Defense
Space Law Hasn’t Been Changed since 1967 – but the UN Aims to Update Laws and Keep Space Peaceful
Activities in space today are far more numerous and complicated compared to 1967, before humans had landed on the moon or Elon Musk had been born. Two experts explain the need for better laws to keep space peaceful.
Workforce
GovExec Today: Why Feds Thrive in Remote and Hybrid Work
Workplace expert Dr. Karen Sobel Lojeski joins the podcast to discuss the telework environment for public servants.
Workforce
What Can You Expect From Another COVID Winter?
The pandemic should be better this winter than last, but it's important to accept the virus will never go completely away. "COVID is here to stay."
Management
White House Diversity Strategic Plan Focuses on Equity in Hiring and Pay
Many of the administration’s strategies dovetail with its efforts to revitalize the federal workforce.
Management
Feds and Their Contractors Should Know Their Numbers
Imagine a world where every employee had one performance measure they were accountable for moving.
Workforce
See Every Major Agency's COVID-19 Vaccination Rates
The Agriculture Department is the least vaccinated large federal agency.
Defense
The Pentagon’s New UFO Office Has a Specific Job
Defense leaders want to make sure they can spot and track “phenomena” trespassing over training ranges.
Defense
Key Pentagon Posts Remain Vacant Amid Supply-Chain Crisis
The Biden administration has not even nominated a defense undersecretary of acquisition and sustainment.
Nextgov
GAO: Better Data Collection Can Improve Homelessness Estimates
Auditors suggest the Housing and Urban Development Department can improve its homeless estimates by gathering better data at the local level.
Management
Biden Taps Acting OMB Director Shalanda Young for Permanent Role
The president also announced a nominee for deputy OMB director.
Nextgov
White House Holiday Warning Identifies Options for Reporting Ransomware
The FBI has a prominent portal for entities to report cybersecurity incidents, but Congress is considering legislation that officials fear could change the current dynamic.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: Annual Leave and Essential Feds
Erich Wagner joins the podcast to discuss OPM's decision letting some feds carry over unused annual leave that exceeds the typical cap in January.
Oversight
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland Orders Removal of Derogatory Terms from Public Land Names
Haaland, an enrolled member of the Laguna Pueblo, said she is ‘proud to be in a position’ to start with a term offensive to indigenous women on 650 different places on federal land.
Route Fifty
Feds Begin Distributing $7.5B to Rural Health Providers
The funding comes after the pandemic dealt a hit to rural America's already eroding health care system.
Management
Infrastructure Package Furthers Made-in-America Efforts
Also, the Office of Management and Budget has started making public the waivers to domestic preference laws.
Nextgov
Air Force Lab, New Mexico Institute Get Set for ‘High-Powered Window to Space’
Once completed, a sophisticated new telescope will support national security and could provide some of the clearest resolutions of space-based objects.
Management
Lawmakers Introduce Bill To Insulate OPM From Political Interference
Legislation would require presidents to nominate OPM directors without political considerations and make them the president’s “principal advisor” on federal workforce issues.
Workforce
At Least One Agency To Begin Suspending Some Unvaccinated Feds Before Christmas
Internal Justice Department emails show tight timeline for suspensions and firings for those out of compliance with the president's order.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: EPA’s Back-to-the-Office Plan; More Data on Vaccine Mandate
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Management