Defense
Exclusive: US Drops Death Penalty for ISIS ‘Beatles’
Atty. Gen. Barr's letter to the UK brings two ISIS fighters accused of beheading American journalists and aid workers closer to a U.S. trial.
Defense
Biden’s Long Foreign-Policy Record Signals How He'll Reverse Trump, Rebuild Old Alliances and Lead the Pandemic Response
How would Joe Biden engage a world upended by Trump? A diplomacy expert explains what Biden's history says about his foreign policy priorities.
Oversight
GovExec Daily: What Explains the Postal Service Delays and Changes?
Eric Katz joins the podcast to discuss the recent changes to USPS.
Oversight
Former USPS Leader from Texas Says Postmaster General Louis Dejoy is 'Destroying Confidence' in the Postal Service
Carolyn Lewis, a former USPS Board of Governors chair, said she has been disturbed by reports of cost-cutting measures and concerns that the mail service will not be able to handle an influx of mailed-in ballots.
Route Fifty
In One State, a Threat to Freeze Property Taxes in Cities That ‘Defund’ Police
The proposal from Texas’ governor and other Republicans in the state comes in response to cuts and other changes that Austin made to its police budget.
Management
Union: Social Security Is Withholding Information and Refusing to Bargain as Some Employees Return to Offices
Agency argues most employees are still teleworking to the maximum extent possible and there has been no major change in work arrangements that would require negotiation.
Workforce
TVA Employees Still Waiting on Answers Weeks After Trump's Intervention
Employees designated for layoffs either remain at home or have been told not to do their work.
Oversight
Watchdog: OSHA Had Trouble Processing Whistleblower Complaints Efficiently Even Before Coronavirus Hit
During the first four months of the pandemic the agency received 30% more complaints than during the same period in 2019.
Route Fifty
States Claim Drugmaker Owes $2 Trillion for Role in Opioid Epidemic
Forty-nine states and the District of Columbia say that OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma contributed to a crisis that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.
Pay & Benefits
Per Diem Rates Won't Change Much Next Year, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Nextgov
The Pandemic is Pushing the Pentagon Toward Classified Telework
The Defense Information Systems Agency and the U.S. Air Force are expanding their classified remote work capabilities.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Federal Agencies Are Not Tracking Outbreaks in Schools; Government Now Has Vast Ventilator Surplus
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Defense
Stone Knew About Wikileaks; Manafort Dished to Russian Intel, Senate Finds
After the Senate Intelligence Committee’s fifth and final report, Democrats still say collusion. Republicans still say no.
Management
Empowering HR and Managers: Lessons from the Bush Administration
If job objectives are vague, how will managers be able to assess employee performance, and how will employees know what is expected of them?
Oversight
Burial Site Found on a Property Tied to Obama, Causing Tension With Native Hawaiians
After Native Hawaiian remains were found on the multimillion-dollar oceanfront lot being developed by the chair of the Obama Foundation, a state official decided to relocate the remains. Kamuela Kala‘i is speaking up for her ancestors.
Pay & Benefits
GovExec Daily: Is it Time to Privatize the TSP?
W. Lee Radcliffe joins the podcast to discuss his post suggesting private business can administer the Thrift Saving Plan as well or better than the government.
Route Fifty
Cities and Counties Join Lawsuit Challenging Shortened Census Timeline
The Trump administration earlier this month walked back plans to extend the count due to the coronavirus.
Management
Government Surpasses Small Business Contracting Goals in Fiscal 2019 for Seventh Year
Agencies also set records for contracting with women-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned and small disadvantaged businesses.
Route Fifty
State and Local Public Pension Funding Levels Steady—For Now
The outlook for the coming years is gloomier, as the coronavirus drags on the economy and strains governments’ finances.
Management