Tech
Pentagon will ‘never again’ rely on a single AI provider, official says
Defense Under Secretary for Research and Engineering Emil Michael said new agreements with Big Tech companies are a “counterstatement” to the ongoing Anthropic-Pentagon conflict as the agency prioritizes flexible contracts.
Workforce
A USDA cow scientist won an award for helping dairy farmers produce more milk. He’s worried about the future of government research under Trump
The Partnership for Public Service, which runs an annual awards program for federal employees, recognized fewer civil servants this year as a result of fewer agencies participating.
Tech
Inside the effort to connect Congress with the feds enacting its policies
Those writing laws don’t often hear from those charged with implementing them. The POPVOX Foundation wants that to change.
Management
FEMA should employ fewer staff and offer aid to fewer individuals, Trump’s council recommends
The changes come after the president proposed an overhaul, or outright elimination, of the disaster response agency.
Sponsor Content
Why Federal Employees May Want to Slow Down Before Doing Roth Conversions in 2026
Roth conversions sound urgent—but timing is everything. Federal employees risk higher taxes, Medicare costs, and lost benefits without a smart, multi-year strategy.
Pay & Benefits
A week of recognition, and a career of service
Behind the honors and milestones, federal employees carry a lasting sense of purpose that extends well beyond a single week.
Workforce
‘Highly problematic for a thousand reasons’: NIH employees criticize Trump-era requirement to scrutinize grants with words related to diversity
One staffer said that officials are employing more systematic methods to pinpoint NIH-funded research that the administration may object to, but that the additional reviews are time-consuming and lack transparency.
Management
Legislative proposal would eliminate contracting preferences for minority, women-owned businesses
The bill would codify and expand on Trump’s executive order to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in federal contracting.
Sponsor Content
Identity Threat Protection with Okta AI hardens your resilience against today’s toughest attacks
Stop identity threats instantly with Okta—unify security signals to detect and automatically remediate risks across every user interaction, even post-login.
Tech
Education tech chief heads to OMB as deputy federal CIO
Thomas Flagg is a longtime government executive, having worked in the Labor Department for over 11 years prior to joining the Education Department.
FEATURED INSIGHTS
Pay & Benefits
Dems introduce bill to protect feds’ credit scores during shutdowns
Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., said he was inspired to draft the legislation after hearing from TSA workers whose inability to pay their bills during the 78-day partial government shutdown hurt their credit scores even after they began receiving back pay.
Tech
White House weighs reining in contractors’ control over how agencies use AI
Draft policy language under review would assert the government’s authority to decide how tech it buys gets used, as officials debate guardrails and vendor influence.
Oversight
More than 3-in-4 allegations of sexual assault against federal prison staff are going unresolved
Such allegations are spiking and the Justice Department is failing to implement key reforms meant to institute a zero-tolerance policy toward prison rape, GAO finds.
TSP TICKER
FUND
G
F
C
S
I
MAY 07 CLOSE
$19.8805
$20.9509
$117.8248
$110.2634
$63.0469
DAILY CHANGE
0.0025
-0.0501
-0.4491
-1.6951
-0.6061
THIS MONTH (%)
0.09
0.17
1.79
1.11
2.25
FUND
L 2070
L 2060
L 2050
L 2040
L 2030
L INCOME
MAY 07 CLOSE
$13.9591
$23.5554
$45.0375
$72.8997
$61.6611
$30.3598
DAILY CHANGE
-0.1016
-0.1713
-0.2774
-0.3947
-0.2577
-0.0638
THIS MONTH (%)
1.84
1.84
1.54
1.37
1.08
0.59
FUND
MAY 07
CLOSE
CLOSE
DAILY
CHANGE
CHANGE
THIS
MONTH
MONTH
G
$19.8805
0.0025
0.09
F
$20.9509
-0.0501
0.17
C
$117.8248
-0.4491
1.79
S
$110.2634
-1.6951
1.11
I
$63.0469
-0.6061
2.25
L 2070
$13.9591
-0.1016
1.84
L 2060
$23.5554
-0.1713
1.84
L 2050
$45.0375
-0.2774
1.54
L 2040
$72.8997
-0.3947
1.37
L 2030
$61.6611
-0.2577
1.08
L INCOME
$30.3598
-0.0638
0.59
Tech
Agencies eye agentic AI but readiness questions linger
A new survey of federal IT leaders shows growing interest in more autonomous AI tools as pilot activity accelerates, even as governance, data and oversight gaps persist across government.
Tech
Agency leader says AI is helping resource-strained workforce identify more fraud
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services official also said the Trump administration’s efforts to combat fraud in government are enabling her to “push the needle” with using the technology.
Management
10 years after OPM data breach, identity protection benefits for affected feds start to expire
A federal identity monitoring program created after the hack is ending, affecting employees whose information was exposed and raising questions about long-term responsibility once protections expire.
Tech
How State finally got online passport renewal to stick
After a failed first rollout, the department reworked how it builds and deploys tech, bringing frontline staff into the process and scaling a system that’s now handling millions of renewals.
Management
Agencies delay action on Trump mail voting order amid legal fight over authority
DOJ says lawsuit is premature as questions mount over control of the Postal Service.
Tech
Growing agency talent is critical for modernization, Transportation’s IT head says
“When there is support and excitement, then you can do magic,” Pavan Pidugu, the Transportation Department’s chief digital and information officer, said about engaging personnel across the agency to drive meaningful IT modernization.
Pay & Benefits
Weighing the costs and trade-offs of suspending FEHB for Medicare Advantage
COMMENTARY | An analysis of two markets shows some commercial plans provide the lowest estimated yearly costs, but federal annuitants must consider the required trade-offs like prior authorization and provider access.
Management
Easing USPS handgun shipping rules will exacerbate crime, warns Democrat
Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., is challenging the Postal Service’s plan to treat handguns like rifles and shotguns.
Workforce
FEMA brings back employees it recently let go as it looks to 'stabilize' its workforce
The emergency response agency made the decision ahead of hurricane season, and as a judge is demanding more information on the dismissals.
Management
Why the next president must rebuild, not just restore, the administrative state
COMMENTARY | A reconstructed and reimagined administrative state is crucial to restoring effective government.
Exclusive
Management
IBM security executive emerges as possible contender for federal cyber agency leadership post
Tom Parker doesn’t have prior government experience, characteristics the Trump administration may be seeking in its next pick to lead CISA, a person familiar said.
Pay & Benefits
TSP funds returned to growth in April
Each of the portfolios in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program finished last month in the black.
