Route Fifty
How a Small Tennessee City Saves Time and Money Reading Utility Meters
Utilities supervisor: “To be Parsons, this little town of Parsons, we are way, way advanced in technology.”
Pay & Benefits
Mileage Reimbursement Hike, Retirement Savings Resolutions and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Management
Wednesday's Paris Attack Is an Assault on American Values
When Obama committed U.S. forces to combat the Islamic State, he said it was necessary to defend the nation’s core beliefs. That’s why an assault on a French newspaper hits so close to home.
Tech
NASA Scientists Just Discovered the Most Earth-like Planet Ever
Kepler 438b is believed to be 12% larger than Earth and lies within its sun’s "just right" zone.
Oversight
McConnell: I Won’t Back Down From a Fight With Obama
The new Senate majority leader vowed Wednesday to get his chamber working more efficiently.
Oversight
FEHBP Reform, Pay Freezes and Lawmakers’ Other Day 1 Priorities in the 114th Congress
Legislators target agency spending and their own compensation as new Congress begins.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Seeks Health Plan Auto-Enrollment for Certain Feds
The proposed rule would prevent a gap in coverage for employees enrolled in plans dropped from FEHBP.
Insights
The Retirement Wave Is Here: Are You Ready?
The federal government is about to undergo an enormous generational shift as Baby Boomers retire, but new research shows some employees are far more retirement ready than others.
Route Fifty
California Breaks Ground on America's First Bullet Train
While critics say costs are too high and bound to balloon, proponents say the system will provide an invaluable transit network that will relieve the burden on airplane routes and highways.
Management
Big Idea 2015: The Future of Work Is Already Here
Work isn't just work, it is an integral part of who we are as human beings.
Management
Obama, Democrats Take Keystone XL Fight to Republicans
Pipeline opponents grabbed the spotlight as the new congressional session began.
Oversight
Rubio: Clinton Presidency 'Would Be a Death Blow to the American Dream'
And eight other fascinating takeaways from the senator's new book.
Oversight
In Statement, White House Condemns 'Horrific Shooting' at Paris Newspaper Office
Twelve people have been killed at the offices of Charlie Hebdo.
Route Fifty
Where Minimum Wage Workers Will Earn More This Year
Advocates, buoyed by a winning streak that has scored increased wages in red and blue states alike, plan to press for even more action in 2015.
Employee Policy
OPM opens nominations for Presidential Rank Awards
Office of Personnel Management Director Katherine Archuleta issued a memorandum to agency heads to open nominations of senior executives for the fiscal 2015 Presidential Rank Awards program.
Employee Policy
New Air Force travel cards feature better security
The Air Force said it has launched the first phase of its rollout of more secure government travel cards that incorporate new encryption technology.
Employee Policy
Retiring PMG offers praise—and criticism
Retiring Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe on Jan. 6 gave a farewell speech at the National Press Club in which he praised postal employees for their hard work—but criticized postal unions and mailers for what he characterized as "shortsightedness."
Nextgov
Inspectors Warn: Scrap Proposed $443 Million Border Drone Surge
U.S. unmanned jets fielded to catch border trespassers have not proved their worth and DHS is lowballing cost estimates, the watchdog reported.
Management
Seven in 10 Federal Managers Sometimes Predetermine Who Will Fill Job Vacancies
Federal hiring laws are no longer protecting a fair and open process, report finds.
Management