Management
Social Security to finalize rules making expanded phone and video hearings permanent
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the agency quickly pivoted toward offering disability determination hearings by phone and video, options that remain popular today.
Management
FDA greenlights a new COVID vaccine after a summer of rising numbers of cases
While the death rate from COVID-19 steadily decreased during the first half of the year, it began ticking up slightly in June, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Management
VA should offer more support for Veterans Crisis Line personnel, watchdog says
VA’s Office of Inspector General found that the Veterans Crisis Line successfully prepared for the launch of the streamlined “988 then press 1” call option for those in crisis but strained supervisors’ ability to guide responders.
Tech
Energy Department wants to use AI to speed up permitting
The hope is that helping feds dive into historical environmental documents creates efficiencies and better outcomes.
Sponsor Content
Why Federal Agencies Should Embrace Cloud-Managed Networks
Cloud-managed networking simplifies offers improved efficiency and scalability beyond just the ability to access and control the network from anywhere. Discover how Cisco Meraki for Government can help your agency with your network and IT transformation journey.
Workforce
The other time an administration sought a ‘more responsive’ federal workforce
An investigator into the Nixon administration’s civil service abuses says Schedule F shares a lineage with the disgraced former president.
Oversight
Republicans ask for an update on Havana syndrome treatment
GAO recently issued a report that found many federal employee patients experienced challenges accessing care.
Pay & Benefits
Slam the Scam, again
Some tips for avoiding scams and resources for help if you become victim to a scam artist.
Sponsor Content
Fortifying the Force: Robust Resilience in Military Installations
Ensuring infrastructure resiliency is a foundational step towards an operationally and strategically prepared military.
Oversight
House Dems ask OSHA to respond to reports that state agencies tipped off employers
“If these allegations are true, it means that our federal funds, meant to ensure safe and fair workplaces, might be enabling exactly the opposite," wrote two lawmakers in a letter to Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su on Tuesday.
FEATURED INSIGHTS
Oversight
GOP lawmakers raise concerns over DHS report redactions, OIG cooperation
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., pressed the Homeland Security secretary in a letter to explain why the department has redacted information in some of its reports to Congress and has allegedly restricted its inspector general’s access.
Management
GSA will update its property management regulations to reflect gender inclusive pronouns
The agency previously adopted similar updates to regulations governing federal travel earlier this year.
Workforce
Americans mostly like federal agencies, but there’s a partisan gap
A research nonprofit found that Republicans surveyed were more likely to have more negative views of several agencies than in the past.
TSP TICKER
FUND
G
F
C
S
I
AUG 23 CLOSE
$18.4794
$19.9298
$88.6214
$84.8012
$44.9442
DAILY CHANGE
0.0021
0.0801
1.0064
2.1176
0.6439
THIS MONTH (%)
0.26
1.96
2.14
0.26
2.74
FUND
L 2060
L 2050
L 2040
L 2030
L INCOME
AUG 23 CLOSE
$17.4275
$34.6322
$57.3006
$49.9610
$26.4331
DAILY CHANGE
0.2462
0.4143
0.6034
0.4412
0.1058
THIS MONTH (%)
2.09
1.92
1.75
1.52
0.87
FUND
AUG 23
CLOSE
CLOSE
DAILY
CHANGE
CHANGE
THIS
MONTH
MONTH
G
$18.4794
0.0021
0.26
F
$19.9298
0.0801
1.96
C
$88.6214
1.0064
2.14
S
$84.8012
2.1176
0.26
I
$44.9442
0.6439
2.74
L 2050
$34.6322
0.4143
1.92
L 2040
$57.3006
0.6034
1.75
L 2030
$49.9610
0.4412
1.52
L 2020
$None
None
L INCOME
$26.4331
0.1058
0.87
Oversight
LGBTQ+ asylum seekers detail harsh conditions and abuse in ICE custody
A new study found that the majority of LGBTQ+ detainees interviewed experienced harassment while being detained.
Oversight
Watchdog urges OMB to prioritize implementation of anti-fraud recommendations
GAO updated the budget agency on the 172 recommendations that it has not completed.
Pay & Benefits
Feds in Iraq will continue to receive special premium pay, OPM says
Due to an ongoing national emergency in the country dating back to the 2003 war, civilian employees in Iraq will be able to waive the premium pay cap through December, according to a recent memo from the HR agency.
Workforce
A gender equity group is urging ‘strict and specific’ sexual misconduct reform for the federal workforce
The Department of Justice Gender Equality Network said its employer could serve as a model, following the creation of a sexual misconduct response system at the department last year.
Management
EEOC averts the threat of a one-day furlough
Chair Charlotte Burrows said in a statement that the agency found enough savings to avoid furloughing employees on Aug. 30.
Management
Trump assassination attempt laid bare long-standing vulnerabilities in the Secret Service
A Spotlight PA, ProPublica and Butler Eagle investigation found the process for securing campaign events was susceptible to attack for years.
Management
VA hopes new antifraud tools will help veterans identify, report common scams
Veterans lost $350 million in scams targeting former service members in 2023, according to a government report.
Tech
Cars that talk: Feds announce plan to accelerate connected vehicle deployment
The Transportation Department aims to have vehicle-to-everything tech deployed nationwide by 2036, and said it will offer grants and support to help states get there.
Tech
CISA, FBI assert election infrastructure’s fortitude despite ransomware threat
Both organizations aim to instill confidence in U.S. voting infrastructure ahead of the 2024 elections.
Pay & Benefits
GSA: Per diem rates for federal workers will increase this fall
The amount of money federal agencies will reimburse employees for traveling expenses will increase for both lodging and for meals and incidentals beginning in October.
Management
GSA awards contract for $524M CISA headquarters
The agency will leverage its largest Inflation Reduction Act-funded project to date to help construct a 630,000-square-foot building for the cybersecurity agency at the St. Elizabeths West Campus.
Management
Several House Democrats urge USPS to implement heat safety protections for workers
The Biden administration in July issued a proposed rule to protect employees working in extreme heat, but more than 70 members of Congress want the USPS to implement those protections before the rule goes into effect.
