Updated
Management
State Department appeals board, now with limited authority, gains new members
The Trump administration recently limited the board’s authority to challenge employee removals and other adverse personnel actions, asserting that the secretary of state has final say on these decisions.
Tech
FBI removes Accenture contractor after missed security patch led to breach
The bureau’s cyber chief blamed a contractor’s failure to apply an available fix for an intrusion that may have exposed sensitive employee information.
Workforce
Appeals court seemingly OKs VA’s contested union contract expiration
A three-judge panel found that a judge’s ruling in August forcing the VA to maintain its CBAs with AFGE improperly delved into questions of compliance with particular contract provisions.
Oversight
Cut first, measure later: Watchdogs find problems across foreign affairs agency reorganizations
Among the findings, the inspector general for the State Department reported that the government is spending $3.2 million biweekly on administrative leave for employees who received reduction in force notices last year.
Sponsor Content
Where federal AI is working — and how agencies can get there faster
Federal agencies are moving beyond AI pilots. Discover five high-impact areas where AI is delivering measurable mission results—and how to scale faster.
Tech
US spy chief tapped as White House AI czar
A new task force led by Jay Clayton, the director of national intelligence, will have 120 days to analyze and report on AI’s risks and opportunities, amid growing global calls for AI safety measures.
Tech
Transportation works to ease fears about its new AI air traffic control tool
Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., who has expressed skepticism about Transportation’s rollout of an AI-powered tool at D.C.-area airports, said he had “a good conversation” with FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford about the new capability that helped to alleviate some of his worries.
Oversight
Housing finance agency chief moves to slash watchdog’s budget, leading Democrats to demand his resignation
The Federal Housing Finance Agency inspector general said that budget cuts would force the office to reduce its staffing by up to 80% and effectively stop criminal investigations.
Sponsor Content
Federal Retirement Checklist: 7 Key Benefits You Can’t Afford To Ignore
Maximize your federal retirement benefits. Learn key TSP, pension, Social Security, tax strategies, and costly mistakes to avoid.
Pay & Benefits
Federal employees’ health insurance premiums to rise by double digits for third straight year
Some insurance carriers have undergone wide swings in cost, as at least one plan’s premiums will more than double next year.
FEATURED INSIGHTS
Tech
GSA memo to set AI-specific acquisition rules
The language includes changes some industry groups have requested through a public comment period and will go into effect Oct. 19.
Tech
Tax chief pushes 'AI-first IRS' to get more out of agency's workforce
The IRS made more than 4,000 hires this year, but its headcount remains mostly unchanged after cutting more than a quarter of its workforce last year.
Pay & Benefits
TSP funds were back in the negative in September
The performance of portfolios in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program largely mirrored market-wide declines.
TSP TICKER
FUND
G
F
C
S
I
OCT 05 CLOSE
$20.2711
$20.2937
$125.4470
$114.7268
$65.1654
DAILY CHANGE
0.0091
-0.0239
0.8288
0.8190
0.3027
THIS MONTH (%)
0.07
-0.07
1.61
2.36
0.85
FUND
L 2070
L 2060
L 2050
L 2040
L 2030
L INCOME
OCT 05 CLOSE
$14.6625
$24.7442
$46.9297
$75.7488
$63.7768
$31.1508
DAILY CHANGE
0.0869
0.1467
0.2292
0.3283
0.2094
0.0605
THIS MONTH (%)
1.43
1.43
1.18
1.05
0.78
0.45
FUND
OCT 05
CLOSE
CLOSE
DAILY
CHANGE
CHANGE
THIS
MONTH
MONTH
G
$20.2711
0.0091
0.07
F
$20.2937
-0.0239
-0.07
C
$125.4470
0.8288
1.61
S
$114.7268
0.8190
2.36
I
$65.1654
0.3027
0.85
L 2070
$14.6625
0.0869
1.43
L 2060
$24.7442
0.1467
1.43
L 2050
$46.9297
0.2292
1.18
L 2040
$75.7488
0.3283
1.05
L 2030
$63.7768
0.2094
0.78
L INCOME
$31.1508
0.0605
0.45
Pay & Benefits
Retiring in 2027? Picking the right date could pay off
The date you leave federal service can affect when your annuity begins and how much you receive for unused annual leave.
Defense
Pentagon update on National Defense Strategy cites progress, omits key threats
The report to Congress notes accomplishments but masks depleted arsenals, strategic distractions, and a quiet retreat from European defense.
Updated
Workforce
EPA union sues management over contract termination
AFGE accused EPA leadership of implementing President Trump’s executive order stripping many federal employees of their collective bargaining rights partly so it could discipline employees who signed an open letter criticizing Administrator Lee Zeldin more easily.
Oversight
Trump’s new Education IG nominee continues dizzying run of leadership changes at the watchdog office
Mark Priebe — the nominee, who recently served as acting inspector general at the Education Department — has defended the president’s mass firing of inspectors general and appears to have supported Trump on social media.
Management
Judge extends temporary pause in USDA relocations as he considers indefinite freeze
A federal judge in San Francisco said it was "significant" that Congress included a provision in a fiscal 2026 spending package that blocked the Agriculture Department from reorganizing without approval from the House and Senate appropriations committees.
Updated
Tech
GSA is losing a key digital modernization leader
Michael Lynch joined the General Services Administration in January 2025 as a senior advisor and later became the agency’s deputy administrator.
Tech
White House launches AI-powered ‘America.gov’ digital front door
The president signed an executive order at the event requiring agencies to integrate many of their services with the new website.
Oversight
Dozens of federal immigration employees stayed in sensitive positions despite security concerns, inspector general reports
Homeland Security Department officials pushed back on the report, contending that “[i]t is simply incorrect to suggest that these employees occupied national security positions for years without appropriate vetting.”
Tech
Agencies withheld records needed to verify DOGE data safeguards, GAO says
A review of six agencies could not establish the full extent of DOGE’s system access or whether security rules were followed. Two agencies challenged the watchdog’s authority to investigate.
Updated
Workforce
‘Nobody knows anything.’ Displaced IRS staff move from one project to another with few details why
IRS employees who completed a stint in taxpayer services are moving onto their next assignment, and some IT executives coming back from an extended period of paid administrative leave
Updated
Tech
OpenAI agents accessed Census, SEC data and tried to hack Education website
The disclosure follows warnings from former officials in August that government systems could face unintended intrusions by autonomous AI agents.
Tech
SSA’s lead had set a goal of 200M online accounts this year — experts say that might prove challenging
The Trump administration recently achieved 105 million online accounts, and lawyers are increasingly encouraging clients to make them as more services go digital.
