Route Fifty

States, Localities Try Creative Financing to Help the Homeless

Pay-for-success projects, which rely on outside investors—rather than taxpayers—to provide working capital to nonprofit service providers, are trying to tackle thorny social problems.

Oversight

The Shape of the Republican Race

Marco Rubio’s coalition is still too shallow, and Ted Cruz’s too narrow, to challenge Donald Trump—can either build beyond that?

Management

Scientists Believe Coffee Can Help Protect From Liver Disease

Researchers find risk of cirrhosis is 22 percent lower after one cup of coffee per day and 43 percent lower after two cups.

Nextgov

Treasury Needs $110M Piggy Bank to Combat IRS Hackers and Other Expected 'Cyberattacks'

A White House-ordered search for “high-value” targets attractive to hackers emphasized the need for a cyber-emergency piggy bank, according to budget documents.

Defense

James Comey Defends the Bureau's Position in Its Battle With Apple

The bureau’s director says the litigation with the tech company isn’t about trying to set a precedent, but about justice for the victims of the San Bernardino attack.

Oversight

Play of the Day: How is Hillary Clinton So Bad at This?

Stephen Colbert wonders why the Democratic frontrunner so botched her interview with Scott Pelley.

Management

Transforming Federal Financial Reporting and Auditing

A former comptroller suggests 10 reforms that would produce more meaningful data.

Route Fifty

Governors, County Leaders Gather in D.C. for 2016 Winter Meetings

Among the topics being discussed at the National Governors Association and National Association of Counties meetings: Opioid abuse, rural poverty and fiscal challenges, among many others.

Nextgov

Hackers Hate on Health Care: Delaying Meals, Holding a Hospital Hostage, Stealing Brain Patient IDs and Exposing Battered Women

Just another week in ThreatWatch, our regularly updated index of noteworthy data breaches.

Route Fifty

Economists Tell Governors That a Recession Is on the Horizon

It probably won’t happen this year but the “next recession is probably closer than the last one,” one expert said during the National Governors Association’s winter meeting.

Tech

Why the IRS Was Just Hacked – Again – and What the Feds Can Do About It

Federal networks need stronger cybersecurity measures than most organizations, but have not yet gotten the budget or staffing commitments that would protect them properly.

Management

Flint and the Case for Open Government

The paternalistic approach to government has run its course.

Tech

Could FDA E-Cigarette Regulations Help People Quit Smoking?

Officials could give the FDA authority to develop more e-cigarette rules.

Tech

What the First Presidential Campaign Websites Looked Like

The site made for Bob Dole’s 1996 presidential run is a little jewel in Internet history.

Tech

NASA’s New Telescope Will Have a View 100 Times Bigger Than Hubble’s

Are we alone in the universe? What is dark energy? The WFIRST telescope aims to answer both of these questions.

Nextgov

White House Wants to Train K-12 Students to Be Nation’s Future Cyber Defense

The White House’s $4 billion plan for computer science curriculum in K-12 schools is about more than education reform.