Federal News Digest — August 10, 2010
Washington Post
Obama Speech Ties U.S. Need for More College Graduates to the Economic Recovery – Michael D. Shear reports that President Obama, during a speech at the University of Texas at Austin, tied the American economic recovery to goal of more college graduates; to achieve that goal, Obama pledged to make college more affordable
Plaintiff Who Challenged FBI’s National Security Letters Reveals Concerns – Ellen Nakashima reports the gag order on “John Doe,” the first person to file a court challenge to the FBI’s ability to obtain personal data on Americans without judicial approval, has been partially lifted; Nicholas Merrill, or “Doe,” is having a hard time adjusting to finally being able to speak about his case
FBI Will Conduct Autopsies on 6 American Aid Workers Slain in Afghanistan – David Nakamura reports the FBI is flying the bodies of six American aid workers who were ambushed and killed by the Taliban in Afghanistan back to America to perform autopsies on them as part of investigations into the incident
Pentagon to Cut Thousands of Jobs, Defense Secretary Says – Craig Whitlock reports that in an effort to streamline operations and reduce defense spending, the Pentagon will cut thousands of jobs, including a substantial chunk of its private contractors and a major military command based in Norfolk
2010 Census Was $1.6 Billion Under Budget – Ed O’Keefe reports the 2010 Census, which was allotted $14.7 billion, finished operations $1.6 billion under budget; the surplus will go back to the government
New York Times
Fed Will Meet With Concerns on Deflation Rising – Sewell Chan reports the Federal Reserve is trying to decide its focus — the prospect of inflation or the potential for the economy to slip into a deflationary spiral of declining demand, prices and wages
Pay Practices in Health Care Are Investigated – Robert Pear reports the Labor Department has hired 250 new investigators – a staff increase of one-third — to look into hospitals and nursing homes around the country that do not properly pay overtime to nurses and other employees who work more than 40 hours a week
Wall Street Journal
Incomes Fall in Metro Areas – Conor Dougherty reports that Commerce Department research showed personal incomes fell in most areas of the U.S., except in cities with strong concentration of federal government workers; private sector compensation fell
U.S., BP Near Deal on Fund – Monica Langley reports the government and BP are close to a deal to use future revenues from the oil company’s Gulf of Mexico operations to guarantee its $20 billion cleanup and compensation fund; while this deal would establish a much-needed fund, it could make the administration and BP partners of sorts in developing Gulf resources