Route Fifty
These Are the Places Where Walking Is a Transportation Option
A new report ranks cities’ “walkability,” naming some familiar urban centers as the best for living without a car. But a few surprising cities are seeing real improvements.
Nextgov
White House Makes Subtle But Significant Changes In Final Cloud Smart Policy
The final version puts added emphasis on app rationalization, a new role for FedRAMP and finding cloud champions.
Tech
State Department Faulted for Redoing Web Page Aimed at Helping Refugees
Spokesman says modernization effort merely relocated material tracked by transparency group.
Management
Why a Government Lawyer Argued Against Giving Immigrant Kids Toothbrushes
The sheer effrontery of the government’s argument may be explained, but not excused, by its long backstory.
Tech
Researchers Show How to Send Fake Presidential Alerts To Your Phone
Your phone’s thirst for a better signal leaves it open to bogus messages, new research shows.
Oversight
Play of the Day: The Democrats Answer Some Questions
The New York Times asked most of the 2020 Dems about their heroes and comfort foods.
Management
Your Professional Decline Is Coming (Much) Sooner Than You Think
Here’s how to make the most of it.
Route Fifty
Property Rights Claims Against Local Governments Gain Clearer Path to Federal Court
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned a precedent that has pushed many of the cases into state-level proceedings.
Management
At Work, Expertise Is Falling Out of Favor
These days, it seems, just about all organizations are asking their employees to do more with less. Is that actually a good idea?
Management
Interior Department Announces Modest Cutback to Telework
Beginning next month, front-line employees with telework agreements will be required to report to a physical office once a week, while supervisors will be eligible only for situational telework.
Workforce
How Well Do VA’s Regional Offices Perform? VA Doesn’t Really Know.
The department has 1,000 employees to oversee medical centers, but their roles have never been clearly defined and performance is not clearly measured, auditors say.
Pay & Benefits
More than Half of D.C.-Area Feds Say Agencies Aren’t Supportive of Telework Amid Metro Closures
Majority of respondents to a GovExec.com/Government Business Council survey report that the temporary shutdown of six Metrorail stations would have at least a moderate impact on their ability to do their jobs.
Management
Taxpayer Advocate Details Shutdown's Impact in Her Final Report
Retiring Nina Olson cites harm to customer service as well as staff training.
Route Fifty
The Lingering, Unresolved Battle Over Short-Term Rentals in One California City
Almost a year after San Diego first passed restrictions on rentals marketed on Airbnb and other platforms, only to rescind them months later, the issue is still unsettled. Now, it has moved to the state Legislature.
Oversight
Treasury Auditors Are Reviewing Department's Decision to Delay Putting Tubman on $20 Bill
Senate Minority Leader Schumer sought IG probe of Secretary Mnuchin’s rationale.
Management
Years Ago, the Border Patrol’s Discipline System Was Denounced as 'Broken.' It’s Still Not Fixed.
An expert panel’s pleas for swifter, more consistent, more transparent punishment of rogue agents languish.
Nextgov
White House Updates National Artificial Intelligence Strategy
The updated National Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Strategic Plan adds an additional priority to the seven outlined in the plan from the Obama administration.
Tech
A Robot Has Been Stuck on Mars for Months
NASA will conduct a delicate rescue mission to free a probe trapped just inches below the Red Planet’s surface.
Defense
How the Pentagon Nickel-and-Dimed Its Way Into Losing a Drone
The lion’s share of the U.S. drone fleet is easy prey for advanced air defenses. It didn’t have to be that way.
Management