Short Takes – 9-14-22

Pressurized case that detonated at Northeastern had note railing against virtual reality, report says. MSN.com article. No ‘detonation’, no ‘explosion’, no chemical reaction; non-catastrophic overpressure release event. Pull quote: “ABC News reported that the staff member, a 45-year-old man, who was injured in the incident had opened a hard-packed Pelican-type case, according to law enforcement sources. The case did not contain any explosive material, ABC reported, however it had been pressurized and when opened caused the detonation.” Still it appears that it may have been an intended ‘attack’.

Strengthening Mobility And Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grant Program. Reginfo.gov ICR approval notice. Pull quote: “The purpose of this program is to conduct demonstration projects focused on advanced smart city or community technologies and systems in a variety of communities to improve transportation efficiency and safety. Eligible entities must respond to the SMART Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) by completing an application.” 71 hours per grant application.

Biden, White House officials get involved in railway talks in bid to avert strike. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: “The companies that operate railways for freight trains and the unions who work those rails have until Friday to agree to a new contract. Without a deal, workers could go on strike, crippling supply chains that depend on freight trains.”

Top election security official warns of election workforce problems: 1 in 3 have left posts. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: ““As these stories of threats and intimidation are shared, people who would normally be poll workers on Election Day or work at a voting center are taking a step back and saying, ‘I don’t know that it’s worth my life or worth my personal safety,’” she added.”

US Chemical Safety Board leaders aim to reboot agency. CEN.ACS.org article. Pull quote: “They both recognize the difficulty in clearing the backlog. Accident investigations are complicated and often require great expertise, experience, and resources. And several of the unfinished reports involve investigations that were led by people who left the agency. Whether those reports can be completed may depend on the quality of the initial investigation, the board members say.”

CSB Sunshine Act Meetings. Federal Register meeting notice. Pull quote: “The Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) will convene public meetings on October 27, 2022; January 26, 2023; April 27, 2023; and, July 27, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. ET.” Zoom links provided.

Inside the rise of police department real-time crime centers. TechnologyReview.com article. Around the country, the expansion of police technology has followed a similar pattern, driven more by conversations between police agencies and their vendors than between police and the public they serve. Lots of cybersecurity story ideas here…