This week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $250 million to the 11 states hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 matches and to the National Capital Region to help them defend against unauthorized drone activity.

The Pennsylvania National Guard is expanding training and testing of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) – commonly referred to as drones – as they take on a growing role in modern warfare.  

A new bill introduced in the Michigan Legislature seeks to tighten guardrails on drones by creating a statewide drone registry designed to provide state agencies and law enforcement with better access to critical information and improve public safety.

As current authorities for the government to intercept and track unauthorized drones are set to expire on Friday, Dec. 20, Federal agencies are urging Congress to enact counter-drone legislation.

Fullerton College, a community college in California, announced that it will be launching its first-ever Bachelor of Science degree program in drones and autonomous systems in Fall 2026. This new degree marks the school’s first and only bachelor’s degree program.

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) will begin using drones as a stand in first responder to improve both public safety and the safety of human first responders.

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has turned to drones to combat a growing trend of “subway surfing,” or riding on top of above-ground subway cars.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has finalized a drone use plan that authorizes staff to conduct pinniped (also known as seals) research and management surveys in the state’s coastal and inland waters.

San Francisco city officials say that crime has hit a decade-low and contributed some of that success to the city’s new public safety drone program. 

In joint guidance released on Jan. 17, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) – alongside the FBI – is warning critical infrastructure and state, local, tribal, and territorial partners of cybersecurity threats posed by Chinese-manufactured unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), more commonly known as drones.