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Bill Would Prevent the President from Nuking Hurricanes

It came on the first day of hurricane season, in response to a recommendation Trump reportedly made in the past.

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Virginia and Richmond Leaders Plan to Move on Confederate Statue Removal

STATE AND LOCAL NEWS ROUNDUP | Hawaii opens up to interisland travel this month … Tropical storm projected to be headed to Gulf Coast … Nebraska governor apologizes for saying ‘you people’ to black pastors.

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Cyber Commission: Expand Connected Device Security Bill Beyond Federal Procurement Realm  

The new recommendation comes in an annex the Cyberspace Solarium Commission released in light of the pandemic. 

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Minnesota Presses for Oversight of Minneapolis Police—Will Other States Follow?

In the absence of federal civil rights investigations into the conduct of local police departments, some states may begin to implement their own consent decree programs.

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Lawmakers Seek Answers From FBI, DHS on Protest Involvement

The House Committee on Homeland Security also wants to know how many personnel the agencies dispatched to address the protests.

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Defense Secretary Opposes Deploying Federal Troops in Response to Unrest

His remarks come after President Trump earlier this week raised the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act to send federal troops to assist with law enforcement in some cities.

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Pandemic, Civil Unrest Complicate Voting in the Nation’s Capital

Washington, D.C. is among the jurisdictions that encouraged residents to vote by mail to stay safe amid the coronavirus pandemic, but voters who came out to the polls Tuesday still encountered long lines.

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In a Rural Valley, Virus Threat Hangs Heavy Over Summer Tourist Season

Washington’s Methow Valley is a magnet for tourists and people looking to get into the outdoors. But the coronavirus outbreak is stirring mixed reactions about visitors.

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ICE Outlines How Investigators Rely on Third-Party Facial Recognition Services

In a newly released impact assessment, the immigration enforcement agency details its use of facial biometrics and the privacy implications involved.

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Bill Would Force Government to Study Telehealth Use During Pandemic

The Health and Human Services Department would collect data nationwide to determine how telehealth fared during COVID-19.

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George Floyd Case Renews Calls to Limit Legal Immunity for Police

The U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether or not to take up a series of cases that challenge the legal doctrine of qualified immunity, which has been used to shield officers from civil liability over their actions.

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Protesters Demand Defunding and Demilitarization of Police

In cities across the country, protest organizers say they want less money from local government budgets going to the police.

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CMS Produces ‘Employee Roll Call Bot’ to Account for Workforce Amid Telework

Teleworking can make it tough for agencies to keep a pulse on their personnel, but bots can help.

Nextgov

Army Seeks Vendors for Another JEDI Contract

The U.S. Army wants to improve interoperability and data sharing among itself, NATO and other coalition partners.

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Protests Could Lead to Surge of Coronavirus Cases, Officials Say

Public health officials and lawmakers worried that mass gatherings protesting the death of George Floyd could lead to a future increase of new coronavirus cases.

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Health Inspections Take on New Role in Monitoring Restaurant Safety

Local health departments that suspended in-person inspections of restaurants and bars are beginning to restart their programs and now have even more responsibilities than before, like enforcing social distancing.

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Democratic State Attorneys General Push Back on Trump Social Media Order

The executive order would direct federal agencies and state attorneys general to investigate social media companies for alleged bias in their content moderation policies.