Management
Following court order, OPM replaces 'favorite EO' question for jobseekers
The Office of Personnel Management’s latest essay question for federal job applicants asks less about their personal politics and more about their ability to follow instructions.
Oversight
Watchdog won’t discipline agencies over partisan shutdown posts but warns against ‘derogatory’ messaging
Many departments blamed congressional Democrats for last year’s funding lapse by posting banners on agency websites and modifying furloughed employees’ out-of-office messages.
Management
FDA nominee faces bipartisan scrutiny over vaccines and abortion drug
Heidi Overton drew pointed questions from senators on vaccine safety and mifepristone during her confirmation hearing Thursday.
Oversight
ICE’s $45 billion detention expansion is littered with costly missteps, watchdog reports
The Government Accountability Office criticized plans to sell recently purchased warehouses, the shuttered “Alligator Alcatraz” facility and spending millions to detain an average of 16 migrants in fiscal 2026 at Guantanamo Bay.
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Management
VA’s contracting crackdown gave some staff hours to do hundreds of reviews
VA's watchdog office noted these reviews happened quickly under strict deadlines, but generally complied with requirements for terminating contracts.
Management
GSA claims it found $1.2B in suspected COVID-related contracting fraud
The agency previously said it found $13 billion in suspected procurement-related fraud and is investigating other sources of potential fraud.
Pay & Benefits
Your federal benefits changed this year. Here’s what to know
A guide to the retirement, insurance, Social Security and TSP changes affecting federal employees, retirees and survivors in 2026, plus what to watch for in 2027.
Sponsor Content
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Workforce
FLRA ruling puts ball back in courts’ court on Trump’s union EOs
The National Treasury Employees Union said Wednesday that a recent Federal Labor Relations Authority decision supports its argument that it cannot seek redress through administrative channels.
FEATURED INSIGHTS
Workforce
Trust in government is sinking, but a new survey suggests civil servants’ stock is rising
The percentages of respondents who said most civil servants are competent and committed to helping people “like me” increased to record highs — at 65% and 61%, respectively.
Exclusive
Management
IRS and Social Security will see more employees quit without advanced leave, senators warn
Senate Democrats warn employees will “inevitably leave” both agencies following a suspension of advanced leave, adding to deep staffing cuts.
Updated
Tech
ShinyHunters claims FBI data theft, demands bureau retract cyber warning
The hacking group says it obtained sensitive employee and applicant records. The full scope of the claimed breach remains unclear.
TSP TICKER
FUND
G
F
C
S
I
SEP 24 CLOSE
$20.2399
$20.3991
$124.2915
$113.6999
$64.8394
DAILY CHANGE
0.0027
-0.1013
-0.0303
-0.1628
-0.5335
THIS MONTH (%)
0.32
-2.15
0.33
-2.47
-1.96
FUND
L 2070
L 2060
L 2050
L 2040
L 2030
L INCOME
SEP 24 CLOSE
$14.5509
$24.5557
$46.6409
$75.3284
$63.5015
$31.0585
DAILY CHANGE
-0.0462
-0.0777
-0.1358
-0.1937
-0.1228
-0.0328
THIS MONTH (%)
-0.84
-0.84
-0.79
-0.67
-0.44
-0.13
FUND
SEP 24
CLOSE
CLOSE
DAILY
CHANGE
CHANGE
THIS
MONTH
MONTH
G
$20.2399
0.0027
0.32
F
$20.3991
-0.1013
-2.15
C
$124.2915
-0.0303
0.33
S
$113.6999
-0.1628
-2.47
I
$64.8394
-0.5335
-1.96
L 2070
$14.5509
-0.0462
-0.84
L 2060
$24.5557
-0.0777
-0.84
L 2050
$46.6409
-0.1358
-0.79
L 2040
$75.3284
-0.1937
-0.67
L 2030
$63.5015
-0.1228
-0.44
L INCOME
$31.0585
-0.0328
-0.13
Workforce
FAA administrator defends withholding part of ATC pay raise
Democrats on a House appropriations subcommittee accused FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford of trying to “squeeze” the already overstretched air traffic controller workforce.
Tech
Login.gov is now accepting mobile driver’s licenses
The feature builds on the federal government’s effort to mandate that agencies use the digital identity verification platform.
Oversight
Congress — not the president — should appoint the next GAO head, bipartisan coalition argues
The organizations from across the political spectrum contended that former Comptroller General Gene Dodaro’s retirement last year provides an opportunity for lawmakers to overhaul the nomination process.
Tech
Trump wants an ‘AI Force.’ What would that actually look like?
The president compared the proposed unit to Space Force, but offered few details about its mission, authority or place in the federal government.
Updated
Management
IRS watchdog audits employee reassignments, as agency looks to extend some tours of duty
Employees placed on these involuntary details are doing jobs several pay grades below the work they were hired to perform, but continue to receive their regular paychecks.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers call on leadership to override Trump’s planned pay freeze
Members of both parties urged congressional leaders to “at minimum” authorize an across-the-board 3.8% pay raise for civilian federal employees, in line with President Trump’s supplemental pay increase planned only for law enforcement.
Updated
Workforce
OPM uses conservative influencers on college tour to recruit young workers
On Thursday, the government HR agency chief is visiting an unaccredited college founded by right-wing figures.
Management
A second lawsuit challenges plans to put ICE agents near polling places
The filing comes after administration officials said federal agents could conduct immigration enforcement at polling locations in certain circumstances.
Workforce
NASA employees: EEOC committed ‘flagrant distortions’ to decertify class complaint
EEOC officials touted a long-running discrimination case against NASA as an example why federal sector cases were in need of reform. The employees who brought the case said commissioners railroaded them.
Management
Labor’s disability accommodation delays under scrutiny by House lawmakers
Lawmakers say interim accommodations “are infrequently considered,” and that staffing shortages have contributed to significant processing delays and growing backlogs.
Tech
Space Force braces for stalled progress amid lack of full funding
Fiscal 2027 program starts are already on hold until December.
Management
The FDA requires follow-up studies for drugs and devices. Years later, many still aren’t done
An analysis of FDA data found hundreds of postmarket studies running behind schedule, raising questions about the agency’s ability to ensure manufacturers follow through.
