Route Fifty
South Carolina Brings Back the Firing Squad for Executions
Amid a lethal injection drug shortage, the state has put no inmates to death in a decade. Those on death row must now choose between the electric chair and firing squad if drugs are unavailable.
Management
OPM Urges Agencies to Support Feds’ Mental Health
The government’s HR agency this week will host a panel discussion of mental health issues for officials and share tips for managers to support work-life balance initiatives.
Workforce
Leadership Failures Allowed Hostile Work Environment to Persist Within DHS, Watchdog Finds
Investigators fault agency leaders for enabling offensive violations of social media policy.
Nextgov
Senate Bills Aim to Grow Federal Tech-Ready Workforce—and the Government’s Transparency About its AI Use
Lawmakers moved to operationalize suggestions made by a Congressionally-mandated AI commission.
Management
Vaccinated Individuals No Longer Need Masks in Federal Buildings
The Office of Management and Budget informed agencies following a change in public health guidance.
Management
Three Cabinet Secretaries on How Their Experiences Inform Their Leadership and Pandemic Response
Marcia Fudge, Jennifer Granholm and Gina Raimondo said they all had to staff up when they started running their agencies — but that it gave them a chance to diversify.
Defense
Defense Department Lifts Mask Mandate for Fully Vaccinated Personnel
Fully vaccinated DOD personnel are no longer required to wear a mask at Defense Department facilities.
Workforce
Should You Bring Employees Back to the Office?
Research shows that people prefer to minimize their time in the office because most work cultures are not healthy or engaging.
Management
Why Is the FDA Funded in Part by the Companies It Regulates?
The FDA receives almost half its funding from companies it regulates, such as drug and medical device makers. Is this something you should be concerned about?
Management
GovExec Daily: Congress and the Budget Process
The Project on Government Oversight's Liz Hempowicz joined the show to discuss the power of the purse.
Management
Latinos Are the Most Eager to Get Vaccinated, Survey Shows — But Face Obstacles
A new survey shows that unvaccinated Hispanics are almost twice as likely as unvaccinated Blacks or whites to want a COVID-19 vaccination. But many still face a variety of access problems, ranging from fear to time squeeze.
Oversight
How America’s Partisan Divide Over Pandemic Responses Played Out in the States
States led by Republican governors generally had higher COVID-19 case and death rates in 2020.
Route Fifty
Not All Jobs Are Coming Back Post Covid: How States Can Help Retrain Workers
Rhode Island’s Back to Work program focuses reskilling workers through partnerships with local industries for in-demand jobs.
Management
How Government Policies Inhibit Accurate Financial Reporting and Incur Vast Costs
There’s a clear case for reforming federal accounting standards and practices. Here are five places to start.
Workforce
Panel Meets to Unearth Meddling in Federal Scientists' Work, Contemplate How to Avoid Future Interference
President Biden is hoping to add more teeth to scientific integrity policies across government.
Pay & Benefits
Bipartisan Bill Would Extend Feds’ Paid Parental Leave to Military Troops
Legislation would provide service members with 12 weeks of paid parental leave per year and would extend the benefit to scenarios involving miscarriages and stillbirths.
Management
Will COVID Vaccines Be Required for Federal Contractors, and How Would a Mandate Be Enforced?
Increased vaccination rates and more people returning to the workplace raise these questions.
Nextgov
GSA Seeks Industry Input on Governmentwide Cloud BPA
Industry has until May 24 to offer feedback.
Defense
It’s Official: New Air Force Ones Will Be Delivered Late
“Definitely a setback” said Lt. Gen. Duke Richardson, the U.S. Air Force’s deputy weapons buyer, as Boeing legal battle delays production.
Management