Nextgov
Senators Renew Effort to Safeguard People’s Data Online
The bill would make companies subject to fines from the Federal Trade Commission if they poorly protect data.
Route Fifty
HIV Treatment, Testing Not Reaching Enough People, CDC Says
New data shows that current treatment, testing and prevention methods are not reaching enough Americans to help curtail new HIV cases, which federal officials said underscores the need for expanded options.
Route Fifty
A Town Moves Forward After Two 'Thousand-Year' Storms
After two historic floods in less than two years, officials in Ellicott City, Maryland, are putting their hopes in a long-term rebuilding plan that officials say aims to balance recovery and resiliency with historic preservation.
Oversight
Senator Questions Spending on Sea Lion Grants, Shutdowns and More
Annual report identifies “wasteful” federal spending as well as solutions.
Management
Three Ways to Raise Your Decision-Making Confidence
Don’t be the bottleneck that slows everything down.
Nextgov
Survey: As-a-Service IT Is Here to Stay
Cloud-based services continue to change the way organizations offer IT services.
Management
Small Contractors Struggle to Meet Cyber Security Standards, Pentagon Finds
Even large companies aren’t doing as well as they think they are, the assistant acquisition chief said Monday.
Route Fifty
Ranking States Based on ‘Bike Friendliness’ Amid an Uptick in Serious Crashes
"It’s the responsibility of state DOTs to take action to make it safer for people biking," says the author of a new report.
Route Fifty
Report: Over 2 Million Children Affected by the Opioid Epidemic
The societal costs associated with children’s exposure to opioids could total $400 billion by 2030, a new report from the United Hospital Fund estimates.
Defense
Virtual Reality Is Great, But Only If It Works for Troops in Zombieland
Reducing our warfighters to platforms and weapons systems does them and the nation a disservice.
Nextgov
Report: 'Smishing,' Deepfakes to Continue to Rise in 2020
Drones may also be more widely weaponized to steal consumer data from public Wi-Fi networks, according to a new report on 2020 data breach trend predictions.
Nextgov
IG: CBP Knew Its Tech Couldn’t Handle Family Separations Before Pushing Zero Tolerance Policy
The agency was made aware of significant data entry and tracking issues after a test in November 2017, then chose to ignore those problems.
Route Fifty
After Rapper's 'Hymen Check' Comments, New York Lawmakers Want to Outlaw Virginity Testing
New York state legislators have filed two bills to ban the practice of virginity testing, which seeks to confirm the presence of a girl or woman's hymen as evidence that she is not sexually active.
Nextgov
DARPA Wants Smart Suits to Protect Against Biological Attacks
A new program aims to usher in a modern military ensemble that can provide 100% survival against lethal exposure from multiple chemical and biological agents.
Pay & Benefits
Most Feds Won't Reap the Benefits of Local Minimum Wage Laws
OPM last week announced that it will not raise the lower levels of the federal pay scales to comply with state and local laws increasing the minimum wage.
Pay & Benefits
Feds Are Unlikely to Get Christmas Eve Off This Year
Presidents do not typically grant extra vacation time when Christmas falls on a Wednesday.
Pay & Benefits
Most TSP Funds Crept Up in November
All but one of the portfolios in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program grew last month.
Workforce
The False Promise of Morning Routines
Why everyone’s mornings seem more productive than yours.
Oversight
Texas Chemical Plant Rocked by Multiple Explosions Was Declared High Priority Violator by EPA
The Southeast Texas chemical manufacturing plant, owned by Houston-based Texas Petroleum Chemical Group, has a long history of environmental violations and been out of compliance with federal clean air laws for years.
Workforce