Nextgov

Critical Update: Did COVID-19 Push More Agencies Into the Cloud?

The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting mass telework means agencies must have moved more data, workloads and services into the cloud. Right?

Management

How Your Brain Decides to Put in Effort

If you want more coffee, but the pot is empty, is it worth getting up and brewing some more? Researchers have figured out how your brain decides.

Management

GovExec Daily: The Presidential Transition as Vaccinations Begin

Courtney Bublé updates the podcast on the transfer of power during the latest stage of the COVID-19 crisis.

Management

Defense Policy Bill Includes Bipartisan Provision for Greater Transparency on Federal Spending

The bill will create a central inventory of spending information, which good government groups say is overdue.  

Route Fifty

The Largest Wildlife Bridge in the U.S. Opens in San Antonio

Both people and animals will have a safe crossing over a six-lane highway in the Texas city.

Route Fifty

Survey: Covid Has Caused Over One-Quarter of K-12 Educators to Consider Leaving Jobs

The poll included responses from teachers and other school staff. Some said they considered leaves of absence, others career changes or early retirement.

Workforce

Coronavirus Roundup: Vaccine Distribution Begins; Trump and Biden Plan Messaging Campaigns  

There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.

Defense

The Pentagon Is Ill-Organized to Improve Its Use of Electromagnetic Spectrum, GAO Says

Old ways and means are quickly becoming obsolete — but spectrum issues remain everyone’s second job.

Management

As White House Steps Up Schedule F Implementation, ‘Lawmakers Don’t Get It’

Recent moves by OPM are stoking fear that the Trump administration is accelerating plans to politicize federal jobs as the window closes on Congress’ ability to block the move.

Nextgov

CISA Orders Federal Agencies to Turn Off SolarWinds Products 

A critical flaw in software used throughout government was reportedly used to breach a major security company and at least two federal agencies.

Workforce

Workers Are Looking for Direction from Management – and Any Map Is Better Than No Map

Without some sense of direction, burned out employees simply can’t be reengaged via another virtual happy hour.

Workforce

GovExec Daily: Workforce Management During a Transition

National Academy of Public Administration Fellow Jeffrey Neal joins the show to talk about personnel issues between administrations and at the beginning of a new admisnistration.

Management

What Know-It-Alls Don’t Know, or the Illusion of Competence

The problem is that when people are incompetent, not only do they reach wrong conclusions and make unfortunate choices, they also are robbed of the ability to realize their mistakes.

Management

‘I Want to Be Part of Making This Work:’ Marcia Fudge Talks About How She Plans to Lead HUD

The Ohio representative speaks with The 19th in her first interview since being nominated to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Route Fifty

Fire Official Urges Governors to Be Proactive on Hardening Homes Against Wildfire

Failing to do so, the official said, means “we're just building tomorrow’s problems.”

Route Fifty

‘Trigger Laws’ in Some States Would Ban Abortion Immediately If Roe is Overturned

The country already has a patchwork of different restrictions on abortion. How would that change in a post-Roe world?

Management

Tens of Thousands of Federal Workers Can Expect to Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine This Week

More federal agencies unveil vaccine distribution plans.

Management

Acting State Dept. IG Leaves the Day After Report on Travel of Pompeo’s Wife Is Published

The IG office cited the Vacancies Act to explain the latest in a series of departures.

Tech

Scientists Suggest U.S. Embassies Were Hit With High-Power Microwaves – Here’s How The Weapons Work

High-power microwave weapons are useful for disabling electronics. They might also be behind the ailments suffered by US diplomats and CIA agents in Cuba and China.