Missouri state officials initially struggled to adopt data-driven practices at the onset of the pandemic, but the tide has turned, Chief Operating Officer Drew Erdmann said.

Kansas, Missouri, Montana and Washington will work with the National Governors Association to develop policies that may one day be shared with other states.

"The misinformation and disinformation out there is ramping up to a crazy level," New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver said during an online conference.

Winners of StateScoop 50 Awards for GoldenGov: State Executive of the Year share how the pandemic has dramatically changed their operations and outlooks.

Several state CIOs predict that widespread telework will linger in government long after the COVID-19 pandemic ends.

Local governments in five states will share best practices and new ideas to boost economic development and improve civic engagement.

Jeffrey Wann, a former IT executive in the insurance industry, will take over for Mike Cheles, who retired at the end of 2019.

With not enough funding for new positions or training to keep up with technological changes, state CIO Mike Cheles encourages new tactics.

The longtime private-sector IT executive who was hired in October 2018, plans to retire Dec. 31.