Tech
If Government Leaders Aren’t Worried About Ransomware, They Should Be
To combat maturing cyberthreats, we need to deepen our bench.
Defense
A Secretive Counterterrorism Team Interrogated Dozens of Citizens at the Border, Government Report Finds
A report by a federal watchdog shows how the Trump administration flagged at least 51 citizens for interrogation at the border based on evidence as flimsy as once having ridden in a car with someone suspected of aiding the migrant “caravan.”
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Possible Challenges to OSHA Vaccine Enforcement; FDA to Review Application for COVID Pill
Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Defense
US Army Is Scrutinizing Itself, Must Change Swiftly to Face China, Secretary Says
“The future is a lot closer than some of us think,” Christine Wormuth said at AUSA.
Management
Does Happiness Slow Down Cognitive Decline?
After tracking people for 12 years, researchers found that those with better psychological well-being had lower odds of developing cognitive impairment.
Management
GovExec Daily: How Modernization Can be Done Effectively
Nextgov's Brandi Vincent speaks to HHS' Michael Peckham about moving forward to serve the mission.
Benefits
FEHBP: With premiums up 2.4%, feds, do your homework ...
OPM recently announced that employee premiums will rise an average of 2.4%—a modest increase. Federal employee advocates are advising feds to do a little homework to get the best deal.
Employee Policy
Survey: Federal IT workers say agencies lag
In a survey, 88% of federal employees working full-time in technology or IT-focused roles say agencies have fallen behind on modernization plans, citing cultural resistance to change and the inability of contractors to quickly implement new initiatives.
Route Fifty
How Public Health Officials Overcame Vaccine Barriers in Minority Communities
A series of reports issued by the Communivax Coalition explores resistance to Covid-19 vaccinations in four states and strategies to improve immunization rates.
Management
One Army Command’s Plan for the ‘Future of Work’
“We want to provide the flexibility to our workforce to work where and when they're most productive,” says John Willison, a senior executive at the Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command.
Pay & Benefits
Bill to Provide Paid Family Leave for Feds Could Cost $20 Billion By 2027
Officials with the Congressional Budget Office warned that the actual price tag of providing feds with up to 12 weeks of paid family leave could vary widely from their estimate, depending on how much the new benefit is used.
Oversight
Documents Raise ‘New and Troubling Questions’ on Trump Hotel Lease, Lawmakers Say
House Democrats are asking GSA for more information following revelations on Friday.
Workforce
COVID-19 Vaccination Deadline Arrives for 380K VA Employees. 45K Still Haven’t Said They’ve Gotten Shots.
The department is giving those employees 10 more days to prove they have been vaccinated or seek an exception before discipline begins.
Nextgov
CISA Finalizes Guidance for Securing Federal Networks for Remote Users
The latest guidance is the third of four use cases to be released as part of the Trusted Internet Connection 3.0 initiative.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Lessons From COVID on Data Infrastructure; Implications of the OSHA Vaccine Rule
Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Nextgov
Microsoft: Government Most Targeted Sector by Hackers In Past Year
And more than half of cyberattacks tracked by Microsoft originated in Russia.
Defense
New Defense Department Climate Plan: Adjust Ops, Training, Gear for Extreme Weather
Virtual exercises will help when wildfires rage; equipment will be tested for health effects in intense heat and cold.
Defense
Army to Open Centers For Reporting Sexual Assault, Harassment
The seven “fusion directorates” will be designed to preserve privacy and improve access to care.
Defense
GOP Lawmakers Slam Pentagon Nominee for Tweets
“Do you believe every Republican in the GOP...are they all racist?” Sen. Dan Sullivan asked Brenda Fulton.
Management