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

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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

Civic Engagement

Blog

This Week in Photos: Sep. 12 - 18

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

Blog

House Financial Services Committee advances bill to improve federal Emergency Rental Assistance program

On September 10, the U.S. House Financial Services Committee held a hearing entitled “Protecting Renters During the Pandemic: Reviewing Reforms to Expedite Emergency Rental Assistance,” during which the committee considered two pieces of legislation aimed at improving the federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program.
Justice & Public Safety

Blog

Bridging the Gap: Crisis Response as Criminal Justice Diversion

July 2021 NACo Annual Conference Workshop Summary Nearly two out of every three (63 percent) people sentenced to jail meet the criteria for drug dependence or abuse.
Rural Affairs

Blog

USDA Rural Development opens its Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Loan Guarantees application period

On September 10, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that they are seeking public comment on a final rule that would modify the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Farm Bill) (P.L. 115-334) to expand access to capital for rural broadband infrastructure deployment.
Rural Affairs

Blog

USDA releases resource guide for rural disaster resiliency and recovery

On September 15, USDA Rural Development (RD) announced the launch of a new resource guide to help rural communities seeking disaster resiliency and recovery assistance.
Intergovernmental Affairs

Blog

Treasury releases new report on progress and impact of the American Rescue Plan; Data demonstrates speedy distribution of Fiscal Recovery Funds

Treasury releases new report on the department’s progress and impact of implementing the ARP after six months.
Transportation & Infrastructure

Blog

Federal Railroad Administration publishes Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program FY 2021 notice of funding opportunity

On August 31, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) published the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program FY 2021 notice of funding opportunity (NOFO). The NOFO announces the availability of nearly $360 million in CRISI funding and $2.2 million in funding for related Trespass Prevention projects.
Transportation & Infrastructure

Blog

Federal Transit Administration announces availability of $2.2 billion in funding for transit agencies with additional service needs

On September 7, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the availability of $2.2 billion in competitive grant funding for transit systems that can demonstrate a need for additional assistance in the
Transportation & Infrastructure

Blog

NACo publishes Federal Transportation & Infrastructure Policy Hub for counties

The National Association of Counties (NACo) recently published a Federal Transportation and Infrastructure Policy Hub for Counties.
Human Services

Blog

HHS awards $85.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to state and local Adult Protective Services programs

On September 3, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Community Living (ACL) awarded roughly $85.4 million authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) to 55 state and territorial Adult Protective Services (APS) programs.
Environment, Energy & Land Use

Blog

EPA announces first lab method to test for PFAS in different environmental media

On September 2, the EPA announced the first validated laboratory analytical method to test for 40 PFAS compounds in eight different environmental media: wastewater, surface water, groundwater, soil, biosolids, sedimen
Environment, Energy & Land Use

Blog

EPA announces plans to undertake three new rulemakings on PFAS contamination

On September 8, the EPA released the Preliminary Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 15 (Preliminary Plan 15), which announces the agency’s initiation of three new rulemaking processes to reduce contaminants such as PFAS.

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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