Benefits
IG report: VA regional office failed to process 'informal claims'
An investigation by the Department of Veteran Affairs Office of Inspector General found that the VA Regional Office in Oakland, Calif., had not been properly reviewing and processing informal claims, according to an IG report.
Employee Policy
Former Army officer sentenced to five years in fraud case
A federal court on Feb. 18 sentenced a former U.S. Army captain to five years in prison for wire and mail fraud—and ordered him to pay more than $1 million in restitution.
Route Fifty
Pacific Northwest Earthquake Warning System Gets Real Life Test
But the prototype system was a bit slow to send out an alert.
Management
IRS Paid Identity Thieves $5.8 Billion in 2013, Blames Budget Cuts
Smaller budgets have prevented the agency from properly preventing identity thieves from collecting fraudulent tax returns.
Nextgov
Paying the Government Just Got a Whole Lot Easier
Thanks to a newly unveiled partnership, the public can now make online payments using two popular digital wallet services, PayPal and Dwolla.
Management
Scaled-Back DHS Headquarters Plan Would Squeeze 3,000 More People Into the Same Space
Flexible workplace strategies would help accommodate 17,000 employees in an area originally planned for 14,000.
Nextgov
‘Data Science is a Team Sport': DJ Patil Spends First Day Pitching Silicon Valley on Joining Government
In its quest to get more data scientists into government, the Obama administration is likely to face stiff competition for talent from the private sector.
Management
A Healthy Menu Makeover for Food Trucks
An NIH-funded project aims to expand nutritious dining options in Los Angeles.
Defense
Most Americans Now Back Ground Troops Against ISIS
The Islamic State's brutality has dramatically shifted public opinion in the United States.
Pay & Benefits
You’ve Invested for Retirement. Now What?
What to do with the wealth you’ve accumulated in the Thrift Savings Plan.
Management
Watchdog: Pentagon Could Learn from HHS on Curbing Medical Claims Fraud
Health and Human Services has a better system than Defense does for identifying improper payments, GAO says.
Management
VA and NASA Win Multiple Innovation Awards
Harvard’s Ash Center recognizes 13 federal programs in state-centered list.
Nextgov
America Needs a New FOIA Overseer: Is it You?
The office in charge of monitoring governmentwide FOIA compliance and policy is looking for a new leader.
Management
The Quietest Places in America, Mapped
New data from National Park Service scientists shows that "most people live in environments where night skies and soundscapes are profoundly degraded."
Oversight
Why Democrats Won't Cave on Immigration to Avoid a Shutdown
Democrats believe that the optics of a partial shutdown will favor them.
Defense
White House Struggles with the Language of Terrorism
"We must never accept the premise that they put forward, because it is a lie," Obama says. "They are not religious leaders. They're terrorists."
Management
Escaping Groundhog Day: 5 Tips for Innovation
How to break down the barriers to new ideas in your organization.
Insights
DoD Officials Say the Pentagon's Logistics Challenges Are Threatening Military Readiness
A survey of current Pentagon officials reveals serious supply chain deficiencies that could limit the U.S.'s ability to respond to global crises.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Diamond Joe Strikes Again
Biden dominates Ash Carter's swearing in ceremony.
Employee Policy