A popular and important source of breaking news, information and analysis for federal government employees and contractors, the redesigned Federal News Network site is now even better. Visitors will find it easier to search, learn and act on the news and information that regularly helps them navigate their dynamic environment.

New features:

• Simplified navigation
• Improved search
• More visibility for highly sought after and long-running programs including Federal Drive, Ask the CIO, On DoD, and more!
• New Editor’s Pick section
• On Air/Trending bar

“For the past 20 years, the federal community has come to rely on Federal News Network online and on-air to keep them informed and educated about the constant changes that federal employees and contractors face from the White House and from Capitol Hill. Our new website is the next step in our journey to be the premier federal news organization serving more than 1.8 million federal employees and more than 4 million contractors,” said Joel Oxley, General Manager of Federal News Network.

Federal News Network (then called WTOP2), the world’s first, Internet-only, all-news radio station was created in February 2000 with a focus on the federal community. Federal News Network is owned by Hubbard Radio.

In 2004, Federal News Network moved onto the radio airwaves on 1050 AM. In 2008, it moved again to a clear channel 150,000 watt station on 1500 AM.

In addition to broadcasting on 1500 AM, the radio signal can also be heard live online.

In 2018, the news organization was renamed (then called Federal News Radio) to Federal News Network.

Be sure to download our mobile app — and if you have any questions, comments or concerns you can contact us here.

To listen to the Federal Newscast on your phone or mobile device, subscribe in PodcastOne or Apple Podcasts. The best listening experience on desktop can be found using Chrome, Firefox or Safari.

• The Army reiterates, despite rising tensions with Iran, there are no plans to initiate a draft. The Army’s recruiting command said it’s heard reports from across the country of people receiving text messages saying they’ve been selected for the draft. There’s no clear indication of the motive or who’s sending them, but the Army is putting out the word via social media and other venues that the messages are clearly bogus. The U.S. military has not conscripted citizens into military service since 1973, and it would take an act of Congress to change that.

• A group of Democratic senators introduced a bill to correct problems with the new Federal Employee Paid Leave Act. Several thousand employees at the Federal Aviation Administration Transportation Security Agency, as well as Washington, D.C. courts and public defender’s services are not covered by the paid leave bill signed into law at the end of 2019. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) introduced the Federal Employee Parental Leave Technical Correction Act. It ensures those employees have access to 12 weeks of paid parental leave.

• Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner wants agencies to get moving on a planned security clearance overhaul. Warner wrote to Office of Personnel Management Director Dale Cabaniss and acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire, asking they immediately issue guidance needed to implement a series of security clearance reforms. The initiative is called Trusted Workforce 2.0. Warner said agencies should build off recent bipartisan endorsement of the Trump administration’s plans to overhaul the outdated clearance system. (Federal News Network)

• Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) is the new chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee. Senators confirmed him Tuesday as the new chairman, and he replaces Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) as committee leader. Isakson left his seat as senator at the end of 2019 due to quickly advancing health issues. The Senate VA Committee has steered several big veterans legislative policy changes over the past two years.

• The Senate has approved U.S. Treasurer Jovita Carranza to serve as the next permanent head of the Small Business Administration. She’ll take over for former Administrator Linda McMahon, who stepped down from the job last April. Carranza served as SBA’s deputy administrator for more than three years, under the George W. Bush administration. Prior to serving in government, she spent more than 20 years working for UPS, and served as president of the company’s Latin America and Caribbean operations.

• Defense Department workers might see some changes on bases in response to the threat from Iran. The Pentagon is staying tight lipped on what it’s doing to prepare. However, Center for Strategic and International Studies senior advisor Mark Cancian said DoD employees might expect longer lines to get on bases as vehicle searches get more intense. Cancian said troops will likely see a refresher in cyber training and will be put on increased patrols around base perimeters. During the Gulf War, in some cases, it took hours to get on bases because of the searches. (Federal News Network)

• The Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center unveiled its 2020 strategy to provide logistics to the Indo-Pacific region. The fleet provides logistics solutions throughout the Asian and Pacific region to generate readiness. The strategy introduces new priorities to guide fleet personnel. Those include strength through family, generating warfighter readiness and staying agile, relevant and ready. (Navy)

• The Pentagon’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center is looking for help making sense of its data. The JAIC’s Infrastructure and Platforms Division seeks an architect to lead the development of data analytics, algorithms, and modeling for technical processes. Qualified applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering or computer science.

• A week into 2020, the Census Bureau is revving up efforts to hire enumerators. The jobs are temporary and part-time, but the Census Bureau needs a half million census takers for this year’s decennial count. Pay varies by location. In Henrico County, Virginia, enumerators earn $21 per hour, and in San Mateo, California, up to $30 per hour. The bureau posted an interactive map showing where the most jobs are available. It needs people in 50 states buthomeland secuit’s reached the quota for Puerto Rico. (Census Bureau)

• Efforts for agencies to share common services are facing an uphill struggle. New data on Performance.gov shows several initiatives faced delays in 2019, including the consolidation of government-owned vehicles and the centralization of citizen and business payments to Treasury. The cross-agency goal leaders, the General Services Administration and the Office of Management and Budget, say the fleet consolidation effort is behind schedule because several agencies haven’t responded to the study findings and recommendations.

• The Department of Homeland Security chose chose four vendors to take on its IT modernization challenge. DHS put a key piece in place to accelerate its IT modernization efforts. The agency recently awarded its Architecture, Development and Platform Technical Services or ADaPTS, blanket purchase agreement. Four vendors, Blackstone, Booz Allen Hamilton, Sevatec and Techflow, won a spot on the five-year, $265 million contract. Under the vehicle, DHS will buy services ranging from implementing and managing enterprise cloud shared services to modernizing and migrating applications to infrastructure. (Sevatec)

• Federal employees in the National Capital Region have until the end of the week to make their last donations for the year to the Combined Federal Campaign. The CFC will close Jan. 12. The region so far raised more than $27 million and donated over 56,000 volunteer hours to the campaign this year. The National Capital Region has a goal of raising $34 million to the 2019 CFC. (Combined Federal Campaign)

We’ve always had our flag planted on at least two different hills:  We broadcast on a 50,000 watt Class A clear channel radio station that enjoys the highest protection from the interference of other signals, which on a clear night can be heard from Nova Scotia to Key West. We’ve also spent 18 years building a reputation as a topnotch online publisher whose coverage and presentation wins journalism awards and is read by a large and loyal federal audience.

So what about our new name — Federal News Network — makes it better than our old one?  Well, it’s all about how we present you our news and information on our website, on the radio, on our multiple social media channels as audio and video and via our email newsletters.

“The news business is constantly in a state of upheaval and opportunity. We understand that today more than ever, our audience wants to listen, read and watch on multiple platforms and when it’s convenient for them,” said Joel Oxley, senior vice president and general manager of Federal News Network and WTOP. ”Our name change recognizes that landscape and we are pleased to meet our audience where they want and need our valuable news.”

Through our network, we continue to be the go-to source for the day’s federal news and information. Our radio signal, 1500AM, remains a vibrant and vital aspect for the Washington Metropolitan Area federal listener. Our newly launched Ask the CIO.com is our newest digital channel for specialized coverage. Our reporters, editors, radio hosts and producers continue to find and share the most important news of the day across all our platforms, making Federal News Network a great meeting place for thought-leaders to have conversations, share ideas and discuss topics meaningful to the federal workforce.

Federal News Network is also a collection of valuable experiences. We take our job seriously as the daily scribes of the first draft of Executive Branch history and as the drivers of analysis of complex stories and trends. Our reporters are consistently breaking news and providing in-depth analysis on issues affecting the federal community. Here are a just a few:

• Reporter Nicole Ogrysko’s blockbuster coverage of the Trump administration’s reorganization plans and its effects  and the seismic changes to the security clearance program.
• DoD Reporter Scott Maucione’s special report on the growing and often questioned use of the Defense Department’s Other Transaction Authorities.
• Our photo-journalistic coverage of federal unions protesting presidential Executive Orders.
• Executive Editor Jason Miller’s prolific exclusive and breaking news of the ever-shifting roles of agency CIOs and other executives as well as our breaking coverage of government spending packages avoiding a shutdown, the 2019 federal pay raise and FEHBP premium increases.
• Our entire staff’s event coverage that includes live tweets and videos of some of the most noteworthy newsmaker comments.
• Compelling infographics that make our reporting come alive:
  • Education department telework stats that don’t support management’s reasoning for cutting the telework program.
  • The story of how one agency exceeded its small business contracting goal – by a lot.

• Our growing collection of 25-plus podcasts running the gamut from daily news stories to marketing innovations to venture capitalists investing in federal start-ups to industry perspectives on government trends to the legal aspects of managing the federal workforce to pay, benefits, retirement to IT to mentors to acquisition policy to defense programs and on and on.

As we add the word “Network” to our identity, it more aptly “represents both how our audience engages with us and how our advertisers partner with us,” said Jeffrey Wolinsky, director of federal and national sales.

Our custom capabilities continue to grow and meet our industry partner demands through surveys, eBooks, webinars, panel discussions, video white papers, executive briefings and online chats. And we continue to expand our network of products and services to the federal community on a daily basis.

Looking back, the name Federal News Network definitely would have been a stretch at our inception. At the turn of the century, our nascent news organization sprouted from sister radio station WTOP. A lightbulb went off at the sheer number of listeners with dot-gov and dot-mil email extensions. At that time, we went by WTOP2.com, which was accompanied by an equally awkward logo on a website whose main feature was streaming audio. You could call it the precursor to podcasting.

We’ve grown from a staff of two (yours truly and one other) to one that consists of some of the most well-known and respected journalists in the community with well more than 100 years of experience covering the federal market.

Today, Federal News Network is an impressive collection of people, products, services and platforms fully focused on delivering the most timely, accurate and important information to the federal community. I’m proud of our network and of how our new name now reflects the totality of us.

The new AskTheCIO.com features audio of the program, as well as an expanded look at federal IT and CIO news, podcasts, and a new feature — “Ask the CIO Insider” — which allows users to register to receive federal IT-specific news and events.

“These improvements really reflect the growing appetite in the federal IT community for the type of quality journalism Jason Miller and Federal News Network produce. We are proud of this enhancement to our news organization, ” said Lisa Wolfe, Editor-in-Chief.

AskTheCIO.com offers robust insight as to how CIOs in the federal government deal with challenges from legacy modernization to cloud computing to cybersecurity.

The Ask the CIO program, hosted by Executive Editor Jason Miller for the past 10 years, anchors the new web page. Miller leads the market in covering and breaking federal information technology news.

Former Federal CIO Tony Scott said, “During my time in the Federal CIO role, I could always count on Jason Miller for two things:  First, he was always on top of the latest developments and able to explain a complex topic in ways that everyone can understand, and second, he always gets the story right — even when one wishes it were otherwise!”

Registration for “Ask the CIO Insider,” as well as other federal newsletters and alerts, can be found at Federal News Network.

Federal News Network’s suite of products includes FederalNewsRadio.com, AskTheCIO.com and Federal News Radio 1500 AM, which comprise the top source of breaking news, information and analysis for people who carry out and support the missions of federal agencies.

“Luke McCormack’s extensive background in federal information technology makes him the perfect successor to Jim Flyzik,” said Tom Trezza, president of Trezza Media Group, which sponsors the program. “His experience and knowledge of government’s inner workings, as well as his background spearheading the types of initiatives we’ll address on the program will allow him to build upon the foundation Jim helped create on the Federal Executive Forum. I am delighted to welcome him to the program,” Trezza said.

McCormack’s federal technology career also included stops at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection and the Justice Department, where he served as CIO and deputy assistant attorney general for Information Resources Management.

McCormack succeeds the retiring Jim Flyzik, who hosted and co-produced the Federal Executive Forum for 12 years. Together, Trezza and Flyzik created the monthly hour-long thought leadership series on Federal News Radio 1500 AM and FederalNewsRadio.com, which brings together top government IT executives and their industry counterparts to highlight successful IT and mission-critical technology programs in government.

Flyzik began his government career with the Secret Service before joining the Treasury Department, where he served as CIO. After 9/11, Flyzik moved to the White House as the senior advisor to Gov. Tom Ridge, who was later named the first secretary of the Homeland Security Department.

“After 12 years and 160 shows, I can’t thank Jim enough for his contributions and commitment to the Federal Executive Forum,” Trezza said. “We will continue to work every day to bring the same enthusiasm and excitement to the program that Jim did. I will miss him both personally and professionally, but I am excited for Jim as he moves on to the next chapter in his life.”

The Federal Executive Forum kicks off 2018 with its defense and homeland cybersecurity program on January 30.

In Depth with Francis Rose can now be heard weekday mornings from 8am – 10am, directly following The Federal Drive with Tom Temin which now airs from 6am – 8 am. Both shows can also be heard in the afternoon from 3 -5 pm (Federal Drive) and 5-7 pm (In Depth).

The changes allow Federal News Radio to expose its two strongest products to both drive-time audiences. Temin and Rose are veteran journalists who have decades of federal experience and can now offer even more analysis and insight on the most important federal news each day.

Program Director Lisa Wolfe says, “Realigning our resources allows us to reach the most people with the most news they need every day to do their jobs – at the times when they can best consume our radio product.  It also gives our journalists more time to contribute to our website – which offers news and analysis 24/7.”

In addition, Federal news headlines will now be heard every fifteen minutes throughout the morning and afternoon, and the station has added two reporters, a new digital writer, and a new radio producer to further enhance the stations coverage of the federal marketplace and to continue to provide the top breaking federal news.

The new changes have been in effect since September 1^st.

About Federal News Radio

Federal News Radio.com and 1500 AM comprise the key source of breaking news, information and analysis for the individuals responsible for carrying out and supporting the missions of federal agencies. Federal News Radio can also be heard on the 107.7 HD2. Federal News Radio and its sister station WTOP are owned and operated by Hubbard Radio, LLC.

“We have an outstanding group of journalists here in Washington, and it’s always great to see their accomplishments recognized by our industry peers,” says Senior VP and General Manager Joel Oxley. “It’s particularly satisfying to see us awarded across the board – from commentary, to sports, to online journalism.”

WTOP’s Megan Cloherty received the award for Best Reporter, her second year in a row to win this accolade. WTOP was honored with more 2015 CAPBA awards than any other station in the metro region.

The complete list of Hubbard Radio DC’s 2015 CAPBA honors includes:

• Outstanding Spot News Reporting – “Gaithersburg Plane Crash”
• Outstanding Year-Round Local Sports Coverage
• Outstanding Editorial or Commentary – “Core Values” by Chris Core
• Outstanding Sports Feature – “The Home Run Hitting Hunter” by Jonathan Warner
• Outstanding Specialty Reporting – Paula Wolfson
• Outstanding Newscast – “November 11, 2014 6pm”
• Outstanding Talk Show – “Ask the Governor” with Debra Feinstein and Mark Lewis
• Outstanding Website – WTOP.com
• Best Reporter – Megan Cloherty
• Best Multimedia/Online Journalism – Federal News Radio, “Hidden Treasure” by Michael O’Connell

The awards were presented to WTOP and Federal News Radio employees on Saturday at the annual Chesapeake Associated Press Broadcasters Association Convention in Ocean City, Maryland. The Chesapeake Associated Press Broadcasters Association is comprised of television and radio professionals from across the region. In 2015 alone, WTOP and Federal News Radio have received over 25 major awards for excellence in journalism.  Including Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, National Headliner Awards and a NAB Crystal Award. About WTOP WTOP Radio has served the Washington region since 1926 and has been Washington’s all-news radio station since 1969. WTOP is the most widely listened-to radio station in the nation’s capital. WTOP can be heard on 103.5 FM in the metro, 103.9 FM in Frederick, 107.7 FM to the South and West and worldwide at wtop.com. WTOP and its sister station Federal News Radio are owned and operated by Hubbard Radio, LLC.   About Federal News Radio Federal News Radio.com and 1500 AM comprise the key source of breaking news, information and analysis for the individuals responsible for carrying out and supporting the missions of federal agencies. Federal News Radio can also be heard on the 107.7 HD2. Federal News Radio and its sister station WTOP are owned and operated by Hubbard Radio, LLC.

• Debra Vess, Treasury – Ms. Vess streamlined HR Connect’s onboard system to reduce paperwork, time, and improve accuracy to the process of bringing new employees into an agency. (2011)
• Kevin O’Brien, Social Security Administration – Mr. O’Brien led the SSA’s Office of the Inspector General’s telework initiative, which increased the number of teleworking employees from as few as five employees to 90 regular teleworkers. (2012)
• Francis McDonough, USDA – Mr. McDonough was recognized for improving the labor-management working relationship during a highly sensitive reorganization of the Food and Nutrition Service’s real estate footprint. (2013)
• Dr. Linda M. Jensen, NASA Ames Research Center – Jensen is credited with shifting the culture at NASA Ames Research Center and improving its workforce capabilities. (2014)

Nominations for the 2015 Causey Awards will be accepted through midnight on Friday, June 19 and can be submitted online at FederalNewsRadio.com. The nominee can be a federal government employee or federal contractor. The submissions will be judged by a panel of experts from the human capital management field as well as staffers from Federal News Radio. Winners will be announced exclusively on Federal News Radio.com and 1500 AM. About Federal News Radio Federal News Radio.com and 1500 AM comprise the key source of breaking news, information and analysis for the individuals responsible for carrying out and supporting the missions of federal agencies. Federal News Radio can also be heard on the 107.7 HD2. Federal News Radio and its sister station WTOP are owned and operated by Hubbard Radio, LLC.

• Less than three percent have near complete trust (rating their trust level at a 9 or 10)
• Less than one percent rate their colleagues trust in the government at a level 10
• More than 90 percent believe the government needs to rebuild trust with its employees

Federal News Radio also looked at the reasons employees feel trust needs to be rebuilt within the federal government. The answers included retaliation against whistleblowers, intimidation from management, pay freezes, buyouts, lack of support from management, political games and more. “Trust Redefined: Reconnecting Government and Its Employees” will be featured on air at Federal News Radio 1500 AM and online at FederalNewsRadio.com from May 20 through May 22. The series presents comprehensive coverage on trust in government and will feature whistleblowers, Q&A’s on various issues including the Hatch Act, a column on OPM’s Office of Federal Investigations and much more. About Federal News Radio Federal News Radio broadcasts on 1500 AM in the Washington, D.C. metro area. The station is the only radio station of its kind and is a primary outlet for federal managers and contractors seeking news and information about the business of the federal government. Its website, FederalNewsRadio.com, features local and national federal news, original content, blogs and audio archives of all its programming. Federal News Radio and its sister station WTOP are owned and operated by Hubbard Radio, LLC.

###