Defense
Has Space Force cracked the code on faster acquisition?
Leaders say the service is “disrupting” the Valley of Death, among other innovations.
Management
Trump’s reported use of the FBI against political opponents reflects earlier controversies from the J. Edgar Hoover era
COMMENTARY | Recent developments involving the agency have sparked comparisons to earlier episodes in the agency’s history.
Management
A new ‘activist’ OPM is incrementally reforming the civil service, Part 1
COMMENTARY | The Office of Personnel Management has the opportunity to implement real civil service reforms, if it can get away from its one-size-fits-all management approach.
Pay & Benefits
Your guide to pay and benefits during a shutdown
A lapse in appropriations looked likely after Senate Democrats rejected a plan to keep federal agencies open past Sept. 30, while the House is not expected to return to Washington until next month.
Tech
OPM adds OpenAI to its employees’ computers
The government’s personnel agency is taking advantage of the General Services Administration’s OneGov deal with OpenAI.
Workforce
As shutdown looms, federal agencies have no public plans for one
How the Trump administration would handle a shutdown and who it plans to furlough remains a mystery.
Updated
Management
Census advisory committee meets despite Trump administration nixing it
A Trump executive order directed the cancellation of “unnecessary” councils that advise on agency operations.
Tech
Meta offers agencies access to its open source AI models through OneGov deal
The agreement will allow government customers to use Meta’s Llama models, which are already publicly available, with the assurance that they meet federal requirements.
Workforce
Virginia lawmaker takes over advocacy for federal workforce bills
Rep. James Walkinshaw this week formally assumed lead sponsorship for a series of bills introduced each year by his predecessor, the late Rep. Gerry, Connolly, D-Va.
Management
As Delivering for America proceeds, bipartisan lawmakers create caucus focused on improving postal operations
New Postmaster General David Steiner has previously said that he would continue his predecessor’s postal modernization plan, which members of both parties have criticized.
Updated
Management
Chance of a government shutdown rises as the Senate fails to advance spending bill
With both parties rejecting each other’s short-term funding proposals, Congress is heading into a weeklong recess with no deal in place and a government shutdown looking increasingly likely.
Tech
Pentagon bans tech vendors from using China-based personnel following a ProPublica investigation
The Defense Department has tightened cybersecurity requirements for its cloud services providers. The changes come after ProPublica revealed how Microsoft’s use of China-based engineers left sensitive government
Management
Innovation from the ground up: How state and local leaders are shaping the future of performance management
COMMENTARY | At a national summit, state and local officials showcased how evidence, data and collaboration are reshaping performance management and pointing to lessons for every level of government.
Management
State Department hopes to use agentic AI to assist employee tasks, CIO says
That kind of autonomous action would go beyond the current capabilities of the agency’s AI chatbot, StateChat.
Pay & Benefits
The best dates to retire in 2026
Step into retirement on the right day with this annual guide.
Workforce
Support networks grow for workers impacted by Trump’s federal job cuts
Most of the resources for former federal employees are free.
Tech
Over 100 cyber professionals call for quick Kirsten Davies confirmation as DOD CIO
Davies was nominated in May and is scheduled to testify on Thursday.
Management
US rolls toward a 'terrible' government shutdown, no exit ramp in sight
As lawmakers dig in, federal employees face mounting uncertainty over pay, operations and the ripple effects of another prolonged funding lapse.
Workforce
CDC ends telework for employees with disabilities, union says
Telework is a common example of a reasonable accommodation, which agencies are legally required to provide to workers with disabilities with limited exceptions.
Workforce