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California Will Provide $600 Relief Payments to Many Individuals

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Tuesday that will extend pandemic aid to low-income and immigrant households.

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Two Women Dressed Up as 'Grannies' to Skip Vaccine Line, Officials Said

The allegedly disguised women were issued trespassing warnings after officials in Orlando found discrepancies between their identification and Covid-19 vaccine registration cards.

Nextgov

Critical Update: Who’s Afraid of EMPs?

Electromagnetic pulses are frequently boogeymen in pop culture but the federal government takes real steps to prepare for them. 

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Smallest Businesses Will Get Special Window to Apply for Federal Relief Funds

The Biden administration announced the change to the Paycheck Protection Program on Monday, along with other measures to improve access to funding for minority-owned businesses.

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Bemoaning 'Cancel Culture,' One State Lawmaker Aims to Make Political Affiliation a Protected Class

California state Sen. Melissa Melendez, a Republican, said the legislation is necessary to ensure free speech.

Nextgov

Marine Corps Looks for Insider Threat Monitoring Capability

And another Marine Corps application addressing a specific kind of insider threat—suicidal ideation—will be established as a system of records.

Route Fifty

Failed Poisoning Attempt Shows Vulnerability of Smaller Water Systems to Hackers

While cybersecurity resources can be scarce at small agencies, there are some basic steps they can take to protect themselves.

Nextgov

Former 18F Official Returns to Lead Next Phase of Technology Transformation Services

The tech team is about delivering services to the public, not just disruption, General Services Administration alumni Dave Zvenyach told Nextgov. 

Route Fifty

Lawmakers Call for Federal Program to Upgrade Unemployment Systems

Many people filing for unemployment during the pandemic have experienced long delays. Subpar technology is one of the factors commonly blamed for problems.

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A Pennsylvania County Goes Hydro With its Government Buildings

Allegheny County will power its facilities with hydroelectric power under a 35-year agreement with a planned plant on a nearby river.

Nextgov

White House Plans Executive Action in Response to Hack Involving SolarWinds  

The official leading the effort said changes are necessary to allow information sharing within the federal government.

Nextgov

Consumer Product Safety Commission Employees Want to Telework at Least Twice Per Week Post-Pandemic

Commission staff and leadership report higher productivity during mass telework and more benefits than drawbacks.

Route Fifty

Winter Storm Power Outages Lead to Calls for Investigation

At least 4 million people were without power in Texas after freezing temperatures and surging electricity use overwhelmed the state’s grid.

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Maryland Created the Police Officers’ Bill of Rights. Now Lawmakers There Might Repeal It.

Passed in 1974, the statute grants broad workplace protections for officers accused of misconduct and has served as a blueprint for similar laws in more than a dozen other states.

Route Fifty

‘Vaccine Tourism’ Leads to Tighter Eligibility Checks

States’ rollout of the coronavirus vaccine has been uneven, and left some people searching for appointments across state lines. Health officials say it’s a problem given scarce resources.

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Proposals Would Help States and Localities With Paid Leave Costs

Congressional lawmakers reintroduced bills that would extend payroll tax credits to state and local governments, to help offset the expense of coronavirus-related leave for their workers.

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Snug and Doubled-Up Masks Can Help Stop Covid Spread, CDC Finds

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new research looking at the effectiveness of wearing two masks at once, or tighter fitting face coverings.