Nextgov
VA is Working to Add New Features to its Health and Benefits App
The VA’s mobile phone app, which surpassed one million downloads last year, is rolling out new prescription refill and travel reimbursement services for veterans in the coming months.
Management
The National Intelligence Director: Over-Classification Undermines Democracy
The ongoing investigations into handling of sensitive documents by former presidents and vice presidents have brought potential problems with the classification system back into the spotlight.
Defense
The Military Must Recruit More Women, Immigrants for the Future Force, Experts Say
At symposium on building the all-volunteer force of 2040, panelists push back on criticism of diversity initiatives.
Workforce
These 3 Fed Workforce Trends Will Shape Mission Success in 2023
Agencies need to embrace the challenges and adapt to shifting worker expectations.
Management
That Time the Federal Government Was Ruled By Czars
How a term for Russian oligarchs came to be applied to American government officials.
Oversight
Fixing The Fraud Problem is Going to be a Heavy Lift
Natalie Alms joins the podcast to discuss two new GAO reports.
Defense
When May a Robot Kill? New Pentagon Policy Tries to Clarify
An updated policy tweaks wording in a bid to dispel confusion.
Management
How Misinformed Citizens Put Government Personnel in Harm’s Way
What happens online can turn into physical threats.
Workforce
OPM to Agencies: Make Sure You Haven’t Incorrectly Told Employees They Can’t Join a Union
The directive is aimed at correcting instances where employees were improperly labeled as management officials.
Oversight
Legislators Renew Efforts to Protect Consumers from an Eavesdropping Fridge
The reintroduced bill asks the Federal Trade Commission to establish disclosure guidelines for smart devices and appliances that consumers would not expect to be recording them.
Management
Coronavirus Roundup: Changes at the CDC; the Republicans on the COVID Panel
There’s a lot to keep track of. Here’s a list of this week’s news updates and stories you may have missed.
Defense
Left in Limbo, a Handful of Biden’s Defense Picks Await Senate Action
Four nominees—all people of color—received committee approval months ago but have yet to get a Senate vote.
Workforce
Even Bivalent Updated COVID-19 Boosters Struggle to Prevent Omicron Subvariant Transmission – An Immunologist Discusses Why New Approaches Are Necessary
The new bivalent boosters against COVID-19 have failed to halt omicron infections. However, new technologies are being developed that pave a way forward.
Nextgov
Justice 'Hacked the Hackers' of Hive Ransomware, Stopping $130M in Demands
It took national and international cooperation to thwart the group, who targeted more than 1,500 victims.
Management
VA Says Its Renewed Infrastructure Review Will Focus on Building First
Closures could still come, but that will be a "secondary matter."
Pay & Benefits
Congressional Democrats Propose an 8.7% Pay Raise for Feds in 2024
The annually introduced bill would provide a 4.7% across-the-board increase in basic pay and an average 4% increase to locality pay.
Pay & Benefits
Who Can and Can’t Get Coverage Under Your Health Insurance
OPM doesn’t know how many people with FEHB coverage are actually ineligible for the program.
Management
The Second Year of the Biden White House Brought an Uptick in ‘A Team’ Turnover
Some other high-profile departures are on the horizon, reportedly.
Nextgov
NIST Debuts Long-Anticipated AI Risk Management Framework
With the launch of the AI RMF 1.0, federal researchers focused on four core functions to structure how all organizations evaluate and introduce more trustworthy AI systems.
Defense