Intelligence officials at the CIA and 16 other governmental agencies are now sharing continuously updated information thanks to a new computer system based on the software used for the famous online encyclopedia, Wikipedia. Launched in April 2006, Intellipedia allows any of the registered 3,600 intelligence specialists to post materials, create internal websites, and join debates. The system is expected to increase collaboration between intelligence specialists and to help disseminate critical information as well as dissenting opinions.

Rapid ID is giving law enforcement an edge in keeping tabs on sexual offenders and former convicts on probation. In order to prevent fraud, Rapid ID employs hand-held devices, allowing officers to quickly identify individuals by scanning in their fingerprints to retrieve their criminal file. This technology will prevent, among other things, instances in which offenders send substitutes to take drug tests.

In an attempt to give school districts the freedom to increase the number of all-boys or all-girls classrooms and schools, the U.S. Department of Education has amended some regulations included in Title IX. While some point to the social benefits of a gender-diverse classroom and worry that school resources cannot be both separate and equal, others argue that single-sex classrooms provide a less distractive learning environment, allowing educators to create curriculums better adapted to the dominant gender traits. Supporters also cite that--unlike many other state or federally mandated rules--local school districts remain in control of the decision to open single-sex classrooms, and enrollment would be voluntary.

The Utah Health Department will help employed Utahns receive assistance in paying their health insurance. Utah's Premium Partnership for Health Insurance is geared towards adults with full-time jobs who are eligible for insurance, but are unable to pay the premium. Qualified participants will receive a mix of state and federal dollars to reimburse them at a rate of $150 per individual and $100 per child. Lawmakers hope the program will encourage many more of the state's employed uninsured to enroll.

The Baltimore County Office of Child Support Enforcement is taking a different approach to furthering its mission by helping non-custodial parents get jobs. So far, the employment support program has assisted 100 parents and resulted in more than $200,000 in child support payments.

Education That Works helps students gain practical experience and gives them a chance to earn 70% of their high school tuition in exchange for working at least eight hours a week at local businesses. Before starting their jobs, Memphis Catholic High School students go through "Boot Camp," an immersion course in business etiquette, office equipment usage, and computer skills. The school uses longer class periods and an extended school year to compensate for the lost instruction time. Enthusiastic sponsors consider the program an investment in the future, giving students the opportunity to learn about local careers.

Craigslist, the popular online classified-ad site, is teaming up with the New York City Council to crack down on real estate agents who advertise "no fee" apartments while fully intending to insert a fee at the lease signing. Supporters insist that as marketplaces change, so, too, must government's vigilance. The founder of the site, Craig Newmark, has asked the state's Department of Consumer Affairs to monitor online advertising more closely.

Roosevelt University will offer free college education to students who can make the grade at one Chicago high school. Freshmen and sophomores at the Social Justice High School will receive four-year scholarships if they can maintain a 3.0 grade point average and score at least a 20 on the ACT or a 1410 on the SAT. The university has begun a fundraising effort to pay for the program and estimates the value to be about $50,000 per student.