Route Fifty
‘Trigger Laws’ in Some States Would Ban Abortion Immediately If Roe is Overturned
The country already has a patchwork of different restrictions on abortion. How would that change in a post-Roe world?
Management
Tens of Thousands of Federal Workers Can Expect to Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine This Week
More federal agencies unveil vaccine distribution plans.
Management
Acting State Dept. IG Leaves the Day After Report on Travel of Pompeo’s Wife Is Published
The IG office cited the Vacancies Act to explain the latest in a series of departures.
Tech
Scientists Suggest U.S. Embassies Were Hit With High-Power Microwaves – Here’s How The Weapons Work
High-power microwave weapons are useful for disabling electronics. They might also be behind the ailments suffered by US diplomats and CIA agents in Cuba and China.
Pay & Benefits
Federal Employees to Get a Full Day Off on Christmas Eve
President Trump issues an executive order that breaks with recent precedent by granting vacation for all of Dec. 24, rather than a half-day.
Management
Trump Signs Stopgap Funding, Deferring Shutdown Threat for One Week
Many hurdles remain in avoiding a shutdown come Dec. 18.
Management
Transition Roundup: IG Panel Publishes Transition Guide; Trump Orders ‘Rebrand’ of Foreign Aid During Lame Duck Period
Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Management
Biden Under Pressure to Appoint First Native American to Head Interior Department
Many tribal leaders, environmental groups and progressive activists are urging the president-elect to nominate New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland as secretary of the department.
Tech
Expert: We Need New Laws For The Facial Recognition ‘Wild West’
A new paper outlines why Congress needs to regulate facial recognition to protect consumers and their "faceprints."
Oversight
GovExec Daily: The CR and the Possibility of a Shutdown
Eric Katz joins the podcast to discuss the negotiations in Congress before funding runs out.
Route Fifty
Mile-by-Mile, Proposed Nationwide Bike and Foot Trail Sees Progress
Advocates for the trail say there are now over 2,000 miles of segments complete and that more money flowed toward the project this past year.
Management
DeJoy, USPS Look to Strike Down Court Restrictions Blocking Reform Efforts
Postal Service is appealing injunctions issued prior to the election that prevented controversial initiatives.
Management
Election Commission Regains Quorum and Resumes Full Duties, Facing a Massive Backlog of Work
There are 446 matters before the agency and 275 staff reports awaiting decisions from the commissioners.
Route Fifty
Instead of Defunding Police, Minneapolis Cuts $8 Million from Department Budget
After the police killing of George Floyd, a majority of the city council vowed to dismantle the police department. They took a much more modest step this week.
Management
Up Close: Conversations with Federal Leaders, Featuring Deputy Federal Chief Information Officer for the Office of Management and Budget, Maria Roat
Maria Roat, Deputy Federal Chief Information Officer at the Office of Management and Budget, sits down with Nextgov's Aaron Boyd, Senior Editor, Technology and Events
Pay & Benefits
Looking for a Medicare Advantage
There’s a new type of FEHBP plan worth considering this open season.
Pay & Benefits
Feds Are Likely to Get a Half-Day Off on Christmas Eve This Year
President Obama gave civil servants an extra half-day off on Dec. 24 the last two times Christmas fell on a Friday.
Nextgov
GSA Relaunches Federal Service Desk With New Look and Added Security
The help desk for all General Services Administration procurement systems got a makeover and a security lockdown.
Management
Historical Thinking for Resilient Leaders
The smartest leaders recognize how little they really know and make up for it by leveraging a broad knowledge of history to navigate what are always rough seas.
Management