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DHS Drops Proposal to Expand Immigration-Related Biometrics Collection
The Biden administration withdrew the controversial rule, which garnered more than 5,000 comments when it was proposed last fall.
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Federal Tech-Focused Officials Are on the Move
Both new and familiar faces are taking on information technology-aligned positions.
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Treasury to Begin Distribution of $350 Billion for State, Local Governments
The guidance released Monday gives governments wide latitude in spending American Rescue Plan funds.
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States, Cities Begin to Order Workers Back to the Office
The ACLU is challenging a directive from South Carolina’s governor that requires state employees to return to in-person work. Other state and local orders are under fire as well.
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Lawmakers Say It’s Past Time OMB Issued IDEA Act Guidance
After two years in limbo and a pandemic forcing more adoption of digital services, House lawmakers want to see real guidance issued in the next 45 days.
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Justice Official Recommends Supreme Court Reject Oracle’s JEDI Petition
Oracle has not won at any level of court despite numerous bid protests against the Pentagon’s Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure contract.
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3 Companies Settle Over Millions of Fake Comments on FCC’s Net Neutrality Rollback
Broadband companies funded an effort responsible for 8.5 million fraudulent comments supporting the repeal, according to a New York attorney general report.
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A $4.5B Pool of Economic Recovery Funds States, Localities Can Tap Into
The U.S. Economic Development Administration received an influx of Covid relief dollars over the past year that is more than 10 times the size of its usual budget. That money is now flowing as grants.
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Army to Equip First Unit With Augmented Reality Headsets By Fall
Top Army officials told Congress the first unit will be equipped with the Integrated Visual Augmentation System headsets by the first quarter of fiscal year 2022.
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Federal Judge Vacates Nationwide Evictions Moratorium
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did not have the authority to issue the ban last fall, which has shielded renters from eviction during the course of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Biden Administration Likely Retaining Trump Doctrine on Cybersecurity in Space
Vice President Kamala Harris is prioritizing cybersecurity as chair of the National Space Council, an official said.
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Pentagon Watchdog to Examine How the U.S. Military Handles UFOs
The inspector general launched an evaluation into “actions regarding Unidentified Aerial Phenomena” just before a similar report is due to Congress.
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How the Army Software Factory Preps Soldiers for Future Battlefields
Program lead Maj. Vito Errico said the project is focused on helping the Army figure out how to organize product teams for the future force.
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OMB Prioritizes Cyber, COVID Tech For New TMF Payback Model
Officials urged agencies to pitch projects that focus on hack cleanup, COVID-19 response or economic recovery by June 2 for maximum repayment flexibility from the Technology Modernization Fund.
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Block of Three Northeast States Will Move Toward Reopening
Governors in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut plan to ease limits on businesses beginning May 19. States in other parts of the country have already gone further unwinding pandemic-era rules.
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Nevada Plan to Let Tech Firms Form Local Governments is Scaled Back
Gov. Steve Sisolak’s revised proposal would create a bipartisan committee to study the controversial "innovation zone" concept.
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Cash for Jabs? Officials Look to Cash Perks to Boost Vaccine Uptake
West Virginia's governor announced a $100 incentive program this week. In Detroit, people can get a $50 debit card for driving someone to a vaccination site.
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Hackers Steal Washington, D.C. Police Files, Threaten to Release Data
Ransomware threats are nothing new to local governments, but experts say this one poses significant risk to officers and ongoing investigations.
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VA Explores Potential Future Emerging Technology-Centered Acquisitions
The agency is looking for more information about applying immersive technologies, blockchain, edge computing and other innovations to clinical care, data products and training.
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