Workforce
With Employees Facing Attacks and Murder Attempts, Land Agencies Say They’re Ill-Equipped to Enhance Security
Safety at land management agencies is hampered by law enforcement staffing decreases and border deployments, auditors find.
Management
Merit Board Suggests Ways Agencies Can Hire 'Better,' Not Just 'Faster and Cheaper'
The Merit Systems Protections Board is lending its support to the Office of Personnel Management's hiring reform efforts.
Oversight
Special Counsel Temporarily Suspends Knowing Hatch Act Violators Without Pay
The two Defense Logistics Agency employees were aware of the law limiting political activity and in one case had received extensive training.
Management
Analysis: Why Firing Mick Mulvaney Is Riskier Than Keeping Him
President Trump’s third chief of staff seemed destined for the door until impeachment came along.
Nextgov
Federal CIO Outlines the Administration's 2020 Tech Priorities
Suzette Kent flagged priority data sets and a focus on supply chain security.
Management
Viewpoint: Trump’s Government Lawyers Don’t Know Who Their Real Client Is
White House and Justice Department attorneys work for the government and the public—but are acting in Trump’s personal interest instead.
Management
When Performance Goals Backfire
Ambitious goals can be motivational, but they also can incentivize unethical behavior.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Lie Detectors at the White House
According to reports, President Donald Trump wants to try a new method to uncover leaks.
Nextgov
Silicon Valley Lawmaker Proposes Cyber Training for Every Federal Employee
Rep. Ro Khanna plans to introduce a bill that would require feds to learn basic cyber hygiene, including how to securely navigate the internet of things.
Route Fifty
Disability Advocates Sue Cities Over Scooters Blocking Sidewalks
A new suit against Minneapolis and scooter companies is at least the third of its kind filed this year. It alleges that electric scooters are creating hazards on sidewalks for people with disabilities.
Tech
A Hitch at NASA Headquarters
NASA has carried out its first all-female spacewalk, but hints of outdated thinking about women in space remain.
Route Fifty
People With Mental Illnesses Aren’t More Violent. Why Do People Believe They Are?
A new study found that over the past two decades support grew for forced treatment of people with mental health issues, even if they don’t need it.
Oversight
Supreme Court to Examine Burden of Proof for Age Discrimination Lawsuits at Federal Agencies
If the high court finds in favor of a Veterans Affairs pharmacist, older federal employees could have an easier time making the case for discrimination.
Route Fifty
There Are No Zombie Deer in Nevada. State Officials Want to Keep It That Way
Wildlife officials in Nevada are committed to preventing chronic wasting disease from infecting state populations of deer.
Management
After Falling 'Badly Behind Schedule,' Senate to Begin Moving Spending Bills Next Week
House and Senate must still strike an agreement to avoid a November shutdown.
Oversight
Ethics Officials Criticize Selection of Trump Resort for G-7 Summit
They cite potential emoluments clause and government contracting law violations.
Nextgov
House Committee Votes to Increase Funding for Energy’s DARPA by $2.9B
The House Science, Space and Technology Committee moved a bill to reauthorize ARPA-E with additional funding, as well as new restrictions and oversight.
Management
Government Should Embrace Artificial Intelligence to Improve Performance
Agencies would not only become more efficient, they also would develop more reliable data.
Defense
The Intelligence Fallout From Trump’s Withdrawal in Syria
The chaotic withdrawal from Syria will severely weaken U.S. efforts in the country—and could also be a boost for Russia and Iran.
Nextgov