Defense
U.S., Iran Back Away From Conflict—For Now
The crisis appears to be cooling, at least for now, as U.S. lawmakers — and presumably the president — return their focus to the looming impeachment trial in the Senate.
Route Fifty
States, Election Officials On Guard Over Iranian Cybersecurity Threat
Amid tension between the United States and Iran, state and local government officials are taking precautions to protect themselves from cyber warfare.
Nextgov
Experts Recommend Expanding Agencies’ Authorities to Combat Online Deception
At Facebook’s first congressional testimony of the 2020s, experts said agencies’ jurisdiction should include the digital spaces.
Defense
Iran Is Getting Ready to Blow Up A Fake Aircraft Carrier, Again
To test weapons, try out tactics, and intimidate adversaries, Iranian forces may attack its barge-borne “carrier” as soon as March.
Workforce
OPM Abandons Effort to Make It Easier for Feds to Transfer and Re-Enter Government
The agency had already hit key milestones in its employee digital record project.
Route Fifty
More States Considering a Cap on Insulin Costs
A new bill in Washington is similar to legislation passed in Colorado last year.
Route Fifty
A Proposal to Protect Referees From Angry Parents
A Wisconsin lawmaker, who is also a youth umpire, wants to increase penalties for harassing or intimidating sports officials, a move he hopes will improve recruitment and retention in the field of athletics.
Nextgov
Defense Officials Tout Smoother Electronic Health Records Rollout
The second deployment of MHS Genesis went “much, much smoother” than the first, as officials take lessons from both rollouts to 25 more bases this summer.
Management
Administrative Law Judges Decry Social Security Rule that Would Take Cases Out of Their Hands
SSA argues allowing appeals judges to hear lower-level disability cases will decrease the agency’s backlog, but administrative law judges say the initiative is an effort to undermine their independence.
Nextgov
GSA Is About to Make Changes to the MAS Consolidation Solicitation
The government’s acquisition shop released proposed changes that reflect new administration priorities and adjust for expiring clauses and programs.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Reduces Retirement Backlog, and Gas Reimbursement Rates Decrease Slightly
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Nextgov
Air Force Could Tap Into Individuals’ Online Data to Combat Insider Threats
The request for information stems from an executive order issued in 2011.
Management
Viewpoint: Moving Bureau of Land Management Headquarters to Colorado Won’t Be Good for Public Lands
Do public lands in the West belong to Westerners, or all Americans? Moving a federal agency's headquarters from Washington, D.C. to Colorado is the latest skirmish in a longtime struggle.
Management
Industry Association Calls on Government to Better Protect U.S. Contractors Working Overseas
Letter to Defense and State departments follows recent U.S. contractor deaths in Kenya and Iraq.
Defense
Iran Launched Missiles at Iraqi Bases with U.S. Forces, Pentagon Says
More than a dozen ballistic missiles were fired at the Al-Assad air base in Anbar province and a base in Irbil, in Iraqi Kurdistan, a Defense statement said.
Route Fifty
Oil and Gas Group Bristles at Prospect of Fracking Ban
Some Democratic contenders for the 2020 presidential nomination have voiced support for such a policy.
Management
Trump Administration Makes Its Case to Break Up Immigration Judges' Union
Justice Department "simply does not want to deal with a vocal union that asserts its rights," labor group argues at hearing.
Nextgov
DHS Kicks Off DNA Collection Program for Some Detainees at Border
Border agencies will send samples to the FBI’s databases for indefinite storage.
Route Fifty
Legalizing Marijuana Could Help Fight the Opioid Epidemic, New Research Says
New research found opioids were prescribed less often in states where marijuana has been legalized for medicinal or recreational use.
Route Fifty