Management
One Thing About the 2020 Election Is Already Clear
Regardless of which side wins next year, the divide between red and blue America is likely to only grow wider.
Management
NIH Works to Prevent Sexual Harassment Among Federally Funded Researchers
Agency has already taken some recommended steps but others will take longer, director says.
Pay & Benefits
Trump Finalizes Pay Raise for Feds in 2020
The new pay tables are out: Federal employees will see a 2.6% increase in basic pay next year, with an average 0.5% increase in locality pay.
Nextgov
How VA Is Tapping Cutting-Edge Tech for Veterans
From artificial intelligence to Walmart telehealth stations, the agency spent 2019 focused on how tech can augment its health services.
Nextgov
The Pentagon Wants AI-Driven Drone Swarms for Search and Rescue Ops
The project will likely require AI and unmanned systems developers to work together under the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center.
Route Fifty
State Attorneys General Are Waging a Climate Change Battle Against the Trump Administration
In filing lawsuits against the Trump administration, Democratic state AGs have paid particular attention to both climate change and environmental protections.
Management
Organizations Are Improperly Offering Yoga Classes and $20K Weddings in National Parks
"Learning centers" should reimburse the National Park Service for federal funds they received, auditor says.
Oversight
Federal Agencies Need to Improve Oversight of Security Aid to Lebanon
Hizbollah's influence “heightens the importance of ensuring strong management controls.”
Tech
Growth In Data Breaches Shows Need For Government Regulations
Failure of corporations to protect data means that government regulation is required to ensure corporation compliance.
Management
Is It Weird to Wear Leggings at Work?
Women put up with a lot at the office. At least grant us elastic waistbands.
Management
Three Theories for Why You Have No Time
Better technology means higher expectations, and higher expectations create more work.
Nextgov
Agencies Will Start 2020 With 20 Data Actions to Complete by Year’s End
The administration released the Federal Data Strategy Action Plan for the next year, adding four more action items from the draft released in summer.
Defense
Why Trump and Biden Can’t Cut Troops in Afghanistan Much More
Even ‘bare minimum’ counterterrorism forces require critical intelligence only U.S. personnel can provide, officials warn.
Management
How Talking to the Elderly and Assessing Air Quality Could Help USPS Grow Revenue
The Postal Service is pursuing opportunities, but such efforts are more likely to benefit society writ large than the agency's finances.
Nextgov
Homeland Security Releases TIC 3.0 Use Cases with Additional Guidance
The government’s cybersecurity department released a draft set of use cases and other guidance to help agencies build secure networks in the age of cloud and mobile.
Management
OPM Proposes Making It Easier to Rehire Former Feds
Under a new plan from the Office of Personnel Management, federal agencies would be able to rehire former federal workers at a higher pay grade than their previous job, provided they were high performers.
Nextgov
Lawmaker Asks DHS Secretary to Reassess Facial Recognition Programs After NIST Report
A National Institute of Standards and Technology report found age, race and gender could impact the accuracy in some commonly-used facial recognition algorithms.
Oversight
Watchdog: High Risk of Improper Payments with State Dept. Purchase Cards
In 2018, more than 2,250 department card holders made purchases totaling $109.5 million.
Route Fifty
What Stands Between Young People and Local Government Jobs?
COMMENTARY | Many millennials or members of Generation Z are interested in meaningful work that can help improve people’s lives, but they don’t necessarily see government jobs in that light.
Defense