Nextgov

No Easy Fix for Cyber Workforce Shortage

A lot of things can move the ball on cyber hiring but there’s no big plan to close the gap.

Route Fifty

Amendments to Raise CDBG Funding Pass as U.S. House Considers Spending Bill

The changes would bring Community Development Block Grant funding more closely in line with this year’s levels, and the amount proposed in a Senate bill.

Management

When Employees Screw Up, Don’t Screw Up Your Response

A healthy organization allows people to own up to their mistakes.

Management

Trump and Mar-a-Lago Have a Long and Questionable History With Hurricanes

After Wilma in 2005, Trump received $17 million in insurance payments. Oddly, others don't seem to recall much damage.

Oversight

Senate Attaches Shutdown-Avoiding Measure to Harvey Relief Bill

Package would keep agencies open through early December and also temporarily increase the debt limit.

Nextgov

Nations That Hack the U.S. Could Face ‘Real World’ Consequences, Homeland Security Adviser Warned

The administration wants to punish hackers in a way that "modifies behavior," Tom Bossert said.

Pay & Benefits

Best Dates to Retire 2018

Your annual guide to picking a good time to go.

Route Fifty

Governors Back Bipartisan Senate Plan to Stabilize Health Markets

Three Republicans and two Democrats teamed up to urge the Senate to act quickly.

Nextgov

Watchdog: Agencies Aren’t Even Trying To Meet Data Center Optimization Goals

At most, five agencies have met or exceeded White House targets for making data centers more efficient.

Route Fifty

Bill Preventing States From Banning Self-Driving Cars Moves Forward

STATE AND LOCAL NEWS ROUNDUP | Removal of Dallas Confederate monument halted last minute; 15 states and D.C. sue to save DACA; energy company wants to drill under Denver school

Defense

Get Ready for a Short-Term CR, Congressional Leaders Tell Pentagon

Top House Republicans on defense say it’s not ideal — underfunding has contributed to a rash of recent accidents — but don’t expect a full-year appropriation until December.

Management

Commission on Evidence-Based Policy Calls for Interagency Coordination

Report recommends a National Secure Data Service that would help with specific projects without compromising privacy.

Oversight

NASA's Next Head Wants it to Do Less Climate Science and More Weather Science, But You Can’t Separate Them

Jim Bridenstine would be in charge of an agency critical to both climate science and storm tracking. He's much fonder of the latter.

Oversight

Play of the Day: A Hurricane Deal Keeps the Government Open

Donald Trump agreed to a plan with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown later this month… thanks to Hurricane Harvey.

Management

Here’s What the U.S. Could Sell South Korea and Japan to Counter North Korea

Trump doubles the allowable size of Seoul’s warheads and promises to transfer more sophisticated weapons to Asian allies.

Route Fifty

U.S. DOT Opens Latest Round of TIGER Grant Funding. Will It Be the Last?

President Trump has proposed axing funding for the transportation program. There’s disagreement between the House and Senate on whether to go along with that plan.

Management

Leadership Vacancies Have Slowed Security Clearance Reform, Officials Say

To cope with delays, the Pentagon issues risky interim clearances, resulting in “rapists and pedophiles” having access to classified information.

Nextgov

Virtual Assistants Don’t Always Understand You. That’s a Problem.

The Homeland Security Department’s chatbot “Emma” sometimes struggles to process some Spanish language requests because not everyone says green card the same way.

Pay & Benefits

OPM Treads Water on Retirement Backlog, Harvey Response Continues, and More

A weekly round-up of pay and benefits news.

Oversight

Analysis: Trump's Buck-Passing on Immigration

The president’s decision to try to shift responsibility for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to Congress could turn out to be one of his politically shrewder moves.