Prompt Local
A free weekly newsletter for the people running small government offices. Each week, one AI tool that fits a real job in a small government office, records requests, meeting minutes, permits, resident questions, that kind of work. I'll show you exactly how to put it to use, plus what to watch for so it doesn't bite you later. I also flag any new AI rules landing on offices like yours. That's it. No fluff, no sales pitch. Written by Scott Olsen, CGCIO, a former local-government CIO
Rulebook
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Oct 6, 2026
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6 min read
The software that handles the records-request flood
NextRequest, GovQA, and JustFOIA compared for when a spreadsheet stops cutting it. Plus: a new school AI policy from South Dakota, and the contractor gap a Colorado county just ran into.
Rulebook
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Sep 29, 2026
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6 min read
Writing prompts that actually work
Five things that actually change your prompts, straight from OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and Anthropic. Plus: NYC's new AI vendor rule, and Oklahoma's updated AI-in-schools guidance.
Issue 8
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Sep 22, 2026
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6 min read
Agendas, notices, and letters without the blank page
Copilot and Gemini can draft your next agenda or notice, but not on the first try. Plus: Albuquerque's vendor AI disclosure rule, and Maryland's 120-day deadline for school AI policies.
Rulebook
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Sep 15, 2026
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9 min read
Write your office's AI use policy in an afternoon
A walkthrough of the free template, including where it falls short. Plus: a Wisconsin county's newly adopted policy, and a Texas preemption clause worth reading before you put anything on an agenda.
Rulebook
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Sep 8, 2026
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5 min read
Your AI prompts are public records. Now what?
The legal reality of using ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, or Claude for work, and exactly how to save your prompts before someone actually asks for them. Plus a Pennsylvania ruling worth knowing.
Rulebook
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Sep 1, 2026
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6 min read
Who answers the phone after 5pm?
Three ways to let AI field resident questions after hours, and why a five-second phone call still beats all of them for anything complicated. Plus: Martin County joins a nationwide wave of data center pauses, and Texas hits its first AI training deadline for local government.