Federal Newscast

The General Services Administration says it’s standing at the ready to give Trump’s transition team post-election resources.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The General Services Administration is gearing up for post-election presidential transition efforts. And this time around, the process will look a little different. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Congress gave nearly $3 billion to the Department of Veterans Affairs at the end of fiscal 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Federal employees can contribute more money to their Thrift Savings Plan accounts in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is warning federal executives about a large-scaling spear phishing campaign by a foreign actor. In a new alert issued late yesterday, CISA says the adversaries are often posing as a trusted entity by sending spear-phishing emails containing malicious remote desktop protocol files. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Top lawmakers on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee are calling on a government watchdog to take a closer look at how agencies are addressing improper payments.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A new bill in the House would penalize career federal employees who don’t follow directives from a presidential administration. The so-called STRAFE Act would require agencies to report any policy resistance from federal employees to the White House.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Safety Review Board will look into an alleged China-linked hack of U.S. telecom networks.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Defense Department’s contract obligations, payroll spending and grant awards across the country totaled 609.2 billion dollars in fiscal 2023, which is equivalent to 2.2% of the United States GDP. Approximately 59% that went to ten states, including Texas, Virginia, California, Connecticut and Florida. Top three states by defense grant spending are California, Maryland and Michigan. Top three states by defense contract spending are Texas, Virginia and California. Over $431 billion went to contracts for products and services and more than $167 billion was used for DoD personnel salaries.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's Federal Newscast, the Office of Personnel Management is forced to evacuate its headquarters due to water troubles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's Federal Newscast, the Securities and Exchange Commission fines four companies for misleading disclosures about a major cybersecurity hack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's Federal Newscast, the Postal Service is joining the Biden administration’s efforts to combat opioid overdoses.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's Federal Newscast, the Education Department has alerted its union that the agency plans to offer early retirements to employees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's Federal Newscast, the Army is putting a lot of focus on fixing its housing this year.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Union officials are urging Labor Department leaders to continue negotiating over return-to-office changes. About 7,500 Labor Department employees will have to report to work in person at least half of their work hours beginning in December. That’s according to an announcement agency leadership made last week. But the National Council of Field Labor Locals, which represents the affected workers, says the announcement was made without completing bargaining obligations. The union is now calling on Congress members to get involved in the dispute and looking at options with the Federal Labor Relations Authority. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At the same time, recovery efforts continue for Hurricane Helene, with 3,000 National Guard members from 13 states and 1,500 active-duty soldiers engaged in various missions across the region. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

USPS expects to make 7,500 temporary hires for its busy year-end peak season, 2,500 fewer than last year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FEMA took in more than 250,000 disaster assistance applications on Sunday alone, the most new registrations the agency has ever received in one day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feds impacted by the hurricane can then use the extra paid time off during the emergency, without having to dip into their own leave hours.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a new memo to DHS staff, the department's top lawyer runs down what is and isn't allowed under the Hatch Act.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices