Oversight
Democratic Candidates Defend Their Records on Transparency During Nevada Primary Debate
Presidential contenders who have criticized Trump for his secrecy were forced to explain their own actions.
Management
Trump Administration Publishes Memo That Could End Defense Unions
More than three weeks after President Trump signed a memo authorizing Defense Secretary Mark Esper to effectively outlaw collective bargaining at the Defense Department, the White House has posted the document to the Federal Register.
Route Fifty
A City Moves to Ban Wild and Exotic Animals at House Parties
People are free to behave like party animals in Los Angeles, but legislation the City Council approved this week aims to prevent them from partying with animals.
Route Fifty
Millions of Americans Rely on Crowdfunding for Medical Expenses
A new survey estimates that 20% of adults in the U.S. have donated to a crowdfunded medical campaign.
Nextgov
House Subcommittee Knocking at Amazon’s Door Over Ring Data
The chairman of a House Oversight panel wants a briefing with Amazon officials about the consumer security tool.
Defense
Nothing’s ‘Irreversible,’ But the Pentagon’s New Bureaucracies Aim to Come Close
As budget hearing season gets underway, expect to hear a lot about "irreversible implementation" of changes toward great power competition.
Route Fifty
Federal Court Rules Against State Law Requiring Ex-Felons to Pay Fines and Fees Before Voting
The appeals court found the law created an unconstitutional penalty against people who can’t afford to pay certain financial obligations, but have served the rest of their sentences.
Management
Analysis: The Coronavirus Outbreak Could Bring Out the Worst in Trump
Virology isn’t politics.
Route Fifty
Poop, Screams and Divebombing Birds: How One City Plans to Deal With a Peacock Problem
The Miami City Commission will begin humanely trapping and relocating peacocks from one neighborhood after years of complaints from residents.
Management
Federal Judge Dismisses Suit Against Army Corps for Post-Harvey Flooding
U.S. Judge Loren A. Smith threw out a case brought by Houstonians whose properties flooded as a result of releases from Addicks and Barker dams.
Defense
Defense Policy Chief Ousted By White House
A Pentagon spokesman said he had “no information” that John Rood was fired for his role in Trump’s Ukraine scandal.
Management
Union Sues to Block a Plan That Would Make It Easier for Feds to Quit Paying Dues
Labor authority last week signaled that it will move ahead on the plan, although critics say the agency's legal justification doesn’t add up.
Oversight
Watchdog: EPA Needs to Improve Management of Environmental Program Along the U.S.-Mexico Border
Documentation of progress was “frequently unreliable” and program information was “neither transparent nor accessible,” said the report.
Oversight
Lawmakers Threaten Subpoena for Disciplinary Info on Border Agents Posting Racist Facebook Messages
Committee accuses Customs and Border Protection of "stonewalling" after reports it bypassed punishment for most employees involved.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Proposes Pay, Bargaining Changes in 2021 Budget
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Nextgov
Border Patrol Needs Automated Sensors to Cover Watery Blindspots
Homeland Security is looking for a technical solution to give border agents situational awareness about illegal watercraft and the potential risks of interdiction.
Defense
Senator Denies Threatening to Make Defense Secretary's Life 'Hell' If He Cuts AFRICOM Troops
"No, I never said that," Graham said in a brief phone call with Defense One. "It was a good conversation."
Defense
A Military Perspective on Climate Change Could Bridge the Gap between Believers and Doubters
U.S. military leaders have to plan for operations all over the world, so they can't afford to ignore climate change or debate its causes.
Route Fifty
One Month Out, Watchdog Warns About Census IT and Cybersecurity Challenges
The Census Bureau this month switched the internet response system that respondents will use to complete the 2020 census questionnaire. The last-minute change worries the Government Accountability Office.
Nextgov