Emerging Tech
Learning to fly: how Reentry simulates NASA’s most daring missions
A digital and fun way to walk in the footsteps of early NASA heroes.
Cybersecurity
Dem lawmakers renew calls for release of delayed telecom security report
In a letter to DHS and ODNI, Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Mark Warner of Virginia said the release of a 2022 report detailing cyber vulnerabilities in the U.S. telecommunications sector is “critically important to U.S. national security.”
Digital Government
DHS expanding citizenship system for voter verification, despite concerns about potential disenfranchisement
Twenty-six states are in line to use a revamped DHS system to check their voter rolls for non-citizens, although the network has raised concerns about privacy and accuracy — including if it could kick eligible voters off the rolls.
People
Trump admin says feds should get at least most backpay by Nov. 19
GSA and OPM workers will be the first to see the first month’s work of pay—belayed by the 43-day government shutdown—with what the White House is calling a “super check” that should be delivered on Saturday.
Artificial Intelligence
Dem senators take umbrage with new China tech trade
A letter sent to President Trump asks for the reinstatement of export controls on China, focusing on sensitive chip technologies.
Cybersecurity
Government funding deal reups cyber grant program
Lawmakers reauthorized the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program as part of the deal to reopen the federal government, but funding remains an open question.
Breaking News
Digital Government
Government to reopen after House votes to end longest-ever shutdown
Many furloughed workers, who will receive backpay, were already told Wednesday to report to work the following day for the first time in nearly six weeks.
Ideas
The government AI experiment Is working. Now scale it up.
COMMENTARY | It's time to move beyond pilot programs to the systems that will serve all Americans better.
People
Govini founder arrested on child solicitation charges
The arrest of Eric Gillespie comes a month after the company secured a Bain Capital investment to expand its artificial intelligence tools to a wider landscape.
Digital Government
Nearly 20 Democratic states inadvertently share driver data with ICE, lawmakers say
Nlets, a nonprofit law enforcement info-sharing network, can share state residents’ information with immigration agencies, federal lawmakers said Wednesday.
Ideas
Building quantum-safe foundations for federal data resilience
COMMENTARY | A data-first approach can help agencies avoid turning post-quantum cryptography adoption into a multi-year overhaul.
Emerging Tech
IBM unveils updated quantum computing products
IBM moves closer to fault-tolerant quantum advantage with the launch of new hardware and software for scalable quantum processing.
Artificial Intelligence
OpenAI offers US veterans free year of its ChatGPT Plus service
Veterans and transitioning servicemembers can register for the plan if they are within 12 months of their retirement or separation from active duty.
Cybersecurity
CMMC enforcement begins after eight years of warnings
"There is no excuse for industry to not be ready," observers say as enforcement begins.
Cybersecurity
Bill to end shutdown includes temporary cyber info-sharing law extension
The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 expired when the government’s calendar reset without a funding package for FY 2026.
People
Longtime Agriculture tech executive departs government
Gary Washington, USDA’s long-serving chief information officer, is leaving government after being moved to a new role earlier this fall.
Breaking News
Digital Government
Senate moves shutdown-ending deal that would ensure backpay and unwind some federal layoffs
A bipartisan agreement to end the longest-ever government shutdown, would fund some agencies through fiscal 2026 and the rest through January, and guarantee backpay for furloughed workers.
People
Energy names its third permanent CIO since the start of Trump 2.0
Dawn Zimmer has had multiple stints this year as the department’s acting CIO.
Ideas
The AI bubble in Defense: What to expect in a burst
Defense organizations have accelerated existing efforts to identify use-cases for AI models and apply them in compliance with existing or new organizational standards.
Emerging Tech