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Chandler Treon

Chandler Treon is an Austin-based staff writer. He has a bachelor’s degree in English, a master’s degree in literature and a master’s degree in technical communication, all from Texas State University.

  • BIZ-TRUMP-DATA-CENTERS-POWER-COSTS-FILEPIC-DA
    News
    Regulators Aim for New Data Center Grid Connection Rules in August
    What to Know:
    • ERCOT wants a batch process for large-load interconnections instead of the current one-by-one review.
    • PUCT is preparing to change cost allocation rules so residential customers do not shoulder the transmission build-out for hyperscale loads.
    • Projects that bring their own generation or can reduce load in emergencies may have a smoother path to interconnection.
    Insider
    April 17, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
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    News
    College Station Approves $1.3M Contract for Planning, Permitting Software
    What to Know:
    • College Station approved a $1.32 million Tyler Technologies contract for enterprise planning and development software that will support online permitting and internal city workflows.
    • The purchase will replace the city’s aging eTRAKiT platform, which officials said has reached end of life.
    • The company already provides the city’s financial and court systems.
    Insider
    April 17, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
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    News
    Judge Orders Temporary Injunction, Restoring HUB Certifications
    What to Know:
    • A Travis County district judge granted a temporary injunction April 13 blocking enforcement of the emergency HUB rules.
    • The order also bars the comptroller from enforcing or adopting the proposed rules unless the Legislature amends the HUB Act and the governor signs it or a court declares the HUB Act unconstitutional or void.
    • The comptroller must issue statewide notice to prime contractors and state agencies and publish the order online.
    Insider
    April 17, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Digitalized layout of a human brain surrounded by a sphere of data points, all in bright cyan blue. The background is blurred lines of a circuit board, also in cyan blue, against black.
    News
    NCTCOG CINO Urges Agencies to Build Governance Before AI Pilots Stall
    What to Know:
    • North Central Texas Council of Governments Chief Innovation Officer Tim Howell discussed AI pilots on a Technology Foresight Council panel.
    • He said NCTCOG is approaching AI adoption through three pillars: governance, enablement and access.
    • Howell said his organization has backed that approach with an AI committee, annual strategic planning, an agent governance framework, staff training and an innovation sandbox for testing tools before production.
    Insider
    April 16, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • A nurse and a doctor standing next to a hospital bed with a patient laying in it.
    News
    Houston, Harris County Launch Joint Public Health Data and Reporting Hub
    What to Know:
    • The site combines dashboards and reports from both agencies on topics including infectious disease, environmental health, violence prevention, maternal and child health, and chronic disease.
    • Officials say the hub is meant to make public health data easier for residents, researchers and local partners to access and use.
    Insider
    April 16, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • A large sign made of stone sitting in the ground behind a flower bed. The sign reads "The University of Texas at Dallas."
    News
    UT Dallas Lands $700,000 Texas Semiconductor Grant
    What to Know:
    • UT Dallas received a $700,000 Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund grant for a training cleanroom project on its Dallas campus.
    • The cleanroom will support hands-on instruction in cleanroom operations, safety and semiconductor processing for students and new hires.
    • The award adds UT Dallas to a growing list of Texas institutions receiving semiconductor funding for workforce training and research infrastructure.
    Insider
    April 14, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Justice,And,Law,Concept.male,Judge,In,A,Courtroom,Striking,The
    News
    Meet the Office of Court Administration’s New CIO
    What to Know:
    • Frank Barker became CIO of the Texas Office of Court Administration in January.
    • He brings about 30 years of technology experience, including public-sector leadership roles at the Employees Retirement System of Texas and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
    • Barker succeeds Casey Kennedy, who retired after 15 years leading judicial technology for Texas courts and judicial branch agencies.
    Insider
    April 14, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • The Texas Secretary of State logo against a white background.
    News
    Secretary of State Names Layla Young New CIO
    What to Know:
    • Layla Young has left the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to become chief information officer for the Office of the Texas Secretary of State.
    • She served as THECB’s CIO from December 2023 through March 2026.
    • Before THECB, Young held multiple IT leadership roles at the Texas Department of Insurance, including director of software development and IT development manager.
    Insider
    April 10, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Traffic on a street in downtown Austin.
    News
    Austin Elevates Jeremiah Clifton to Interim CISO After Gardner Dismissal
    What to Know:
    • Austin has named Jeremiah Clifton interim chief information security officer after dismissing Brian Gardner.
    • City officials said that Gardner’s departure was part of the city manager’s ongoing review of Austin Technology Services and not related to data security.
    • Clifton brings more than a decade with the city in cybersecurity, risk and architecture roles, along with earlier experience at NASA and in the private sector.
    Insider
    April 10, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Online services
    News
    DIR Expands DBITS Contract Pool With 154 Awards
    What to Know:
    • DIR has awarded 154 contracts under its current deliverables-based IT services solicitation, while the previous solicitation resulted in 99 awards.
    • DIR’s February notice revealed that it was seeking vendors to provide deliverables-based IT services for agencies, local governments and other eligible customers through the Cooperative Contracts program.
    • Industry Insider — Texas has compiled the contracts into a searchable table, including the service categories each vendor was approved for.
    Insider
    April 10, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • People seated at tables around a large room participating in emergency management internship programs.
    News
    TWC Launches Updated Internship Platform for Texas Employers, Students
    What to Know:
    • TWC launched an updated texasinternnetwork.com to connect Texas employers and students through a free statewide internship platform.
    • The site adds AI-supported tools for students, including resume help, interview practice and career-prep resources.
    • The updated portal runs on Geographic Solutions Inc.’s Virtual OneStop platform, according to the website footer.
    Insider
    April 09, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • View of downtown Dallas from a park gazebo in Oak Cliff.
    News
    Dallas Advances Public Safety, Cybersecurity and Systems Projects
    What to Know:
    • Dallas approved several tech-related items at once, including evidence-system integration, counter-drone tools, cybersecurity services and traffic signal infrastructure.
    • The biggest item was a $10.4 million counter-drone grant tied to FIFA security, while a separate $400,000 contract will support city cybersecurity services.
    • The city originally wanted a roughly $200,000 laboratory information management system for firearms examiners, but shifted after receiving only $40,000 in grant funding.
    Insider
    April 09, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • SHUTTERSTOCK_TEARING_UP_CONTRACT
    News
    Vendors Push Back as Texas Comptroller Moves to Codify VetHUB
    What to Know:
    • Texas Comptroller staff said proposed amendments published in the March Texas Register would make the emergency VetHUB framework permanent.
    • The draft rules remove race, ethnicity and sex-based classifications and eliminate statewide quantitative utilization goals.
    • Speakers at the April 7 hearing said the shift is already affecting bids, contracts and staffing, and warned it could reduce competition and increase costs.
    Insider
    April 07, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Lines of fiber cable in a dug-out trench.
    News
    Fort Bend County Advances Rural Broadband Expansion
    What to Know:
    • Fort Bend County and Comcast are moving forward with an $18.9 million broadband expansion project.
    • The county is contributing $2.5 million in recovery funds, while Comcast is providing about $16.4 million.
    • County officials said fiber work is already underway near Thompsons, with broader service expected by the end of 2026.
    Insider
    April 07, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Concept image of blue gears and wheels in a computer system.
    News
    Travis County FY 26 Work Plan Spotlights IT Modernization
    What to Know:
    • Travis County’s FY 26 ITS plan centers on Phase II of its ServiceNow rollout.
    • The county is also advancing digital modernization through a main website rebuild, accessibility improvements across seven public-facing sites and a planned replacement of the Travis Central intranet.
    • The plan includes sizable funding requests for hardware replacement, central computer refreshes, infrastructure growth and project-specific work.
    Insider
    April 03, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Two health-care professionals in full gear performing a surgery with a holographic display above the patient assisting their work.
    News
    HHSC Directs Health-Care Facilities to Follow FDA Cybersecurity Guidance
    What to Know:
    • HHSC told Texas health-care facilities to review and mitigate risks tied to unauthorized remote access to protected health information.
    • The directive points facilities to FDA guidance on Contec and Epsimed patient monitors with known cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
    • The move follows Gov. Greg Abbott’s March 9 order for state health agencies and public university systems to review China-linked medical device risks.
    Insider
    April 03, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Election,Interference,By,Foreign,Hackers,Concept
    News
    Texas Senators Examine Foreign-Linked Risks to Grid Supply Chain
    What to Know:
    • Texas senators used an April 1 hearing to examine supply chain risks to the grid and other critical infrastructure from foreign-linked technology.
    • Lawmakers focused on whether software access or remote connectivity in solar and battery systems could create security vulnerabilities.
    • Texas already has disclosure and attestation requirements in place through the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act and ERCOT rules, but senators signaled they may consider tougher oversight.
    Insider
    April 02, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Aerial view of tall buildings in Austin, Texas, on a sunny day.
    News
    Matt Reed Joins Tenable as Territory Account Manager
    What to Know:
    • Matt Reed has joined Tenable as a territory account manager in Texas.
    • He previously worked at AMS.NET and AT&T, with experience in cybersecurity, IoT and SaaS sales.
    • Reed said his focus is helping Texas agencies unify complex environments spanning cloud, identity, operational technology and AI.
    Insider
    March 31, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • ransomware
    News
    Alamo Heights ISD Identifies Ransomware as Cause of Network Outage
    What to Know:
    • Alamo Heights ISD said ransomware caused the multiday network outage that disrupted district operations last week.
    • The outage affected Wi-Fi and Gmail across the district, and outside forensic specialists assisted with the response.
    • The district restored technology systems by Friday afternoon, but the review into possible data exposure is still underway.
    Insider
    March 31, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Illustration of a website on a computer monitor surrounded by tools and accessibility-focused symbols.
    News
    DIR Webinar Highlights Vendor Role in Website Modernization Push
    What to Know:
    • DIR is signaling that vendors may have a role in execution, not just planning, as agencies assess websites for accessibility, navigation, usability and efficiency.
    • The state’s website templates are optional, so the stronger vendor play may be targeted assessment, remediation and modernization support rather than a full rebuild pitch.
    • DIR outlined multiple contracting paths, which could favor vendors already positioned on Shared Technology Services, cooperative contracts, deliverables-based IT services or staff augmentation vehicles.
    Insider
    March 27, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • TxDOT CapMetro Briefing.png
    News
    TxDOT, CapMetro CIOs Detail AI Plans and Vendor Expectations
    What to Know:
    • At an Industry Insider — Texas member briefing, the TxDOT and CapMetro CIOs said AI, network resilience and operational technology security are shaping near-term decisions.
    • CapMetro is focused on separating AI hype from tools that can deliver real return on investment.
    • TxDOT told vendors to make a clear case for value and explain why agencies should care before bringing forward new products.
    Insider
    March 27, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Banner image of a computer chip in light blue.
    News
    Former Texas CISO On What Agencies Want From AI Vendors
    What to Know:
    • Nancy Rainosek recently spoke on a webinar, saying Texas agencies want AI vendors to lead with visibility, governance and control rather than broad transformation claims.
    • Shadow AI and data exposure remain top concerns, creating demand for safer internal tools, stronger controls and secure deployment models.
    • Winning vendors will need to show practical results, fit within Texas compliance requirements and address stakeholders beyond the security office alone.
    Insider
    March 26, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • jury+box.jpg
    News
    Tarrant County Rolls Out New Jury Management System
    What to Know:
    • Tarrant County rolled out a new jury management system and online juror portal starting March 24.
    • The county said the upgrade replaces a platform that had been in use for nearly 20 years.
    • Jurors can now use a QR-enabled summons to access online service tools, email updates and optional text notifications.
    Insider
    March 26, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Austin New Website.png
    News
    Austin Debuts Redesigned Website in Digital Experience Push
    What to Know:
    • Austin launched a redesigned austintexas.gov site on March 19 as part of a broader digital experience modernization effort.
    • The project is tied to a multiyear Material Holdings contract approved in 2024 for up to $5.5 million.
    • The redesign follows years of city concerns about an aging web presence with thousands of pages and heavy resident traffic.
    Insider
    March 24, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • The downtown Houston skyline on a sunny day.
    News
    Houston City Council Advances $945,000 in Tech Purchases
    What to Know:
    • Council approved about $945,000 in technology purchases for Houston Information Technology Services.
    • The largest purchase was $545,000 to Motorola Solutions Inc. for public safety radios and accessories.
    • City leaders pointed to a broader efficiency effort, citing recommendations on consolidation, strategic purchasing and centralization.
    Insider
    March 24, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • CapMetro Austin Train.png
    News
    Profiles in Government: Capital Metro
    What to Know:
    • Capital Metro is Austin’s regional transit agency and is operating with a 2026 budget of $625.2 million.
    • The agency’s capital plan this year includes $15.7 million for IT projects.
    • Capital Metro’s Strategic Plan 2030 includes goals tied to digital transformation, process automation, fare technology and security technology.
    Insider
    March 20, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • Cyan blue illustration of a shield with a closed lock in the center against a dark background.
    News
    Collin County Approves Firewall Renewal, Electronic Recording Agreement
    What to Know:
    • Collin County approved a $191,000 Palo Alto firewall support renewal through Dell Marketing LP for county data center network access.
    • Commissioners also approved an agreement with Hopdox LLC to support eRecording alongside the county’s paper-based filing process.
    Insider
    March 20, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • El Paso
    News
    El Paso Climate Debate Sharpens Around Meta Data Center
    What to Know:
    • Public pressure over El Paso’s proposed Meta data center dominated discussion, with speakers tying the project to water use, electricity demand, tax incentives and the city’s Climate Action Plan.
    • City materials indicate the project’s potential impact may be greater than some public comments suggested.
    • Council acknowledged the backlash but stopped short of taking direct action on the Meta agreement during the meeting.
    Insider
    March 19, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • The Cloverleaf AI logo.
    News
    Sean Williams Joins Cloverleaf AI as Senior Account Executive
    Williams said his focus at Cloverleaf AI is helping vendors engage government opportunities earlier, before procurements become late-stage, reactive pursuits.
    Insider
    March 19, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
  • An entrance to Rice University on a sunny day.
    News
    Rice Space Institute Tops $22.3M in Funding With Space Force Award
    What to Know:
    • Rice has secured $22.3 million in combined new funding for two space research centers.
    • The newest piece is an $8.1 million U.S. Space Force award for a center focused on sensing and data analysis.
    • An earlier $14.2 million Texas Space Commission award supports a second center focused on research, partnerships and workforce training.
    Insider
    March 17, 2026
     · Chandler Treon
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