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

OMB builds strategy to better target grant fraud, error and waste

The Obama administration has released a set of proposals it hopes will improve the oversight of grant programs. Danny Werfel, controller at the Office of Management and Budget, told Federal News Radio why the changes are necessary.

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GAO: Work needed to correct errors in TARP financial statements

Gary Engel, GAO's director of financial management, says the Treasury Department's Office of Financial Stability, which implements TARP, still needs to establish a mechanism for effective implementation of its review and approval process for preparing its financial statements.

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Interior pursues diverse, satisfied workforce

John Burden, the Interior Department's chief diversity officer, told The Federal Drive with Tom Temin what Interior's diversity plan looks like and what he thinks is the best way to achieve the agency's goals.

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NIST helps eliminate human error in fingerprint analysis

Melissa Taylor, who works in the Law Enforcement Standards Office at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, worked with the Justice Department on recommendations for reducing human error in fingerprint analysis.

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Latinos under-represented at all levels of federal employment

According to Jorge Ponce, co-chair of the Council of Federal EEO and Civil Rights Executives, Latinos are under-represented across all job categories and levels of the government, all the way up to senior executive rank.

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Call for new astronauts garners 6,000 applicants

NASA recently put out a call for new applicants to ensure that its astronaut corps is fully stocked for upcoming missions to the International Space Station. More than 6,000 people applied for 10 to 15 positions.

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Feds should expect more of the same in 2013 budget, expert says

Steve Bell, senior director of the Bipartisan Policy Center's Economic Policy Project, says while the President's proposed budget includes some interesting details for feds, none of them are likely to become law.

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Chopra unveils Open Innovator's Toolkit

Outgoing federal Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra spoke to The Federal Drive with Tom Temin about the new toolkit he's rolling out today at a Center for American Progress event.

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Postal Service offers reduced rate on commercial mailing

This week, Postal Service introduced "2nd Ounce Free" pricing for businesses mailing First-Class Mail automation, presort letters.

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GSA uses reverse energy auctions to save money

General Services Administration is teaming up with other agencies to solicit bids from energy providers via online auctions. GSA's New England Region administrator details the savings his office has reaped from the program.

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Census launches new user-friendly website

The Census Bureau has moved a large cache of files from its AmericanFactFinder system into a new setup.

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Hackers claim new attack on government website

A group called AntiSec says it has knocked OnGuardOnline.gov offline late Monday. The Federal Trade Commission-run website is a partnership among 14 federal agencies.

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Former OMB official weighs in on LightSquared broadband controversy

Both the Defense and Transportation Departments have asked the FCC to rescind its decision allowing a Virginia company to set up a national broadband network.

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Scientists use quantum cryptography to create 'un-crackable' phone security

Los Alamos National Lab researchers say they've found a way to put u-crackable security on smart phones. The technique is called quantum cryptography.

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Analysis: Sequester unlikely, but major Defense cuts ahead

Russel Rumbaugh, co-director of budgeting for foreign affairs and defense at the Stimson Center, sees the looming sequester as an empty threat. Meanwhile, DoD and the administration move forward with significant cuts in spending.

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Veteran strives to be 'part of something' in federal workforce

Andrew Goodrich, a ranger with the National Park Service, shares his story of being an injured Iraq War veteran finding a new home as a federal employee. He describes some of the challenges he faced and the accommodations his employers provided to to help him achieve success in the workplace.

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Website, job fair help veterans secure employment

Veterans can use the VA for Vets to gain career advice and get help on how to find a job. The website is also sponsoring a Jan. 18 veterans-only job fair at the Washington Convention Center.

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Leading Democrat expects deal to prevent sequestration

Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash.), the ranking member on the House Appropriations Committee, says a deal is likely, though it may not come until after the November election.

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What has the Army learned in Afghanistan and Iraq?

Col. Thomas Roe, director of the Center for Army Lessons Learned, offers insight on how the Army takes what it has learned from fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq and is applying it to future conflicts.

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ICE union leader denies alleged opposition to immigration policy

National ICE Council President Chris Crane disputes reports that his union has delayed implementation of a new Obama Administration policy on rounding up illegal immigrants.

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