On the Data Dish, we’re checking the pulse of America’s public data systems

By: Terry Gerton

23 July 2026 at 14:11

"If you're taking your family on a vacation, your plane is less likely to hit a flock of birds because of NOAA's NEXRAD data," said Denice Ross.

House committee considers options for avoiding future government shutdowns

All News – Federal News Network

By: Michele Sandiford

23 July 2026 at 13:32

Lawmakers aired broad bipartisan frustration at the gridlock that has prevented on-time appropriations for years but differed on the specifics of how to fix it.

The Capitol is seen under gray skies on the thirteenth day of the government shutdown, in Washington, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

AI, audits and OSINT featured in House intel bill

All News – Federal News Network

By: Justin Doubleday

22 July 2026 at 19:05

The House intel bill would establish an IC chief AI officer, illuminate how agencies fund open-source intelligence, give the IC IG new authorities and more.

INTELLIGENCE_06 OSINT open source intelligence

Space Force doesn’t know how many personnel it needs, watchdog finds

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By: Anastasia Obis

22 July 2026 at 18:36

GAO found that the service hasn't established a process to accurately determine its personnel needs and doesn't have a workforce plan to guide future growth.

U.S. Space Force flag against a blue sky and white cloud background

Can the right kind of data predict mission success?

All News – Federal News Network

By: Terry Gerton

22 July 2026 at 14:26

"I always say if performance matters, it's not a unnecessary tool. If performance is a report card, it's just a waste of time," said John Mullins.

The government needs to do more to measure agency performance

All News – Federal News Network

By: Terry Gerton

22 July 2026 at 14:12

"Going two years without a review would be like flying blind without having the information that's key to how the agency is performing," said Lori Atkinson.

Government Accountability Office sign in front of the agency headquarters building in Washington, D.C. (Image source: Government Accountability Office)

Government measures compliance, but does accountability help programs succeed?

All News – Federal News Network

By: Terry Gerton

22 July 2026 at 13:42

"I would love to see more happen with the actual outcomes and move the GPRA indicators to have more of an outcome orientation," said Dr. Abraham Wandersman.

AI may be getting the attention, but it’s only as reliable as the data behind it

All News – Federal News Network

By: Terry Gerton

20 July 2026 at 16:43

"I think that's the jump that we're really trying to make here, is go from data accessibility to data understandability," said Richard Coffin.

FEMA’s chief financial officer was unlawfully fired, judge rules

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By: Michele Sandiford

20 July 2026 at 13:07

The case centers on former FEMA chief financial officer Mary Comans. She was fired without cause last year.

FILE - A sign for the Federal Emergency Management Agency is pictured at FEMA headquarters, April 20, 2020, in Washington. (Al Drago/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

General Dynamics protests DISA’s Enclave contract expansion

All News – Federal News Network

By: Anastasia Obis

17 July 2026 at 18:30

DISA says that the Enclave contract is "the only viable contracting alternative" given the compressed timeline for migrating combatant commands to DoDNet.

An IG audit found the VA tool used to determine police staffing levels had serious gaps

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By: Terry Gerton

17 July 2026 at 13:57

"I think we're already seeing the fruits of that in the secretary's announcement and some other changes that have gone about," said Cheryl Mason.

veterans affairs spokane washington, Mann-Grandstaff

Democrats look to support laid-off Foreign Service officers

All News – Federal News Network

By: Michele Sandiford

17 July 2026 at 13:22

Former employees, federal unions and lawmakers continue to call for the reinstatement of more than 1,300 laid-off department workers.

The Supreme Court Slaughter decision: Where do we go from here?

All News – Federal News Network

By: commentators

16 July 2026 at 16:47

Ronald Sanders, a NAPA fellow, explains that while the decision opens the door to more questions than answers, it can’t change one thing.

The U.S. Supreme Court is photographed, on Thursday, June 25, 2026, in Washington.

Cyber agencies warn critical industries about Russia-linked hackers

All News – Federal News Network

By: Michele Sandiford

16 July 2026 at 11:46

The hackers have spent years quietly extracting configuration data from poorly configured routers across critical infrastructure.

Businessman working on laptop. Protection network security computer and safe your data concept. Digital crime by an anonymous hacker

Before policymakers can improve border security, they need confidence in how they’re measuring it

All News – Federal News Network

By: Terry Gerton

15 July 2026 at 14:47

"We've recommended that DHS develop and implement a process to systematically review the reliability of data," said Heather MacLeod.

FILE - A Border Patrol agent checks a migrant seeking asylum before the man is transported and processed, Wednesday, June 5, 2024, near Dulzura, Calif. President Joe Biden has suspended asylum processing at the U.S. border under a new policy unveiled this week. But the proclamation has an exception for “operational considerations.” The Homeland Security Department said in a detailed document outlining the ban that “demographics and nationalities encountered at the border significantly impact” its ability to deport people.(AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)

Senate bill would codify language accessibility standards targeted by Trump

All News – Federal News Network

By: Justin Doubleday

15 July 2026 at 12:01

The bill would reinstate governmentwide language accessibility requirements, after Trump declared English as the "official" language of the United States.

FILE - In this July 17, 2020 file photo, Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., speaks during a House Small Business Committee hearing on oversight of the Small Business Administration and Department of Treasury pandemic programs on Capitol Hill in Washington. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has decided to endorse 23 freshmen House Democrats in this fall’s elections. The move represents a gesture of bipartisanship by the nation's largest business organization, which has long leaned strongly toward Republicans. (Erin Scott/Pool via AP)

DOJ’s top FOIA official is stepping down

All News – Federal News Network

By: Michele Sandiford

15 July 2026 at 11:20

Glendening took over the OIP role last year after longtime Director Bobak Talebian was fired as part of a wave of DOJ terminations.

FOIA Freedom of Information Act on the desk.

Why Medicaid fraud enforcement alone cannot solve a $37B problem

All News – Federal News Network

By: commentators

13 July 2026 at 16:06

Peter Justen, founder and CEO at AmeriTrust Solutions, explains how data verification can have a bigger impact on stopping improper payments.

House report details how DHS used FEMA to bolster immigration crackdown

All News – Federal News Network

By: Justin Doubleday

10 July 2026 at 17:30

The House Dems' report argues the deployments threaten public trust in FEMA and further weaken an agency already flagging from thousands of staff cuts.

FILE - The Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters is photographed in Washington, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

For pregnant Medicaid patients, finding care depends on an unreliable system

All News – Federal News Network

By: Terry Gerton

10 July 2026 at 13:54

"At the end of the day, with billions of public dollars invested, a Medicaid enrollee shouldn't have to guess where to find care," said Laura Kordish.

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