Management
How a National ‘Green Bank’ Could Help Advance Biden’s Climate Agenda
The concept has roots in other federal financing programs.
Nextgov
Existing Agency Threat Hunters Welcome CISA’s New Authorities
For the Department of Education, proactive threat hunting means not just taking down questionable URLs but buying them up.
Tech
Video Conferencing Can Tank Collective Intelligence
By reducing synchrony among speakers, video conferencing actually may make it harder to communicate effectively than non-visual ways of connecting.
Pay & Benefits
GovExec Daily: A New Leave Proposal for Feds
Erich Wagner joins the podcast to discuss a Senate bill that would give federal employees expanded leave for illness and other extenuating circumstances.
Route Fifty
House Lawmakers Form New Caucus of Former Local Officials
"If an issue is important to our local governments, it should be important to Congress, too," said one of the group's co-chairs.
Route Fifty
Policing the Police: Justice Department Launches Probe in Minneapolis
Derek Chauvin’s criminal conviction won’t solve systemic policing problems. Experts said the DOJ’s resumption of pattern or practice investigations can help spur local police reform.
Management
With Hurricane Season Looming, FEMA Aims to Stave Off Burnout After 'Tiresome' Year
Some offices are at 10% capacity due to widespread deployments, leaving few employees behind to prepare for upcoming storms.
Nextgov
CISA Issues Deadline for Federal Agencies to Address Pulse Secure Vulnerabilities
The vulnerabilities led to the compromise of government agencies early last summer and, together with a newly disclosed flaw, continue to be exploited.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Vaccines Sent to All State Department Posts Abroad; SBA Makes Progress on Oversight and Fraud Detection for Pandemic Programs
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Nextgov
Army Explores Equipping Robots with Living Muscle Tissue
A scientist from the Army Research Lab gave a glimpse into its early work with biohybrid robotics.
Oversight
A Tiny Number of People Will Be Hospitalized Despite Being Vaccinated. We Have to Learn Why.
Experts say we should investigate “breakthrough infections” to look out for variants and understand who’s vulnerable. In many cases, that’s not happening. Crucial pieces of the puzzle are being tossed in the trash.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: How to Manage the Zoomers in Your Office
Kat Clowes and Robin Paggi join the podcast to discuss how to bring Gen Z workers into your workplace.
Route Fifty
Senators Grill Cabinet Secretaries on American Jobs Plan
The heads of environmental, transportation, housing and commerce departments laid out more details of the Biden administration’s infrastructure plan during a Tuesday hearing.
Management
Union Criticizes Civil Service Carveouts in Science Bills
Two bills aimed at revitalizing the National Science Foundation include major exceptions to federal hiring rules that AFGE officials say are reminiscent of former President Trump’s controversial and aborted Schedule F initiative.
Oversight
IGs Cite ‘Serious Challenges’ Regarding Political Retaliation and Independence
Lawmakers weigh the need for new laws in the wake of former President Trump’s unprecedented attacks on federal watchdogs.
Route Fifty
Local Corrections Costs Rose by $25 Billion in Last 40 Years
But the coronavirus has ushered in creative lower-cost alternative jail programs that could last long after the pandemic, local leaders say.
Workforce
Federal Agencies Can Require COVID-19 Testing for Employees, CDC Says
Employees who refuse tests could face "consequences," while those forced to quarantine should be supported, guidelines say.
Nextgov
DOD’s Deputy CIO Wants to Change the Conversation on IT
Danielle Metz, leader for the information enterprise, discusses the misconceptions about the office of the CIO, the ongoing Fourth Estate Network Optimization project and the importance of software modernization.
Tech