Route Fifty
Mysterious Steel Monolith Discovered In Utah Desert Mysteriously Disappears
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Supreme Court rejects New York restrictions on religious services … Trump administration denies key permit for Pebble Mine … Baltimore County schools still closed after ransomware attack.
Tech
Coronavirus Vaccines: Health Experts Identify Ways to Build Public Trust
The United Nations recently asked a group of experts across the world to recommend ways to persuade people to take a COVID-19 vaccine. Here is a summary of their suggestions.
Oversight
Census Workers From Across the U.S. Are Raising Big Concerns about This Year’s Count
Workers say poor training, a cascade of shifting deadlines and clunky technology produced confusion on the ground. Now, a lawsuit and several government reports are echoing their claims.
Route Fifty
Firefighters Push for Inclusion in First Phase of Covid-19 Vaccines
States are finalizing their vaccine distribution plans, which will determine which critical workers and high-risk people are first in line for a coronavirus vaccination.
Workforce
Inside How Biden Is Learning About Federal Agencies, Both Officially and Unofficially
The president-elect transition's team is now gleaning information from federal workers through multiple channels.
Pay & Benefits
Thanksgiving Meals for Military Families, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Route Fifty
States Join Pilot to Investigate Cases of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People
Federal, state, and tribal agencies will create guidelines for investigations into missing persons and murder cases where Native American or Alaska Native people are involved.
Management
Transition Roundup: Biden Team Makes Contact With Over 50 Agencies; Progressives Target OMB and Regulatory Affairs Picks
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Oversight
Trump Races to Weaken Environmental and Worker Protections, and Implement Other Last-Minute Policies, Before Jan. 20
The Trump administration is rushing to approve dozens of eleventh-hour policy changes. Among them: The Justice Department is fast-tracking a rule that could reintroduce firing squads and electrocutions to federal executions.
Nextgov
The Defense Department IG Outlined the Pentagon’s Top Challenges. Here’s Where Tech Fits In.
Two new challenges added this year focus on technological dominance and data as a strategic asset. Tech like hypersonics, microelectronics, AI, 5G and biotechnology were also highlighted.
Management
Viewpoint: Don’t Abolish AbilityOne, Reform It
A recommendation by the National Council on Disability threatens 45,000 jobs for people with disabilities.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: Schedule F's Present and Future
Erich Wagner and Tom Shoop joined the podcast to discuss the OMB news in light of the workforce executive order.
Route Fifty
No Bar Night Out Before Thanksgiving in Pennsylvania
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | National Guard deploys to El Paso to help with morgue crisis … Prosecutors are reviewing 800 cases possibly tainted by lab analyst … Nursing home workers strike in Illinois.
Management
A Member of Your Household Tests Positive for COVID-19? VA Says Keep on Working
Department tells employees not to quarantine until they start feeling sick.
Oversight
Lawmakers Seek Watchdog Briefings on Schedule F Implementation
Democrats asked the Government Accountability Office to keep them informed of how the Trump administration is moving ahead with a plan to politicize potentially hundreds of thousands of federal jobs in the coming weeks.
Management
HHS Seeks Feedback on Pandemic Regulatory Actions
The Trump administration is making a final push for deregulation during lame duck period.
Route Fifty
Snitches Could Get Cash for Illegal Parking Tips
The proposal, currently before the New York City Council's transportation committee, would give citizens 25% of any fines resulting from reports of certain illegally parked cars.
Route Fifty
Poll: Most Americans Changing Thanksgiving Plans, Leery of Travel
But airports still saw significant traffic in recent days. The survey findings come as public health officials worry the holiday season could inflame already troublesome coronavirus trends.
Pay & Benefits