Route Fifty
Federal Judge Rejects Work Requirement Changes in Food Stamp Program
Nineteen states and Washington, D.C., had filed a lawsuit challenging the USDA's changes to food assistance, which would have cut 700,000 adults from the program.
Nextgov
Justice Department Charges Russian Intel Officers with Major Cyberattacks, Including NotPetya
U.S. officials said a new indictment describing a four-year global conspiracy belies the country’s recent offer to reset relations in cyberspace.
Management
House Democrats Seek to Reduce Corporate Influence in the Federal Government
A group of progressive-leaning House Democrats urged the Senate to not confirm lobbyists or C-suite officials for political appointments.
Nextgov
DHS Biometrics Proposal Represents ‘Unacceptable Escalation of Government Surveillance,’ Senators Say
Five senators sent a letter urging the Homeland Security Department to abandon a proposal to expand its biometrics program.
Defense
Army Halts Apache Helicopter Deliveries
For the second time in two years, the Army had to stop accepting Boeing's attack helicopter. The exact reason remains unknown.
Workforce
Viewpoint: When an Executive Order Is Racist
President Trump’s directive on diversity training undermines the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
Nextgov
Federal Government Blows Past Record Spending in Fiscal 2020
The budget deficit tripled to a record $3.1 trillion—another all-time record.
Route Fifty
Cities Declared Racism a Public Health Crisis. What Now?
This summer, many local governments approved resolutions declaring racism to be a public health crisis. Why now? And what comes next?
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Report Finds Agency Websites ‘Missing the Mark’ on COVID Communications
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Defense
Milley Speaks Out — and Trump Stays Mum
After a controversial summer, the Joint Chiefs chairman is holding his own with a string of public pronouncements.
Defense
Who Really Defeated the Islamic State – Obama or Trump?
President Trump has claimed the Islamic State was completely defeated on his watch – but an analysis of government maps and other reports shows his administration did only half the work.
Management
Inside the Fall of the CDC
How the world’s greatest public health organization was brought to its knees by a virus, the president and the capitulation of its own leaders, causing damage that could last much longer than the coronavirus.
Route Fifty
With Census Count Over, Concerns Linger About Accuracy
Community groups raced to get more people to complete census questionnaires before the count ended Friday, but they still believe many were missed after the deadline was pushed up.
Management
OPM Finalizes Rule on Trump Executive Order to Ease Firing and Discipline of Feds
Regulations set to go into effect next month will implement several key provisions of President Trump’s executive order.
Workforce
Trump Administration Develops Governmentwide Office Reopening Guidelines, With Contractor Help
Masks, distancing and sensors to track employee movement are all part of GSA’s non-binding coronavirus recommendations.
Nextgov
How the Energy Department is Working to Engage Americans on Exascale Supercomputing
Officials also offered Nextgov updates on how the buildout of U.S. exascale machines is unfolding.
Route Fifty
County Program Offers Grants to Help People Pay for Funerals
Residents in Maricopa County, Arizona, can apply for up to $1,200 toward funeral expenses if they've lost a loved one and also suffered financial losses during the coronavirus pandemic.
Management
From Intern to Chief Human Capital Officer: Miriam Cohen Reflects on a Federal Career
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s outgoing top HR executive spent more than three decades in government service.
Route Fifty
Climate Change Amplifies Colorado’s Water Diversion Debate
Booming communities on the state's "Front Range" want to move forward with a plan to pump water over the Rocky Mountains for use in their cities. But conservationists say climate change should instead be prompting new thinking about how water is used in the state.
Management