Pay & Benefits
Senate Passes Bill to Provide Higher Pay to VA Execs
Measure also prevents department from having to collect compensation it already paid out.
Nextgov
Do Roundabouts Make Drivers Better or Worse? Transportation Wants to See the Data.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration wants help sorting data on how drivers behave in certain traffic patterns.
Defense
Trump Says U.S. Is Ready for War. Not All His Troops Are So Sure.
A series of accidents calls the military’s preparedness into question.
Defense
Eleven U.S. Troops Were Injured in Jan. 8 Iran Missile Strike
The troops were medevaced this week to Germany and Kuwait to be treated for traumatic brain injury after experiencing concussion symptoms.
Nextgov
GAO Calls Out IRS’ Taxpayer Experience Issues
The 2019 tax filing season was more problematic than usual for IRS.
Defense One
US Army Cancels $45B Armored Vehicle Contest That Drew One Bid
The service now plans to reboot its effort to replace the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, but with different bidding parameters.
Route Fifty
Proposal Could Impose Higher Taxes on Companies With Large CEO-Worker Pay Gaps
A California Senate committee approved a bill meant to address big pay disparities between corporate executives and employees.
Route Fifty
FBI to Alert States About Local Election System Hacks
The FBI changed its policy to allow agents to inform both state and local election officials when election systems are breached.
Pay & Benefits
Postal Service Sees More Cuts to Workforce Costs to Avoid Running Out of Money by 2024
In new strategic plan, postal management lays out a dire financial picture.
Nextgov
What Do You Think About Artificial Intelligence? The Pentagon’s AI Center Wants to Know.
Officials said they’ll be particularly interested in hearing from members of the software engineering, defense and aerospace communities.
Nextgov
CBP Expands Facial Recognition for Global Entry Travelers
The technology is already being used at 15 airports—including three abroad—to speed pre-approved travelers through the customs process.
Nextgov
German Researchers Accessed Service Members’ Sensitive Medical Data—and One Lawmaker Wants Answers
Sen. Mark Warner wants to know what the Defense Health Agency is doing to secure “a significant number” of medical images.
Nextgov
Pentagon Must Focus on Reliability When Buying Weapons Systems, Auditor Says
The Government Accountability Office report holds implications for cybersecurity considerations in procurement processes.
Route Fifty
Deploying Body-Worn Cameras in a County Jail
A sheriff's office in Wyoming recently began using body-worn cameras on deputies working inside the county jail, the first in the state to test the technology in a correctional setting.
Oversight
Energy Dept. Hatch Act Violator Agrees to Resign and Leave Government for at Least 3 Years
The employee gave a congressional candidate special access to a radioactive waste treatment plant despite warnings this would violate ban on political activity while working.
Pay & Benefits
The Index: 2020 Edition
A guide to the most important and relevant Retirement Planning columns of the past 14 years.
Defense
As Putin Schemes to Extend His Reign, Expect New Forms of Internet Repression
Russia under a president-for-life will likely grow more insular and less open to Western influence.
Oversight
GAO: Trump Administration Violated the Law by Withholding Ukraine Aid
The administration pushed back on the findings, and has said GAO decisions are not binding.
Management
Federal Judge Blocks Policy that Allowed Gov. Greg Abbott to Ban Refugees in Texas
The decision comes just days after the Texas governor became the first state leader to opt out of the program. The move drew a harsh rebuke from the Texas' Catholic bishops.
Route Fifty