Nextgov
Federal CTO’s New Mission: Raise the Government’s Tech IQ
Megan Smith is touting the Obama administration’s all-of the-above approach to refreshing its tech workforce, including tapping Silicon Valley alumni to work on short-term projects and retraining existing federal techies.
Nextgov
DHS to Launch Iris and Facial Recognition at the Border
The project is part of a coming overhaul of DHS' biometric system, which currently contains more than 170 million foreigner fingerprints and facial images.
Management
New Plain Language Champs: Social Security, Homeland Security and SEC
Education, Interior and State departments earn F’s on annual report card.
Oversight
Lawmakers Bicker Over Treatment of Feds in First Oversight Committee Meeting
New chairman promises to change the panel’s discourse, but old battles continue.
Route Fifty
Minneapolis Green-Lights Its Organics Recycling Program Plan
Minnesota’s largest city is embracing the municipal composting movement, which is gaining steam in many U.S. cities.
Oversight
Senator Looks to Keystone Bill to Stop Postal Facility Closures
Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., introduces amendment that would delay the closures for two years.
Oversight
Marco Rubio Wants to Permanently Extend NSA Mass Surveillance
The Florida Republican and likely White House contender is further separating himself from other 2016 hopefuls in the Senate.
Management
Obama to Agencies: We Need More Regulations on Commercial Drone Use
After drone crashes near the White House, the president directed federal agencies to release rules.
Pay & Benefits
Latest VA Bill Limits Number of Senior Execs Eligible for Bonuses
Legislation also directs secretary to reassign top career officials every five years.
Oversight
Boehner to Sue Obama Over Immigration
The speaker is planning to hold a House vote authorizing a suit against the president over his executive orders
Defense One
Obama To Propose Pentagon Spending Boost in 2016
President Barack Obama will send Congress a $585 billion defense spending plan on Monday, that would boost the Pentagon budget to levels not seen since 2012. By Marcus Weisgerber
Nextgov
Feds Get a How-To Guide for Responding to Social Media Hacks
If you’re a fed whose job involves dealing with your department’s social media accounts, this resource is worth a look.
Route Fifty
How Some Lottery Retailers Beat the Odds and Cost States Money
Scams tarnish state-run gambling operations that give people a chance to win big money while consoling them with the knowledge that their losses will pay for public education or other government services.
Management
CHCOs Can Vastly Improve Their Agencies’ Curb Appeal
How to get your 'house' in order and make it a talent destination.
Management
Why the White House Is Shaking Up Medicare
Medicare announces new plans to pay more doctors based on value.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Sarah Palin is Back and Making Just as Much Sense as Ever
After her teleprompter broke during the Iowa Freedom Summit, the former Alaska governor needed to improvise.
Oversight
What the National Weather Service Can Learn About Language from Louis C.K.
The comedian took a shot at the government agency for characterizing the northeast blizzard as "historic."
Route Fifty
Did Andrew Cuomo Overreact When He Closed New York City’s Subway?
The governor ordered the system to close because of the blizzard. But as smartphone apps showed, the trains kept on running.
Tech
Nonprofits Offer Help with Agency Records Management
National Archives welcomes input on preservation of electronic communications.
Management