Route Fifty
Busy Shipping River at a Standstill Until a Broken Barge Lock is Fixed
Thousands of tons of cargo are stuck on barges, as the closure on the Columbia River is expected to last until the end of the month.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers Move to Protect Federal Employees' Credit Ratings During Shutdowns
Measures would block shutdown-related credit downgrades and encourage financial institutions to be lenient with federal employees during appropriations lapses.
Management
Government Executive Honors Outstanding Public Servants and Celebrates 50 Years
Inaugural inductees into the Government Hall of Fame and recipients of the Theodore Roosevelt Government Leadership Awards were recognized at a gala on Thursday night.
Route Fifty
A Plan to Spruce Up Vacant Lots to Reduce Gun Violence
A program in Chicago that beautifies abandoned properties is aimed at providing work and reducing crime. But some local residents say more needs to be done to involve people in the neighborhood.
Management
Play of the Day: The President, a Phone Call and a Blown Whistle
An intelligence community whistleblower filed a complaint alleging that Donald Trump offered a "promise" to a foreign leader.
Route Fifty
A 51st State? The District of Columbia Aims for Its Star
Washington, D.C. leaders made their case for statehood at the first U.S. House of Representatives hearing on the issue in 25 years, while Republicans raised concerns about corruption and fiscal stability.
Nextgov
McConnell Voices Support for $250 Million in Election Security Funds
The bill marks “a great step forward,” but states will need more consistent investment to make long-term improvements, according to CISA Director Chris Krebs.
Management
House Passes Seven-Week Stopgap Spending Bill in Hopes of Avoiding October Shutdown
The Senate must still pass the bill.
Defense
Air Force: Our New Tanker Should Be Ready for War in 3 or 4 Years
A few big problems, and about 500 smaller ones, have put the Boeing-made plane about five years behind schedule.
Nextgov
Lawmakers Intro Bill to Enhance Not-Yet-Revived Office of Technical Assessment
A group of House and Senate lawmakers want the office to be more responsive and transparent, assuming funding to reinstate it gets through the appropriations process.
Route Fifty
States Try to Stop Political Deepfake Videos
State lawmakers are increasingly focused on deceptively edited videos, a pervasive technology that advocates say has the potential to disrupt elections. But are bans constitutional?
Oversight
Whistleblower Exposed $1.34 Million in Army Losses
The Office of Special Counsel said improper contracting practices were a factor.
Workforce
EPA Chief Says He's 'Absolutely' Concerned About Brain Drain at the Agency
While EPA has consistently pushed to slash its own workforce, administrator says he wants to prevent a mass exodus.
Pay & Benefits
Paying Your Way to a Bigger Benefit
Service credit deposits can boost your retirement annuity. But the process requires patience.
Nextgov
Lawmakers Urge New National Security Adviser to Restore White House Cyber Coordinator
John Bolton’s decision to eliminate the role in May 2018 “showed a lack of seriousness in tackling the immediate national security threats facing our country,” said Sen. Mark Warner.
Management
Senate Panel Advances Spending Bills Blocking OPM-GSA Merger, Allowing USDA Relocations
Democrats say that in conference committee they will endorse House-passed provisions blocking the relocation of science agencies to Kansas City and authorizing an average 3.1% pay raise for federal employees.
Nextgov
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Eyes Tech Sprints to Accelerate Advancements
The hope is to rapidly identify technological solutions for the agency’s toughest problems.
Oversight
Play of the Day: A Hostage Negotiator For National Security Advisor
Robert O'Brien has an interesting past.
Route Fifty