Federal employees across government returned to their offices on Thursday—for the first time in 43 days, for about 650,000 of them—with digital piles of unanswered emails, abandoned contracts and, in some cases, a physical loss of access to buildings and devices. buff.ly/NbPkWpH

Most feds are set to receive #backpay for the 43‑day #shutdown, with payments starting as early as this weekend and continuing through Nov. 19. Sr. Correspondent Erich Wagner breaks down who gets what and when: buff.ly/8KzkZHy

The Congressional Budget Office and an industry group for federal contractors both predict the government won’t return to pre-shutdown operational levels until 2026. A partial funding lapse could start at the end of January without congressional action.

BREAKING: As many as 650,000 furloughed employees expected back soon, with paychecks restored and #shutdown layoffs reversed after the 43-day government shutdown ends. Sr. Correspondent Eric Katz explains what comes next: buff.ly/i0Wrqj3

After the Office of Personnel Management cancelled this year’s iteration of the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, the Partnership for Public Service stepped in to fill the void with its own survey of federal workers. buff.ly/J4aoxfQ

The acting inspector general at the Education Department is being replaced for the second time this year, and the watchdog’s new leader is an IG official who seems to have shared social media posts supporting Donald Trump. buff.ly/STpSXjr

OPM faces historic #retirement delays as deferred resignees begin offboarding. Sr. Correspondent Erich Wagner explains it all here:

Sr. Correspondent Eric Katz breaks down what federal agencies need to know in the funding agreement that could end the #shutdown: buff.ly/hYOLsi7

Judge: Education Dept. violated furloughed workers’ First Amendment rights by blaming Democrats for the shutdown in furloughed employees’ out-of-office messages. Sean Michael Newhouse breaks down the ruling here:

Our 2026 FEHB Open Season checklist breaks down what to review and how to save on healthcare next year. You can find it here: buff.ly/4OmVS8C #openseason

Federal workers could see backpay and layoffs paused as Senate #shutdown deal moves forward. Sr. Correspondent Eric Katz has the details: buff.ly/smGq5ik

Trump’s administration continues reshaping federal oversight with the removal of another acting inspector general. Sean Michael Newhouse covers it here: buff.ly/pNbCxe5

Investors lost billions after Fiserv revised earnings projections, and now senators are asking whether SSA chief Bisignano's role at the company influenced federal contracts. Erich Wagner reports on probe here:

Federal unions are suing over a new job application loyalty question they say screens out candidates based on politics, raising fresh alarms about partisanship in federal hiring. Sr. Correspondent Erich Wagner has details: buff.ly/fsW47Xi

Lawmakers are looking at ways to shield federal employees from layoffs as negotiations continue to reopen government. Sr. Correspondent Eric Katz explains what's happening here: buff.ly/VYJ6Yr3

The latest federal employee union lawsuit filed challenging President Trump’s executive orders aimed at stripping collective bargaining rights focuses on the actions of VA Secretary Doug Collins in implementing—and selectively enforcing—the edicts. buff.ly/wJeiZpQ

The Federal Aviation Administration is reducing flights in 40 “high-traffic” markets by 10% due to staffing shortfalls resulting from the government shutdown, officials announced on Wednesday, as employees are increasingly calling out instead of working without pay. buff.ly/NtrhIdo

Former officials, including some pushed out by President Donald Trump, shared stories from their federal service at a National Academy of Public Administration event. buff.ly/3EKp6DE

"It's important to say we're still talking and hopefully progress will be made.” -- Sen. Gary Peters says about incremental progress in #shutdown talks. Sr. Correspondent Eric Katz breaks it down here: buff.ly/DvIlYvI

With many FEHB plans seeing double-digit increases and changes in out-of-pocket costs, federal workers need to take a closer look at what’s changing in 2026. We have some details here:

Accused of politicizing student loan forgiveness, Trump administration faces a new lawsuit. Sean Michael Newhouse reports on it here:

Government #shutdown strains airports as TSA, air traffic controllers call out. Read more from Sr. Correspondent Eric Katz: buff.ly/szo0tsT

Every federal retirement fund finished in the black again this month, though gains slowed from September. Details:

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, cited costume store Spirit Halloween’s business model of temporarily taking over vacant retail space around the holiday as an ideal for slashing the number of federal buildings that agencies own. buff.ly/1i2OIzA

Federal employees are receiving renewed furlough notices, and this time, there’s no guarantee of back pay in them. Sr. Correspondent Eric Katz explains it all here: buff.ly/Ildewii #FederalEmployees #Furlough #BackPay #shutdown

EXCLUSIVE: The USDA moved $13 billion from an account designed to support farmers into another designed to provide emergency relief from President Trump’s tariffs, but the funding is now largely sitting in limbo without any immediate function. buff.ly/df2gm1b

Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano came under renewed criticism this week for his work in the private sector, as the stock price of his former company Fiserv tanked upon the rescission of long-term growth projections that executives say were too optimistic. buff.ly/bzZwM9L

Two of this year's winners of the Arthur S. Flemming award emphasized the importance of agency internship opportunities as well as their own public service work in a time of workforce cuts.

Turning 65 soon? Here’s what federal employees and retirees need to know about Medicare enrollment, including timing, penalties, costs, and how it fits with FEHB and PSHB. #Medicare

A Senate panel advanced a $1.4B plan to move the FBI headquarters into the Ronald Reagan Building, despite Democratic objections over security and cost concerns. Sean Michael Newhouse has details here:

Unlike most of the shutdown's economic impacts, the lost productivity from feds not working cannot be reversed. buff.ly/sjJFOS4

While the nation’s largest federal employee union called for Congress to enact House Republicans’ short-term funding deal, another association for federal workers and retirees warned it isn’t as “clean” as proponents say. buff.ly/ehs6gPU

While President Donald Trump is pursuing a deregulatory agenda, the shutdown is likely hampering progress. buff.ly/oWjgb6L

A federal judge on Tuesday indefinitely blocked the Trump administration from carrying out layoffs during the government shutdown, saying the president’s actions were likely unlawful and taken for the purposes of political retribution. buff.ly/kZmOMtr

Senate Democrats are suggesting they will maintain their current posture of withholding votes for any measure to reopen the government that does not also address rising health care premiums, despite the largest federal employee union endorsing a more immediate end to the shutdown. buff.ly/5lvMYuk

Democrats on the House Education and Workforce Committee expressed opposition Monday not just to layoffs that have occurred since the start of the government shutdown but also the Trump administration’s apparent lack of transparency about which federal employees are being laid off.

AFGE National President Everett Kelley said Monday any deal to reopen government should include a “clean” CR “that allows continued debate,” coupled with language ensuring backpay for all federal workers, furloughed and excepted alike. buff.ly/sYClWmv

COMMENTARY | Forty-five years ago, the government shutdown was born. buff.ly/W9wdiXf

For civilian federal employees stationed overseas, the government shutdown—poised to enter its fourth week after a weekend of inactivity in Congress—is bringing a range of unique challenges. buff.ly/SGDDJKP

Retired federal workers will see their defined benefit pension payments increase slightly next year, though by how much depends largely on when they were hired. buff.ly/V13TVL4

Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., called on the Energy Secretary to end shutdown-related furloughs for roughly 1,400 personnel in the National Nuclear Security Administration that began this week. buff.ly/AQQF7n8

Johnson also suggested he and his staff would meet with Van Hollen and Peters in hopes of finding a mutually acceptable legislative solution after their respective bills to pay some federal employees each failed in the Senate Thursday. buff.ly/wlCCWwy

Senate Democrats questioned three inspectors general nominees' ability to act independently of the White House Thursday in the wake of President Trump's continued removals of agency watchdogs. buff.ly/gh0KC4d

A coalition of more than 50 House Democrats on Wednesday urged utility companies not to issue late fees or terminate services to federal employees and contractors impacted by the ongoing federal government shutdown. buff.ly/cZmPJuI

“It’s time for my friends across the aisle to vote to open the government. Quit holding my veterans hostage.” -- @SecVetAffairs Doug Collins on the ongoing #shutdown. Full story from Senior Correspondent Eric Katz here: buff.ly/dX5i7FO

Is the Social Security Administration denying excepted workers' time off and telework requests during the ongoing #shutdown? Union officials say yes. Details here:

Another inspector general has been fired, raising questions about the future of agency oversight. Sean Michael Newhouse reports on what this means for inspectors general and accountability in government. buff.ly/VCCIoUO

The Trump administration’s proposed layoffs would have wide-ranging impacts felt by Americans across the country, congressional Democrats said this week, with consequences ranging from higher energy bills to compromised preparation for the next pandemic. buff.ly/osec3dP

FEHB 2026 updates are here. We’ve got the details on what’s changing and how it could affect your coverage: buff.ly/2uYarEn #openseason #fehb

The shutdown’s toll isn’t equal. Where you live and your politics may make all the difference in how you perceive its effects. Sean Michael Newhouse dug into the surveys here: buff.ly/boVDc4X #shutdown