THE FEDERAL NEWSCAST, (length about seven minutes), is a daily Monday through Friday, high-information compilation of nine 40-second news stories and news packages, generated by the non-partisan, non-political, private-sector team of reporters at Federal News Network. Federal News Radio Producer/Newscasters Eric White and Michele Sandiford assemble and read the stories on the THE FEDERAL DRIVE with TERRY GERTON, the weekday morning-drive program, heard from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. (ET) on the Federal News Network app (and website), on any smart speaker, and on WFED 1500 AM, a 50,000-watt 'Class A' powerhouse radio station in the nation's capital. The podcast is most popular with FNN's audience of highly educated listeners, who conveniently access THE FEDERAL NEWSCAST, 24/7, on any podcast platform . Listen to it (as just mentioned) or read the stories each weekday morning at FederalNewsNetwork.com, where the news items contain hyperlinks for those who want more information on a given story.
In today's Federal Newscast, bicameral lawmakers are urging the Office of Personnel Management to share its plan to reduce wait times for processing federal employees’ retirement claims. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
In today's Federal Newscast, an IRS watchdog says agency employees don’t have a proper channel to offer their feedback. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
In today's Federal Newscast, U.S. intelligence officers have new restrictions on working for foreign governments when they retire. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
(3/31/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Some transportation security officers could receive upwards of a 40% pay raise. The State Department looks to Mastercard for its latest deputy secretary. And the Department of Homeland Security is looking to harness artificial intelligence. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
(3/30/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Congressman Adam Schiff has introduced a bill to create another TSP investment option. GSA's Sonny Hashmi logs in to an oversight committee's hot seat. And Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) is troubled by a glitch-plagued app for migrants. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
(3/29/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: After eight years of double and triple billing DoD for genetic tests, LabCorp pays a $2.1 million settlement. An IRS watchdog says the agency's uncollected taxes estimate in not clear enough. And House Democrats want to create another investment option for TSP participants. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
(3/28/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Navy's former CIO docks his private-sector ship at Google Public Sector. A new Executive Order prevents agencies from using some commercial spyware. And federal employees in Shenandoah National Park have geography to thank for a pay increase. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
(3/27/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: A bill is reintroduced to establish an IG office for the agency that manages the Thrift Savings Plan. The Postal Service surpasses more than $2 billion in loses so far this fiscal year. And the Biden administration is figuring out a way to bring some standardization to how agencies hire cyber workers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
(3/24/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: A new House subcommittee chairman pledges to conduct rigorous oversight of CISA. All 44 Army installations institute the military housing Tenant Bill of Rights. And the White House is putting up $250 million to help make federal buildings more climate friendly. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
(3/23/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Raising duplication issues, lawmakers takes aim at changing how agencies buy software. Firms that get CHIPS Act money might need to avoid expanding their operations to places like China and Russia. And senators are trying again to create a reserve force of civilian cyber workers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
(3/22/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: A policy change dramatically boosts workers' comp acceptance rates for federal firefighters with heart problems and certain cancers. The Veterans Benefits Administration continues its hiring spree to handle a record workload. And HUD's Inspector General has her sights set on environmental justice. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
(3/21/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: A southern Virginia Army base gets a name change on Friday. The IG says bad computer passwords are putting the FDIC at risk. And the National Security Agency hits an all-time high in hiring people with disabilities. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
(3/20/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: OPM gives agencies an extension to waive certain leave policies for essential federal workers. The Defense Department has started a new working group to implement its suicide prevention policies. And comments on a new shared services framework are due this week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
(3/17/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The IRS Taxpayer Advocate wants more money budgeted for service and IT modernization, and less for enforcement. The Biden Administration wants higher pay for federal firefighters. And the federal workforce is becoming slightly more diverse. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
(3/15/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) puts a hold on President Biden's pick to oversee VA benefits. The U.S. Access Board's 25-member governing board has new leadership. And, tweets aside, confirmation of POTUS pick for Archivist of the United States, is one step closer. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
(3/15/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Veterans Affairs Department's Inspector General tells the Veterans Health Administration to strengthen background checks to avoid hiring disqualified people. The Navy wants a 4.5% budget increase next year, to $256 billion. And CISA is launching a new initiative to combat ransomware. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
(3/14/23)- In today's Federal Newscast: A union president, representing 150,000 federal workers, is hanging up the placards. The Army's first-ever civilian CIO has new private-sector gig, dealing with the public sector. And the Office of Personnel Management is processing retirement claims faster than a fax machine. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
(3/13/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Sexual harassment is on the rise at the Naval and Air Force Academies. The Department of Veterans Affairs is looking to hire nearly a half million new employees. And 'double back pay' gets double the rejection by a federal appeals court. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
(3/10/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is looking at a budget bump in the millions. The Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) is in line for $200 million more in fiscal 2024. And the Agriculture Department (USDA) goes in search of a better potato to make better chips. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
(3/9/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The data breach at DC Health Link was a big one. SAM.gov also had problems, but GSA says it was not a cyber attack. And OPM is teaching federal job applicants the art of the interview. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
(3/8/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: GAO promises more details about TSP's new website. Lawmakers look to ban agency use of Biometric Technology. And the Army's new advertising slogan is an old one. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
(3/7/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Census Bureau didn't spend as much as once thought. Another bridge across the valley of death is being built for small-business contractors. And agencies are making progress on the President's Management Agenda. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
(3/6/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The EPA thinks the nation's drinking-water systems need better cyber hygiene. The Senate now has a companion bill that would repeal provisions that limit some feds' Social Security benefits. And the GSA is cleaning out its acquisition closet. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
(3/3/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Reports from government employees of race, sex and age discrimination are on the decline. New legislation would create tax benefits for businesses that hire military spouses. And the Air Force liberalizes its tattoo policy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
(3/2/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Post Office has lost more than $2 billion this fiscal year. A new bill could bring changes to federal firefighters' retirement savings. And Homeland Security celebrates its 20th anniversary. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
(3/1/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks talks about a mental-health priority. The financial systems modernization at Homeland Security comes under GAO scrutiny. And the IRS is looking for volunteers to advise the agency. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
(2/28/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: There's no dance step or sidestep to help avoid the TikTok ban. The Director of CISA calls for changes in how tech companies design their products. And legacy data centers are dropping like flies and saving billions of dollars. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
(2/27/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Akin to the '85 Chicago Bears, the CIO shuffle continues at two agencies. AFGE rejects calls to cut the DoD civilian workforce. And CISA revamps its website and adds a big red button. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
(2/24/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: A Massachusetts senator calls for a glitchy asylum app to be shut down at the border. The GAO reports that the VA is failing to follow protocol when hiring drug felons. And a video-game-like simulator helps train Latin American military personnel at a Texas Air Force base. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
(2/23/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: A House bill is gaining steam to restore full Social Security benefits to certain feds. The focus intensifies on an estimated $65 billion in bogus unemployment insurance payments during the pandemic. And one congressman is probing a no-bid contract at DHS. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
