Route Fifty
Big Data Is Big News, Especially in State Governments
The Pew Charitable Trusts is starting an 18-month review of how the 50 states are utilizing data to improve decision-making and government performance.
Nextgov
OPM Says Dead Federal Employees Also Need ID Theft Protection
The agency is mailing about 300,000 notification letters addressed to the departed
Management
Agency Energy Use Reduced to 40-Year Low
Defense Department accounts for lion’s share of conservation progress.
Defense
Homeland Security to Announce New Terrorism Alert System
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson says the president will soon announce a new terrorism threat alert system to address what he called intermediate-level threats to the United States.
Oversight
Congress Will Race This Week to Avoid a Shutdown
Lawmakers will look to pass an omnibus spending bill and push forward on tax extenders, reconciliation and education.
Management
President Obama's Pending Executive Action on Guns
The president appears poised to bypass Congress, and impose stricter regulations on the purchase and sale of firearms.
Tech
The Postal Service Will Try Emailing Your Mail to You
The agency is testing a new email "notification" service.
Defense
Obama Speaks on San Bernardino: 'This Was an Act of Terrorism'
The president addressed the mass shooting in a televised speech from the Oval Office on Sunday.
Nextgov
Hackers Blast Anti-Semitic Texts, Decelerate Roadrunner Wireless, and Infiltrate Key Australian Supercomputer Agency
Just another week in ThreatWatch, our regularly updated index of noteworthy data breaches.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Obama's Aiming a Little High
The American people don't have the strongest vocabulary skills, so "existential" might be a little aggressive a word for the president to use.
Route Fifty
Weekend Reads: Wisconsin Sex Scandal Raises New Questions of Scott Walker’s Administration
Also: A rejected bribe demand in Louisiana could cost the state $20 million and New Jersey’s black bear hunt expands.
Management
How to Sabotage Anyone Using Time-tested Tips From the CIA
Or: "How to lower morale and reduce productivity."
Management
With Deadline Days Away, TSA-Union Contract Negotiations at a Standstill
Absent an 11th hour deal, the union will go to arbitration.
Nextgov
Has the Government Paid Off Hackers to Remove Malware from Agency Computers?
Ransomware viruses have become a common nuisance in the United States.
Nextgov
Should the Secret Service Hand Over Its Cybersecurity Responsibilities?
It might be time for the Secret Service to transition its focus away from cybercrime, according to a recent House Oversight and Government Reform report.
Management
2016 Presidential Transition Already Under Way, Think Tank Says
Academy enlists experienced federal leaders in bid to restore trust in government.
Management
To Clearance Holders: Don’t Be This Guy
Sharing too much on social media can make you a target for hackers.
Nextgov
The White House is Prepping for the Most Violent Space Weather Imaginable
Here’s the plan for responding to a destructive solar storm.
Defense
FBI Says it is Investigating San Bernardino Shooting as Terrorism
Multiple news organizations are reporting that Tashfeen Malik pledged allegiance on Facebook to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Route Fifty