Management

At Least 30 Migrant Children Have Been Separated From Their Parents for More Than a Year

A report from the House Oversight Committee provides new details on the calamity at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Route Fifty

Heaps of Cash, Strong Odors and Other Challenges With Local Pot Regulation

“We’ve been basically building this airplane as we fly it,” said one local official as he discussed his county’s efforts to implement recreational marijuana legalization.

Route Fifty

How a State Police Agency Goes Viral (and Maybe Teaches People How to Drive)

The Colorado State Patrol develops relationships with the community and grows its online presence by posting humorous topical videos, a project spearheaded by one of its public information officers.

Management

House Passes Defense Policy Bill with Provision to Block OPM-GSA Merger

The must-pass legislation also includes amendments granting paid family leave and protecting feds’ health insurance during shutdowns.

Management

Immigrant Children Sent to Chicago Shelters Are Traumatized and Sick, in Some Instances With Chicken Pox or Tuberculosis

Hundreds of children are being detained in shelters run by Heartland Human Care Services, which says it has made changes since allegations that children were neglected and mistreated.

Workforce

Investigations Into Mistreatment of State Department Workforce are in ‘Final Stages,’ IG Says

The watchdog plans to unveil results of inquiries into political retaliation and the hiring freeze in coming weeks.

Management

Trump Administration to Explore Making It Easier for Federal Employees to Cancel Union Dues

Labor officials decry the effort as a misuse of legal precedent to bust unions.

Management

OMB Moving Ahead to Steer Agencies on Evidence-Based Policymaking

Acting budget chief’s memo sets up three-year timeline, interagency council.

Management

Treasury Asks Congress to Act This Month on Debt Ceiling

Lawmakers had hoped to keep borrowing limit tied to negotiations on budget caps.

Nextgov

Court Rules in Favor of Pentagon in JEDI Lawsuit

The ruling against Oracle clears the way for the government to award the contract in August to Microsoft or Amazon Web Services.

Management

Border Patrol Agents Are Passing Around A Commemorative Coin Mocking Care for Migrant Kids

The coin declares “KEEP THE CARAVANS COMING” under an image of a parade of migrants crossing the border.

Defense

Viewpoint: How We Tamed the F-35’s Spiraling Costs — and Created a Model for Controlling Waste

The former defense secretary says defending America means defending taxpayers’ dollars.

Nextgov

Trump Executive Order Directs ‘All Agencies’ to Share Citizenship Data with Commerce Department

The executive order followed President Trump’s Rose Garden remarks Thursday but doesn’t provide many specifics regarding how to move the records.

Workforce

Career Feds Publicly Defy Trump Administration Over Climate Change

One employee resigns while another challenges an agency chief.

Management

Education Department’s Handling of Loan Forgiveness Draws Union Lawsuit

Teachers union’s Randi Weingarten joins eight teachers citing clerical errors behind denials.

Route Fifty

'Deaths of Despair' Theory Overlooks Other Factors, Researchers Say

A lifetime of poverty and hard work contributes more broadly to the growing mortality gap between low-income people and those who are better off than drug overdoses and suicides, according to new research.

Nextgov

Interior Approves Chinese Drone Purchases Despite Spying Concerns

However, the agency has multiple technical measures in place to ensure the manufacturer can’t use the aircraft to spy on the U.S., according to the director of Interior’s drone operations.

Pay & Benefits

It’s Time for Change: Make Your Voice Heard

Lawmakers have introduced a number of bills that would help federal retirees.

Management

IRS Staffs Up As a Result of Disputed Private Debt Collection Program

With revenue projected to double, 200 specialized workers will be hired.

Nextgov

Clock Starts on Naming Leaders, Beginning Work on Evidence Act

Agencies now have official guidance on how to meet the first phase of requirements under the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act.