Monday - Friday, 3-7 p.m.

Francis Rose keeps you updated on all the federal news happening during your workday. Don't leave the office without seeing what's on the show.

White House petitions: Huge response, headache too

As the Obama administration kicks off its second term, it's upping the threshold for responding to Americans' petitions from 25,000 signatures to 100,000, a reminder that government by the people can sometimes have unintended consequences. In this case, a wildly popular transparency initiative has spawned a headache of the administration's own making.

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HR shuffle changes how agencies work with OPM

The Office of Personnel Management is revamping its human-resources policy shop to provide more innovative solutions to the White House's workforce priorities. The newly created Center for Strategic Workforce Planning will focus on fostering innovation in federal workforce policies and plotting future HR trends. In addition, OPM's human capital officers (HCOs), which previously acted as OPM ambassadors to individual agencies, will instead serve as "HR strategists" to staff the new center and work on pilot projects in priority areas.

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In Depth interviews - Jan. 29

On the In Depth show blog, you can listen to the interviews, find more information about the guests on the show each day and links to additional resources.

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DoD's plans to boost cyber workforce could hit hiring, training snags

The Defense Department plans to boost the ranks of cybersecurity professionals, increasing cyber staff at U.S. Cyber Command by more than five times to some 4,900 employees. But DoD's plan is daunting in more ways than one. The job qualifications and skills needed for the kinds of positions the Pentagon wants are rare and often require years of training and hands-on experience. And even if DoD looks outside the confines of the Pentagon to fill these roles, it's not entirely clear where the new cyber pros would come from.

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Senate confirms Kerry nomination for State Dept.

The Senate overwhelmingly confirmed President Barack Obama's choice of five-term Sen. John Kerry to be secretary of state, with Republicans and Democrats praising him as the ideal successor to Hillary Rodham Clinton.

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LaHood departure leaves another vacancy in Cabinet

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who lifted the profile of distracted driving as a national safety concern, is stepping down, presenting President Barack Obama with another Cabinet vacancy at the start of his second term.

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In Depth interviews - Jan. 28

On the In Depth show blog, you can listen to the interviews, find more information about the guests on the show each day and links to additional resources.

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USDA work-life office promotes telework, other flexible programs

Mika Cross, the work/life and wellness program manager at the Agriculture Department, In Depth with Francis Rose for a far-reaching discussion flexible and supportive workplace programs, such as telework.

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Did OPM flub Monday's delayed arrival announcement?

OPM announced federal offices would be open Monday on a "delayed arrival" schedule. It was the first time the agency has used the classification since it revamped its closure policies last year. But it didn't go off without a hitch - OPM updated the operating status language twice and some federal employees said they were confused by OPM's communication.

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In Depth interviews - Jan. 25

On the In Depth show blog, you can listen to the interviews, find more information about the guests on the show each day and links to additional resources.

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Lawmakers call on President to fill widespread IG vacancies

House and Senate lawmakers have called on President Barack Obama to fill inspector general vacancies at six large agencies, including open spots at the Departments of Homeland Security and State.

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FAA's deputy CIO Cooper to leave government

Steve Cooper will head back to the private sector to his former management consulting business.

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Inside the Reporter's Notebook: Web analytics tool, reaction to FAS commissioner and FedRAMP

News and buzz in the acquisition and IT communities that you may have missed this week.

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DoD details furloughs under sequestration

Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said employees furloughed because of sequestration would lose one day of work per week for the remainder of the budget year, which ends in September. DoD already is eliminating 46,000 temporary civilian workers in anticipation of budget cuts.

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Federal News Countdown: Cybersecurity executive order, sequestration prep

Alan Chvotkin, executive vice president and counsel at the Professional Services Council, and Alan Paller, director of research at the SANS Institute, count down the top federal news stories of the week.

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In Depth interviews - Jan. 24

On the In Depth show blog, you can listen to the interviews, find more information about the guests on the show each day and links to additional resources.

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NASA readies draft RFP for SEWP V

NASA announced earlier this week it would release the draft request for proposals on or about Feb. 8, with a final solicitation scheduled for early summer.

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DFAS halts hiring ahead of possible sequestration

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service will implement significant cost-cutting measures next week to prepare for the possibility of automatic spending cuts due to hit government in March. DFAS plans to freeze most hiring, reduce travel and overtime, and temporarily halt new employee performance awards, according to DFAS Director Terri McKay.

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Dempsey: Sex assault, combat ban on women linked

The nation's top military officer says he believes the rise in sexual assaults in the military is linked to a longstanding ban on women serving in combat roles _ a ban the Pentagon is now eliminating.

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Pentagon Solutions: DoD faces many layers of budget challenges

Two former Pentagon officials, Rudy deLeon and Dov Zakheim, join Pentagon Solutions with Francis Rose to discuss a range of challenges facing the Defense Department, including the threat of sequestration.

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