Oversight
Education Department layoffs hindered congressionally mandated activities, inspector general reports
The inspector general office at the Education Department has experienced several leadership shake-ups, including one acting leader who seems to have been replaced over the report.
Tech
FAA awards software and AI contract as part of air traffic control modernization
The agency’s contract with Air Space Intelligence includes deployment of a system that it says will serve as “the new technological backbone” of a modernized Air Traffic Control System Command Center.
Management
Inside the Ford White House years that shaped Alan Greenspan’s idea of public service
Greenspan is remembered for defining an era at the Federal Reserve, but colleagues point to his earlier experience in the Ford administration as the moment he first learned what public service demands inside government, and how economic judgment shifts once it meets political reality.
Management
Federal acquisition overhaul moves from plan to proposed rules
The long-awaited rewrite effort is entering its next phase, with changes affecting everything from contract protests to security requirements.
Oversight
Congressional Dems demand info on revised workforce survey
As the traditional spring solicitation window closes, the public remains in the dark as to when the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey will be administered and what questions it will ask.
Workforce
Lawmakers warn acting intelligence chief against major workforce changes
Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., pointed to reports of potential staff cuts and warned against using the temporary appointment to make lasting personnel or declassification decisions at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Defense
Pentagon's growing role as an investor draws new scrutiny on Capitol Hill
Senate lawmakers are proposing guardrails on defense equity investments as the department takes larger stakes in strategically important companies.
Management
VA redesignates LGBTQ+ care coordinators and limits further ‘gender-ideology’ services
VA gave officials 14 days to comply with a June 12 memo that calls for facilities to take additional steps in response to previous executive orders on gender and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Tech
Jim Flyzik helped transform government IT from back-office function to mission enabler
The former Treasury chief information officer and early federal IT leader died June 4 at age 72.
Workforce
Unions urge court to force ruling in ‘loyalty question’ lawsuit
Three months after a hearing on whether to block federal agencies from asking four politicized essay questions of every federal job applicant, a federal judge still has not issued a decision.
Management
Interior’s use of park fee revenue raises questions over federal funding rules
Lawmakers are seeking details on whether National Park Service visitor fees and pass revenue are being redirected under existing authorities, highlighting how discretionary funds are allocated across competing maintenance and capital priorities.
Workforce
NSF is using its HQ move to revoke telework for workers with disabilities, employees say
Most of the science agency’s workforce is currently teleworking, as they are being relocated to a new office building that is close to the former headquarters.
Tech
HHS plans AI pilot for employees who need more than chatbots
The department hopes to learn how employees use more sophisticated AI capabilities and what it would take to deploy them across the agency.
Tech
AI skills are becoming part of the hiring baseline at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
The intelligence agency is reshaping training for both new and existing employees as it builds AI and data management into core job expectations across the workforce.
Workforce
In rare move, full appeals court agrees to hear case challenging Trump’s ‘Article II’ firings
Federal circuit courts typically hear cases via randomized three-judge panels, reserving review by the entire judicial bench for its most important cases.
Management
Intelligence director hearing cancelled as Trump pushes for controversial voter bill
The development guarantees that Bill Pulte — whose selection to temporarily lead the office derailed a recent FISA vote — would start as acting national intelligence director on Friday.
Oversight
FEMA, OMB noms grilled on alleged political sway in government assistance
Democratic senators pointed to disparities between what states are approved to receive disaster funding as well as a proposal to require that political appointees approve grant awards to ensure they advance the president’s priorities.
Tech
AI is taking parts of background checks from 'months to hours,' clearance agency says
A Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency official says advanced AI can cut parts of the vetting process from months to hours.
Management
Education's latest handoff tests the limits of its downsizing strategy
The department says services and protections won't change as HHS and DOJ take on larger roles. Critics aren't convinced.
Management