Mike O'Connell is a web editor and general assignment reporter for Federal News Radio.

GSA's Godwin sees employees as her 'greatest resource'

Inspired by her nurturing leadership skills, 12 members of Beverly Godwin's staff nominated her for Federal News Radio's Top Leaders in Federal Service award.

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When the going gets tough, good leaders lead

Times of tight budgets, impending sequestration and a possible government shutdown require good leaders who can make tough decisions. But who are those leaders? Federal News Radio asked our readers to nominate people they work with who demonstrate the qualities of good leadership. You responded, we listened and a panel of judges picked the five Top Leaders in Federal Service.

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Contractors can expect uncertain, difficult times ahead, expert says

Michael Tinsley, CEO of NeoSystems Corp., tells The Federal Drive with Tom Temin and Emily Kopp, there's little contractors can do to influence agencies facing impending sequestration beyond maintaining good communications and weathering the storm.

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DC federal offices open Friday with unscheduled leave, telework in effect

For the second day in a row, federal offices in the D.C. area will be open with unscheduled leave and telework available for eligible employees.

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Video: House committee fires first shot in IT reform revolution

Later today, the full membership of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will begin to consider legislation to reduce wasteful IT spending.

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Army cuts size, increases efficiency of its vehicle fleet

At the end of fiscal year 2012, the Army's vehicle fleet numbered around 70,800 vehicles, which is about 12,000 less than it had in 2009. As it cuts back on the number of overall vehicles it has, the Army is also assembling a greener, more environmentally friendly fleet.

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GSA adopts new mileage reimbursement rates

The agency raised the rate for using a privately owned vehicle to $0.565 per mile. Rates for airplane travel and motorcycles also went up.

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Analysis: Sequestration postponed? What does that mean?

Brian Friel of Bloomberg Government told The Federal Drive with Tom Temin and Emily Kopp Congress' latest piece of legislation both delays sequestration and reduces its potential effect.

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Union president calls Senate fiscal cliff bill 'bad deal'

William R. Dougan, national president of the National Federation of Federal Employees, said Tuesday the Senate's fiscal cliff bill will lead to a political standoff that will leave federal employees with an uncertain future.

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Timing of Unified Agenda release draws criticism from Issa

While Darrell Issa, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, criticized the Obama administration for turning in the Unified Agenda nine months late, one researcher says its more important to focus on the contents of the document rather than the timing of its release.

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'Best Place to Work?' -- Not so much

The Partnership for Public Service and Deloitte released the 2012 Best Places to Work in Federal Government rankings today. While some agencies improved their employee satisfaction rankings, the majority did not, resulting in the greatest overall change -- a 3.2 point drop -- since the rankings began.

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25 years later, FERS still 'excellent' plan for feds

Arthur Stein, a financial planner and former federal manager, told The Federal Drive with Tom Temin and Emily Kopp Wednesday that FERS has been a boon for feds, both young and old.

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Agencies turn to social media to engage public in an emergency

During Hurricane Sandy, agencies like FEMA and NOAA used various social media platforms to communicate with the public. They were able to dispel rumors and follow the situation on the ground as it unfolded.

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Senate unanimously passes Hatch Act update

On Friday, the Senate passed a bipartisan bill updating the Hatch Act, the law that restricts the political activities of federal employees.

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BP temporarily suspended from new federal contracts

The Environmental Protection Agency said BP's "lack of business integrity" in its conduct and response following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill weighed into its decision to temporarily suspend the company from obtaining new federal contracts.

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Warner hopeful feds won't feel a budget 'jolt'

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) told The Federal Drive with Tom Temin and Emily Kopp that a large number of lawmakers from both parties support a plan that raises more revenues and recognizes that entitlement programs have got to be made viable over the long term.

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Export-Import Bank gives while other agencies take

Fred Hochberg, the Export-Import Bank president told The Federal Drive with Tom Temin and Emily Kopp that unlike other agencies, his agency has been able to pay money to the government rather than take money from the government.

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Air Force report falls short in fighting sexual assaults, victim advocate says

Jennifer Norris, a victim advocate at the Military Rape Crisis Center in Maine, said the Air Force report released Wednesday investigating the widespread scandal at Lackland Air Base made recommendations but didn't address the military culture that allowed the sexual assaults to occur.

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Hurricane Sandy offers Army lesson in social media best practices

The Pentagon's Office of the Chief of Public Affairs is training the military's social media practitioners how to get information out quickly, securely and, most importantly, accurately during emergencies like the recent superstorm that hit the East Coast.

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Changes coming to key congressional committees despite status-quo election

Following Tuesday's election, Democrats maintain control of the Senate and Republicans continue to hold sway in the House. Retirements, term limits and a few new lawmakers alter the leadership of some committees.

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