Federal Player of the Week
A NIST scientist is on the cutting edge of physics: A circuitry system that uses the flow of atoms rather than electrons
Legislative efforts reflect a push to limit rights, workplace protections
Democrats, including those in the White House, now are standing up for federal workers through measures.
Lack of inflation is bad news for Social Security recipients
There will be no cost-of-living increase in January, but Medicare drug premiums are expected to rise for some.
(Matt Rourke / AP)
FDA was ‘lax’ and kowtowed to drugmaker in review of controversial blood thinner, watchdog says
An investigation by a government watchdog group found that the FDA was “lax” and too accommodating of the maker of a new blood-thinning drug.
Public relations and advertising are a ‘black box’ in government spending
Federal agencies spent almost $900 million on advertising contracts in 2013.
Lawmakers demand answers from VA on ‘shockingly unethical misuse of funds’ by two executives
The House is expected to grill VA executives on their relocation policy at a hearing next week.
Legislative efforts reflect a push to limit rights, workplace protections
Democrats, including those in the White House, now are standing up for federal workers through measures.
New OPM data breach numbers leave federal workers anguished, outraged
Two major hacks in 2014 exposed details about 22.1 million workers, contractors and their families.
‘Failure’ is the theme in the battering of the Office of Personnel Management
Alarm is high over a second cyber break-in, possibly hitting more than 4.2 million personal records.
This Israeli soldier gave his cereal to ‘most beautiful little’ Arab girl
Amid violence, an Israeli soldier brings food to young Arab girl searching through garbage.
The sudden back-to-back deaths of her mother and husband taught her 13 ways not to grieve
After suffering through tragic death, Amy Morin came up with a list of 13 habits of people who are mentally strong. Here they are.
Ohio church’s $1,000 tip saves pizza delivery woman from eviction
Natasha Boyer, 21, didn’t know how she was going to make rent. Then she delivered a pizza to a local church.
When it comes to intervening abroad, talk is easy — but the details aren’t
After Afghanistan and Iraq, Americans should be wary about getting deeply involved in Syria.
Putin’s intervention in Syria may bog down Russia and vindicate Obama
The Kremlin’s backing of the Assad regime is a losing proposition, as the Russian president will soon learn.
Petraeus on Putin: His provocations are designed to protect his interests
The former CIA director said the Kremlin’s expanding role in Syria is to ensure it has a voice.
If Kennedy is looking for a solitary-confinement case, an inmate has one
Whatever a Supreme Court justice wishes for, someone is usually happy to provide.
The Supreme Court: Too liberal?
Republicans appointed a majority of the justices, but these days the court gets little love from the right.
Roberts at center stage as Supreme Court approaches historic decisions
The chief justice is likely to play a pivotal role in the Obamacare case and has surprised on others.
Attorneys general: Based on states’ records, justices should decide marriage
Maryland and Virginia officials say the issue of gay marriage cannot be left to the democratic process.
Supreme Court to hear battle over Confederate license plates
Do specialty license plates reflect the free speech rights of states or individuals?
The federal employee of the year
Dr. Steven Rosenberg, chief of surgery at the National Cancer Institute, receives this year’s crowning Service to America medal.
Guardian of the humanities
NEH chairman William Adams talks about promoting and preserving America’s cultural heritage.
Federal leaders, you still need to prepare for a possible government shutdown
It’s great that plans are ready, but it’s unacceptable to leave workers in the dark up until the 11th hour.
Susan Kelly: Helping military members transition to a new life
More than 200,000 men and women leave the military every year.
Latest Federal News
Lack of inflation is bad news for Social Security recipients
There will be no cost-of-living increase in January, but Medicare drug premiums are expected to rise for some.
Federal Player of the Week
A NIST scientist is on the cutting edge of physics: A circuitry system that uses the flow of atoms rather than electrons
FDA was ‘lax’ and kowtowed to drugmaker in review of controversial blood thinner, watchdog says
An investigation by a government watchdog group found that the FDA was “lax” and too accommodating of the maker of a new blood-thinning drug.
Justices question FERC’s authority on demand response program
Conservatives on court seemed to agree with electricity generators that program intrudes on retail market.
Unsolicited text message tees up an unusual debate at the Supreme Court
Should a company’s offer to pay the plaintiff the maximum award he could hope to get spell an end to the case?
Public relations and advertising are a ‘black box’ in government spending
Federal agencies spent almost $900 million on advertising contracts in 2013.
Supreme Court hears criminal justice cases, including death penalty rulings
The court considered Florida’s death-penalty system as well as a case from Louisiana on juvenile sentences.
Lawmakers demand answers from VA on ‘shockingly unethical misuse of funds’ by two executives
The House is expected to grill VA executives on their relocation policy at a hearing next week.
Customs and Border Protection officials manipulated hiring rules to favor politically connected candidates, judge finds, but clears top official of wrongdoing
The judge described an unsavory scheme to manipulate the federal hiring process, but it did not involve the official charged in the case
When it comes to intervening abroad, talk is easy — but the details aren’t
After Afghanistan and Iraq, Americans should be wary about getting deeply involved in Syria.
Congressman threatens to strip HUD of $104 million because of public housing tenants who make too much
Florida has 297 families in public housing who earn more than the threshold for them get federal subsidies
We have no idea how federal pay compares to the private sector. So let’s stop acting like we do, expert says.
A former top government personnel official says it’s impossible to compare federal pay with what workers at private companies make, so why bother trying?
New ways to hire, pay, promote and fire federal employees considered by Obama administration
The “Force of the Future” proposal applies only to the Defense Department, but it could be a template for workplace, civil service reforms across the government.
Bill advances to open some national parks to paddlers, drawing battle lines with environmentalists
A bill supported by the paddling industry would open, with no study, 450 miles of rivers and streams that have been close to rafts and kayaks.
Bon voyage, Al Kamen and In the Loop
Al Kamen puts down his pen after 23 years of chronicling who’s in and who’s out in Washington.
Finally, the government has decided to eliminate pork — from the menu in federal prisons
Surveys of inmates show that pork is not the enticing food it once was.
Future holds continued hits on benefits, small pay hikes for feds, retiring leader says
Carol Bonosaro, retiring as president of the Senior Executives Association, sees continued tough times for federal employees, including the top civil servants she represents.
Libertarians take aim at ‘elite island’ of federal employment
Now that federal workers are getting pay raises again (however small), the Cato Institute says it was time to revisit whether they make more than private-sector employees
Justices appear skeptical at reversal of Wichita murderers’ death sentences
Brothers Reginald and Jonathan Carr had been sentenced to die for the gruesome 2000 “Wichita massacre.”
Maryland releases $608,000 more to combat opioid epidemic
The funds will go toward programs designed to bust drug dealers, help families battling substance abuse and bolster reentry programs for inmates.
Congressman: Chinese hackers tried to steal my identity
Based on Rep. Gerry Connolly’s experience, the hackers may be interested in identity theft as well as espionage.
Head of federal senior executives group to retire
Carol A. Bonosaro will retire as president of the Senior Executives Association next month, after 29 years leading the organization of top federal civil servants.
Why sell off the Postal Service if it’s still making money?
Congress is the real problem facing the Post Office and the one who can fix it, labor unions say.
The federal employee of the year
Dr. Steven Rosenberg, chief of surgery at the National Cancer Institute, receives this year’s crowning Service to America medal.
Sammies bring good news to feds hit with so much bad news
The Service to American Medals, also known as the Sammies, will be presented to federal employees with outstanding accomplishments by the Partnership for Public Service Wednesday.
Supreme Court tells lawyers: Stand in line yourselves. You can’t pay others to hold a spot.
Lawyers cannot pay someone to hold a spot for them when the court has a big argument.
‘Bird’s-eye views’ of the skies net drone company a record fine from FAA
The FAA says SkyPan conducted dozens of unauthorized flights in congested airspace over New York and Chicago.
Federal Player of the Week
Through a new Air Force program, Steven Zander has helped more than 50 bases and local communities share services like snow removal and libraries.
Want to get your partner’s child insured? Put a ring on it, federal employees told.
The government no longer will allow unmarried federal employees and retirees in same-sex domestic partnerships to obtain insurance coverage for children of their partners.
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