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USPS Halts FERS Employer Contributions to Shore Up Cash Reserves
2 days ago•Source: USPS
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18.14 min•12 days ago
Fielder stays at post, takes medical leave to focus on health
San Francisco District 9 Supervisor Jackie Fielder will remain in office but take a medical leave of absence to thoughtfully address a mental health condition and consider her options, ending days of resignation speculation; the district office will operate with aides and she will be unable to vote while away.
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OPM chief backs growing federal ranks by cutting contractors
Federal News Network•16 days ago
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Trump Forms Elite Tech Council to Chart America's Innovation Path
The White House (.gov)•16 days ago
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TSA on edge as shutdown drains pay and morale
As the DHS shutdown reaches day 39, TSA workers report pay delays and rising attrition, with more than 400 leaving and thousands calling out, leading to longer security lines. Unions push for the Shutdown Fairness Act to guarantee pay during a shutdown, while ICE officers deployed to airports are paid but viewed by TSA reps as a distraction. Many employees are relying on emergency funds as back pay remains uncertain and the prospect of another shutdown looms.
Treasury to Manage Defaulted Federal Student Loans Amid Education Department Restructuring
The Education Department will transfer its roughly $1.7 trillion federal student aid portfolio to the Treasury, which will handle defaulted loan collections and, in a later phase, administer FAFSA, as part of interagency moves critics say amount to dismantling the department. Officials say the changes aim to fix long‑standing mismanagement and improve programs without requiring borrowers to take action, while unions and lawmakers warn of confusion and higher costs amid staff cuts and ongoing servicer performance concerns.
DOJ Unveils Uniform Corporate Enforcement Policy for All Criminal Cases
The Department of Justice released its first department-wide Corporate Enforcement Policy for all criminal matters, offering incentives for companies that self-disclose misconduct, cooperate with investigations, and remediate, while reserving prosecutions in appropriate cases and prioritizing individual accountability across the DOJ (excluding antitrust).
OPM pushes merit-first layoffs in federal workforce
OPM proposes changing federal RIF rules to prioritize performance over tenure, creating a 'retention register' that rewards high performers (and adds veterans’ preference points) while tie-breaks favor longer service; temporary and time-limited staff would be exempt from RIFs. If finalized, the shakeup would streamline layoffs but critics say it risks arbitrary, politically motivated firings and further politicizing the civil service as the administration pushes broader personnel changes.
DOJ Sues Five States Over Incomplete Voter Registration Lists
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has filed federal lawsuits against Utah, Oklahoma, Kentucky, West Virginia, and New Jersey for failing to produce complete statewide voter registration lists, raising the total of states facing such actions to 29 plus the District of Columbia; officials say accurate voter rolls are essential for election integrity, and the department will continue its oversight across federal elections.
EU Narrows Sustainability Rules in Omnibus I, Trimming CSRD and CSDDD Scope
EU member states approved the Omnibus I package, dramatically reducing sustainability obligations by keeping the CSRD’s 1,000-employee cutoff but adding a €450 million annual revenue threshold that excludes about 90% of firms, and by raising the CSDDD thresholds to 5,000 employees and €1.5 billion in revenue. The package also eliminates the climate-transition plan requirement and the EU-wide liability regime, caps penalties at 3% of global revenue, and delays CSDDD compliance to July 2029. It limits reporting demands on smaller suppliers and allows reliance on reasonably available information. The aim is to cut red tape, simplify rules, and boost EU competitiveness with publication to follow and entry into force 20 days after.
CT Closes Executive Offices as Winter Storm Clamps Down
Gov. Lamont ordered Connecticut's executive-branch offices closed to the public on Monday due to a major winter storm. Level 1 staff should work as scheduled, while Level 2 staff should telework or use accrued leave, with telework encouraged for those normally in-person. The State Emergency Operations Center and regional offices are activated to coordinate response; decisions for judicial/legislative branches remain with their leaders. Emergency alerts and CTPrepares resources are available for ongoing updates.
APWU Boss Pushes Affordable, Expanded USPS Amid Losses
USPS opened fiscal 2026 with a $1.25 billion first-quarter loss, but first-class mail delivery improved to 87.3% on time. APWU President Jonathan Smith argues USPS must be affordable and offer broader services (e.g., postal banking, EV charging, copies) to win back customers, while opposing privatization and pushing for prudent staffing and service improvements amid ongoing reform discussions and AI concerns.
San Francisco’s Billionaire March Flops, Draws Tiny Crowd and Sparks Debate
In San Francisco, organizers marketed a 'March for Billionaires' but drew only about twenty participants, outnumbered by reporters. The march shifted from Alta Plaza Park to Civic Center without a permit, featuring a debate-like atmosphere and a mix of supporters and counter-protesters, raising questions about the effectiveness and purpose of the event.
Minnesota judge orders ICE chief to court over contempt risk
The chief judge of Minnesota’s federal court ordered acting ICE director Todd Lyons to personally appear in court on Friday to explain why the agency has not complied with dozens of court orders, including missing a detainee’s bond hearing. Judge Patrick Schiltz said Lyons could be held in contempt and would cancel the hearing if the detainee is released, as protests over ICE tactics persist amid critics of the Trump immigration crackdown following fatal enforcement actions earlier this month.