Defense

Troubled KC-46 Tankers Cleared for Limited Ops, Air Force Says

The decision will free up older aerial refuelers needed overseas. But the KC-46 still can gas up only some warplanes and needs more testing and new technology.

Management

Biden’s Cabinet of Many Women Shows Other World Leaders that U.S. Takes Gender Equality Seriously

Research shows that when one country – particularly a powerful one – puts more women in power, other nations tend to follow suit.

Workforce

The Do’s and Don’ts on Social Media for Vaccine Haves and Have-Nots

In the thick of a global pandemic, and with a vaccine rollout that has been less than optimal, it's no surprise that selfies featuring the coveted COVID-19 shot surface on social media timelines. But is posting a vaccine selfie on your social media account a faux pas or a needed encouragement for others to get the shot?

Management

GovExec Daily: Baseball, Military Service and an American Story

Tom Shoop joins the show to discuss the day Private Willie Mays threw out his dad.

Route Fifty

Public Employees’ Use of Personal Phones, Tablets Puts Local Governments at Risk

A cybersecurity report found that 25% of state and local government employees use personal digital devices to telework while only 9% of federal employees do so.

Nextgov

Report: Mobile Phishing to Steal Government Credentials Increased 67% in 2020

State and local governments are more exposed than federal agencies in the new teleworking age, but threats have increased across the board.

Nextgov

Tech Among Top Priorities for Biden’s CIA Director Pick

William Burns also said he’d look to build morale at the agency in part by speaking “truth to power.”

Pay & Benefits

Democrats Introduce Slew of Bills to Strengthen Protections for Federal Workforce

Lawmakers are pushing to bolster diversity efforts at national security agencies, require greater transparency ahead of agency relocation efforts, and reauthorize the Merit Systems Protection Board.

Route Fifty

Study: Vaccinating Teachers Could Help Get Kids Back in Classrooms

Federal researchers examined coronavirus cases in a Georgia school district and their findings suggest that educators had a central role in transmitting the virus in schools.

Management

Postmaster General Previews Slower Mail and Improved Employee Benefits, Supports New Postal Reform Bill

DeJoy says the new legislation, coupled with his business plan, would allow USPS to break even after years of losses.

Management

Senate Committees Postpone Votes on Biden’s OMB Nominee

Alternatives to Neera Tanden are being floated, as her confirmation path gets more difficult. 

Oversight

GovExec Daily: One Year of COVID-19 Coverage

Eric Katz and Kate Queram join the show to mark the first anniversary of the podcast and the year of coronavirus news.

Route Fifty

California Will Provide $600 Relief Payments to Many Individuals

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Tuesday that will extend pandemic aid to low-income and immigrant households.

Management

Advocates, Experts Urge More Protections for Feds Following Trump Workforce Initiatives

Union officials and good government experts said Congress needs more guardrails in place to protect the federal civil service, while a former Trump official defended the administration’s actions.

Management

Postal Service Finally Awards Contract to Replace Decades-Old Vehicle Fleet

While the initial deal is worth $482 million, USPS eventually expects to spend billions of dollars on the new fleet.

Route Fifty

Two Women Dressed Up as 'Grannies' to Skip Vaccine Line, Officials Said

The allegedly disguised women were issued trespassing warnings after officials in Orlando found discrepancies between their identification and Covid-19 vaccine registration cards.

Management

Oversight Agency Reaches 5 Settlements With Federal Employees for Hatch Act Violations

The violations were by Veterans Affairs Department, Federal Aviation Administration and Agriculture Department employees. 

Management

Biden Nominates Kiran Ahuja for OPM Director

Ahuja, who previously served as the agency’s chief of staff during the Obama administration, would be the first South Asian and the first Asian American woman to lead the federal government’s HR department.