Trump claims big jump in VA trust scores, but data shows modest gains
Patient satisfaction rates have improved steadily at VA in recent years, but Trump insists his changes have reformed the entire department.
Oversight
VA cancels plans for employee satisfaction survey this year
VA has conducted a poll of federal employees every year since 2006, but won't distrubute one this year amid multiple reforms to the workforce.
Claims of burn pit exposure pour in as vets seek PACT Act benefits
Advocates have lamented that too many serious problems believed linked to burn pit exposure were being ignored by VA leaders because of incomplete science.
Ash Carter, who led military acquisition workforce reform, dies at 68
Carter launched the Pentagon's “Better Buying Power” initiative, meant to guide the acquisition workforce to smarter and more efficient purchasing.
Telehealth options to stay in 2023 federal employee health plans
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, telehealth use was 38 times higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Palantir wins FDA contract to bolster US food supply chain
This U.S. experienced a severe shortage of infant formula this year as a result a global supply chain crisis compounded by an FDA product recall.
US Bureau of Prisons chief pledges hiring reforms amid staffing crisis
Nearly one-third of federal correctional officer positions were vacant, forcing prisons to use cooks, teachers and other workers to guard inmates.
Lightning Round: Reg answers your questions on COLA
Reg Jones is the resident expert on retirement and the federal government at Federal Times.
Three ways agencies can prepare workforces for increased IT complexity
Acknowledging hybrid IT’s complexity is the first step to managing it.
Astronaut Scott Kelly joins NASA study of UFOs
Researchers including astronaut Scott Kelly, whose twin brother is Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, will spend nine months on a NASA team studying UFOs.
IRS leader’s departure to leave void at tax agency: WSJ
The IRS is set to receive $80 billion in new funding over a decade as part of Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act to help the agency increase enforcement.