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States Decide if Workers Fired Over Vaccine Mandates Can Collect Unemployment
When employers fire people because they fail to follow company policy, employees are generally not eligible for benefits. But three states have or could make non compliant workers eligible.
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Air Force to Build New Center to Study and Enhance Directed Energy Capabilities
Experts expect the technology to play a major role in some future weapon systems.
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DHS Researching Public Perception of Facial Recognition and AI Use
The Department of Homeland Security is collecting privacy concerns as critics fight to ban facial recognition outright.
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The Cost for States to Expand Free Pre-K Under the Biden Plan
The Build Back Better proposal provides money for free preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds. States are required to contribute a percentage and will likely incur costs for workforce development, pay increases and adjusting elementary school curriculum.
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Critical Update: Veterans Affairs Applies Mixed Reality Tech to Solve Real-World Health Issues
Department officials are exploring virtual worlds and using artificial intelligence to transform medical treatments.
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White House Highlights Cybersecurity Benefit in Infrastructure Package
Along with more than $1 trillion in funding, the House-passed bill moves to the president’s desk with new authorities for relevant agencies and officials.
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State and Local Push on Infrastructure Finally Pays Off
Congress’ approval of a roughly $1 trillion public works package marks a milestone for cities, states and counties that have pressed for years to get federal infrastructure spending boosted.
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House Passes ‘Long Overdue’ Infrastructure Package
President Biden and local government leaders hailed Congress’ approval of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, which will provide funding for roads, bridges, transit, broadband and water projects across the country.
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SALT Plan Reworked—Again—as Democrats Push Towards Vote
The latest proposal would lift the cap on the state and local tax deduction to $80,000.
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House Prepares for Votes on Social Spending, Infrastructure Bills
Paid family and medical leave was introduced to the latest House version of the $1.75 trillion package.
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Moderate Democrats Prevail in Notable Local Races, as a High Profile Police Reform Initiative Fails
But progressives also scored some key wins. Experts caution that off-year elections typically do not serve as a great barometer for the nation's political leanings.
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Two-Thirds of Staff at VA Medical Center Considering Quitting After One Year With New EHR
A survey of staff at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center shows plummeting morale tied directly to the Cerner Millennium electronic health record platform.
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CISA Orders Agencies to Patch Hundreds of Vulnerabilities Under Attack
Remediation of more than a third of the bugs the agency identified is due within two weeks.
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EEOC Launches Initiative to Ensure AI Doesn’t Exacerbate Civil Rights Issues
The new program looks to educate employers and employees about how algorithms are used in hiring and other employment decisions.
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Better Data Would Help Federal Response to Missing Indigenous Women, Watchdog Says
The Government Accountability Office recommends improving database access and management, as well as better communication, to help resolve cases of missing and murdered Native American and Alaskan women.
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Pentagon Removes Thousands of Images of the War in Afghanistan from Website
The move, which officials said is temporary, was prompted by concerns that the Taliban would retaliate against Afghans depicted in them, the Defense Department said.
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Thousands of City Workers Suspended Without Pay Over Vaccine Noncompliance
About 91% of New York City’s municipal workforce is vaccinated, but the police and fire departments are getting vaccinated at lower rates.
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NSA, CISA Weigh in on Shared Responsibility for Cloud Security in the 5G Era
Fifth-generation networking is expected to multiply opportunities for hackers using tactics already observed in attacks like the one against IT management firm SolarWinds.
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These Cities Raised Wages for Municipal Workers to $15 an Hour
To attract and keep employees in a tight labor market, some local governments are bumping up hourly pay.
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