Defense
China’s Military Is Getting Better at a Lot of Things at Once: Pentagon Intelligence
The DIA’s first public report cites rapid advances, extended reach, and increasing confidence.
Management
Attorney-General Nominee Breaks With Trump on the Mueller Probe
Bill Barr attempted to assuage Democrats’ fears that he would be beholden to the president, but parts of his testimony still left them unnerved.
Tech
Don’t Blame the Government Shutdown for SpaceX Delays
The impasse in Washington hasn’t yet threatened a significant milestone in the American space program.
Pay & Benefits
Shutdown Roundup: Pelosi Requests State of the Union Delay, Super Bowl Travel Woes and More
With no end in sight, the shutdown is in its fourth week.
Management
10 Things to Know About Government Reorganizations
The “soft” stuff turns out to be the hard stuff.
Oversight
Play of the Day: The Clemson Tigers Ate 'Hamberders' at the White House
The president served the NCAA football champs fast food, then made an unfortunate typo in a tweet.
Route Fifty
Denver Offers $5,000 in Mortgage Aid for Eligible Federal Workers Hit by Shutdown
“We’re stepping up to support our federal employees," said Denver Mayor Michael Hancock.
Route Fifty
Will the FCC’s Small Cell Order Hinder 5G Deployment?
If cities are to be 5G hubs and close their digital divides, they should be freed up to build out networks, policy experts argued Tuesday.
Pay & Benefits
9,000 Furloughed Federal Employees in D.C. Area File Unemployment Claims
Those receiving benefits will have to return the money when government reopens.
Pay & Benefits
Analysis: The Shutdown Will Harm The Health And Safety Of Americans, Even After It’s Long Over
The shutdown poses a very real threat to preparedness for future emergencies, such as natural disasters and disease outbreaks.
Management
The Spyware That Brought Down El Chapo’s Drug Empire
For months, the FBI listened as Mexico’s infamous drug kingpin allegedly trafficked drugs and arranged assassinations. Here’s how.
Nextgov
Defense Acquisition Reform Panel Suggests Reevaluating Department CIO
The Section 809 Panel’s third report recommends big changes to how the Defense Department buys technology.
Pay & Benefits
Judge Denies Restraining Order in Shutdown Suits, Citing Potential for 'Chaos and Confusion'
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ordered an expedited schedule for a full hearing in the cases, with a hearing slated for Jan. 31.
Management
Pentagon Could Claim Authority to Build Trump's Border Wall, CRS Says
Updated analysis by Congress's legal researchers predicts a court challenge.
Nextgov
House Unanimously Passes Bill to Elevate the Federal CIO
But the Federal CIO Authorization Act still has no Senate counterpart.
Pay & Benefits
New Poll: Nearly Three-Quarters of Federal Workers Oppose Shutdown, Majority Oppose Wall
One-in-three feds think the shutdown will drag on for more than three additional months.
Nextgov
Open Federal Data is Now the Law of the Land
President Trump signed the OPEN Government Data Act into law, requiring agencies to publish machine-readable data and appoint chief data officers.
Management
Why Did the Border Patrol Union Switch Its Position on the Wall?
The NBPC once opposed “wasting taxpayer money on building fences and walls along the border.”
Route Fifty
Federal Judge Rules Against Trump Administration's Citizenship Question on Census
State and local governments are among the groups that have objected to the Census asking about citizenship status.
Pay & Benefits