Management
Federal Scientists Feel Stymied by Censorship, Politicization, and Departures
Survey finds an “unfortunate and dangerous” atmosphere for science in key federal agencies.
Nextgov
DARPA Wants to Make Underground Maps on the Fly
The agency is challenging teams to build systems that chart caves, tunnels and underground urban infrastructure.
Management
Three-Quarters of Homeland Security's Employee Non-Disclosure Agreements Fail to Comply With Federal Law
DHS also struck 7,000 settlement agreements over the last four years, most of which were out of compliance.
Nextgov
USDA Wants One Hub to Connect Agency Leaders to Every Employee
The agency wants to pull disparate intranets together and allow two-way communications with employees.
Route Fifty
Las Vegas Wants to Find Problems With Its ‘Smart City’ Systems Faster
So the city is turning to software that may soon fix issues autonomously.
Management
EPA’s Bid for ‘Consistent and Transparent’ Rulemaking Draws Fire
Some scholars welcome review of cost-benefit analysis, but consumer groups see risks.
Route Fifty
In North Carolina, Voters Help Choose Design for Voting Stickers
A design contest in Durham County attracted 30 submissions for a new "I Voted" sticker.
Pay & Benefits
Federal Travelers Will Be Reimbursed Slightly More for Hotels and Meals Starting Oct. 1
Marietta, Georgia, qualifies for a higher rate in 2019, while 21 locations will fall back to standard rates that apply in the rest of the continental United States.
Nextgov
Omarosa’s Recordings Show the Problem with Honor-System Security
The White House relies on employees to turn over any devices prior to entering a secured room but has few fail-safes if they don’t.
Tech
Hackers Find Scores of Vulnerabilities in Marine Corps Websites
The Pentagon’s latest bug-bounty contest continues a successful run of hack-the-military efforts.
Management
Three Critical Priorities In the President’s Reform Plan
Whatever happens with specific proposals, federal leaders should focus on these high return components.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Omarosa Tells -- And Records -- All
The former reality TV star and White House staffer is making the rounds.
Management
HHS Deleted Refugee Office Staff Directory, Transparency Group Finds
Removal may have hindered media covering family separations at the border.
Tech
Russian Military Spy Software Is on Hundreds of Thousands of Home Routers
In May, the Justice Department told Americans to reboot their routers. But there's more to do — and NSA says it's up to device makers and the public.
Route Fifty
Despite Drop in Black Unemployment, Significant Disparities Remain
Fourteen states had black unemployment rates above 6 percent at a time when the national unemployment rate was 4 percent in June, according to a new Economic Policy Institute report.
Route Fifty
Transit Advocates Question If Trump Administration Withholding $1.4B in Local Grants
The Federal Transit Administration said most projects haven’t met the grant requirements for consideration yet.
Nextgov
Industry Groups Push for Background Check Reform In Intelligence Appropriations Bill
With a backlog of more than 700,000 pending investigations, the groups are pushing for tools to speed up information collection and ways to reduce redundant investigations.
Pay & Benefits
Feds Don’t Think a 1.9 Percent Pay Raise Would Be Enough to Attract Talent
Although uncertainty surrounds whether workers will receive a raise next year, "It’s better than nothing," one employee quipped in response to a poll.
Nextgov
One Agency Plans to Lock Employees In a Room Until They Learn Cyber Hygiene
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency will be locking employees in escape rooms to test their knowledge of cybersecurity.
Nextgov