Management
Education Department outlines its testing period for a phased rollout of the new FAFSA form
After this year's federal student aid application encountered a series of glitches and errors the department will begin beta testing the 2025-2026 form with community-based organizations in October.
Tech
Half a billion dollars in grants awarded to boost the EV charging network
The Biden administration also said that the number of publicly available EV chargers has doubled since the president took office.
Pay & Benefits
House subcommittee wants VA to put more of a spotlight on its veteran employment program
In a field hearing of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, House members pressed for more insights and potential exposure of the Veteran Readiness and Employment program.
Management
SSI to move its core disability program application online
The initial rollout will be available to adults who have never married and are applying for Supplemental Security Income for the first time.
Management
Federal judge pauses a program that grants protections for undocumented spouses
A Homeland Security Department spokesperson said the agency will defend the program, known as Keeping Families Together, in court. DHS is still allowed to collect applications, but not allowed to approve them.
Workforce
The minority talent pipeline is growing for the intelligence community, but representation is falling
The Office of the National Director of Intelligence’s annual demographic report found that while the Intelligence Community has made strong gains in minority applicants, attrition has led to workforce diversity declines over the past two years.
Management
Both Harris and Trump are historically behind on presidential transition planning
GSA is beginning to provide office space and information technology support to the candidates, who have both just recently named the heads of their transition teams.
Tech
AI can help FOIA offices combat onslaught of bot-powered requests, report says
According to a report from software firm OPEXUS, 93% of FOIA officers believe “AI has a key role to play in helping to review, sort and deduplicate requests.”
Tech
Energy Department unveils its green resource hub for AI-based grid demand
The new online resource is the latest step Energy has taken to match the pace of green energy transitions with growing electricity needs from artificial intelligence applications.
Management
ICE struggles to track unaccompanied minors, oversight report says
The agency lacks automated systems to chart the path of underage migrants through the immigration system.
Pay & Benefits
House lawmakers plan to force a vote on bill to kill provision that cuts some feds' retirement pay
The Social Security Fairness Act would abolish two tax provisions that reduce retirement benefits for some federal workers.
Oversight
Military does not collect comprehensive data on its job program for departing service members
The SkillBridge program allows service members who are transitioning to civilian life within 180 days to participate in job and employment training.
Tech
FBI is losing track of classified and sensitive data, watchdog finds
The bureau is failing to account for electronic storage media that are marked for destruction at secure facilities.
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.
Pay & Benefits
Senator says rule to stem Head Start employee turnover could bar children from early education
The HHS rule would require wage and benefit increases for Head Start staff, but Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., claimed the proposed changes would reduce funded, if vacant, slots in the education program.
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.
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