Route Fifty
Local Government's Still Open—Remotely
As Covid-19 takes hold in communities, local governments are transitioning staff members to telework—a first for many localities. And it's come with challenges, from slow broadband connections to a laptop shortage.
Management
Questions Linger Over How the IRS Will Distribute Stimulus Checks
Former officials said the agency will face a challenge in getting the money to the right place quickly.
Pay & Benefits
How (Not) to Manage Your TSP During a Pandemic
Now is not the time to panic, even if you’re close to retirement.
Route Fifty
Is America Ready for a Second Wave of Coronavirus?
A resurgence of the virus would strain local health systems already close to a breaking point—but they might be more prepared the second time around.
Nextgov
ICE Wants to Connect Its Facial Recognition System With a Pennsylvania County’s Gang Intel App
Immigration and Customs Enforcement wants to develop an offshoot of Lehigh County’s Gang Intelligence App over the next year.
Management
Viewpoint: COVID-19 Shows Us Why We Should Keep ICE Out of Hospitals
Fearing Trump’s immigration police, people are avoiding health care facilities. That’s dangerous, particularly now.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Agencies Struggle to Meet Escalating Needs
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Defense
Inside The Pentagon’s Lurching Efforts To Protect Its People from the Coronavirus
As the alarms rose in February and early March, lower-echelon commanders wondered what to do. Some servicemembers blame leaders who took their cues from the White House.
Management
The VA Will Now Let Some Administrative Staff Work From Home
After New Mexico In Depth and ProPublica reported that the VA was not allowing telework, the agency reserved course. Some workers remain skeptical that the policy will be implemented.
Defense
As Stocks Sink, Pentagon Fears Foreigners Will Buy Control of US Defense Firms
The coronavirus pandemic has made vetting foreign investment more important than ever, officials say.
Oversight
Carefree Amid a Contagion: How to Talk to COVID-19 Skeptics
As isolation becomes normal, its toll begins to emerge in more subtle ways, including on the body itself.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: Coordinating the Coronavirus Response
Route Fifty's Emma Coleman and GovExec's Eric Katz join the podcast to discuss the ways different levels of government are responding to the pandemic.
Route Fifty
Coronavirus Is Slamming State Unemployment Systems
Funding is one concern, another is handling an unprecedented wave of claims.
Management
Stimulus Deal Gives Agencies $340B, Helping to Boost Telework, Office Cleaning and Hiring
A Senate aide says other House-backed provisions to give feds more benefits did not make into the final deal.
Nextgov
White House Releases National Strategy for 5G Security
The strategy focuses on four lines of effort and will guide how the government approaches 5G for the near future.
Management
Lawmakers, Union Urge Halt to All Prison Inmate Transfers
The Federal Bureau of Prisons’ preventative measures are not enough to prevent coronavirus spread, critics say.
Route Fifty
Governor Reiterates Importance of Social Distancing after 'Coronavirus Party' Attendee Tests Positive for Virus
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear had a hard time containing his frustration this week.
Pay & Benefits
Pentagon Postpones Some Medical Procedures, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Nextgov