Charlie Ban
County News Digital Editor & Senior Writer
About Charlie Ban
Charlie is the County News digital editor and senior writer. He previously covered Hanover, Goochland and Louisa counties in Virginia for the Herald-Progress; Westmoreland, Fairfax, Henrico and Chesterfield counties in Virginia for the Times-Dispatch; and Allegheny, Butler, Westmoreland and Armstrong counties in Pennsylvania for the Valley News Dispatch. He has a B.A. from the University of Richmond, 2004.
FEMA bill staffers offer insights into reform effort
NACo Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force heard from staffers who helped shape a bill that would make dramatic changes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Pa. counties consider furloughs, loans as state budget lapse continues
For the third time since 2015, an unresolved state budget dispute that has dragged on for several months has left counties without the revenue that they depend on to provide critical services.
Missouri association building to make horror film debut
The Missouri Association of Counties found a new building to house its offices, complete with meeting space and an embalming room, thanks to its past as a funeral home.
Childcare means opportunities for economic growth
Lack of childcare options keeps would-be workers at home or at the very least, gives them an unpredictable schedule for work, both of which limit labor force participation and a county's economic growth.
Counties supplement child-care wages to address a broken market
Acknowledging that the funding model for the industry makes recruitment and retention a challenge, several counties are supplementing the wages of childcare workers.
Mural, signatures make Indiana county tunnel a must-see
Vermillion County, Ind. turned visiting a forgettable magnet for graffiti into a budding tradition for its high school graduates.