Workforce
Unions sue over ‘loyalty question’ for federal jobseekers
Earlier this year, the Office of Personnel Management added a series of essay questions to the federal hiring process, including one that asked jobseekers about their favorite Trump executive order or policy priority.
Pay & Benefits
OPM’s new blog touts modernization while retirees wait for answers during the shutdown
In his “Secrets of OPM” posts, Director Scott Kupor outlines efforts to digitize retirement processing and improve efficiency, but offers little guidance for those caught in the shutdown backlog.
Tech
DHS says shutdown layoffs at CISA will proceed despite court injunction
The cybersecurity agency says it has complied with the court’s order because the firing of 54 people in its Stakeholder Engagement Division was planned beforehand and doesn’t affect unionized employees.
Workforce
‘We’ll still continue to serve’: Many federal employees turn to volunteering during shutdown
Many government workers say they have also had to rely on nonprofits for assistance during the funding lapse.
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Workforce
Lawsuit offers new details of VA’s anti-union EO implementation
According to a legal challenge from AFGE’s National Veterans Affairs Council, VA Secretary Doug Collins failed to implement President Trump's executive orders aimed at ousting unions from most federal agencies when he issued exemptions to a handful of unions that had not challenged the administration in court.
Management
FAA plans to cut 10% of flights in major markets due to shutdown-related staffing issues
Air traffic controllers are increasingly not showing up to work while their paychecks are withheld.
Management
Fresh from election wins, Dems demand Trump meeting over shutdown
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., sent a letter to President Donald Trump on Wednesday, calling for a bipartisan meeting to end the government shutdown.
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Workforce
Threats against public servants increased over 35 times what they were a decade ago, according to new research
Threats and violence against public servants hurt the ability of the government to deliver, say the groups behind a new map showing threats against public sector employees.
FEATURED INSIGHTS
Pay & Benefits
How long will OPM keep paying for feds’ health insurance during the shutdown, a senator asks
Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., requested details on how the federal HR agency’s plans to fund its health insurance trust funds with federal employees still not being paid during the shutdown.
Workforce
‘If you don't serve today, you can serve tomorrow’: Former feds remain hopeful about public service despite challenges under Trump
Former officials, including some pushed out by President Donald Trump, shared stories from their federal service at a National Academy of Public Administration event.
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Management
‘We’re closer to the end': Lawmakers signal some progress in bipartisan talks to end shutdown
Funding lapse set to reach record levels but senators in both parties voice mild hope of progress.
TSP TICKER
FUND
G
F
C
S
I
NOV 06 CLOSE
$19.4654
$20.8145
$107.2768
$98.5599
$53.0336
DAILY CHANGE
0.0022
0.0788
-1.2123
-1.6217
-0.1819
THIS MONTH (%)
0.07
0.06
-1.74
-2.80
-1.11
FUND
L 2070
L 2060
L 2050
L 2040
L 2030
L INCOME
NOV 06 CLOSE
$12.3361
$20.8162
$40.5275
$66.2616
$56.9586
$28.8770
DAILY CHANGE
-0.1121
-0.1892
-0.2934
-0.4181
-0.2916
-0.0640
THIS MONTH (%)
-1.64
-1.64
-1.35
-1.18
-0.95
-0.41
FUND
NOV 06
CLOSE
CLOSE
DAILY
CHANGE
CHANGE
THIS
MONTH
MONTH
G
$19.4654
0.0022
0.07
F
$20.8145
0.0788
0.06
C
$107.2768
-1.2123
-1.74
S
$98.5599
-1.6217
-2.80
I
$53.0336
-0.1819
-1.11
L 2070
$12.3361
-0.1121
-1.64
L 2060
$20.8162
-0.1892
-1.64
L 2050
$40.5275
-0.2934
-1.35
L 2040
$66.2616
-0.4181
-1.18
L 2030
$56.9586
-0.2916
-0.95
L INCOME
$28.8770
-0.0640
-0.41
Workforce
Shutdown compounds a year of pain for federal contractors, employees
Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., says the closure amplifies the billions in contract cancellations and workforce cuts.
Management
At NSA, a leadership vacuum and staff cuts threaten morale and operational strength
"That’s what happens when your boss disappears, and then some of your lead unicorns also disappear,” one person said.
Pay & Benefits
FEHB costs are climbing in 2026. Here’s what that means for feds
From higher premiums to new IVF coverage, many plans are shifting next year. Here’s how to find out what’s different in your plan and what it will cost you.
Workforce
IBEW: Trump’s anti-union EOs target unions expressly protected by law
The collective bargaining rights of prevailing rate employees at the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Southwestern Power Agency and the Western Area Power Administration are set by a different law than the one that covers most other federal employees, a new lawsuit argues.
Management
Airports seeing spike in shutdown impacts as TSA screeners and air traffic controllers call out
Some airports are seeing three-hours lines while dozens have experienced shutdown-related delays.
Workforce
Alleged politicization of public service student loan forgiveness sparks lawsuit against Trump administration
The Education Department published a rule that could block federal student loan borrowers who work for entities that provide assistance to migrants or trans youth from the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
Pay & Benefits
Growth slowed in most TSP funds in October
Despite a slowing rate of return, last month still marked the third consecutive month in which all portfolios in the Thrift Savings Plan all increased in value.
Management
Two judges block Trump administration from cutting SNAP benefits
A pair of rulings have temporarily paused White House plans to halt funding to the food assistance program during the government shutdown.
Management
Senator argues that federal agencies should be more like Spirit Halloween, at least when it comes to real estate
While the Trump administration is prioritizing rightsizing the federal real estate portfolio, it has pared back several more aggressive efforts to offload property.
Pay & Benefits
Employees are receiving renewed furlough notices as shutdown enters second month, this time without back pay guarantees
The shutdown is heading into November, sparking new, altered furlough notices to 650,000 employees.
Tech
Top cybersecurity official exits for TSA role amid recent cyber office reductions
Ryan Donaghy had served at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency since 2016. It’s not clear if she was voluntarily moved to TSA or was given transfer orders.
Management
Contractors fear retaliation if they try to recover shutdown costs
Legal rights do exist for companies to recoup their losses, but attorneys say fears of Trump administration reprisal loom over industry.
