Alabama

Police officials say modern tech like license plate readers placed throughout their cities has been instrumental in aiding patrol officers in locating stolen vehicles, wanted suspects and missing people.

The Alabama State Department of Education and the nonprofit Be Pro Be Proud launched a mobile workforce development tour, bringing virtual and augmented reality job site simulations to students throughout the state.

Mayor Randall Woodfin writes about how collaboration between cities helped shape the Birmingham Talks program, which was inspired by work in other cities that used tech to help children with language.

Two area law enforcement agencies recently received grants that will allow one agency to beef up security at its county courthouse and the other to help traumatized officers.

A two-part grant is helping local hazardous materials planners in Alabama prepare for disaster, doing so by awarding a mix of state and federal funding.

A bill introduced by Rep. Patrick Sellers, D-Jefferson County, would require the Alabama Department of Education and local districts to adopt a policy for the 2026-27 school year restricting cellphone use during the day.

Work is set to commence this month on the fourth phase of the Robotics Technology Park, run by state agency Alabama Industrial Development and Training. It will focus on building and working with electric vehicles. Opening is expected in spring 2026.

A fatal traffic collision in Mobile has revived a long-running conversation about red-light cameras, but city and state officials have often disagreed about their accuracy and effectiveness.

A Huntsville research center’s share of a National Science Foundation grant will bring chances for high-tech hands-on learning to middle and high school students enrolled in that area.

Several K-12 school districts across Alabama are installing metal detectors, X-ray machines and other weapons-detection systems, as well as employing more school resource officers on campus.

Louisiana's top election official announced Wednesday that the state has entered into a data-sharing agreement with Alabama meant to "ensure the further accuracy of their voter registration lists."

Officials are investigating a cyber attack on the Alabama State Department of Education and warning students and employees to monitor their credit in case their data was compromised.

Plus, the USDA is providing $25 million for rural broadband; Pennsylvania offers $20 million worth of devices; Raleigh, N.C., gets a state grant; and more.

Some city sources have attributed a cyber incident in early March to ransomware, although the municipality has only called it a “network disruption.” Birmingham is using paper-based processes to pay staff, but public effects may be more minor.

The Alabama Genetic Privacy Data Act, now under consideration by legislators, would require DNA testing companies to get consent from consumers before sharing their genetic information. Currently, no such privacy guarantee exists in the state.

A state spokesman says all normal business operations have been restored. Meanwhile, the hacktivist group, Anonymous Sudan, is claiming credit for the attack through statements on its Telegram channel.

Contracts and federal grant monies aim to rapidly bring high-speed Internet to many of the state’s 67 counties. The developments follow last-mile broadband work paid for by more than $82 million in state funding.

Infrastructure investment firm Meridiam will develop, build and run a $230 million network connecting 53,000 households and businesses in six counties. Developer Yellowhammer Networks, owned by Meridiam, will fund the project.