Management
Postal Service Doubles Annual Losses to $8.8 Billion
USPS is no longer seeing accelerating growth from its shipping and package business.
Route Fifty
A Proposal to Treat Icy Winter Roads with Beet Juice
Lawmakers in Michigan want the Department of Transportation to study the feasibility of adding beet juice to road salt to treat icy roads in the winter.
Nextgov
Officials: Shared Services Implementation Begins But Journey Will Be Long
Three of the four initial focus areas are ready to move beyond the standards-setting phase to implementation, with GSA’s payroll program leading the way.
Management
State Dept. Violated Civil Service Laws in Transferring Employee, IG Finds
The report is the second this year to substantiate allegations of illegal political retaliation against civil servants at State.
Route Fifty
For a City That Didn’t Burn, Challenges Continue a Year After California’s Most Destructive Wildfire
Officials say the city of Chico is strained by the influx of newcomers displaced by last year’s Camp Fire—but as a place untouched by wildfires, they aren't eligible for emergency funds to help with the sudden population growth.
Workforce
Nearly Half of Sexual Harassers Can Go Back to Work
After getting fired for sexual harassment in the workplace, many harassers are able to come back to work because of weak company policies.
Tech
U.S. Vets Targeted by Foreign Actors Aiming to Sway Elections, Experts Tell Congress
Actors from Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Macedonia, and elsewhere gain access to online forums by impersonating vets they find online
Management
Behind Medicare for All: The Sleeper Issue No One Is Debating
If Medicare is expanded to cover all Americans, someone will have to do the back-office work the insurance companies now perform.
Route Fifty
After Virginia Beach Mass Shooting, Report Calls for Improved Security and Other Changes
The independent report made 58 recommendations, ranging from significant changes to the city’s management of human resources to increased workplace violence prevention training.
Nextgov
How Chilean Protesters Took Down a Drone With Standard Laser Pointers
The low-powered presentation tool/dangerous children’s toy is becoming a weapon of choice for protesters around the world trying to take down or disable surveillance tech.
Oversight
Anonymous Complaint Questions Online Donations for Ukraine Whistleblower’s Legal Fees
The whistleblower’s team disputes the allegations.
Route Fifty
Truckers Challenge ‘Gig Worker’ Law With Lawsuit
They’re arguing that the landmark California legislation, meant to strengthen protections for workers, is preempted by federal law and shouldn’t apply to the trucking industry.
Pay & Benefits
TSP Board Reaffirms Decision to Broaden International Fund Despite Congressional Pressure
A bipartisan group of senators had demanded the board reverse a 2017 decision changing the index upon which the I Fund is based because the new benchmark will include Chinese companies.
Nextgov
CISA Wants Feedback on Its Vulnerability Assessments
The agency is looking to improve a program that lets critical infrastructure operators measure their digital security and see how they stack up against their counterparts.
Nextgov
NOAA to Solicit Public Insight on Four Draft Science and Technology Strategies
Focus areas include artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, ‘omics, and the cloud.
Management
Trade Association Advises Federal Contractors to Start Preparing for a Potential Shutdown Now
"Your actions won’t be wasted," said the group’s executive vice president and counsel.
Route Fifty
Using Social Media to Monitor Endangered Species Uncovers Surprising Information
Federal researchers used Instagram to collect information on human interactions with endangered monk seals and found that the posts contained data that was missing from traditional reports.
Management
Federal Agencies Can Succeed at Leadership Development Even Amid Tight Budgets
Data on the impact of training programs will help make the case for sustained funding.
Route Fifty