Route Fifty

A 51st State? The District of Columbia Aims for Its Star

Washington, D.C. leaders made their case for statehood at the first U.S. House of Representatives hearing on the issue in 25 years, while Republicans raised concerns about corruption and fiscal stability.

Nextgov

McConnell Voices Support for $250 Million in Election Security Funds

The bill marks “a great step forward,” but states will need more consistent investment to make long-term improvements, according to CISA Director Chris Krebs.

Nextgov

Lawmakers Intro Bill to Enhance Not-Yet-Revived Office of Technical Assessment

A group of House and Senate lawmakers want the office to be more responsive and transparent, assuming funding to reinstate it gets through the appropriations process.

Route Fifty

States Try to Stop Political Deepfake Videos

State lawmakers are increasingly focused on deceptively edited videos, a pervasive technology that advocates say has the potential to disrupt elections. But are bans constitutional?

Nextgov

Lawmakers Urge New National Security Adviser to Restore White House Cyber Coordinator 

John Bolton’s decision to eliminate the role in May 2018 “showed a lack of seriousness in tackling the immediate national security threats facing our country,” said Sen. Mark Warner.

Nextgov

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Eyes Tech Sprints to Accelerate Advancements

The hope is to rapidly identify technological solutions for the agency’s toughest problems. 

Route Fifty

Transit to the Trailhead: Bus Service in a Recreation Corridor Takes Off

Oregon’s Department of Transportation has seen strong demand among riders for buses that run between Portland and the Columbia River Gorge.

Route Fifty

Dispatching a 'Battle Buddy' to Help Distressed Veterans

An initiative in Joliet, Illinois, sends police officers with military experience to respond to calls for service involving veterans who need help.

Nextgov

CISA Chief Calls on Cybersecurity Community to ‘Stop Selling Fear’ 

Director Chris Krebs wants government and industry to get a broader community of people involved in the fight against digital threats but not by fearmongering.

Nextgov

An Inside Look at All the Data CBP Collects About Everyone Crossing U.S. Borders

The agency is putting more data in the cloud and integrating more of its collection efforts.

Route Fifty

Advocates Push Back on Trump Administration Call for 'Humane Policing' of Homeless People

Ahead of President Trump’s trip to California this week, the administration has outlined strategies including housing deregulation and increased law enforcement involvement.

Route Fifty

High School Students are Less Likely to Attempt Suicide if They Trust Adults, Study Says

New research about rural high school students found that suicide prevention should involve fostering strong connections to adult staff members.

Route Fifty

Money for Silence: A Gag Order Policy with Legal Settlements Divides a Local Government

An executive order signed by Baltimore Mayor Jack Young says the city can’t offer “unreasonable” nondisclosure agreements to people who sue the city and work out agreements—but the city council might try to ban them outright.

Nextgov

Treasury Maps Out Its $1B Multicloud Future

According to the newly released acquisition roadmap, the T-Cloud contract will include, at least, offerings from AWS, Microsoft, Google and Oracle.

Nextgov

Where to Use AI and Other Tips From CIOs on Emerging Tech

The chief information officers from the departments of Health and Human Services, Justice and the General Services Administration offered emerging tech ideas to feds.

Nextgov

Agriculture Wants Store-Level Data on All of America’s Grocery Retailers

The agency plans to use the data to make sure everyone in the country has affordable access to healthy food.

Route Fifty

Federal Spending on Kids Falls, as More Dollars Flow Toward Older Adults and Debt

The findings are included in the latest edition of an annual report. “In a sense in our budget, we’re treating kids worse and worse,” said one of its authors.

Route Fifty

Report: Federal Flood Program Takes Years to Complete Home Buyouts

The five years it takes to complete a buyout of homes damaged by floods is too lengthy for many homeowners to endure, a new Natural Defense Resources Council study says.

Route Fifty

Tightening Requirements for Vaccine Exemptions

Under a new law in California, state public health officials will have final authority over the validity of children's medical exemptions for vaccinations.

Nextgov

Trump’s Top Acquisition Official Outlines Priorities

Michael Wooten, the new administrator for the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, wants contracting professionals to meet 21st-century tech challenges head-on.