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Education Dept. Faces Heat Over Mass Workforce Cuts and Program Transfers
24 days ago•Source: Federal News Network
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SSA Expands Compassionate Allowances With 14 New Conditions
The Social Security Administration added 14 health conditions to its compassionate allowances list, bringing the total to 314 conditions and speeding disability-benefit approvals for people with serious illnesses. The additions include cancers, adult brain disorders, and several rare pediatric conditions (such as Aicardi syndrome and Warburg micro syndrome). SSA uses automated screening to fast-track eligible applications, while non-eligible cases can still take six to eight months for standard disability determinations. Public submissions and expert input help guide future additions.
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GAO Flags Transparency Gaps in DOGE's Wall of Receipts Savings
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USPTO's Acting Leader Steers Back to Private Sector Amid Backlog Battle
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New Jersey Bans Personal-Data Driven Grocery Pricing
Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed the Fair Price Protection Act, banning surveillance pricing and prohibiting grocery stores from using shoppers’ digital history, biometric, or genetic data to tailor prices. The law creates a private right of action for consumers and allows the state to sue retailers, with penalties up to $10,000 for a first offense and $20,000 for subsequent violations. It also pauses electronic shelf labels for a year while the state studies potential misuse and takes effect Aug. 1, 2027. The measure does not ban dynamic pricing or loyalty programs, and makes New Jersey an early adopter of limits on personalized pricing.
North Carolina State Health Plan Reverts to Blue Cross After Aetna Era
North Carolina’s State Health Plan board voted to restore Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina as the plan’s manager (and for a separate pharmaceutical benefits contract) starting in 2028, reversing the 2023 move to Aetna. The switch could influence premiums, covered services, and who’s in-network, and may spark legal disputes as political priorities shift under Treasurer Brad Briner.
USDA Relocation Plan Sparks Legal Battle Over Staffing
The Agriculture Department is pursuing a nationwide reorganization that relocates thousands of Washington, D.C.-area staff to five regional hubs, with many employees asked to move or resign. Unions have filed suit seeking a preliminary injunction, arguing the plan would degrade key programs and violate congressional funding restrictions, while noting attrition could parallel a large workforce reduction. USDA officials say the move is not intended as a large-scale reduction, but internal documents indicate substantial staffing cuts across multiple agencies as part of the plan.
Seven EPA Probationary Employees Sue Over Dissent-Linked Terminations
Seven EPA workers fired during their probation last year are suing the agency, claiming their terminations for signing a public 2025 dissent letter violated their First Amendment rights and seeking reinstatement and back pay; the suits come as part of broader challenges to the EPA following the June 2025 declaration of dissent, with support from Senate Democrats and ongoing appeals, though these plaintiffs could not appeal to the MSPB due to their probationary status.
Michigan bets $37.5M to curb SNAP errors as federal penalties loom
Michigan is spending $37.5 million to reduce SNAP payment errors (FY2024 error rate about 9.53%, FY2025 9.89%), aiming for the 6% federal target to avoid a potential $300 million penalty in FY2028. Funds are allocated to an ad campaign, IT upgrades, staffing, and a McKinsey contract, though the state has not shared SNAP data with the federal government; MDHHS leadership is also undergoing a change, with Elizabeth Hertel leaving and Amy Epkey set to replace her.
Trans March ejects Wiener, highlighting a decade of political clashes
San Francisco state Sen. Scott Wiener was chased out of the Trans March during the Pride weekend kickoff after protesters criticized his Israel/Gaza stance. Wiener said he faced verbal and physical harassment and left for safety. The video of the confrontation circulated widely, underscoring a pattern at Trans March of politicians being booed or pressed to leave, including past incidents with Ed Lee and Mark Leno; Connie Chan appeared unchallenged. The episode feeds into broader national attention around Israel-Palestine debates within local LGBTQ+ communities.
USPS postpones retirement contributions to buy time, but warns of enduring financial strain
The Postal Service has delayed employer contributions to the Federal Employees Retirement System to fund current operations, averting an immediate cash crisis but signaling long-term financial instability. USPS now projects a cash shortfall could reemerge between fiscal 2031 and 2035, rather than by 2027, while Postmaster General David Steiner warns the agency remains out of cash and far from sustainable. The carrier hasn’t turned a profit since 2006, posted a $2 billion Q2 2026 loss (following a $9.5 billion loss in fiscal 2025), and has cut nonessential spending as it pursues reform. Lawmakers remain skeptical of further aid, even as USPS has hired Alvarez & Marsal to study options, including potential service cuts and structural changes, with reforms ranging from price increases to removing the regulator. Steiner indicated Congress will receive detailed five-year projections and data on cost-cutting measures, and the agency is preparing to respond by Friday.
Trump pardons ex-congressman tied to insider-trading case
President Donald Trump pardoned former Indiana Representative Stephen Buyer, who was convicted in 2023 on four counts of securities fraud for insider trading related to the T-Mobile-Sprint merger. The unconditional pardon came on the recommendation of 52 current and former lawmakers, and Buyer — a former Army judge advocate general and longtime politician-turned-consultant — had been sentenced to 22 months in prison for trades involving Sprint and Navigant (now Guidehouse) stock.
Texas AG Probes Celsius and Alani Nu for Teen-Targeted Caffeine Marketing
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a consumer-protection investigation into Celsius Holdings and its Alani Nu energy drinks over marketing practices aimed at teens and potential safety warnings, focusing on the drinks' high caffeine content (200 mg per 12 oz) and related health concerns and lawsuits citing insufficient warnings and deceptive practices under the Texas DTPA.
Forest Service Offers Separation Incentives Ahead of HQ Move to Salt Lake City
The Forest Service is offering Voluntary Early Retirement Authority and Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments to employees impacted by a broad reorganization that relocates the agency’s headquarters to Salt Lake City, shutters nine regional offices, and preserves only select research facilities. About 500 staff may need to relocate, with thousands of employees affected by the relocation and research-center closures. The agency says frontline mission work will continue, but budget and staffing shifts — including potential reductions in research positions and a large facility maintenance backlog — accompany the plan, which has drawn concerns from lawmakers and unions about broader workforce impacts.