Governors Immortalized as Bobbleheads for Coronavirus Response
The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum immortalized four governors as bouncy-headed figurines for their state leadership during the coronavirus pandemic.
Nextgov
Senators Call on IRS to Beef Up Fraud Prevention Efforts
Scammers are not taking days off during the pandemic, senators warn.
Nextgov
NASA Engineers Rapidly Create Ventilator Tailored to Treat COVID-19 Patients
The new device is under Food and Drug Administration review for emergency-use authorization.
Conspiracy Theories Abound About the Coronavirus. How Officials Can Deal with Them.
During the protracted coronavirus crisis, conspiracy theories can develop staying power. Experts say clear communication is crucial to dispelling disinformation and combatting conspiracies.
McConnell’s State Bankruptcy Remarks Signal Growing Tension Over Federal Aid
The Senate majority leader is voicing reluctance about moving quickly to fork over more federal dollars to states as they deal with budget shocks from the coronavirus outbreak.
In a Hawaii Sewage Case, Supreme Court Bolsters Protections Under Clean Water Act
Environmental activists expect the ruling will force a Maui County wastewater treatment plant to obtain a permit regulating its sewage discharge into groundwater.
Nextgov
Defense is Embracing Robotic Process Automation But It’s Not Yet Scaling It
Bot security and varying cloud infrastructure could make it tough for the Pentagon to spread RPA tools.
Nextgov
Federal Spending on COVID-19 Doubles in Last 10 Days
The latest government spending data shows a major jump between April 13 and 23, up to $6.4 billion.
Nextgov
Critical Update: How the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Plans to Run ‘Better, Cheaper, Faster’ Tech
Chief Information Officer Jamie Holcombe and his team are stabilizing and modernizing IT to help meet growing demands in a changing marketplace.
Some Local Officials Lash Out At State Restrictions to Combat Virus
Sheriffs and some Republican local officials in a few Democratic-led states are saying they won’t enforce governors’ orders, and at least one is vowing a challenge in court.
What Happens When Eviction Moratoriums Are Over?
Moratoriums that allow people to delay paying their rent are keeping tenants who can’t afford their monthly bills safely inside—for now. But policymakers are starting to worry that if tenants can’t pay back rent after the pandemic “a massive crisis” awaits on the horizon.
Nextgov
The Pentagon’s Cybersecurity Certification Plan Includes Continuously Monitoring Contractors
A request for proposals outlines a portal where auditors would get automatic notifications if a company’s security score dips below a specified threshold.
A City Plan to Make Masks Available to Every Resident
The city of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, partnered with a local manufacturer to make and distribute reusable masks, designed by a local doctor.
DOJ Could Intervene If States Too Restrictive Going Forward, Barr Says
“We have to do a better job of making sure that the measures that are being adopted are properly targeted,” said U.S. Attorney General William Barr.
Sectors and States Poised to See Worst Job Losses Highlighted in New Research
About one-in-five American workers were in industries last year that are now bearing the brunt of the economic downturn the coronavirus has caused, according to estimates in one report.
State Leaders Move to Protect Stimulus Checks from Debt Collectors
Some governors and attorneys general are rushing to establish protections for people with debt, trying to ensure they can use their stimulus checks on essentials like food, housing, and medicine.
Nextgov
Army Wants to Study How Humans Team With AI—And Vice Versa
A new contract will focus on the teaming aspect of artificial intelligence in warfare by analyzing how humans and machines think when working together.
Chances Dim For State and Local Aid in Pending Virus Relief Deal
While President Trump has indicated some support to bolster struggling state and local governments, he has said it can wait until the next coronavirus aid package.
Nextgov