Route Fifty
In Missouri, a Rift Over Local Murder Prosecutions
Missouri’s governor wants the state attorney general to take over prosecutions for uncharged homicides in St. Louis.
Workforce
Federal Employee Protection Agencies Clash Over When to Protect Federal Employees
Special counsel says a judge at the Merit Systems Protection Board is setting a dangerous precedent that would harm federal workers.
Route Fifty
Do All Face Masks Offer Similar Protection? New Test Offers A Way to Compare
The limited findings raise doubts about the effectiveness of neck gaiters and bandanas in preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
Management
Administrative Law Judges Union Accuses Social Security of Illegal Implementation of Contract
SSA on Monday moved ahead with a partial collective bargaining agreement with the Association of Administrative Law Judges, despite the fact that nine articles remain in dispute, and the agency unilaterally rewrote an article without the union’s input.
Management
FBI Will Relocate 1,500 Staff to Alabama Next Year
The moves will take place regardless of what the future holds for the bureau’s Washington headquarters.
Nextgov
NASA Prepares to Launch Internal COVID-19 Contact Tracing Program
The agency is using the Salesforce platform to begin tracking potential infections and community transmissions on a voluntary basis.
Workforce
Trump Administration Officially Opens Interior Dept. Bureau's New Western Headquarters
Office opening follows most career staff refusing to relocate out of Washington, D.C.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers Revive Bipartisan Push for Maximum Telework at Agencies
The Pandemic Federal Telework Act would require agencies to allow all telework-eligible employees to work remotely for the duration of the COVID-19 national emergency.
Management
Up Close: Conversations with Federal Leaders, Featuring VA Secretary Robert Wilkie
The Veterans Affairs secretary discusses leadership during a time of crisis with Editor in Chief Tom Shoop.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Trump Administration is ‘Quietly’ Planning for Vaccine Distribution; NIH Enrolls Participants in Critical Phase of Two Antibody Trials
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Management
Why Agencies Need to Spend a Little to Gain a Lot
Innovation funds have the potential to turn up effective and less expensive ways to confront today's challenges.
Management
ICE Is Making Sure Migrant Kids Don’t Have COVID-19 — Then Expelling Them to 'Prevent Its Spread'
The administration has used infection risk to justify expelling thousands of children without legal protections. But it’s only expelling kids who’ve tested negative.
Nextgov
Six Months into VA's 5G-Enabled Hospital Project
The pandemic emerged early in its existence, but the infrastructure is already providing a foundation for health care innovation, an official said.
Tech
GovExec Daily: Using Data for the Business of Government
Nick Hart of the Data Coalition and Jesse Rauch of Active Navigation join the podcast to discuss data strategy in evidence-based policy, transparency and even the COVID-19 response.
Route Fifty
A Lawsuit Seeks to Restore Local Power to Tax Sugary Drinks
California enacted a law in 2018 that creates a huge roadblock for cities that want to tax soda and other sugary beverages. That statute now faces a challenge in court.
Nextgov
Pentagon Requests More Time to Review JEDI Cloud Contract Bids
The Defense Department says it wants to further discuss Microsoft’s and Amazon Web Services’ pricing.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Outlines Process for Restoring Leave After COVID
Regulations allowing some to carry over more than 30 days of annual leave into next year will also apply to future emergencies, Office of Personnel Management said.
Management
Despite Calls for His Resignation, New USPS Leader Pledges More Sweeping Changes
While some employees and lawmakers are sounding alarms over Postal Service reforms, stakeholders are taking a wait-and-see approach.
Nextgov
Agencies Off-Pace to Switch to New Telecom Contract Before Cutoff Date, GAO Says
The latest FITARA scorecard showed what percentage of operations have moved off old infrastructure contracts—and the numbers aren’t good.
Management