Tuesday federal headlines – April 21, 2015

The Federal Headlines is a daily compilation of the stories you hear discussed on Federal News Radio each day. It is designed to give FederalNewsRadio.com reade...

The Federal Headlines is a daily compilation of the stories you hear discussed on the Federal Drive and In Depth radio shows each day. Our headlines are updated twice per day — once in the morning and once in the afternoon — with the latest news affecting federal employees and contractors.

  • A top manager at the Secret Service is on administrative leave because of misconduct and criminal allegations. The Secret Service also suspended the employee’s security clearance. The Homeland Security Department’s inspector general is looking into the case. The agency is releasing few other details. (Federal News Radio)
  • Few Americans said the federal government does a good job sharing the data it collects with the public. The Pew Research Center found 5 percent of Americans said the federal government was sharing its data “very effectively.” (Pew Internet)
  • The Justice Department and FBI pledged an independent review of FBI laboratory protocols and procedures. The move follows the discovery of flawed forensics testimony in hundreds of criminal cases before 2000. The investigation will look at how the scientific problem occurred and why it went on for so long. Law enforcement officials also said they would continue reviewing hundreds of additional cases in which scientifically invalid testimony concerning microscopic hair analysis may have been given. At issue are cases in which hair samples were used to convict defendants. Of 268 trials already reviewed, 95 percent contained flawed testimony. (Federal News Radio)
  • Transportation Security Administration airport passenger screeners will initiate additional new security measures. They’ll take fingerprints and run criminal background checks on transportation workers every two years. They’ll be subject to random screenings throughout the day. When they fly, they’ll get the same screening as all other passengers. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson ordered the steps on recommendation of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee. The committee completed a 90-day review after a Delta Airlines employee was caught assisting a former airline employee engaged in gun smuggling last year. New measures also apply to other airport workers and airline employees. (DHS)
  • Auditors said the Thrift Savings Plan could be vulnerable to hackers. The Labor Department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration said the board running the TSP needs to update its systems. Auditors found the board hasn’t put in proper controls to stop hackers from accessing TSP accounts. A data breach could compromise the personal data of TSP participants. Hackers could even take out money from an account. More than 4.7 million federal employees and retirees participate in the TSP. (GovExec)
  • Federal employees can now earn a degree online at less than half the cost of standard tuition. The Office of Personnel Management is partnering with Champlain College, in what’s called the TruEd alliance. Champlain will offer more than 60 certificate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Federal employees and their spouses can enroll for up to 70 percent less than standard tuition. OPM Director Katherine Archuleta said the TruEd program lets employees advance their careers and contribute to the success of their agencies. Feds can begin submitting applications immediately for the summer term, which begins July 6. (OPM)
  • Eric Holder might be able to retire soon as attorney general. Key senators said they were close to a deal on an anti-human-trafficking bill. That would clear the way for a vote on the nomination of Loretta Lynch to succeed Holder. Senators are working out a deal over abortion funding language in the trafficking bill. That sticking point has delayed the Lynch vote, held back by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). The deal could be announced today. (Federal News Radio)
  • Amazon is not the only outfit considering package delivery by drone. So is the Postal Service. Federal Times reports, it’s narrowed the range of companies it will let submit bids for a new fleet of delivery trucks. Many familiar names make the list, including Ford, AM General, Fiat-Chrysler and Nissan North America. Also on the list is Workhorse, a manufacturer of chassis for many familiar delivery trucks. It’s bidding an all-electric panel truck with a drone launcher on top. The company developed the flying device, dubbed Housefly, in conjunction with the University of Cincinnati. The idea is for the delivery person to handle small mail on a given route while the drone handles the packages. (Federal Times )
  • Navy officials re-dedicated Building 197 in the Washington Navy Yard. The scene of a 2013 mass murder, the building has been renamed the Humphreys Building. Navy Times reports, building renovations are completed and it’s fully up and running. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus attended yesterday’s ceremonies, as did the chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Jon Greenert. Greenert said having the building buzzing brings a sense of normalcy back to the Navy Yard. In September 2013, former contractor and former sailor Aaron Alexis snuck in a rifle and began firing. He was eventually stopped and killed by a U.S. Park Police officer. The building’s new name recalls an 18th century ship builder responsible for the first six Navy frigates. (Navy Times )
  • Housing programs at the Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development departments have helped 230,000 veterans in the past five years. The programs are designed to permanently house or re-house homeless veterans and their families. They also aim to prevent families from becoming homeless. President Barack Obama’s budget request for next year includes $1.4 billion for VA programs that prevent or end veteran homelessness. The administration plans to award 10,000 more housing vouchers this year. The goal is to end veteran homelessness by the end of the year. (White House )

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