Federal Newscast

In today's Federal Newscast, the Office of Special Counsel vows White House officials will now face full consequences for any Hatch Act violations.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(5/23/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: A former White House official is taking a top job at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Patrick Space Force Base in Florida will be the permanent home for STARCOM. And pushing a Schedule F alternative plan, a working group warns of the negative impacts of the Trump-era plan.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(5/22/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Technology Modernization Fund is one step closer to getting an extension. The Army’s top cybersecurity official is moving on. And the Postal Service is hitting pause on *some* of its network modernization plans.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(5/21/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: It looks like a toxic work environment will force the FDIC chairman to resign. House Republicans are trying to roll back the SEC’s controversial cybersecurity rules. And a recent study shows feds in their 30s, are the most unhappy on the job.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(5/20/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: President Biden has nominated Maj. Gen. Thomas Hensley to lead the Air Force’s information warfare command. OPM is looking to hire a senior technology leader. And the Department of Veterans Affairs has earned a top honor for medical research.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(5/17/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: A bill has been introduced to require DHS to launch a cyber task force focused on artificial intelligence. The White House has released its blueprint for the use of social and behavioral science in policymaking. And a Virginia Congresswoman thinks the VA has some explaining to do about the millions in bonuses it paid to ineligible executives.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(5/16/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: GAO lets agencies know how they could save millions of dollars, by making better use of federal buildings. The Defense Department is gearing up to hold a virtual career fair for military spouses. And OPM just issued guidance to agencies on how to handle time off for feds experiencing domestic violence.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(5/15/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: Telework bills are being marked-up in the Senate today. Feds convicted of sex crimes, might someday lose their pensions. And the Defense Department has another recruitment problem on it hands: child care workers.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(5/14/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: A draft version of the House defense policy bill would raise junior enlisted pay by 15%. The Postal Service is looking to raise prices on more than just mail. And the first chief digital and AI officer at the Defense Department is headed to the private sector.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(5/13/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Navy is offering big money to keep its pilots from flying the coop. The 2023 numbers are in about how the U.S. Digital Service impacted agencies. And two leaders on the House Homeland Security Committee want to put Microsoft on the hot seat about "cybersecurity failures."See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(5/10/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: The FDIC is in need of "cultural and structural change," according to a special review committee report. A watchdog report says breakdowns in leadership led the VA to pay nearly $11 million in bonuses to ineligible executives. And the Army's Chief Information Officer continues his march to revamp technology policy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's Federal Newscast, federal prosecutors are wrapping up one of the biggest counterfeit postage cases in years. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's Federal Newscast, a pair of senators is looking to get feds back to the office even more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(5/7/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Defense Department has secured funding for the Replicator initiative. Fourteen Senators want to press the pause button on facial-recognition-use at airports. And a Virginia Congressman is troubled by the lack of information on postal accidents and fatalities caused by trucking contractors.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(5/6/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Army will discontinue its temporary promotion policy for non-commissioned officers. In April, TSP posts negative returns for first time this year. And a long-serving official at Office of Management and Budget is taking on a new role at the Social Security Administration.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(5/3/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: A permanent under secretary of Defense for policy, remains elusive. OPM prepares to launch its HR career-growth website. And DISA's new five-year plan will consolidate support for the warfighter.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(5/2/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: Expanded data on the federal workforce is opening the door for better planning and hiring. Republican Senators are squeezing the Education Dept for higher telework numbers. And pro-Russian hacktivists have broken into American and European critical infrastructure networks.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(5/1/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Defense Innovation Unit gets a new deputy director of commercial operations. The GSA's effort to "right size" the inventory of federal office space continues. And CISA makes major progress deploying Endpoint Detection and Response tools on agency systems.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/30/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: Members of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee have introduced a bill to authorize new VA facilities in eight states and Puerto Rico. CISA has identified more than 150 beneficial use cases for AI in critical infrastructure. And the Navy defends itself in court over the health impact of a Honolulu fuel spill.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/29/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: GSA is looking for members to serve on its new Open Government Federal Advisory Committee. Senators are raising concerns about Homeland Security's practice of searching through phones at U.S. border checkpoints. And by Friday, agencies are required to name a senior career official to lead their presidential transition efforts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/26/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: OPM advises agencies on how they should consider a job candidate's criminal background. Staffing shortfalls will likely mean the Coast Guard will shut down about two dozen small-boat stations across the country. And Sen. Chuck Grassley is underwhelmed by DoD's oversight of the government purchase card.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/25/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: Assistant U.S. attorneys at DOJ are calling for more flexibility and consistency in their telework options. The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration helped stop a $3.5 billion fraud scheme targeting pandemic relief funds. And GSA will release a new buying guide this week to help agencies purchase generative AI capabilities.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/24/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: Federal employees’ participation rates in the Thrift Savings Plan are gradually rising. The Census Bureau is laying the groundwork for its next population count in 2030. And seven Senate Democrats call out postal-service leaders for poor service and unsustainable pay hikes.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/23/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Defense Information Systems Agency reaches a new milestone in its classified cloud environment. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is finalizing a list of critical software products. And the DoD IG says Army commanders fail to adequately address all forms of harassment.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/22/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Defense Health Agency and the Defense Innovation Unit are asking for ideas to make DoD health care more human-centered. The Defense Department, once again, dominates the President's Cup Cybersecurity Competition. And the new Pregnant Workers Fairness Act includes a requirement for a telework option.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/19/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: An Illinois Congresswoman looks to put the postal service's network modernization plans on hold. The State Department joins a nationwide initiative to hire and retain more women for law enforcement positions. And a Virginia-based defense contractor pleads guilty to bribery.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/18/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: The IRS received over 100 million individual tax returns this year. The big membership numbers for AFGE, make it the fastest growing major union in the country. And children at a New Mexico Air Force base appear to have a higher rate of a rare brain-and-spinal- cord cancer.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/17/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: A half million veterans give high marks to VA health care. The NSA is urging organizations to deploy increasingly ubiquitous AI systems with security in mind. And recent TSA pay raises have reportedly done wonders for staff attrition.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/16/24) - Lawmakers are pushing for more access to specialty services in the military’s health care system. The IRS hit its goal for the number of tax filers who used the agency's new-and-free Direct File system. And Accenture Federal Services has acquired a major contractor for the Veterans Affairs Department.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/15/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: Military pharmacies are finally back to business as usual after a February cyber attack. A new request for information is asking for feedback on a new part of the Federal Acquisition Regulations. And OMB disbands the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force and tosses all COVID-19 orders and guidance onto the syringe-heap of history.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/12/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: Junior enlisted service members could get a 15% pay hike as soon as next year. A Senate committee is trying to find out why the Postal Service keeps raising mail prices. And DoJ's efforts to come down hard on pandemic fraudsters, has recovered more than $3 billion.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/11/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: To curb costs, Army officials are considering cuts to education benefits for their soldiers. The Army's Chief Information Officer is out with another new policy. And the Department of Homeland Security is seeing a lot of interest in new job postings for artificial intelligence.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/10/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: An Air Force legislative proposal to transfer National Guard space units to the Space Force is sparking a backlash among state governors. NIST is seeking feedback on new recommendations for cyber incident response. And the Navy has a new strategy for science and technology.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/9/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: The General Services Administration is looking to eliminate the use of "forever chemicals" in federal buildings. Meantime, a couple of California Congressmen want to turn empty federal buildings into housing. And Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) is fed up with data breaches and has Big Tech in his crosshairs.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/8/24) - For another year, agencies have likely escaped budget cuts due to sequestration. CISA is preparing to host its biggest biannual cybersecurity exercise called, “Cyber Storm.” And service members are reportedly not getting enough sleep each night to properly do their jobs.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/5/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: New guidance is out to improve the management of more than a trillion dollars in federal grants. The Postal Service is missing more than half its service targets for mail products on which it has a monopoly. And the congressional push continues to guarantee the death of Schedule F.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/4/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: The State Department says recent budget cuts will lead to an overburdened workforce. The Department of Homeland Security is on the hunt for fresh cyber talent. And the Justice Department has issued a data challenge to help address the nation’s drug crisis.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/3/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Pentagon's first-of-its-kind Commercial Space Integration Strategy comes out this week. The Office of Personnel Management is offering a webinar to people thinking about entering the federal workforce. And a new chief diversity and inclusion officer is headed to the State Department.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/2/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Navy is updating its basic training phone call policy. The Census Bureau is looking to roll out a remote-work policy it drafted at the end of last year. And women-owned small businesses won a record $25.5 billion in federal contracts in fiscal 2023.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/1/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Defense Department has established the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy. There is a new section to the FAR and it may be the most important change in decades. And an OMB working group has added Middle Eastern or North African to federal requirements for collecting race and ethnicity data.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/29/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Army has opened a central office to manage the relocation of military families with special needs. A data analytics tool used to fight COVID-19 fraud might be redeployed. And agencies continue to struggle with giving too much money to citizens when doling out benefits.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/28/24) - Federal employees donated more than $68 million to this year’s Combined Federal Campaign. The DoD abortion policy, that Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) objected to, cost about $44,000 last year. And two lawmakers call a recent telework protest "hypocritical."See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/27/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: TSP participants, receiving a full match, is once again on the rise. Senate lawmakers are advancing legislation that aims to bolster the security of government facilities. And in hand-to-phone combat, DoD is turning to social media to battle its recruiting crisis.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/26/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: Following a recent ransomware attack, the Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman is calling on HHS to increase its oversight of cybersecurity in the healthcare sector. More Defense Department organizations are entering the Thunderdome. And hackers have gone phishing at the State Department, targeting paychecks and pensions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/25/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: Vendors likely will have to wait a little longer for the final solicitation of the SEWP VI governmentwide acquisition contract. Congress bumps up the Defense Department's funding for artificial intelligence for this year. And with an eye toward China and Russia, the Senate Intelligence Committee is asking the pentagon for advanced civil nuclear technology on U.S. bases.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/22/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Defense Innovation Unit could get a major funding boost. A powerful senator is asking the GAO to review the risks the Census Bureau faces, as it prepares for the 2030 count. And a new bill is calling for a more permanent path forward for better relationships between federal unions and management.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/21/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: Military families continue to discourage family members from joining the military. Meanwhile, the Army is looking to retirees to fill the ranks. And a judge with the Merit Systems Protection Board is ordering the Army Corps of Engineers to send a whistleblower a "thank you letter."See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/20/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: U.S. spy agencies are doubling down on efforts to harness open-source intelligence. A free, online tax preparation tool run by the IRS is gaining momentum. And a big employees union is warning of big dangers if the Bureau of Prisons fails to receive more funding.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/19/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: HHS is launching a probe into the huge cyber attack on Change Healthcare. GSA is ready to take the next step in setting up its new contract for cloud services. And the Coast Guard is improving access to mental health care for its service members.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/18/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Defense Department has a new director in charge of security clearances. Wildland firefighters are still fighting for a permanent pay increase. And the Supreme Court has ruled that, in many cases, public officials cannot block their critics on social media, even from their personal accounts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.