Oversight
Play of the Day: The First Lady Gets In On the 'You're Fired!' Fun
In a nearly unprecedented move, Melania Trump's office called for a national security firing.
Route Fifty
California Utilities Feel Heat as State Burns
Fire investigators continue to look at the possible role power equipment may have played in starting the state’s deadliest wildfire on record.
Oversight
Key House Democrat Says Pentagon Will Have to Become More Transparent
Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., the likely chairman of the Armed Services Committee, is not expected to change course on restructuring headquarters functions.
Pay & Benefits
Federal Salary Council Recommends Locality Pay for Des Moines, Other Areas
Counties in California, Minnesota also could be added to existing locality pay areas in 2020.
Nextgov
Pentagon Researchers Test 'Worst-Case Scenario' Attack on U.S. Power Grid
Over 100 people gathered off the tip of Long Island this month to roleplay a cyberattack that takes out the U.S. electric grid for weeks on end.
Management
Analysis: Nielsen Isn’t the Issue With Trump’s Immigration Policies
The president is reportedly close to firing his secretary of homeland security, but her successor will also struggle to enact impractical and illegal directives from the White House.
Management
Three Reasons Your Career Has Stalled
A pair of management consultants aptly describes the problems as "pandas."
Nextgov
Watchdog: Department CIOs Are Getting More Authority But Compliance Is Uneven
A partial GAO review showed agency IT leaders are likely getting a say on budget issues, but some lack the documentation to prove it.
Management
USPS Wins Approval for Largest-Ever Price Increase for Stamps
Large-scale mailers called the proposal "surprising and shocking."
Management
Social Security Doled Out At Least $10 Billion in Unmerited Payments Last Year
Watchdog says despite progress, goals for improving accuracy rate unfulfilled in 2017.
Route Fifty
Amazon Officially Names 'HQ2' Sites in NYC and Virginia
Company also outlines billions of dollars of incentives—including tax credits and cash grants—promised by states and localities.
Management
Michelle Obama’s Career Advice: It’s OK To Change Your Mind
“Barack Obama taught me how to swerve.”
Management
Can Marine One Fly in the Rain?
The White House’s explanation of President Trump’s absence from a ceremony in France raises more questions than it answers.
Oversight
Play of the Day: The President Has Solutions For California's Fires
He's also got some blame to throw at the state.
Route Fifty
Public Access Channels Threatened Under FCC Proposal, Advocates Say
Proponents, however, argue changes are needed because localities charge licensing fees at the expense of cable companies’ efforts to expand broadband access.
Management
Why Jeff Sessions’ Final Act Could Have More Impact Than Expected
Just before he left, the departing attorney-general adopted a policy to limit the Justice Department’s ability to oversee abusive police departments. That same policy could also hamper the department’s role in environmental, voting-rights, and other cases.
Management
Here's What Incoming Democratic Leaders Have in Mind for Federal Agencies
Priorities will include boosting spending and investigating political targeting of career employees.
Route Fifty
After Midterms, Democrats Now Hold a Majority of State AG Offices
“They’ve been very aggressive, banding together across state lines to challenge a variety of policies,” one expert said about Democratic responses to the Trump administration.
Tech
State Department Relaxing Rules on Transfer on Drone, Chip Technology
The rules will pave the way for 5G cellphones — and even drones that talk to each other in midair.
Nextgov