Management
The VA Is Paying for a Top Official’s Cross-Country Commute
Darin Selnick, the architect of the Trump administration’s controversial new policies on private health care for veterans, traveled to Washington from his home in California twice a month at taxpayer expense.
Management
Trump Science Adviser Stresses the Benefits of Private Research Funding
Kelvin Droegemeier tells academic groups he favors stronger industry ties.
Nextgov
Survey: Feds Don’t Think Agencies Are Preparing Them to Use AI
Only a quarter of government employees think agencies have done a good job explaining how the tech will affect their jobs, researchers found.
Nextgov
FDIC’s Top 3 Challenges Are All Tech Related
Among the financial regulator’s biggest challenges, IT modernization and cybersecurity topped the list.
Management
Sexual Harassment by Former Housing Agency Chief Confirmed
Watchdog says now-retired Mel Watt likely propositioned female subordinate who complained.
Management
Andrew McCabe Couldn’t Believe the Things Trump Said About Putin
The former deputy director of the FBI explains why the bureau felt obligated to investigate the president—and how the Mueller probe might end.
Management
A Brief History of Presidential Lethargy
Calvin Coolidge, during one stretch of his presidency, was getting 15 hours of shut-eye each day, while William Howard Taft was known for nodding off during public events.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Declaring an Emergency and Heading to the Omelette Bar
The president was at Mar-a-Lago after his Friday announcement.
Route Fifty
Town Can Prohibit Union's Inflatable Rat Display, Appeals Court Rules
Grand Chute, Wisconsin didn't violate the Constitution when it ordered a union to remove "Scabby the Rat" from a road median.
Route Fifty
Invasive Species Have Some States Seeking Increased Federal Partnership
More than 5,000 invasive species—from plants like cheatgrass to rodents like nutria—inhabit the U.S. causing about $120 billion in economic damage annually.
Management
Trump's Declaration of Emergency Authority to Redirect Spending Will Bring Complex Challenges
His $8 billion shuffle to build a border wall is unprecedented, maybe illegal in some parts.
Pay & Benefits
When Federal Employees Can Expect to See Their 1.9 Percent Pay Raise
Providing a retroactive pay increase could be less complicated than post-shutdown back pay, sources say.
Route Fifty
Economic Boom Hasn't Led to Economic Prosperity For All
New research suggests that about a third of Americans struggle with financial security, including many who would be considered middle class.
Oversight
Can Congress or The Courts Reverse Trump’s National Emergency?
History shows that Congress can play an important role in checking a president's power.
Management
Lawmakers Aim to Protect Private Landowners on U.S.-Mexico Border
Members of Congress hope to pass laws to help border-adjacent property owners who may be displaced through eminent domain if Trump’s border wall plans proceed.
Management
Trump Signs Spending Bill and Emergency Declaration, Avoiding Shutdown and Granting Pay Raise
Most agencies will see an uptick in funding for fiscal 2019.
Nextgov
The Pentagon Thinks AI Could Help Troops Telepathically Control Machines
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is looking to build artificial intelligence into neural interfaces to let humans control machines with their thoughts.
Nextgov
Here’s What Technology Modernization Fund Dollars Are Doing Now
Three projects have awarded contracts so far and two have already spent a combined $6 million to date.
Management
Trump Declares National Emergency, Calling Government Border Drug Stats ‘Lies’
In a dark, rambling speech, the president repeated long-debunked arguments — and provided ammunition for likely court challenges.
Management