Pay & Benefits
Best Dates to Retire: Taking Your Leave
Accrual of annual leave is an important factor to consider in deciding when to move on.
Nextgov
New Background Check Bureau Advances with Director, IT Plan
The National Background Investigations Bureau begins operations Oct. 1.
Management
VHA Still Needs More Doctors and Nurses
New watchdog report finds that more of the agency’s health care professionals are resigning than retiring.
Oversight
Combat, Not Honeymoon, Would Await Clinton on Capitol Hill
Republicans are unlikely to acknowledge a political mandate if she wins—and Democrats know it.
Defense
U.S. Army Racing to Catch Up to Russia On Battle Drones
After watching UAVs dominate eastern Ukrainian skies, the service is seeking counter-drone tech and new families of flying robots.
Defense
CIA Director Calls 9/11 Legislation 'Badly Misguided'
Congress delivered a historic rebuke to the administration on Wednesday by overriding Obama’s veto.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Trump May Have a Miss Universe Problem
Or maybe it's an opportunity for a new slogan.
Pay & Benefits
Insurance Premiums Go Up, Up, Up; Shutdown Scare Ends; and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
News
Consumer Bureau Rebuffs Critics Who Deny It Broke Wells Fargo Scandal
Debate continues as bank execs see their hefty earnings clawed back.
Defense
The CIA is Trying to Protect the Privacy Rights of Someone Who Does Not Exist
Why is it holding on to the files of a fictional Cold War journalist?
Oversight
Another First for Obama: A Veto Override
Congress voted overwhelmingly to disregard the president’s rejection of legislation allowing 9/11 victims to sue a foreign government in U.S. court.
Oversight
Congress Votes to Keep Government Open
The continuing resolution passed both chambers and funds agencies through Dec. 9.
Management
Yes, You Can Fire Incompetent Government Employees
The Merit Systems Protection Board issues refresher guidance in Civil Service principles and prohibited practices.
Route Fifty
Detroit IT Director Pleads Guilty to Bribery Charges; ‘Porn Dog’ Deployed in Columbus
Also in our State and Local Daily Digest: South Side Chicago food deserts; a new governor’s mansion in North Dakota; and an ‘After School Satan’ program in Portland.
Pay & Benefits
Feds Will Pay 6.2 Percent More Toward Health Care Premiums in 2017
The government's contribution will rise 3.7 percent.
Oversight
No One Knows What the Words 'Healthy' or 'Natural' Mean in Food—Including the US Government
The FDA for months has been working on a definition for “natural,” and on Tuesday it announced it would be tackling “healthy” as well.
Management
A Nomination for the First U.S. Ambassador to Cuba in 50 Years
President Obama nominated a longtime diplomat for the top post in the communist country.
Defense
U.S. Air Force Preps a Controversial No-Bid Purchase of Spy Planes
Lawmakers balk at replacing aging EC-130Hs with smaller Gulfstream G550s without open competition.
Oversight