Route Fifty

A Burnout Crisis Hits Government

COMMENTARY | A soon-to-be released survey reveals some surprising findings about local and state public sector employees’ struggles and how helping them feel connected to each other can reduce burnout.

Nextgov

No Failures in Latest FITARA Scorecard But 5 Agencies Slip

In a first, every agency got an A on at least one metric. But a new column on telecom transition brought several agencies down.

Route Fifty

One-Month Eviction Moratorium, $25 Billion in Rental Aid in Covid Bill

Housing advocates applauded the inclusion of the emergency rental assistance and eviction moratorium extension in the federal relief package, but said the incoming Biden administration will have to do more.

Route Fifty

'A Lost Generation:’ Community Colleges Report Record Enrollment Declines

New data shows total enrollment decreased by more than 10% since last fall, with the most precipitous drop seen with first-year students.

Nextgov

VA Plans Poop Pilots to Detect COVID-19 Outbreaks at Nursing Homes

The Veterans Affairs Department will test wastewater for early indications of infection among residents, who can then be quarantined to limit the spread to others.

Route Fifty

The New Plans to Remake Appalachia’s Economy

Mayors from the region and others want the Biden administration to embrace their proposals for billions of dollars of spending, with a heavy emphasis on clean energy projects, as a way to reinvent the region as coal declines.

Nextgov

Massive Hack Roundup: Microsoft Says Breach 'Not Espionage as Usual'

Here are the news and updates you may have missed.

Route Fifty

The Debate Around Whether College Athletes Should Be Paid is Heating Up

Michigan’s state legislature this week became the sixth state to pass a bill that would open the door for college athletes to get paid for endorsements.

Route Fifty

Atlantic City Auctions Off Right to Push Button on Trump Casino Demolition

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Massachusetts contemplates lobster restrictions to save whales … Country music star was paid $1.7 million to perform at Texas governor’s inaugural ball … Kansas mayor resigned after mask threats.

Route Fifty

Teen Vaping Shows Signs of Leveling Off After Sharp Rise

A recent survey of teenagers also found that marijuana use was relatively stable in the early part of this year and that cigarette smoking was at historic lows.

Route Fifty

People Convicted of Crimes as Young Adults May See a Chance at Early Release in D.C.

A veto-proof majority of the D.C. City Council passed a bill to open early release to people convicted of crimes they committed before they were 25, saying they deserve the chance for rehabilitation. Victims’ advocates are skeptical.

Nextgov

House Committees Launch Investigation into Alleged Russian Hack of Federal Agencies

President-elect Joe Biden also promised to elevate cybersecurity “as an imperative” across government.

Nextgov

CISA: SolarWinds Is Not the Only Way Hackers Got Into Networks

The agency also warned that getting attackers out of networks will be complex—especially because they are monitoring IT and cybersecurity employees’ emails.

Nextgov

White House Launches Plan for a Nuclear Power System on the Moon

It follows other space-centered proposals from the Trump administration—and might not be the last. 

Nextgov

GAO Issues ‘Wake-Up Call’ Report on Agencies’ Lax Supply Chain Security Management

The bottom line is that none of the 23 agencies audited fully implemented foundational risk management practices. 

Route Fifty

The Covid Detection Method That's Been Right Under Our Noses—Literally

Four dogs in Hawaii are training to detect Covid-19 by scent, part of a large international research study to determine whether it's possible—and how it might be used.

Route Fifty

Local Health Departments Are Understaffed. Would Biden’s ‘Public Health Jobs Corps’ Help?

Public health leaders say the president-elect’s idea for a corps to help with contact tracing would miss the mark of current needs on the ground, saying they are looking for broader, and more long lasting, federal support.

Nextgov

Pentagon Preps for First CMMC Pilots in 2021

The Pentagon’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program will begin including security requirements in select solicitations starting next year.

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Biden Taps Pete Buttigieg, a Former Mayor and Presidential Rival, as Transportation Secretary, Reports Say

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Iowa decides against spending Covid funds on IT upgrades … Utah university votes to drop “Dixie” from name … New York governor accused of sexual harassment.