States, Cities and Counties
Here's a look at documents covering state government, cities and counties
Featured Stories
Wyoming Ushers in New Era: Launches First-of-its-kind Frontier Stable Token for Public Purchase
CHEYENNE, Wyoming, Jan. 8 -- Gov. Mark Gordon, R-Wyoming, issued the following news release on Jan. 7, 2026:
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Wyoming Ushers in New Era: Launches First-of-its-kind Frontier Stable Token for Public Purchase
Governor Mark Gordon (R-WY) today announced his home state's historic launch of the first fiat-backed, fully-reserved stable token to be issued by a public entity in the United States. Gordon, Chairman of the seven-member Wyoming Stable Token Commission, lauded the innovative foresight of state legislators for "working nearly a decade to set the foundational legislation to make this venture
... Show Full Article
CHEYENNE, Wyoming, Jan. 8 -- Gov. Mark Gordon, R-Wyoming, issued the following news release on Jan. 7, 2026:
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Wyoming Ushers in New Era: Launches First-of-its-kind Frontier Stable Token for Public Purchase
Governor Mark Gordon (R-WY) today announced his home state's historic launch of the first fiat-backed, fully-reserved stable token to be issued by a public entity in the United States. Gordon, Chairman of the seven-member Wyoming Stable Token Commission, lauded the innovative foresight of state legislators for "working nearly a decade to set the foundational legislation to make this venturepossible."
The Frontier Stable Token (FRNT) is now publicly available on Kraken, a Wyoming-domiciled cryptocurrency exchange and Special Purpose Depository Institution. Users can purchase the stable token on the Solana blockchain, and transfer to additional blockchains using the Stargate platform. FRNT is currently supported on the Arbitrum, Avalanche, Base, Ethereum, Optimism, Polygon, and Solana blockchains.
"Wyoming is an innovation leader for our nation -- from our core energy, agriculture, and tourism industries to education and beyond," Governor Gordon said. "Today, our embrace of digital assets further demonstrates the strength of our enterprise and provides our citizens, businesses, and the nation a cheaper, faster, and more transparent means of transacting. Importantly, FRNT provides another source of funding for our schools and can lower the taxpayer burden in our state."
FRNT is designed for both individual and institutional use. It is fully backed by U.S. dollars and short-duration U.S. Treasuries, which return interest income to the State. Stable tokens have emerged as a critical tool for stabilizing the U.S. economy as a purchaser of treasuries, during a period where key foreign holders are selling off their reserves.
Governor Gordon thanked the Commissioners, Executive Director Anthony Apollo, and the commission staff for their years of effort in bringing FRNT to launch.
"We are excited to make FRNT available to the public and look forward to scaling the program throughout 2026," said Director Apollo. "While we are working towards growing the supply of FRNT in circulation, we are also looking forward to utilizing the stable token as a tool to enhance government efficiency."
Through the Commission's pilot program, FRNT was demonstrated as a way to facilitate vendor engagement and payment, while maintaining the appropriate approvals and compliance checks. In November, Converse County Treasurer Joel Schell described how stable tokens can be used to put dollars back into the pockets of his constituents.
"The county is like any other business -- we take credit cards, but we can't raise registration fees and property taxes to absorb the processing costs, so we send those costs directly to the customers," Treasurer Schell said. "Last year my office took in about $3.4 million in credit card transactions, which cost our constituents about $70,000 in fees that our processors collected. We're anxious to get out of that climate and to move into something else. Electronic payments, especially the stable token, would let us get more efficient."
About Governor Mark Gordon. Prior to his election as Wyoming's 33rd Governor, Gordon served the people of Wyoming as State Treasurer (2012-2019), ranking in the top 100 "Most Significant and Impactful Public Investor Executives" (The Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute). Under his guidance as Treasurer, Wyoming's Sovereign Funds earned a No. 1 ranking for the United States and No. 3 in the world for transparency (Peterson Institute). Gordon previously served as a Class B Director at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Re-elected to his second term with 74% of the vote, he is consistently ranked among the top four most popular governors in the nation (Morning Consult). A conservative, Gordon works tirelessly to set Wyoming on a sustainable fiscal path, spearheading efforts to diversify Wyoming's economy.
About Wyoming Stable Token Commission. Established in March 2023 under the Wyoming Stable Token Act, the Commission is tasked with issuing fully-backed stablecoins that align with state laws and fiscal responsibility. Its mission is to enhance financial transparency while driving economic growth through blockchain innovation.
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Original text here: https://governor.wyo.gov/news-releases/wyoming-ushers-in-new-era-launches-first-of-its-kind-frontier-stable-token-for-public-purchase
NYPA Receives Robust Response to Solicitations Seeking Information From Potential Host Communities, Development Partners for Advanced Nuclear Project
WHITE PLAINS, New York, Jan. 8 -- The New York State Power Authority issued the following news release on Jan. 7, 2026:
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NYPA Receives Robust Response to Solicitations Seeking Information from Potential Host Communities, Development Partners for Advanced Nuclear Project
23 Developers and 8 Upstate Communities Express Interest in Collaborating with Power Authority
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The New York Power Authority (NYPA) today announced a robust response to solicitations issued in October 2025 seeking potential host communities and development partners as part of an initiative to develop advanced nuclear
... Show Full Article
WHITE PLAINS, New York, Jan. 8 -- The New York State Power Authority issued the following news release on Jan. 7, 2026:
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NYPA Receives Robust Response to Solicitations Seeking Information from Potential Host Communities, Development Partners for Advanced Nuclear Project
23 Developers and 8 Upstate Communities Express Interest in Collaborating with Power Authority
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The New York Power Authority (NYPA) today announced a robust response to solicitations issued in October 2025 seeking potential host communities and development partners as part of an initiative to develop advanced nuclearpower. NYPA received 23 responses from potential developers or partners, and eight responses from Upstate New York communities. The Power Authority's nuclear initiative was spurred by a call from Governor Kathy Hochul in June 2025 for NYPA to develop at least 1 gigawatt of advanced nuclear capacity in Upstate New York to address growing reliability, affordability and clean energy capacity concerns.
New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, "NYPA is quickly advancing efforts to develop an advanced nuclear project in Upstate New York that will strengthen the reliability and resiliency of our state's electric grid and deliver substantial economic benefits to residents. The enthusiastic response to the Power Authority's first round of solicitations reflects a strong desire from communities and collaborators that are ready and willing to help us lead New York into its clean energy future."
RFI for Interested Communities
Through a Request for Information (RFI), NYPA solicited information from Upstate New York communities interested in hosting an advanced nuclear project. The responses will shape the Power Authority's nuclear initiative, aligning it with stakeholder feedback and local economic and community objectives.
Respondents include:
* Broome County
* Jefferson County
* Oswego County
* Schuyler County
* St. Lawrence County
* Wayne County
* City of Dunkirk
* RED-Rochester
RFI for Interested Developers and Partners
In a second RFI, NYPA sought information from potential development partners regarding viable project concepts that included technology recommendations, siting considerations, cost and timeline assumptions, ownership structures and partnership models.
Respondents to the interested developer and partner solicitation include:
* Accenture
* AECOM
* Blue Energy
* Burns & McDonnell
* Candu Energy
* Constellation Energy Generation
* Elementl Power
* GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
* Holtec International
* Hyundai Engineering & Construction Company
* Metro Nuclear
* NANO Nuclear Energy
* Natura Resources
* NextEra Energy Resources
* Nuclear Promise X (NPX)
* nVision Energy
* Oppenheimer Energy
* Rolls Royce SMR Limited
* Terra Power
* The Nuclear Company
* Westinghouse Electric Company
* WSP USA
* X Energy
NYPA is currently reviewing responses to the RFIs and will use that information to help guide its nuclear efforts in 2026.
The Power Authority's nuclear initiative is intended to deliver firm, zero-emission power that complements renewable generation, strengthens grid reliability, prioritizes affordability and advances an energy policy of abundance that prioritizes energy independence and supply chain security. Advanced nuclear will ensure an around-the-clock energy supply and is part of Governor Hochul's all-of-the-above approach to ensure New York has enough power to keep the lights on and rates down while helping attract new economic development opportunities.
In December 2025, Governor Hochul announced that the Power Authority will collaborate with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) on the development of advanced nuclear energy technologies. NYPA and OPG will share information and leverage their respective expertise and resources to advance technological innovation, enhance understanding of nuclear financing and economics, and support workforce development initiatives.
Separately, NYPA will provide $40 million in annual funding over the next four years to develop the skilled workforce needed to support advanced nuclear energy in New York State.
More information on NYPA procurement opportunities can be found on the Power Authority's webpage.
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About NYPA
The New York Power Authority is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 17 generating facilities and more than 1,550 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.nypa.gov/news
N.J. A.G. Platkin, TRUST Commission Issue Report Calling for New Tools to Eliminate Corruption and Promote Transparency and Trust in Government
TRENTON, New Jersey, Jan. 8 (TNSrpt) -- New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin issued the following news release:
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AG Platkin, TRUST Commission Issue Report Calling for New Tools to Eliminate Corruption and Promote Transparency and Trust in Government
Report Recommends Inspector General, Action to Address Conflicts of Interest, Additional Resources Devoted to Combating Corruption
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Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the TRUST Commission today released a report recommending new tools to help eliminate corruption, promote transparency, and strengthen the public's trust in government.
... Show Full Article
TRENTON, New Jersey, Jan. 8 (TNSrpt) -- New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin issued the following news release:
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AG Platkin, TRUST Commission Issue Report Calling for New Tools to Eliminate Corruption and Promote Transparency and Trust in Government
Report Recommends Inspector General, Action to Address Conflicts of Interest, Additional Resources Devoted to Combating Corruption
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Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the TRUST Commission today released a report recommending new tools to help eliminate corruption, promote transparency, and strengthen the public's trust in government.The report--the culmination of the work of the TRUST Commission (Transparency and Reliability Uniting to Secure Trust), formed in early 2025--advocates for the formation of a statutory Inspector General's Office within the Executive Branch's Department of Law and Public Safety (DLPS), improvements for combating conflicts of interest in government work, a new unit designed to ensure compliance by public employees and entities with state laws, regulations, and directives, and various other reforms.
"I established the TRUST Commission to bring together well-respected and accomplished New Jersey leaders to help us find ways to serve residents and respond to their concerns, because so many people have lost faith in their government and believe that government often does the bidding of the powerful and the privileged, against the will, and at the expense, of the people," said Attorney General Platkin. "Building on my Department's efforts to root out corruption and end the cynicism, disillusionment, civic disengagement, and damage that it causes, the TRUST Commission members have developed thoughtful and specific recommendations that should receive full consideration. I am honored that everyone we approached about participating on the TRUST Commission immediately agreed to give their time and expertise. I cannot thank them enough for their continued service to the State of New Jersey and its residents."
Since the Commission was assembled, its members, which include academics, legal experts, a former state attorney general, former federal prosecutors, and retired members of the judiciary, have met with leaders of DLPS, gathered input from the Office of the State Comptroller, and held listening sessions in North and South Jersey to hear from the public and help inform the Commission's recommendations.
The Commission's objective was to examine ways to improve transparency, efficiency, and integrity across government. During its review and public listening sessions, the 11-member Commission heard a variety of concerns, including about alleged corruption by government officials, and identified problems such as a lack of public awareness about ways to report suspected corrupt acts.
Based on their findings, the Commission is urging that several reforms be enacted, including a collaborative effort by DLPS, the Governor's Office, and the Legislature to combat the corrupting influence of conflicts of interest at all levels of New Jersey government. The Commission also recommends the formation of an Inspector General's Office within DLPS under the Attorney General's authority, where, among other things, conflict of interest and prosecutor misconduct referrals can be sent. The report also advocates for the formation of a Compliance Unit within DLPS, the establishment of a Consumer Product Safety Commission within the Division of Consumer Affairs, improvements to the process by which the public can refer matters for investigation to the State, and other changes. Additionally, the Commission members are recommending the allocation of more funding and staffing for the work of the Attorney General's Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), which investigates and prosecutes public corruption crimes.
Among several different areas of concern raised by members of the public during the listening sessions involved abuse committed in group homes for people with disabilities, an issue that was highlighted by several parents of adult children in such settings. The report calls upon all involved State departments to work together to improve the current hotline and referral process for reporting misconduct. The DLPS, Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and the Division of Children and Families have been meeting to improve upon the existing referral system and have been working on a more user-friendly website where the public can find information on available resources. The goal of this collaboration is to ensure that tips and complaints, regardless of how they are provided, are handled promptly and appropriately.
The following are among the other reforms being recommended by the Commission:
* Establish an Inspector General's Office within the Executive Branch under the authority of the Attorney General.
"The work of the proposed Office of the Inspector General would expand the ability of the Department to ensure that the government is worthy of the public it serves, holding it to the highest standards and rooting out wrongdoing even when it does not rise to the level of criminality. In addition to serving a proactive investigative function, it is also the Commission's intent that the Inspector General's authority, including its authority to issue public reports in the absence of criminal behavior, will serve as a deterrent to potential wrongdoing and misconduct," the report states. "This is what the public demands and what the government must demand of itself. Improving the public's trust in the government requires significant action and dedication to eliminating fraud, abuse, and unethical or illegal activity at all levels. Establishing a statutory Office of the Inspector General within DLPS is a necessary step in furtherance of that mission."
* New legislation designed to combat conflicts of interest in the bidding on and awarding of public contracts.
"Improper bidding on public contracts, self-dealing, and the immense and unjust benefits of political deal-making that line the pockets of the well-connected are pervasive," the report states. "The public senses it and feels powerless to take any action to stop it."
* The Commission recommends the Legislature, the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), and OPIA craft a statute establishing a new offense that would criminalize intentionally including inaccurate or misleading statements in the bidding process or excluding relevant information with the intent to mislead or deceive.
* The Legislature should enact a criminal statute in New Jersey akin to the federal statute that criminalizes lying to a government official.
* A Compliance Unit should be established, ideally within the Attorney General's Inspector General's Office, to track and report on the compliance of individuals, agencies, and entities supervised and regulated by LPS, including police officers licensed by the Police Training Commission, licensees of the Alcohol Beverage Commission, gambling and horse racing entities regulated by the Division of Gaming Enforcement, and licensed health care professionals. This unit would ensure that these individuals and entities are abiding by laws, regulations, and Attorney General Directives, and it would publicly report on the compliance.
* Simplifying the process for accepting corruption complaints and referrals for investigation from the public and responding to individuals who refer matters to be more efficient.
The full report is available here (https://nj.gov/oag/trust/reports/2026_TRUST_Commission_Report_010726.pdf).
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REPORT: https://nj.gov/oag/trust/reports/2026_TRUST_Commission_Report_010726.pdf
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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/ag-platkin-trust-commission-issue-report-calling-for-new-tools-to-eliminate-corruption-and-promote-transparency-and-trust-in-government/
Md. Natural Resources Dept.: Board of Public Works Approves $8.9 Million for Recreational Improvements and Land Conservation in Baltimore City and Six Maryland Counties
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, Jan. 8 -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources issued the following news on Jan. 7, 2026:
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Board of Public Works Approves $8.9 Million for Recreational Improvements and Land Conservation in Baltimore City and Six Maryland Counties
The Board also approved a temporary, six-month lease for the Days Cove rubble fill in Baltimore County
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The Board of Public Works today approved $8.9 million in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to local governments and land trusts for recreational improvements and land conservation in Baltimore City, and
... Show Full Article
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, Jan. 8 -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources issued the following news on Jan. 7, 2026:
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Board of Public Works Approves $8.9 Million for Recreational Improvements and Land Conservation in Baltimore City and Six Maryland Counties
The Board also approved a temporary, six-month lease for the Days Cove rubble fill in Baltimore County
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The Board of Public Works today approved $8.9 million in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to local governments and land trusts for recreational improvements and land conservation in Baltimore City, andCalvert, Howard, Kent, St. Mary's, Washington, and Wicomico counties.
The Board also approved a short-term lease for the Days Cove rubble fill in Baltimore County that operates on land owned by DNR. The new lease enables the rubble fill to continue operations for six months while Maryland Department of the Environment finalizes a discharge permit for the facility and DNR works to address remaining community concerns. Once that work is complete, DNR plans to seek approval of a new lease with the rubble fill's operator that will cap and close the landfill and return the land to public use in eight years or less. DNR plans on re-submitting the updated lease for BPW's approval sometime in the spring.
More than $7.5 million in Program Open Space - Local funding was approved for nine projects including six in Baltimore City. The city will use the funds to implement improvements to the pool, restrooms and field house at City Spring Park; renovate the Howard Rawlings Conservatory; install a walking loop, fitness equipment and a basketball court at Easterwood Park; construct the replacement Carroll F. Cook Recreation Center in the Armistead Gardens neighborhood; restore and enhance the lake at Patterson Park; and create walking paths, a community garden, and expand the playground at Northwest Park.
Other projects approved for Program Open Space - Local funding were: a Howard County project to replace a playground at Centennial Park West Area; a Washington County acquisition of an access easement to the Antietam Creek Waterway Trail; and fencing, signage and landscaping at East Wicomico Little League fields in Wicomico County.
Additionally, the Board approved almost $1.4 million in Rural Legacy funding for three conservation easement acquisitions as well as expenses for a survey that is necessary for another easement acquisition:
* Forested land on Wash Hance Road in Calvert County will be conserved by a 90-acre easement that will be acquired by the Southern Maryland Resource Conservation and Development Board in the Calvert Creeks Rural Legacy Area. In addition to protecting scenic viewsheds, the easement will protect approximately 1,700 feet of forested stream buffers along tributaries of Parkers Creek, which flows directly into the Chesapeake Bay.
* The Southern Maryland Resource Conservation and Development Board will also acquire an easement on 57 acres in the Mattapany Rural Legacy Area in St. Mary's County. The easement will protect valuable forest and agricultural lands, as well as 2,800 feet of buffers along the shoreline of McKay's Cove, a tributary of the Potomac River.
* The Eastern Shore Land Conservancy will acquire an easement on 62 acres in the Agricultural Security Corridor - Harvest Crescent Rural Legacy Area. This conservation easement in Kent County will protect grasslands, forests, and scenic views, including more than 2,200 feet of forested buffer along a pond and tributary to Still Pond Creek, which empties directly into the Chesapeake Bay.
* Wicomico County in partnership with the Lower Shore Land Trust is negotiating a Rural Legacy easement for a waterfront property that is approximately 700 acres and comprises multiple parcels in the Quantico Creek Rural Legacy Area. This property needs to be surveyed as part of the process. After successful negotiations, the conservation easement acquisition will be presented to the Board of Public Works for funding approval, and, if acquired, the easement will protect woodlands, wetlands, grasslands and buffers along the Nanticoke River.
All projects funded are listed in the Board of Public Works January 7, 2026 meeting agenda. The three-member Board of Public Works is composed of Governor Wes Moore, Treasurer Dereck E. Davis and Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman.
Program Open Space - Local provides funding for county and municipal governments for the planning, acquisition, and development of recreational land or facilities. Established under the Department of Natural Resources in 1969, Program Open Space (divided into Local and Stateside programs), along with other state land conservation programs, symbolizes Maryland's long-term commitment to conserving our natural resources while providing exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities for all citizens. The program is funded by a property transfer tax.
The Rural Legacy Program, created in 1997, conserves large working landscapes across 36 locally designated areas throughout Maryland. The Rural Legacy Program, along with the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation, have recently earned the State of Maryland national recognition from the American Farmland Trust.
More news on grants approved for Program Open Space Local, Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure, Greenspace Equity, Rural Legacy, and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Permanent Easement programs is available on the Maryland Department of Natural Resources' Land News webpage.
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Original text here: https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2026/01/07/board-of-public-works-approves-8-9-million-for-recreational-improvements-and-land-conservation-in-baltimore-city-and-six-maryland-counties/
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Announces More Than $5.3 Million in Community Development Block Grant Awards to Maryland Communities
LANHAM, Maryland, Jan. 8 -- The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development issued the following news release on Jan. 7, 2026:
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Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Announces More Than $5.3 Million in Community Development Block Grant Awards to Maryland Communities
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development today announced $5.3 million in federal Community Development Block Grant program funding for Fiscal Year 2026. Administered in Maryland by the Department, awards will support 11 projects in nine counties to expand affordable housing
... Show Full Article
LANHAM, Maryland, Jan. 8 -- The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development issued the following news release on Jan. 7, 2026:
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Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Announces More Than $5.3 Million in Community Development Block Grant Awards to Maryland Communities
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development today announced $5.3 million in federal Community Development Block Grant program funding for Fiscal Year 2026. Administered in Maryland by the Department, awards will support 11 projects in nine counties to expand affordable housingopportunities, make neighborhoods more accessible and upgrade community infrastructure.
"Many of the greatest small towns in America are right here in Maryland," said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day. "By investing support in the visions of rural Maryland leaders, together we can ensure that every corner of this state has a path toward a bright future."
The federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program was enacted into law by Congress as part of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. Since then, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development program has supported community redevelopment, affordable housing, disaster recovery, and the expansion of economic opportunities. The CDBG State Program provides federal funds to states which then distribute assistance to rural counties, cities and towns.
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development manages the state's annual allocation from the CDBG State Program, administering funds through a competitive application process with priority given to emergency health and safety initiatives.
For Fiscal Year 2026, 11 projects across nine counties were granted funding. The full list of awards can be found here. Some of these projects include:
* Funding to upgrade the water treatment plant in the Town of Willards with cellular and web-based controllers for more efficient operations (Wicomico County)
* Supporting interior renovation of the Salvation Army building in Waldorf to enable increased capacity for food preparation, distribution and meal service, and other educational and support services (Charles County)
* Helping with the installation or replacement of sidewalks and ADA curb cuts in three affordable housing communities in the City of Havre de Grace (Harford County)
* Providing improvements along South Conococheague Street in the Town of Williamsport (Washington County)
Since its creation in 1987, Maryland's CDBG Program has awarded more than $335 million to local government grantees for 1,122 projects. These projects have leveraged approximately $1,362,664 billion in additional private and public investment.
For more information about the CDBG program, visit dhcd.maryland.gov.
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Original text here: https://news.maryland.gov/dhcd/2026/01/07/maryland-department-of-housing-and-community-development-announces-more-than-5-3-million-in-community-development-block-grant-awards-to-maryland-communities/
Ga. A.G. Carr Leads 23-State Coalition in Support of FCC's Proposal to Combat Contraband Cell Phones in Prisons and Jails
ATLANTA, Georgia, Jan. 8 -- Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr issued the following news release:
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Carr Leads 23-State Coalition in Support of FCC's Proposal to Combat Contraband Cell Phones in Prisons and Jails
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr and Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin are leading a 23-state coalition in sending a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in support of a proposal that would allow States to use jamming technology to combat contraband cell phones in prisons and jails.
"Inmates are using contraband cell phones to direct violent crimes, and
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, Jan. 8 -- Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr issued the following news release:
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Carr Leads 23-State Coalition in Support of FCC's Proposal to Combat Contraband Cell Phones in Prisons and Jails
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr and Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin are leading a 23-state coalition in sending a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in support of a proposal that would allow States to use jamming technology to combat contraband cell phones in prisons and jails.
"Inmates are using contraband cell phones to direct violent crimes, andinnocent Georgians are losing their lives," said Carr. "We fought the Biden administration on this very issue for years, and we've prosecuted the violent gangs that are operating in our prisons. Our efforts to combat this public safety crisis are unwavering, and we're grateful to finally have a partner in the White House who's willing to work with us to protect the people of our state."
Current FCC policy prohibits the use of jamming equipment, even in highly controlled environments like correctional institutions. This blanket restriction fails to account for the unique security needs of these facilities and relies on a decades-old statute that was enacted long before contraband cell phones were an issue. Today, inmates routinely use smuggled phones to conduct violent crimes and scams, including murder, child sexual exploitation, drug trafficking, kidnapping, aggravated battery of law enforcement officers, money laundering, wire fraud, and identity theft.
* In Tattnall County, an incarcerated leader of the infamous street gang, "Yves Saint Laurent Squad," used a contraband cell phone to order a hit, which resulted in the death of an 88-year-old Georgia veteran.
* In Atlanta, two 13-year-old boys were killed in a drive-by shooting that was ordered by an incarcerated gang leader in a Georgia state prison.
* In Macon, inmates learned they could defeat the prison's Wireless Containment System by dialing 911. Using contraband cell phones, they were able to successfully overwhelm and shut down the entire 911 center, which is part of the largest 911 system in the state and encompasses 13 Georgia counties.
These activities compromise the safety of correctional staff, other inmates, and the public at large. In 2024, the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) seized and processed over 15,500 cell phones and more than 150 drones.
This new proposal, filed by the FCC on Sept. 30, makes clear that while the jamming of authorized radio transmissions is not permitted, signals from illegal mobile devices smuggled into prisons are prohibited and thus can be actively blocked by FCC-approved devices.
Joining Carr and Griffin in sending this letter are the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Find a copy of the letter here (file:///C:/Users/Administrator/Downloads/2025.12.23-Letter-to-FCC-RE-Cell-phone-jamming-rule.pdf).
Previous AG Actions
* In June 2024, Carr sent a letter urging the FCC to allow for states to use cell phone jamming devices in prisons and jails. In that same letter, he notes that the federal U.S. Bureau of Prisons has already recognized the value of cell phone jammers and permitted several federal penitentiaries, including at least one in Georgia, to use such devices. However, the Biden administration denied this request.
* In December 2024, Carr filed a Freedom of Information Act request seeking all documentation related to the FCC's response to his June 2024 letter and information regarding the use of cell phone jamming devices at select federal prisons.
* In February 2025, Carr met with President Trump's FCC in D.C. to discuss the urgency of this issue.
* In March 2025, Carr led a bipartisan coalition of 31 attorneys general in urging Congress to pass H.R. 2350 and S. 1137, federal legislation that allows states to deploy cell phone jamming technology in prisons and jails. He also took action to support similar legislation in January 2023 and December 2024.
* In September 2025, Carr sent a letter backing the FCC's notice of proposed rulemaking that would allow state and local law enforcement to use jamming technology to combat contraband cell phones in prisons and jails.
* In November 2025, Carr announced the convictions of 16 members of the 1-8 Trey Gangster Bloods in Barrow County following a large-scale investigation into violent crimes, drug trafficking, and gang recruitment as directed from inside and outside of prison. Among those convicted was Jamar Ramsay, the statewide leader of 1-8 Trey who is currently serving a life sentence at Hays State Prison in Georgia for a previous murder charge. While incarcerated, Ramsay directed other defendants to engage in criminal activity to further the 1-8 Trey enterprise. Ramsay, along with other defendants, also engaged in electronic communication regarding the recruitment of children into the gang and the packaging, shipping, sale, and distribution of controlled substances, cell phones, and other contraband items into a state correctional facility.
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December 23, 2025
To: The Honorable Brendan Carr, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission, 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554
RE: General Support for Promoting Technological Solutions to Combat Contraband Wireless Device Use in Correctional Facilities (GN Docket No. 13-111)
Dear Chairman Carr and Commissioners:
We, the undersigned State Attorneys General, write in support of FCC's proposal entitled "Support for Promoting Technological Solutions to Combat Contraband Wireless Device Use in Correctional Facilities" (GN Docket No. 13-111).
The number of contraband cell phones recovered from state prisons is staggering and is a matter of grave concern for communities throughout the United States. Inmates use these contraband cell phones to conduct and coordinate violent crimes, including murder, child sexual exploitation, drug trafficking, kidnapping, aggravated battery of law enforcement officers, and other crimes such as money laundering, wire fraud, and identity theft. The scope of the problem and the direct threat to public safety cannot be overstated. There are many examples of criminal activity outside of prisons and jails being directed by inmates within those institutions with the use of contraband cell phones.
In Georgia, an inmate eligible for parole in 2023 used a contraband cell phone to solicit child sexual abuse material and to arrange a sexual encounter with an individual thought to be a minor. He was later sentenced to nearly 20 years in federal prison for online child solicitation./1 In Alabama, prison inmates used contraband cell phones, social engineering techniques, and spoofing technology to trick retailers into transferring funds under fraudulent pretenses. The proceeds of these telephone scams were then used to, among other things, finance the purchase of controlled substances and pay bribes to corrections officers./2
Arkansas similarly grapples with combatting contraband cell phones. The Arkansas Department of Corrections identified 230 gang leaders incarcerated in maximum security facilities who were caught and found guilty of multiple charges of possession of a cell phone in over 538 individual instances. These 230 inmates were from known threat groups including Bloods, Crips, Aryan Circle, and White Aryan Resistance, along with the largest group Gangster Disciples. Further investigations showed evidence of these leaders conducting illegal activities on the contraband cell phones, including drug trafficking, drone drops into the facilities, witness intimidation, and coordinating the movement of money and other gang activities throughout Arkansas and the United States. In 2022, Samuel Hartman coordinated his escape from a prison with the use of a contraband cell phone. Hartman was serving a life sentence for rape when he coordinated his escape with his wife and mother. He was arranged to be picked up by a vehicle reinforced with bulletproof materials, which drove him to a nearby boat ramp where he used jet skis to escape down the river. He was captured in 2023 in West Virginia.
In Idaho, prosecutors presented text messages exchanged from an inmate's cell phone where he plotted his escape during a hospital visit in Boise which resulted in the injury and shooting of three law enforcement officers./3 In Maryland, fifteen people have been indicted in three different prison contraband conspiracies. The investigation unveiled a sophisticated criminal network that employed drones, a correctional officer, and a hospital, allowing the distribution of dangerous drugs, including fentanyl, and a wide array of contraband such as cell phones, tools, and other illicit items./4
In South Carolina in 2020, 40 individuals associated with the Insane Gangster Disciples orchestrated a sprawling criminal enterprise from within prison. The activities included murder, kidnapping, firearms distribution, and international drug operations, all coordinated using contraband cell phones./5 Three years later, a separate South Carolina inmate was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering for his role in a scheme to extort and defraud military members using cell phones./6
In Tennessee, a federal indictment in 2021 charged 27 individuals with a various federal crimes relating to a large-scale conspiracy to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine.
This criminal activity occurred inside the prison system and resulted in charges including kidnapping, money laundering, making threats by cell phone, and firearms violations./7
While we recognize that some have expressed concerns that jamming technology could potentially interfere with legitimate calls, including calls to emergency services, those concerns are unwarranted as most prisons have alternative methods to communicate with emergency services. Additionally, those concerns are outweighed by the present danger that contraband cell phones present to the American public. For example, we are aware of instances where contraband cell phones have been used to completely overwhelm 911 systems, endangering the public by impeding legitimate emergency calls from authorized communications. Around 2019, inmates at Macon State Prison learned they could defeat the prison's Wireless Containment System by dialing 911. By using contraband cell phones, these inmates were able to successfully overwhelm and shut down the entire 911 center, which is part of the largest 911 system in Georgia, encompassing 13 counties. This incident and ones like it further underscore the need for jamming technology.
We commend FCC for taking action to help address the critical threat to public safety caused by contraband cell phones. This is a major step in the right direction for keeping citizens and corrections personnel safe. We encourage you to adopt this rule which will undoubtedly serve to protect citizens across the United States.
Sincerely,
Christopher M. Carr, Georgia Attorney General
Tim Griffin, Arkansas Attorney General
Steve Marshall, Alabama Attorney General
Stephen J. Cox, Alaska Attorney General
James Uthmeier, Florida Attorney General
Brenna Bird, Iowa Attorney General
Kris W. Kobach, Kansas Attorney General
Russell M. Coleman, Kentucky Attorney General
Liz Murrill, Louisiana Attorney General
Lynn Fitch, Mississippi Attorney General
Austin Knudsen, Montana Attorney General
Mike Hilgers, Nebraska Attorney General
Drew Wrigley, North Dakota Attorney General
Dave Yost, Ohio Attorney General
Gentner Drummond, Oklahoma Attorney General
Dave Sunday, Pennsylvania Attorney General
Alan Wilson, South Carolina Attorney General
Marty J. Jackley, South Dakota Attorney General
Jonathan Skrmetti, Tennessee Attorney General
Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General
Derek Brown, Utah Attorney General
Jason Miyares, Virginia Attorney General
John B. McCuskey, West Virginia Attorney General
1 https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/man-prison-rape-sentenced-additional-235-months-federal-child-exploitationcrimes December 23, 2025
2 https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndal/pr/seven-indicted-role-prison-based-phone-scam-and-paying-bribes-correctionsofficers
3 https://abcnews.go.com/US/boise-inmate-accomplice-ambush-hospital-captured/story?id=108362755
4 https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/fifteen-indicted-in-contraband-conspiracies-with-inmates-at-marylandprison/
5 https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/40-charged-largest-federal-racketeering-conspiracy-south-carolina-history
6 https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/south-carolina-inmate-sentenced-federal-prison-role-military-sextortionscheme-1
7 https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdtn/pr/reign-violence-and-drug-distribution-orchestrated-tennessee-prison-resultsfederal
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Original text here: https://law.georgia.gov/press-releases/2026-01-07/carr-leads-23-state-coalition-support-fccs-proposal-combat-contraband
CLEAR Launches EGates at MIA Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026
MIAMI, Florida, Jan. 8 -- Miami International Airport issued the following news on Jan. 7, 2026:
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CLEAR launches eGates at MIA ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026
CLEAR, the secure identity company, launched its biometric eGates at two of Miami International Airport's busiest passenger screening checkpoints in December, just before the airport's bustling winter holiday travel season and ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 games.
With eGates, CLEAR+ members can verify their identity in under five seconds, bypassing the TSA podium and proceeding directly to physical screening. This innovation represents
... Show Full Article
MIAMI, Florida, Jan. 8 -- Miami International Airport issued the following news on Jan. 7, 2026:
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CLEAR launches eGates at MIA ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026
CLEAR, the secure identity company, launched its biometric eGates at two of Miami International Airport's busiest passenger screening checkpoints in December, just before the airport's bustling winter holiday travel season and ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 games.
With eGates, CLEAR+ members can verify their identity in under five seconds, bypassing the TSA podium and proceeding directly to physical screening. This innovation representsa significant leap in modernizing security checkpoints with automation - especially critical during the holiday travel rush, as TSA recently recorded its busiest day ever, screening more than 3.1 million travelers.
CLEAR's goal with eGates is simple: help travelers win the day of travel. Beyond the holidays, CLEAR is looking ahead to major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and next year's America 250 celebrations, which will bring millions of visitors to the U.S.
Automated eGates are designed to provide a scalable and secure solution that expedites the passenger screening experience and enhances security. The innovation builds on the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) efforts to modernize and streamline U.S. airport security checkpoints, with a specific focus on enhancing security, hospitality, and the passenger experience.
This first-of-its-kind pilot represents an innovative public-private partnership that enables TSA to scale identity verification and streamline airport processing just in time for the World Cup. With more than 20 million international visitors expected to fly to the U.S. for the tournament and domestic travel surging through U.S. host cities, checkpoint infrastructure will face unprecedented pressure.
CLEAR's eGates are designed to conduct real-time biometric verification, matching a traveler's facial image with their identity document and boarding pass. TSA retains complete operational control: triggering gate access, conducting security vetting, and enforcing government security requirements. CLEAR transmits only limited data, such as a live photo, boarding pass, ID photo used for enrollment, and identity information. Once identity and clearance are confirmed, passengers proceed directly to physical screening, bypassing the TSA podium while still undergoing all security screening.
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Original text here: https://news.miami-airport.com/clear-launches-egates-at-mia-ahead-of-fifa-world-cup-2026/
