Workforce
VIDEO: More Hatch Act rules for federal employees, explained
The Hatch Act restricts the political activities of federal workers.
Pay & Benefits
OPM reminds agencies to grant feds leave to vote
Federal workers are entitled to up to four hours of paid administrative leave to go to the polls, thanks to an executive order signed by President Biden in 2021.
Tech
NSF launches AI-driven biotech research program
The National Science Foundation is funding five projects within its new BioFoundries program, which aims to use artificial intelligence to accelerate research in biosciences.
Management
Transparency and urgency are needed to deter agency misconduct and protect federal workers
COMMENTARY | The head of the Office of Special Counsel, the agency that investigates allegations of government misconduct, has a proposal.
Sponsor Content
Revolutionizing Federal HR: Insights from Recruits on the Hiring Process
In a world of increasing competition from the private sector, attracting and retaining top-tier talent has never been more critical.
News
Impasse on SNAP benefits holds up farm bill
The current law expires at the end of September. Congress appears likely to extend the 2018 farm bill again.
Oversight
Republicans criticize EEOC over nixed one-day furlough
The agency said that no additional funding and a high pay increase for federal employees helped create its budget shortfall, but GOP leaders called it a failure to adjust spending.
Pay & Benefits
Thank goodness for survivor benefits
Even if you have never had a job where you paid into Social Security, you may still be eligible to receive benefits.
Sponsor Content
How Lookout Protects Against Scattered Spider
Learn more on this topic and how Lookout protects against these Scattered Spider attacks.
Management
GSA has a backlog of 36,000 open fire, safety and health risk conditions in federal buildings
After a complaint to GSA’s inspector general that the agency was violating employee health and safety regulations, auditors found a database of unresolved risk issues at federal buildings across the nation that dated back a decade.
FEATURED INSIGHTS
Defense
The agency that dared not speak its name is launching a podcast
The NSA's "No Such Podcast" will interview agency experts in a bid to raise its public profile.
Workforce
Trump calls federal workforce 'crooked,' vows to hold them 'accountable'
In an interview with a right-wing Youtuber, the former president seemingly alluded to reviving Schedule F and other Trump-era policies aimed at making it easier to fire federal employees.
Oversight
GAO wants new Secret Service training plan after Trump assassination attempt
The watchdog recommended the agency implement new training goals for agents in the Presidential Protective Division after a gunman attempted to assassinate Donald Trump in July.
TSP TICKER
FUND
G
F
C
S
I
AUG 30 CLOSE
$18.4962
$19.8266
$88.8635
$84.7940
$45.1255
DAILY CHANGE
0.0042
-0.0490
0.8998
0.6370
0.1470
THIS MONTH (%)
0.35
1.43
2.42
0.25
3.15
FUND
L 2060
L 2050
L 2040
L 2030
L INCOME
AUG 30 CLOSE
$17.4758
$34.7025
$57.4068
$50.0464
$26.4614
DAILY CHANGE
0.1274
0.2044
0.2977
0.2198
0.0517
THIS MONTH (%)
2.38
2.13
1.93
1.69
0.98
FUND
AUG 30
CLOSE
CLOSE
DAILY
CHANGE
CHANGE
THIS
MONTH
MONTH
G
$18.4962
0.0042
0.35
F
$19.8266
-0.0490
1.43
C
$88.8635
0.8998
2.42
S
$84.7940
0.6370
0.25
I
$45.1255
0.1470
3.15
L 2050
$34.7025
0.2044
2.13
L 2040
$57.4068
0.2977
1.93
L 2030
$50.0464
0.2198
1.69
L 2020
$None
None
L INCOME
$26.4614
0.0517
0.98
Management
Education Department outlines its testing period for a phased rollout of the new FAFSA form
After this year's federal student aid application encountered a series of glitches and errors the department will begin beta testing the 2025-2026 form with community-based organizations in October.
Tech
Half a billion dollars in grants awarded to boost the EV charging network
The Biden administration also said that the number of publicly available EV chargers has doubled since the president took office.
Pay & Benefits
House subcommittee wants VA to put more of a spotlight on its veteran employment program
In a field hearing of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, House members pressed for more insights and potential exposure of the Veteran Readiness and Employment program.
Management
SSI to move its core disability program application online
The initial rollout will be available to adults who have never married and are applying for Supplemental Security Income for the first time.
Management
Federal judge pauses a program that grants protections for undocumented spouses
A Homeland Security Department spokesperson said the agency will defend the program, known as Keeping Families Together, in court. DHS is still allowed to collect applications, but not allowed to approve them.
Workforce
The minority talent pipeline is growing for the intelligence community, but representation is falling
The Office of the National Director of Intelligence’s annual demographic report found that while the Intelligence Community has made strong gains in minority applicants, attrition has led to workforce diversity declines over the past two years.
Management
Both Harris and Trump are historically behind on presidential transition planning
GSA is beginning to provide office space and information technology support to the candidates, who have both just recently named the heads of their transition teams.
Tech
AI can help FOIA offices combat onslaught of bot-powered requests, report says
According to a report from software firm OPEXUS, 93% of FOIA officers believe “AI has a key role to play in helping to review, sort and deduplicate requests.”
Tech
Energy Department unveils its green resource hub for AI-based grid demand
The new online resource is the latest step Energy has taken to match the pace of green energy transitions with growing electricity needs from artificial intelligence applications.
Management
ICE struggles to track unaccompanied minors, oversight report says
The agency lacks automated systems to chart the path of underage migrants through the immigration system.
Pay & Benefits
House lawmakers plan to force a vote on bill to kill provision that cuts some feds' retirement pay
The Social Security Fairness Act would abolish two tax provisions that reduce retirement benefits for some federal workers.
Oversight
Military does not collect comprehensive data on its job program for departing service members
The SkillBridge program allows service members who are transitioning to civilian life within 180 days to participate in job and employment training.
