Route Fifty

Bringing Some Clarity to Complex Regulatory Questions in Legal Weed States

A University of Washington law school clinic will help government offices and private-sector startups navigate fast-moving regulations, markets, intellectual property law, health and science research.

Nextgov

The Rise of Agency Innovation Labs

In the 2016 budget, the Obama administration proposed more funding to help launch idea labs.

Management

The Meat Industry’s Long – and Successful – Crusade to Keep its Hold on the American Diet

The fight over the USDA's new guidelines is rooted in history.

Route Fifty

Calif. Fire Chief’s Improper Pension Use; Memphis Mayor-Elect’s Policy Playbooks

Also: Columbus bridge infested with spiders and no new fantasy sports regulation in Texas.

Pay & Benefits

Agencies Should Pay More to Get Feds to Work in Undesirable Locations, Lawmakers Say

Administration officials agreed agencies are underutilizing incentive-based tools.

Defense

American Soldier Is Killed in a Rescue Operation in Iraq

The soldier was killed in an operation involving U.S. and Kurdish commandos on an Islamic State base in northern Iraq.

Pay & Benefits

Open Season Trick or Treat

It’s time to take a close look at your healthcare expenses for 2015 and consider ways to lower them in 2016.

Nextgov

New Federal Action Plan for Cybersecurity ‘Days Away’ From Being Released

The plan will include steps agencies should take to recruit a qualified cyber workforce and acquire emerging technology.

Pay & Benefits

Obama Vetoes Bill Affecting Troop Pay and Benefits

The legislation includes a 1.3 percent pay raise in 2016 for service members and changes to the military retirement system.

Oversight

Hillary Clinton Faces the Benghazi Committee

Both the Democratic front-runner and her GOP questioners said they were focused on finding the truth, not politics.

Management

The Next Budget Crisis Is Days Away. Is There a Better Way?

The building blocks for reform are largely in place.

Oversight

Freedom Caucus Gives Paul Ryan a Majority —but Not a Mandate

A “supermajority” of the group’s members will support him for speaker.

Management

Telework Can Increase Employee Satisfaction, but It's Also Lonely

Working from home can decrease turnover. But it has downsides.

Defense

Can Paul Ryan Save the Defense Department from Sequestration?

As the defense policy bill awaits a threatened veto, Washington wonders whether the Wisconsin Republican will become House speaker — and resolve the budget impasse.

Tech

Regulators: Bill Could Make Cars More Vulnerable to Hackers

Republicans want to boost the security and privacy of connected cars, but the FTC says the House plan would backfire.

Oversight

Play of the Day: Joe Biden Just Made Hillary Clinton Very Happy

The Democratic frontrunner is ready to go to Vegas or have a dance party.

Nextgov

CIA: Brennan AOL Files on WikiLeaks ‘Absolutely’ Not Official Agency Work

The six documents published on the website date from 2007 and 2008, and include an application for a security clearance to handle classified information.

Management

Donald Trump's Lead Among Federal Employees Grows, Poll Finds

Exclusive Government Executive survey shows Ben Carson with the biggest jump among Republican candidates.

Pay & Benefits

Last-Ditch Effort for a COLA Increase, a Spending Hike for a Popular Perk and More

A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.

Nextgov

OMB Unveils Major Rewrite of Federal IT Policy

The new policy lays out guidance for managing IT investments, improving information security practices and streamlining the process for acquiring new technology.