Oversight
Inspector General Blasts Efforts to Transfer OPM Facility Authority to GSA
The Office of Personnel Management watchdog said the Trump administration took action without regard to the impact, potentially incurring millions of dollars in recurring annual costs.
Route Fifty
His Wife's Nursing Home Facility Went on Lockdown. So He Got a Job There.
A Michigan man got a part-time job at his wife's nursing home after the facility stopped allowing visitors during the coronavirus pandemic. The state is one of 20 where long-term care facilities remain on total lockdown.
Management
Treasury Department Officials Are Working to Diversify Bank Partnerships
Corvelli McDaniel and Lorraine Cole won the Partnership for Public Service’s ‘People’s Choice’ award for their efforts on the project.
Route Fifty
Public Pensions Rally in Chaotic Stock Market, But Bigger Bills Still Coming for Governments
Pension earnings came up short this year. Eventually, that will require bigger contributions to make up the difference.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Issues Regulations for Feds’ Paid Parental Leave
Beginning Oct. 1, federal workers will be entitled to up to 12 weeks of paid leave in connection with the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child.
Management
Will COVID-19 Vaccine Trials Reflect America’s Diversity?
The pressure to produce an effective COVID-19 vaccine could impede recruitment of volunteers in high-risk populations.
Pay & Benefits
Read This Before You Tap Your TSP to Pay Off Your House
You have a mortgage, but you also have enough money to pay it off. Should you?
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Trump Directs Agencies to Purchase Drugs Domestically; Democrats Seek More Transparency on Federal Prisons’ Coronavirus Cases
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Defense
Top Pentagon Spokesman: No Conclusions Yet On Cause Of Beirut Explosion
Trump has claimed without evidence that the explosion might have been an “attack.”
Tech
The Raging Competition for Medical Supplies Is not a Game, but Game Theory Can Help
The toll of the pandemic has been worsened because of the shock to the global supply chain, which resulted in shortages of vital medical equipment. Could game theory help?
Management
Federal Bureau of Prisons Spent $3M on Unproven UV Coronavirus Sanitizing Portals
The gates intended to disinfect staff as they enter facilities haven’t been studied enough to know if they are safe or effective, union says in complaint to IG.
Route Fifty
Appeals Courts Split on Whether Trump Administration Can Enforce 'Public Charge’ Rule
A federal appeals court says the rule penalizing immigrants for using public assistance programs can’t be enforced in three northeast states. But another court found the administration can move forward with its new standards.
Nextgov
CISA Finalized Directive on Vulnerability Disclosure Policies, Congressman Says
The binding operational directive would create a legal path for ethical hackers to report website vulnerabilities to government agencies.
Defense
Following Leaks, Pentagon Introduces Mandatory Operations Security Training
But many are still unclear if they have to take it.
Oversight
Lawmakers Look to Further Strengthen Whistleblower Protections
Bills in the House and Senate would ban federal officials from blocking employees from sharing information with Congress, prohibit retaliatory investigations and protect more workers.
Route Fifty
Pets Are Testing Positive for Coronavirus
A dog in Louisiana is the eighth pet in the United States to test positive for the virus that causes Covid-19. It's unlikely that animals can transmit the virus to people, according to the CDC—but they can catch it from their owners.
Nextgov
TSA’s Looking to Rapidly Verify Passengers Without Biometrics or Physical IDs
Prior to the pandemic, hundreds of travelers would attempt to pass through security checkpoints each day without identification.
Pay & Benefits
How Your Benefits Have Changed Recently
To address the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the government has loosened restrictions on several federal employee benefits programs.
Route Fifty
The Escalating Crisis in Police Hiring
COMMENTARY | As revenues drop and passionate debates over police mission, budget and purpose continue, cities still face the arduous task of recruiting top-notch candidates.
Management