Management
Labor Relations Authority Chairwoman Decertifies Agency’s Own Union
Colleen Duffy Kiko claims the agency was violating the Civil Service Reform Act by recognizing its union, despite a 1980 Justice Department legal opinion stating otherwise.
Tech
A Very Relatable Moment on the International Space Station
Even astronauts have to deal with plumbing problems.
Management
AFRICOM Commander: Elite Troop Cuts Won’t Help China, Eyes Shift To Conventional Forces
“It’s really a misleading narrative to say that optimization is causing us to walk away from Africa,” Gen. Waldhauser said in an interview.
Route Fifty
Costly Natural Disasters Becoming More Frequent
In the past two years, damage caused by wildfires cost about $40 billion, roughly the same as the costs of the past 37 years combined, an analysis finds.
Nextgov
DHS Wants to Outfit Its Dogs With Wearable Tech
The agency is investing in a smart harness that would monitor the health of Border Patrol’s K-9 units.
Management
Trump Says He’s ‘Extremely Unhappy’ With Spending Agreement, Still Predicts No Shutdown
Congressional leadership appears on board with the deal, though Trump would not commit to signing it.
Tech
FBI Should Tighten Monitoring of Employee Texting, Watchdog Says
Software recommendations come as follow-up to 2016 review of alleged political bias.
Nextgov
GSA, NGA Expand Space-Based Data Offerings
Agencies now have more options when purchasing geospatial data and analytics off GSA’s IT Schedule 70.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Awards $416M Contract for Protection Services to Hack Victims
The millions of federal employees and contractors using those services will see no disruption.
Management
Paving a Bipartisan Path on Health Care Reform
The electorate is right to put the issue at the top of its worry list, says a leading scholar and former advisor to U.S. presidents and policymakers of both parties.
Management
U.S. Marshals Complain That System Unfairly Denies Them a Promotion
Clash on merit principles raises questions about agency’s management structure.
Defense
The Afghan Government Is Missing From Afghanistan's Peace Process
Two sets of negotiations with the Taliban are under way in Afghanistan. Neither includes the country’s democratically elected, internationally recognized administration.
Management
Analysis: Shutdowns Are a Way to Drown Government in the Bathtub
The government shutdown provided a short-term version of what some activists have long wanted: A government small enough so that you could 'drag it into the bathroom and drown it in the bathtub.'
Oversight
Play of the Day: Working Hard During 'Executive Time'
President Trump tweeted that no president has been more productive during their time in office.
Route Fifty
Utah Lawmakers Move to Restrict Voter-Approved Medicaid Expansion
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Denver teachers go on strike … Kansas’ low meningitis vaccination rate … and New Jersey’s 94-year-old mayor.
Management
Lawmakers Say They Have an Agreement to Avoid Another Shutdown
Negotiators say they have worked out disagreements on border spending, but they still have to win over Trump.
Route Fifty
Forget Smart Cities. It’s Regions That Need to Be Smarter.
Widespread digital access and comprehensive infrastructure inventories will be the keys to regional success, according to Brookings policy experts.
Nextgov
White House Unveils a National Artificial Intelligence Initiative
The executive order calls for agencies to focus on AI, but details and funds are sparse.
Route Fifty
Hike Taxes on the Rich to Pay for Education? Voters in this State Support the Idea, Survey Finds
The poll results come amid discussions about taxing wealthier Americans more at the federal level.
Oversight