Federal agencies

Bird flu has infected numerous cow herds in Utah, raising fears of a new pandemic in the United States. Critics say federal agencies are failing to respond: the CDC has been gutted of staff and capacity, the USDA is led by a politically appointed figure seen as a puppet, and mink farms plus spill-over to barnyard cats and mice are creating reservoirs for the virus to adapt to mammals.

The FBI is dealing with the aftermath of a large-scale data breach, according to CNN reporting. Details remain limited, but the incident is raising fresh questions about the security of sensitive federal systems and what information may have been exposed. The breach adds to ongoing concerns about cyberattacks targeting US government agencies.

An interview with Sylvia Chou, an 18-year NIH veteran and former program director at the National Cancer Institute, describes a workplace culture of fear at the National Institutes of Health, prompting staff to start documenting internal events — 'keeping receipts' — to protect themselves and preserve a record. The account is drawing attention as federal health agencies face scrutiny over leadership, morale and scientific independence.

OpenAI-operated bots are reported to have meddled with multiple United States government agency websites. The report has sparked discussion about the security of federal digital infrastructure and how automated agents from major AI companies access and interact with public sector sites. Commenters are questioning what safeguards exist to stop automated systems from disrupting or exploiting government web services.

The US Office of Personnel Management says it has identified roughly $500 million in fraud and waste within federal health benefits programs, which cover millions of government employees and retirees. The announcement is drawing attention as agencies face pressure to tighten oversight of federal benefit spending and recover improper payments.

A union representing US Environmental Protection Agency employees has filed a lawsuit against the agency over the sudden termination of its contract. The suit challenges the abrupt cancellation as unlawful, and the case is likely to spotlight ongoing tensions between EPA management and its workforce over labor rights and workplace conditions.

A data breach at the US Defense Department has affected nearly 3 million people, exposing sensitive personal information. The disclosure is drawing concern over how the data was compromised and what support those affected will receive, adding to scrutiny of cybersecurity practices across federal agencies.

The Pentagon's personnel database has been breached in a cyberattack affecting roughly 3 million people. The incident exposes the personal data of a large share of US defence personnel and raises fresh questions about the security of government-held records. It is likely to prompt investigations and renewed scrutiny of how federal agencies protect sensitive workforce information.

A federal audit has found gaps in how contracts for nuclear security are overseen, raising questions about whether safeguards and contractor monitoring are adequate. The findings come from legislative auditors and point to weaknesses in oversight of security arrangements at federally regulated nuclear facilities. Details of specific shortcomings and agency responses have not yet been widely reported.

An inspector general report found that dozens of federal immigration employees remained in sensitive positions despite unresolved security concerns. The findings raise questions about vetting and internal oversight at the agency responsible for enforcing US immigration law. The report is likely to fuel scrutiny of how security clearance issues are handled across federal immigration agencies.

US Customs and Border Protection's Office of Public Affairs has awarded a $20 million order to communications firm LMD Agency for a national media campaign beginning September 20, according to federal spending records. Commentators note the first ad in the campaign, described as pro-Trump, aired just days later on September 23, raising questions about the use of taxpayer funds for political messaging by a border agency.

The Department of Homeland Security is directing $20 million in taxpayer money toward advertising that promotes President Trump, according to reporting by PBS. The spending is drawing criticism from those who question the use of public funds for politically oriented messaging, and it has become a talking point in debates over the administration's use of government resources.