Author Archive

Edward Graham

Staff Reporter, Nextgov/FCW

Edward Graham
Edward Graham is a technology reporter for Nextgov/FCW, where he reports on national security technologies and policies, the Department of Veterans Affairs and election security issues. He received his master’s degree in Journalism and Public Affairs from American University in 2016. If you have a tip you'd like to share, Edward can be securely contacted at Grahed.40 on Signal.
Artificial Intelligence

Report: Veteran suicide prevention increasingly looks to use AI, digital capabilities

A report published by the RAND Corporation found that 17% of active veteran suicide prevention programs are already using AI, with 37% of proposed programs planning to do so.

Acquisition

National Gallery of Art selects Oracle’s cloud-based financial management platform

Implementing Oracle Cloud Federal Financials “brings the best-in-class cloud [Enterprise Resource Planning] that is used by most of the Fortune 500 companies to the U.S. government for the first time,” said gallery Treasurer William McClure.

Digital Government

How cyber vulnerabilities and workforce cuts threaten the crisis lifeline program

A bipartisan, bicameral measure is hoping to prevent cyber incidents from limiting access to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline after a 2022 attack on a system operator disrupted calls to the hotline.

Artificial Intelligence

Bipartisan bill calls for NOAA to use AI to forecast wildfires and extreme weather

The bill’s introduction comes amid Trump administration efforts to scale back the agency’s workforce and operations.

Digital Government

Experts suggest AI could address FOIA backlogs, even as public records staff are terminated

The number of FOIA requests filed in fiscal year 2024 surpassed 1.5 million, which represented a 25% increase from FY 2023.

Artificial Intelligence

US needs to fast-track AI to counter China, DOD’s former AI lead says

When it comes to continued U.S. leadership in the AI space, former Pentagon chief digital and artificial intelligence officer Radha Plumb said “I worry sometimes that it’s passing us by.”

Digital Government

Spending and workforce cuts will harm VA’s modernization work, Democrats say

Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., said cuts across VA are forcing the department “to decide between keeping staff on the floor, and investing in expensive equipment that may sit idle without enough personnel to operate it.”

Artificial Intelligence

Top oversight Dem files resolution to demand answers from DOGE on AI use

The resolution of inquiry from Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., would make the White House provide Congress with further information about DOGE’s use of federal data and AI.

People

House Dems ‘extremely concerned’ VA workforce cuts will further hit researchers

Ten members of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee are calling for VA Secretary Doug Collins to provide additional information about how term-limited researchers are being affected by workforce reduction efforts.

People

CX lead at DHS announces departure from government

Dana Chisnell, the first DHS executive director for customer experience, said March 28 was her last day with the department and “my last official day working for the federal government.”

Modernization

VA names 9 medical facilities that will receive new EHR in 2026

The department said it plans to deploy the modernized electronic health record at a total of 13 sites next year following a pause on most rollouts of the software that was instituted in April 2023.

Defense

DOD cuts $580M in programs, contracts and grants

The latest round of Pentagon spending cuts — which include a delayed HR software program — brings the department’s running total of eliminated programs to $800 million since the start of the Trump administration. 

Artificial Intelligence

USPS plans to use AI to enhance customer service 

USPS Vice President for Customer Experience Marc McCrery said the agency is looking to switch its call center platform to a cloud-based application this summer, which he said will be “the start of our AI journey.”

People

Air Force CIO announces retirement

Venice Goodwine is stepping down after more than 30 years of federal service.

Policy

Democrats push Justice Department to keep Election Threats Task Force amid rollbacks

The task force was created to help protect election officials from stalking and threats, but its future remains in question after the Trump administration scrapped other election integrity initiatives.

Modernization

VA needs updated cost estimate and rollout schedule for EHR, watchdog says

The Government Accountability Office said VA is making “incremental improvements” to its new electronic health record system during an operational pause on additional deployments but added that “much more remains to be done.”

People

VA grants researchers 90-day reprieve from layoffs, but their futures remain uncertain

A department spokesperson said the temporary extensions “will ensure continuity of all research efforts while VA conducts a comprehensive assessment of ongoing research initiatives to evaluate their impact on Veteran health care.”

Digital Government

DHS releases new mobile app pushing migrants to self-deport

The Trump administration’s new Customs and Border Protection app replaces a version that allowed migrants to schedule asylum appointments at U.S. ports of entry.

Modernization

VA plans to deploy new EHR at 13 medical facilities in 2026

The department said it will be adding nine sites to its 2026 deployment schedule, although it added that it will announce the specific facilities later this year.

People

GOP lawmaker calls for VA to ‘guarantee’ only underperformers are targeted in workforce layoffs

Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Mich., sent a letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins asking him to review the department’s workforce reduction process and consider reinstating laid-off personnel.