Defense
Austin Asks Top General For ‘Options’ to Evacuate Afghans
Operation would need authorization from White House, which is not yet “actively pursuing” the idea.
Workforce
How to ‘Build Back Better’ Health Habits after the Pandemic Year
A doctor offers tips on how to safely get exercise, sleep and drinking habits back into shape as the pandemic wanes.
Nextgov
Bipartisan Bill Would Elevate Federal Customer Experience
The legislation would also create a chief customer experience officer for the federal government.
Management
Restoring Trust in Government One Customer at a Time
Improving trust will require more than just improving services to citizens, but it’s a critical start.
Management
Overcrowded U.S. National Parks Need a Reservation System
It's hard to preserve national parks "unimpaired," as US law directs, when they're overrun with tourists who stray off paths, strew trash and harass wildlife. A parks scholar calls for crowd control.
Pay & Benefits
GovExec Daily: The Pay Raise in Biden's New Budget
Erich Wagner joins the podcast to discuss the workforce aspects of the blueprint.
Route Fifty
Rental Prices are Booming in Mid-Sized Cities
New estimates show how places like Boise, Idaho and Spokane, Washington have seen housing rents rise sharply during the pandemic. And the trend isn’t easing up.
Pay & Benefits
Employee Groups Continue to Push for Bigger Pay Raise Following Biden Budget Release
Several organizations representing federal employees announce that they support a 3.2% pay increase next year, rather than the 2.7% boost proposed in the president’s fiscal 2022 budget.
Management
Contracting Community Welcomes Biden’s Budget Proposal
Groups see opportunities with the administration's cybersecurity, climate change and workforce innovation priorities.
Oversight
VA's Systemic Failures Allowed Alcoholic Doctor to Keep Job While Making Mistakes That Killed Patients
"The consequences were devastating, tragic and deadly," IG says of convicted former VA employee.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Full FDA Approval Sought for Second Vaccine; NIH To Study Mixed Vaccine Schedules
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Defense
Pentagon Shelves Plans for New Air Force Two
In the meantime, the Air Force is in the early stages of developing supersonic and hypersonic passenger aircraft.
Management
GovExec Daily: Climate and a National Green Bank
Kathleen Sifer and Phil Kangas join the podcast to discuss one avenue for the federal government to advance environmental policy.
Route Fifty
These 8 States Passed Legislation to Limit Public Health Officials’ Authority
Anger over responses to the pandemic led some legislators to limit health officials’ role in public health emergency mandates.
Management
Biden Seeks to Use Procurement ‘Power’ to Close Racial Wealth Gap
The administration intends to double the share of contracts going to small, disadvantaged businesses.
Management
Agency Hiring Initiatives and Other Takeaways From Biden's First Budget
Several agencies are looking to add thousands of new employees.
Nextgov
Justice Took Down Two Domains Used in USAID Hack
The action demonstrates the department’s authorities beyond attributing malicious cyber activity.
Pay & Benefits
Most TSP Funds Continue Upward Trend in May
Only one portfolio in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program lost value last month.
Nextgov
What the Biden Budget Includes for the Tech Workforce
The administration’s 2022 budget proposal continues efforts to bolster the federal IT and cybersecurity workforce.
Defense