legislative vehicles.
Transportation & Infrastructure

Blog

Phase III COVID-19 legislation partially unlocks Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for dredging projects

On March 27, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136), which provides $2 trillion towards coronavirus relief efforts.
Telecommunications & Technology

Blog

Department of Homeland Security announces IT resources to aid counties in response to COVID-19

On March 28, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced free access to software solutions and licensed datasets to assist non-federal governmental entities responding to COVID-19.
Telecommunications & Technology

Blog

FCC chairman proposes new telehealth program with COVID-19 Congressional relief funding

On March 30, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai proposed a new telehealth program using the $200 million that Congress allocated to the commission as part of the $2.2 trillion COVID-19 relief package sign-into law on March 27.
Corporate Engagement

Blog

DLR Group on Front Line of COVID-19 Rapid-Response Quarantine Housing for Counties

Communities across the country desperately need additional housing to assess, treat and rehabilitate COVID-19 patients as a critical measure to move past the outbreak of this pandemic. But this is new territory for most counties and cities.
Justice & Public Safety

Blog

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) releases updated essential workers guidance for states and localities

On March 28, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within the U.S.
Civic Engagement

Blog

This Week in Photos: Mar. 22 – 28

Photos from Washington, D.C. and counties across the country.
Telecommunications & Technology

Blog

NACo Technology Support: COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly changed how county government conducts business and how IT supports those changes. Many of you have rapidly increased county employees teleworking, creating an overwhelming demand for secure remote connections, such as virtual private networks.
Health

Blog

Freight Railroads and Their Employees are Helping Counties Battling the COVID-19 Pandemic

As county officials issue new policies, they must ensure that railroads and workers can continue to safely operate

Explore all News

Download Latest PDF

Mar. 26, 2020 | View Issue

Explore the Archive

Contact Information

Mary Ann Barton

County News Editor & Senior Writer

(202) 942-4223
Charlie Ban

County News Digital Editor & Senior Writer

(202) 942-4210
Rachel Looker

Staff Writer

(202) 942-4215

Browse By Topic

Browse By Section

County News

Counties plan for election changes amid COVID-19 outbreak

National County Government Month takes on new meaning amid coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus: Census Bureau pauses field operations, extends completion deadline

Sheltering homeless residents key in counties’ coronavirus fight

Counties get creative to navigate coronavirus crisis

Coronavirus: Counties move to protect elderly, vulnerable residents

Coronavirus: Counties find solutions to monitor symptoms, test for cases

County jails, court systems brace for potential coronavirus spread

Coronavirus challenges county public health departments

Go In-Depth

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

Western county officials flow into Spokane for WIR 2019

County News Spotlight: Environment and Energy

County News Spotlight: Rural Broadband

The Latest

U.S. Forest Service announces the release of FY 2019 Secure Rural Schools (SRS) payments to counties

U.S. Digital Response Program matches volunteers with county needs

This Week in Photos: Mar. 29 – Apr. 4

Congress completes third COVID-19 legislative package containing key county priorities

Phase III COVID-19 legislation partially unlocks Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for dredging projects

Department of Homeland Security announces IT resources to aid counties in response to COVID-19

FCC chairman proposes new telehealth program with COVID-19 Congressional relief funding

DLR Group on Front Line of COVID-19 Rapid-Response Quarantine Housing for Counties

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) releases updated essential workers guidance for states and localities

This Week in Photos: Mar. 22 – 28

NACo Technology Support: COVID-19

Freight Railroads and Their Employees are Helping Counties Battling the COVID-19 Pandemic

Download Latest PDF

Contact Information

Additional Resources

Stay Connected