County News Podcast

Rural counties fuel energy development

David Senjem’s opinion on renewable energy changed on an international exchange trip to Germany, and when he took office as an Olmsted County, Minn. commissioner, he wanted to make sure counties were positioned to be ready to participate in energy development. He’s now an advisor to NACo’s Rural Energy Academy, which helps rural county leaders navigate development and siting of wind, solar, battery storage and data centers and whether they are right for their residents, economies and natural resources. He and NACo Program Manager Blake Gardiner join the County News Podcast to share what resources and learning opportunities are available to counties preparing for energy production.

Panache and presentation boost highlight reels of county action

Riverside County, Calif. tapped a talented communications staffer to bring to life news from their Board of Supervisors with their program Board Brief. Pep Fernandez, along with CEO Jeff Van Wagenen, explain the program's success and NACo President J.D. Clark fleshes out his County Storytellers spotlight. 

Developing your county workforce

Counties are finding a renewed interest in professional development as a feature of their careers. Fairfield County, Ohio Administrator Aundrea Cordle joined the County News Podcast to talk about trends she has seen in professional development, what skills her county workforce aims to develop and some programs and strategies for helping county employees get the enrichment they want and need to excel at their work.

Eastern Tennessee counties invest in tourism during shutdown

Sevier County, Tenn. refused to let the government shutdown devastate its fall tourism draw—Great Smoky Mountains National Park. County Mayor Larry Waters describes the lengths he and his neighbors went to keep the park open. And NACo Chief Government Affairs Officer Mark Ritacco offers an outlook on what counties can take away from the shutdown and into the future.

Economic mobility at work

The Lake County, Calif. Food Policy Council is helping local farmers find new markets for their produce. Lake County Supervisor Bruno Sabatier explains his county's agricultural background and his goals for the council and NACo's Alseta Gholston outlines economic mobility resources available to county officials.

Early childhood services and counties

Boone County, Mo. Commissioner Janet Thompson describes the challenges that inadequate childhood services pose to children and families and the labor market, and how her county is working provide more options for county employees.

Talking with Public Lands County Leaders, Part VIII

The County News Podcast continues our series on public lands county leaders with two from outdoor recreation counties – Supervisor John Peters from Mono County, Calif. and Commissioner Sonja Macys from Routt County, Colo. Peters is this year’s Western Interstate Region president.

Talking With Public Lands County Leaders, Part VII

The County News Podcast resumes our series on public lands county issues with two guests: Pennington County, S.D. Commissioner Gary Drewes and Curry County, N.M. Commissioner Seth Martin.

County experience can improve disaster response

Kevin Leonard, executive director of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, and Amanda McKinney, a Yakima County, Wash. commissioner, talk about two different challenges county officials face in responding to disasters.

Counties fight social isolation

As awareness of social isolation spreads, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Loudoun County, Va. Chair Phyllis Randall discuss the role of government in combatting the problem.