Federal Newscast

(9/19/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: After three crashes, two of them deadly, the Marines halt aviation for two days. A DHS threat assessment warns of "likely" cyber attacks on America's 2024 elections. And GAO has given its employees several hybrid and remote work options.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(9/18/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Homeland Security advisers are calling for technology investments that support remote work. A Congressional Investigation continues into potential COVID-19 record-keeping violations at NIH. And the IRS is in search of accountants for high-paying jobs to ferret out tax cheats.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(9/15/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Low recruiting, but high retention, are putting a financial strain on the U.S. military. The Government Accountability Office estimates that 15% of COVID-19 unemployment relief money went to fraudsters. And feds can now donate unused time off to other feds impacted by Hurricane Idalia.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(9/14/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Defense Department has adjusted childcare fees to give military families a financial boost. The Veterans Affairs Department is ready to spruce up its delivery of digital services. And the Energy Department allocates $39 million for nine new cyber projects at national labs.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(9/13/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The alarm bells can be heard almost everywhere about the negative impacts of a government shutdown. The Labor Department's spending on new technology has skyrocketed in recent years. And the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is leaning into efforts to secure widely used software code.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(9/12/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: OMB Director Shalanda Young says GOP budget proposals would "devastate the American people." A DoD IG report says 20% of sexual assaults are mishandled by the military health care system. And a Biden veto threat could mean a CR is inevitable.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(9/11/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The IRS is using AI to crack down on 1,600 deadbeat millionaires. Microsoft has disclosed how Chinese hackers accessed the email account of America's commerce secretary. And the Air National Guard has teamed-up with the Commanders. The ones from the NFL.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(9/8/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: There are some big telework changes at the Small Business Administration. The Office of Personnel Management retirement claims backlog climbs for second straight month. And the Space Force has a new motto. We'll tell you what it is.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(9/7/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: A senator and congressman are moving to end government shutdowns once and for all. The Office of the National Cyber Director is developing a new cyber-posture report to help evaluate the current state of American cybersecurity. And victims exposed to Camp Lejeune's contaminated water, have a new way to resolve their claims.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(9/6/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Federal job seekers with a criminal past get a little help from OPM. An IRS watchdog says the agency needs to handle the tax returns of rich people a little better. And the U.S. Army switches vendors to run its multi-billion-dollar hardware contract vehicle.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(9/5/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: National Guardsmen from five states are helping fight wildfires in Louisiana. GSA is using the Inflation Reduction Act to make over 100 federal buildings all-electric. And OPM says its time to drop COVID-compliance stipulations in federal job postings.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(9/1/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: There's more GOP pressure on the White House to explain its telework philosophy. New details are out on the impact of artificial intelligence on federal-agency missions. And TIGTA tells the IRS to do more to fight cyber threats.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(8/31/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The National Security Agency has a new deputy director. More than 1,500 federal personnel help to handle Hurricane Idalia's destruction. And the Postal Service is having problems delivering the correct amount of pay into its own employees' paychecks.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(8/30/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Following a critical report, the TSA is taking steps to improve its cybersecurity practices. Federal labor unions want the Senate to move fast to confirm Martin O’Malley to lead the Social Security Administration. And Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst wants an IG to see how badly telework has led to feds "phoning it in."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, presidential advisors are calling for the creation of a “Department of Water” to confront what they say are rapidly evolving water crises. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(8/28/23) In today's Federal Newscast: Exceeding its goal, the VA finds housing for thousands of homeless veterans. An original digital services SWAT team celebrates nine years on the job. And Confederate General A.P. Hill just got his name removed from the army base that bore his name.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(8/28/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Exceeding its goal, the VA finds housing for thousands of homeless veterans. An original digital services SWAT team celebrates nine years on the job. And Confederate Civil War officer A.P. Hill just got his name removed from the army base that bore his name.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(8/25/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Labor Department is struggling to retain drug intervention specialists in its Job Corps centers. The Justice Department IG says the background-check process for hiring DEA agents falls way short. And a powerful congressman wants to investigate the Space Command's decision to call Colorado home sweet home, and not Alabama.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(8/24/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Defense Department now has an option to reach the cloud from outside the continental United States. The Postal Service says it can account for all of its employees on the Hawaiian island of Maui. And the Labor Department has uncovered more improper spending of COVID relief funds.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(8/23/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Staffing shortages are on the rise across America at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board says 89% of TSP participants are "satisfied." And the GSA says the once-troubled login.gov platform has turned the corner.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(8/22/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: California lawmakers want more passport offices in their state. A losing bidder again protests a 10-year $65 billion DoD health care contract. And a CISA hiring spree, lands more than 1,300 new employees in just the past two years.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(8/21/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: NTEU disaster relief grants are now available through the FEEA Assistance Fund. The Defense Department offers FEMA a big hand of assistance in Hawaii. And House Democrats say OPM's definition of infertility is unfair to the LGBTQ+ community.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(8/18/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The General Services Administration is taking on unconscious bias, with identity-verification technology. The Patent office changes the name of its scholars program from Thomas Edison to Marian Croak. And sexual harassment at America's military academies shows no sign of improvement.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(8/17/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Congress weighs-in on the process of how agencies are moving to the cloud. Mental-health struggles remain a concern for those seeking security clearances. And feds get a little boost in their reimbursable travel allowance.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(8/16/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The FBI is getting a new leader to take on insider threats. The Defense Department mobilizes resources to help in Hawaii. And the saga of the CIO-SP4 contract continues.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(8/15/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: An IRS watchdog says the handling of sensitive taxpayer records is often sloppy. CISA launches a new program to help bolster the network security of critical infrastructure organizations. And Republicans look to "get feds out of the classroom" by freezing hiring at the Education Department.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(8/14/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The recent Chinese hack of a Microsoft vulnerability, prompts DHS to step-up its analysis of all threats to cloud environments. The Postal Service is launching a new initiative to address declines in mail volume. And all those opinions on telework might all be wrong.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, an IRS watchdog finds the agency incorrectly flagged tens of thousands of taxpayers as deceased.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, the Labor Department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs is strengthening its ability to investigate and remedy employment discrimination allegations filed against federal contractors. 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, five years since issuing the notice of proposed rulemaking, agencies can finally conduct 360 degree reviews with their contractors.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, the Defense Department needs to do more to avoid recruiting criminals or political extremists.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, the Small Business Administration is putting a temporary pause on adding new applicants to its disadvantaged business program. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(8/4/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Military families will now be able to use $5,000 in pre-tax income to care for dependents. DoD's CIO mandates new rules for buying cloud services. And presidential candidate Ron DeSantis will "start slitting throats" of federal employees his first day 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.

(8/3/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The State Department has launched a Bureau of Global Health to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS. Airmen stuck overseas, due to lack of government money -- three weeks later -- have the funding. And top employees at the Interior Department get their telework opportunities cut to 50%.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(8/2/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Calling it "coercive," Ohio Congressman Brad Wenstrup goes after President Biden's 2021 get-it-or-be-fired vaccination order for feds. A union for federal employees is supporting a bill to make union dues tax deductible. And most Thrift Savings Plan funds were back in the black in July.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(8/1/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Thrift Savings Plan participants can now manage their installment payments in My Account. GSA is asking whether another change is required in the way agencies buy cloud services. And it's negative over positive when it comes to the public judging experiences with federal services.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(7/31/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Ransomware attackers steal the personal information of more than 600,000 Medicare beneficiaries. The Defense Department now has an independent military prosecutor for the most serious offenses. And the FDIC makes plans to plug three holes in the cloud.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(7/28/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) wants agencies to investigate what he calls Microsoft's "lax cybersecurity practices." GSA's commercial platforms initiative is gaining steam. And Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) wants answers to "price gouging" by TRICARE.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(7/27/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: A new Air Force Chief of Staff is waiting in the wings. A Justice Department employee group urges the attorney general to resist efforts to reduce telework. And Congress demands answers about the cancellation of MyTravel.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(7/26/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Harry Coker, an alumnus of the NSA and CIA, is nominated to serve as national cyber director. In less than a fortnight, the Air Force reinstates its aviation retention bonuses. And a federal contractor is guilty of a $7 million methodology mistake.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, military spouses call on Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama to end his block on Senate confirmed military appointments.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 government contractor agrees to pay one of the biggest fines in the history of the False Claims Act. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(7/21/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Partnership for Public Service announces its 2023 People’s Choice Award winner. The electric vehicle commitment of federal agencies has just be supercharged. And the teleworkers at the Federal Aviation Administration, have just begun their descent toward the in-office tarmac.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(7/20/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Microsoft will soon give it away for the sake of cybersecurity. The Office of Personnel Management is drafting new qualification standards for federal wildland firefighter management jobs. And the Air Force embeds recruiters in the Hinterlands to find new cadets.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(7/19/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) puts a hold on President Biden's pick for VA deputy secretary. It looks like the Space Force will become the first military service with its own personnel system. And the TSA gears up to land new tech employees in top positions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(7/18/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: USAID has put a policy in place to limit telework. Congress moves to reduce employment barriers for military spouses, when a service member receives relocation orders. And the Intelligence Community gets new hiring incentives.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(7/17/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The General Services Administration is rethinking how it'll decide where to build a new FBI headquarters. Two decades of sexual harassment and assaults at the Coast Guard Academy have Congress calling for the inspector general. And 3,000 military reservists might be on their way to Europe.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(7/14/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) is taking another stab at killing Schedule F. There are some more return-to-office changes in the works for a couple of agencies. And President Joe Biden’s pick for second-in-command at the Department of Veterans Affairs is heading for a full Senate vote.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(7/13/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Department of Homeland Security will see a change in a key leadership position. The law that governs federal cybersecurity is getting a bipartisan overhaul. And it looks like federal firefighters finally landed a permanent pay raise.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(7/12/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: House Republicans are looking to make it easier to fire employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Sen. Tommy Tuberville's abortion views lead to unfilled officer slots in the U.S. military. And the State Department looks to bring back retired diplomats.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.