National & World Headlines

• McCain pushes greater role for military service chiefs to fix acquisition

  Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the new chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said his committee has more work to do before it draws up a broad acquisition reform package. But one element will be a more full-throated role for the uniformed military.

  Budget

  January 29, 2015
• DoD’s proposals aim to simplify ‘mindboggling’ acquisition rules

  Frank Kendall, the undersecretary of Defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, told the House Armed Services Committee that a bunch of incremental changes could help DoD find success with its acquisitions more often. The seven legislative proposals address redundant documents and processes that the military needs help from Congress to get rid of and give program managers more time.

  Congress

  January 29, 2015
• Nobel laureate Charles Townes, laser co-creator, dies at 99

  By LISA LEFF Associated Press BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Charles H. Townes, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist who helped create the laser that would revolutionize everything from medicine to manufacturing, has died. He was 99. Townes…

  Technology

  January 29, 2015
• Sheriffs expand concerns about Waze mobile traffic app

  By EILEEN SULLIVAN Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Sheriffs said Wednesday that Google’s popular Waze traffic app is making it harder to nab speeders, adding to earlier police complaints that a feature in the software…

  Technology

  January 29, 2015
• Attorney General nominee defends Obama immigration changes

  Confronting skeptical Republicans, attorney general nominee Loretta Lynch pledged a new start with Congress and independence from President Barack Obama Wednesday, even as she defended the president's unilateral protections for millions of immigrants in the country illegally.

  Congress

  January 29, 2015
• Alibaba spinoff likely to increase scrutiny on Yahoo CEO

  By MICHAEL LIEDTKE AP Technology Writer SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer is losing a precious security blanket now that she is spinning off the Internet company’s prized stake in China’s Alibaba Group.…

  Technology

  January 28, 2015
• Air Force suspends, begins debarment process of FedBid

  The Air Force's decision comes after the Veterans Affairs IG found alleged procurement fraud, intimidation and threats against a federal official. FedBid says it's cooperating with the Air Force and believes it took the necessary steps to fix the problems.

  Defense

  January 28, 2015
• CommScope buying some of TE Connectivity ops for about $3B

  HICKORY, N.C. (AP) — CommScope is buying TE Connectivity’s telecom, enterprise and wireless businesses for about $3 billion, which will help diversify its operations and broaden its geographic reach. The businesses, made up of 65…

  Technology

  January 28, 2015
• Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), Chairman, House Veterans Affairs Committee

  Bonuses went to some employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs who later got caught up in the wait time scandal, and other incidents at the agency. The congressman who sponsored the bill that makes it easier to fire SESers at VA wants to go after those bonuses now. Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) is chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. On In Depth with Francis Rose, he said seeing results from the VA Management Accountability Act of 2014 (the firing bill that President Barack Obama signed late last year) won't happen overnight.

  All News

  January 28, 2015
• Ray Chandler, Sergeant Major of the Army

  Friday is the last day of service for Sergeant Major of the Army Ray Chandler. He will retire as the top enlisted man in the Army after nearly 34 years of service. He's the 14th Sergeant Major, and his main job is advisor to Army Chief of Staff General Ray Odierno. On In Depth with Francis Rose, he shared what thoughts are top-of-mind for him as he prepares to wind down his service.

  All News

  January 28, 2015
• Huge YouTube bulk makes it tough to catch all terror videos

  By LORNE COOK Associated Press BRUSSELS (AP) — Internet giant Google said Wednesday that the sheer volume of video on its YouTube website makes it tough to catch all terror related content, complicating the struggle…

  Technology

  January 28, 2015
• Robot door greeters first step toward robot Marines?

  The Navy is funding robotic door greeters to learn more about potential futuristic training options for the Marine Corps.

  Defense

  January 28, 2015
• Fighting for whistleblower rights, OSC gains higher profile

  Blowing the whistle on wrongdoing at the Department of Veterans Affairs can mean risking everything from losing a job to losing the respect of co-workers. But in fighting whistleblower retaliation today, the Office of Special Counsel hopes future whistleblowers will come forward without fear of punishment.

  Defense

  January 28, 2015
• Ex-Los Alamos scientist to be sentenced in nuke spy sting

  By RUSSELL CONTRERAS Associated Press ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A former Los Alamos National Laboratory scientist who pleaded guilty to trying to help Venezuela develop a nuclear weapon is set to be sentenced. Pedro Leonardo…

  Technology

  January 28, 2015