Defense One

Losing hearts and minds: The desperate state of US influence operations

The United States is surrendering ground to Russia and China’s propaganda machines. That has key officials increasingly worried.

Contracts

AECOM pushes back on USAID award to Amentum

The companies are competing for a contract to support the rebuilding of critical infrastructure in Ukraine.

Nextgov

White House announces plans to revamp data routing security by year-end

Border Gateway Protocol hijacking attacks are becoming more sophisticated, according to National Cyber Director Harry Coker.

Route Fifty

States shift toward kin-first foster care

Kinship caregivers and advocates have long expressed frustration at unequal support for raising their own.

Management

VA says it's seeing more patients than ever and cutting wait times for them

Staffing and productivity gains will allow VA to continue functioning more efficiently while avoiding burnout, official says.

Defense One

Should Cyber Force become the next service?

The House will vote on a proposal to study the question as part of the 2025 defense authorization bill.

Oversight

Is the strategic national stockpile ready for the next emergency? GAO says no.

A new GAO report says HHS hasn’t resolved issues that were exposed when states tried to request stockpile supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nextgov

NSF awards $36M to decarbonize computing

As part of the Expeditions in Computing program, the National Science Foundation awarded three academic cohorts funding to leverage emerging technologies into computing for more environmentally-friendly infrastructure.

Science & Tech

NASA is working to onboard AI tools

The space agency is testing a generative AI capability that officials expect to go live this summer with approvals to use sensitive internal data.

Defense

Memorial Day: A Reminder of Sacrifice and Vigilance

COMMENTARY | "It's not just a time to remember those who have died in service to our country; it is a time to reflect on the principles they fought to protect," writes one veteran. 

Management

Investing in job skills pays off

COMMENTARY | Well-defined competencies are tools that help managers provide useful feedback.

News

Advancing a national Asian American Pacific Islander curricula

A look at how the Asian American Foundation’s STAATUS Index is bringing light to the Asian American experience in education.

Defense One

US plan may boost NATO arms production for Ukraine

Money would also go toward Ukrainian defense industry and undercutting Russian arms sales.

Defense One

First Replicator drones already in Indo-Pacific, DOD says

It’s a first for “warfighter-centric innovation,” says deputy defense secretary.

Defense One

Lawsuit alleges contractors lied about V-22’s safety

The suit, filed by the families of Marines killed in a 2022 crash, says the tiltrotor aircraft don’t meet government safety specifications.

Route Fifty

Bans on gender-affirming care have 'chilling effect'

The number of state laws restricting LGBTQ rights is on the rise, experts say. The trend could worsen transgender individuals' access to mental and physical health care and exacerbate discrimination.

Policy

Council passes bills to fortify parking garage safety

The legislation follows a Lower Manhattan collapse that killed one person and injured five others last year.

Politics

High-profile bills are languishing in the Assembly

The state Senate has passed several bills this year that haven’t gotten the OK from the lower chamber.