Author Archive
Features
The Greenhouse Effect
EPA wins a long-fought battle over industry fuel standards, but hits roadblocks on other environmental regulations.
Features
Mapping Human Terrain
Intelligence analysts are tracking the potential for poverty, extremism and pandemic disease to predict the next national security crisis.
Features
Tweaking Technology
Chief information officers face tight budgets and apprehension in the push toward public access, data transparency and cloud computing.
News
Chief of the Year: Information
Christopher Smith, chief information officer, Agriculture Department.
News
Tough summer ahead in Afghanistan, says Joint Chiefs chair
Mullen says U.S. will not send troops to Libya and vows to avoid ‘hollow’ military in times of tight budgets.
News
From Nextgov.com: New tools calculate your tax dollars at work
The White House joins Google contest winners to offer Web-based ways to gauge your federal contribution.
Tech
Transparency websites hit by budget ax
The deal struck to avoid a shutdown would endanger sites as Data.gov, which have enjoyed bipartisan support.
News
From Nextgov: Agencies scamble to define critical functions
OMB warns employees not to use BlackBerrys, laptop computers and other devices during a shutdown.
News
White House says critical websites won’t be affected by shutdown
Confusion remains over which sites are vital and who are the ‘essential’ employees required to keep them operating.
News
From Nextgov.com: Furloughed feds cannot telework or use BlackBerrys
In a shutdown, Hill staffers can say goodbye to government-issued laptops, cellphones and other devices, new guidelines say.
Managing Technology
Doctors Go Digital
Stimulus payments are putting e-records within reach for many health care providers.
Pay & Benefits
Facebook-using federal managers “surge,” survey finds
Most of the government respondents who use the social networking site use it for work, the study says.
News
From Nextgov.com: Spending on geothermal technologies is riddled with improper payments, IG says
Audit of economic stimulus projects shows Energy paid companies for unauthorized expenses and travel.
Defense
Japanese radiation levels could have triggered larger evacuation area under U.S. guidelines
The U.S. rules call for “protective action,” and while that can mean “sheltering indoors” during a small event, it likely would involve evacuation for a prolonged radiation release, nuclear agency says.
Oversight
Interior approves first Gulf oil exploration plan since BP spill
Company’s approach relies on untested oil containment technology.
