Federal Newscast

(5/17/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: A bill has been introduced to require DHS to launch a cyber task force focused on artificial intelligence. The White House has released its blueprint for the use of social and behavioral science in policymaking. And a Virginia Congresswoman thinks the VA has some explaining to do about the millions in bonuses it paid to ineligible executives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(5/16/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: GAO lets agencies know how they could save millions of dollars, by making better use of federal buildings. The Defense Department is gearing up to hold a virtual career fair for military spouses. And OPM just issued guidance to agencies on how to handle time off for feds experiencing domestic violence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(5/15/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: Telework bills are being marked-up in the Senate today. Feds convicted of sex crimes, might someday lose their pensions. And the Defense Department has another recruitment problem on it hands: child care workers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(5/14/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: A draft version of the House defense policy bill would raise junior enlisted pay by 15%. The Postal Service is looking to raise prices on more than just mail. And the first chief digital and AI officer at the Defense Department is headed to the private sector. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(5/13/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Navy is offering big money to keep its pilots from flying the coop. The 2023 numbers are in about how the U.S. Digital Service impacted agencies. And two leaders on the House Homeland Security Committee want to put Microsoft on the hot seat about "cybersecurity failures." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(5/10/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: The FDIC is in need of "cultural and structural change," according to a special review committee report. A watchdog report says breakdowns in leadership led the VA to pay nearly $11 million in bonuses to ineligible executives. And the Army's Chief Information Officer continues his march to revamp technology policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's Federal Newscast, federal prosecutors are wrapping up one of the biggest counterfeit postage cases in years.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's Federal Newscast, a pair of senators is looking to get feds back to the office even more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(5/7/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Defense Department has secured funding for the Replicator initiative. Fourteen Senators want to press the pause button on facial-recognition-use at airports. And a Virginia Congressman is troubled by the lack of information on postal accidents and fatalities caused by trucking contractors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(5/6/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Army will discontinue its temporary promotion policy for non-commissioned officers. In April, TSP posts negative returns for first time this year. And a long-serving official at Office of Management and Budget is taking on a new role at the Social Security Administration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(5/3/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: A permanent under secretary of Defense for policy, remains elusive. OPM prepares to launch its HR career-growth website. And DISA's new five-year plan will consolidate support for the warfighter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(5/2/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: Expanded data on the federal workforce is opening the door for better planning and hiring. Republican Senators are squeezing the Education Dept for higher telework numbers. And pro-Russian hacktivists have broken into American and European critical infrastructure networks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(5/1/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Defense Innovation Unit gets a new deputy director of commercial operations. The GSA's effort to "right size" the inventory of federal office space continues. And CISA makes major progress deploying Endpoint Detection and Response tools on agency systems. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(4/30/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: Members of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee have introduced a bill to authorize new VA facilities in eight states and Puerto Rico. CISA has identified more than 150 beneficial use cases for AI in critical infrastructure. And the Navy defends itself in court over the health impact of a Honolulu fuel spill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(4/29/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: GSA is looking for members to serve on its new Open Government Federal Advisory Committee. Senators are raising concerns about Homeland Security's practice of searching through phones at U.S. border checkpoints. And by Friday, agencies are required to name a senior career official to lead their presidential transition efforts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(4/26/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: OPM advises agencies on how they should consider a job candidate's criminal background. Staffing shortfalls will likely mean the Coast Guard will shut down about two dozen small-boat stations across the country. And Sen. Chuck Grassley is underwhelmed by DoD's oversight of the government purchase card. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(4/25/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: Assistant U.S. attorneys at DOJ are calling for more flexibility and consistency in their telework options. The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration helped stop a $3.5 billion fraud scheme targeting pandemic relief funds. And GSA will release a new buying guide this week to help agencies purchase generative AI capabilities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(4/24/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: Federal employees’ participation rates in the Thrift Savings Plan are gradually rising. The Census Bureau is laying the groundwork for its next population count in 2030. And seven Senate Democrats call out postal-service leaders for poor service and unsustainable pay hikes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(4/23/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Defense Information Systems Agency reaches a new milestone in its classified cloud environment. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is finalizing a list of critical software products. And the DoD IG says Army commanders fail to adequately address all forms of harassment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(4/22/24) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Defense Health Agency and the Defense Innovation Unit are asking for ideas to make DoD health care more human-centered. The Defense Department, once again, dominates the President's Cup Cybersecurity Competition. And the new Pregnant Workers Fairness Act includes a requirement for a telework option. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices