Digital Government

Traffic Overwhelms Student Loan Sites Following Biden’s Debt Relief Announcement

Student loan company Nelnet said providers received no advance warning about the White House’s loan forgiveness plan, contributing to confusion and site outages.

Emerging Tech

Energy Awards Over $540 Million for Green Tech Research

This latest series of funding will be divided among existing research programs to support President Joe Biden’s plan for a net zero economy by 2050.

Exclusive People

Much-hyped effort to help DHS land cyber talent is slow to make hires

So far about four hires have been made under the Cybersecurity Talent Management System, with the agency hoping to make offers to 150 new cyber specialists by the end of September.

Policy

Federally Funded Research to be Free and Publicly Accessible Under New White House Guidance

A memo issued by the acting director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy requests federal agencies update and implement their public access policies by the end of 2025.

Ideas

Just 1 Hour of Lost Sleep Saps Our Generosity

New research links lack of sleep to reduced generosity, suggesting a link between lost rest and broad social problems.

Cybersecurity

Capitol Hill Takes Aim at Twitter Following Whistleblower Complaint

The allegation of rampant security failures on Twitter’s platform prompted lawmakers to double down on data handling practices.

People

The contractor responsible for the TSP’s troubled recordkeeping transition pledges to improve

Since the TSP moved to Accenture’s recordkeeping system on June 1, participants have bemoaned a variety of issues with the new service.

Digital Government

Executive order will guide $52 billion in CHIPS Act funding

The White House is establishing a steering council to direct the implementation of nearly $52 billion in semiconductor research and development featured in the recently passed CHIPS and Science Act.

Digital Government

How the VA’s adoption of Login.gov is going

The agency is standing up in-person identity proofing to help veterans who struggle to go through the identity proofing process online because of a lack of connectivity or existing digital credentials.

Modernization

Government Launches New Website to Support Semiconductor Funding Law

The Department of Commerce’s CHIPS.gov will provide available resources and information as it begins to implement the new program. 

Ideas

Moderates of the world, unite!

The time may have come for normally reserved political centrists to raise their voices.

Modernization

SAIC Snags $160M Contract to Support Navy Networks

The Virginia-based company will provide an assortment of IT services to the U.S. Navy.

Modernization

Industry Awaits Potential Congressional Resolution to 'Extremely Difficult' Procurement Process

Though the AGILE Procurement Act faces several rounds of votes before it can be enacted, experts view it as a step in the right direction.

Cybersecurity

CISA Warns Critical Infrastructure to Prepare for Mass Post-Quantum Systems Migration

Quantum computing is the latest frontier in technological innovation, and its hacking potential has regulators advising companies to begin to safeguard their networks. 

Emerging Tech

China Could Overtake US in Space Without ‘Urgent Action,’ Warns New Pentagon Report

America needs a long-term goal in space to be able to compete with Beijing, Pentagon industrial-base group writes.

Defense

China could overtake U.S. in space without ‘urgent action,’ warns new Pentagon report

America needs a long-term goal in space to be able to compete with Beijing, Pentagon industrial-base group writes.

People

Biden named the next Secret Service director ‘at a critical moment’

Kim Cheatle previously worked at the agency for 27 years and was on Biden’s detail when he was vice president.

Policy

House Oversight Dems seek data from social media companies about threats to law enforcement

Lawmakers are demanding information from online platforms about how they are responding to growing threats against law enforcement officials following the FBI’s search of Mar-a-Lago.