Oversight
Play of the Day: The Stages of the Wall Bargaining
It went from "Mexico will pay" to "a metaphor," so what's next?
Management
The Neuroscience of Asking Insightful Questions
When you solve problems for the people who report to you, you rob people of the chance to do their own thinking.
Route Fifty
Mayors, Sessions Talk ‘Sanctuary Cities’ as Federal Judge Blocks Trump Order
“We don’t have all the clarity that we need,” Austin, Texas Mayor Steve Adler told Route Fifty.
Nextgov
Congressional Staffers to Get Cybersecurity Crash Course
The training is part of a public awareness campaign in President Obama’s Cybersecurity National Action Plan.
Pay & Benefits
Overall Public-Private Sector Compensation Gap Has Widened, CBO Finds
Analysis notes comparisons are difficult.
Management
Lawmakers Continue Challenging GSA on Trump Hotel Deal
Sen. Carper calls for Public Works panel to probe possible conflicts of interest.
Tech
How Will the Federal Government Protect Nuclear Safety in an Anti-Regulatory Climate?
The U.S. nuclear industry is struggling to compete with cheap natural gas and manage radioactive waste. Budget cuts and anti-regulatory pressure could worsen things by weakening federal oversight.
Nextgov
Criminals Will Need a 'Face Off' Machine to Beat Biometrics If IARPA Project Succeeds
The intelligence community’s R&D unit awarded a few groups funds to prevent criminals from tricking biometric scanners.
Management
Justice IG Blasts Marshals Service Over Contractor-Run Prison
Watchdog cites understaffing and triple bunking of Leavenworth detainees.
Management
Trump Administration Will Ask Career Feds How to Do Things Better -- or Not at All
Architect of government restructuring plan wants it to be key part of Trump's legacy.
Route Fifty
D.C. Region Will Conduct ‘Full Scale’ Terrorism Drill Wednesday
Emergency responders will play out a scenario similar to the terror events that took place in Paris in November 2015.
Management
Trump Signals That He Doesn't Want a Government Shutdown After All
For the second time in a high-stakes congressional negotiation, he saw his bluff get called.
Management
The Many and Varied Cost Estimates of Trump's Border Wall
Call it anywhere from less than $10 billion to more than $60 billion—depending on who is counting.
Management
Whistleblower Advocates Bemoan Merit Board’s Lack of Quorum
Denial of extensions for case reviews could “starve” those who disclose potential wrongdoing.
Oversight
Appointee Watch: Several Steps Forward, One Step Back
After a slow start, key agency positions are being filled.
Management
A Psychologist Explains Why Changing Your Life Isn’t as Hard as You Think
We are much more adaptable than we give ourselves credit for.
Route Fifty
Likely Cause of Oroville Dam Spillway Collapse Released by Calif. Investigators
Also in our State and Local Daily Digest: Montana’s REAL ID compliance loan; Philly mayor’s marijuana comments; leaders in Missouri city advised to impeach their mayor.
Management
Creating an Executive Corps for All of Government
Federal executives are faced with daunting challenges in increasingly complex and fast-moving times. More often than not they require a multiagency response.
Defense
ISIS-in-Afghanistan Is Losing Recruits to Other Groups, U.S. Officials Say
James Mattis says he’s made no decision on adding troops, but warns of a confrontation if Russia continues to arm the Taliban.
Oversight