Route Fifty
Oregon Wildfires Prompt Evacuation Advisories for About 500,000
About 1 million acres are burning in the state and people have been told to leave areas within 30 miles of Portland.
Route Fifty
The Question of Who Will Appear on the Wisconsin Presidential Ballot is Still Up in the Air
Both the Green Party candidate and rapper Kanye West are fighting to appear on the ballot in a state expected to see razor thin margins during the 2020 presidential election.
Pay & Benefits
New Federal Rules Could Make It Harder for Parents to Take Paid Leave
New guidelines from the Department of Labor on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act say parents whose children have access to in-person learning are no longer eligible for paid leave.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Public Confidence in Fauci and CDC Has Steadily Decreased, Contractors Call for Extension of Sick Leave Reimbursement
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Nextgov
Report: Government Employee Experience is Hindering Government Performance
But public sector organizations can take some easy steps to improve employee experience.
Nextgov
It’s Time to Shore up the Universal Service Fund So It Can Live up to Its Name
Congress needs to create a solution that reflects how Americans actually use telecommunications services rather than how we once did.
Defense
Could Trump Deploy US Cyber Command Against Protestors?
It’s time to set better limits on the U.S. military’s ability to operate against Americans.
Route Fifty
City Ban on Business Use of Facial Recognition Tech Said to Be a First
Elected leaders in Portland, Oregon approved the measure this week.
Nextgov
GSA Provides Some Clarity on Section 889 Implementation
The General Services Administration emphasized the importance of outreach but declined to address questions around confusing language in Section 889.
Management
Senate Fails to Pass Coronavirus Bill That Would Have Provided $10B to Postal Service
Negotiations appear stalled after Democrats block measure they say was too narrowly focused.
Management
After Multiple Delays, OPM to Begin Fielding Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey
The agency will ask all federal employees to respond to the annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey across two six-week waves, meaning most results will not be available to agencies or for public viewing until 2021.
Nextgov
Managers Who Stay Connected to Remote Employees Could Reduce Insider Threats, State Official Says
Pandemic-related stress and isolation could push some employees over the edge.
Management
'Perfect Storm' Threatens 'Major Institutional Defeat' for the Census, Top Watchdog Says
The decennial count is ahead of schedule overall, but a condensed schedule and hiring shortfalls are creating significant risks.
Pay & Benefits
TSP Board Nominees Skeptical of China Investment, but Pledge Independence
All three of President Trump’s picks suggested that investing feds’ retirement money in Chinese companies could be too risky, but said they would base any decisions within their fiduciary responsibility to participants.
Oversight
House Democrat Seeks to Hold IGs Accountable for Reviewing Agencies’ Reopenings
Most of the watchdog offices contacted by Rep. Connolly plan to conduct some form of review.
Pay & Benefits
You Get a Lot More Than a Retirement Benefit
Federal employees and retirees have a variety of insurance options to choose from, too.
Route Fifty
Vermont Legislature Passes Bill to Allow Citizens to Sue the State if Climate Change Goals Aren’t Met
Lawmakers say that the bill “ensures accountability” for the government to meet carbon emission reduction goals in a timely manner. But Republican Gov. Phil Scott is skeptical of the litigation provision.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: FDA Senior Career Officials Assert Science is Guiding Pandemic Response; Trump Said ‘Perhaps’ He Misled the Public on Pandemic Severity
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Oversight
Congressional Subcommittees Will Investigate Fort Hood's Leadership After a String of Deaths
"Where appropriate, we intend to seek justice on behalf of those in uniform," the subcommittee chairs said while announcing their probe of the Texas Army base.
Nextgov