NASA adds Relativity Space’s Terran R to launch-services roster
NASA added Relativity Space’s Terran R to its NLS II contract pool, making the rocket eligible to compete for future federal missions but not awarding a launch.
Federal Agencies
-
-
Congress returns with a December funding deadline after averting a shutdown
Congress returned to Washington with federal agencies funded through December 11, but lawmakers still must finish FY2027 spending bills or pass another stopgap.
-
NASA Opens Competition to Host Proposed Space Academy
NASA is seeking one proposal from each state by October 26 to host a proposed U.S. Space Academy, but its location, funding and structure remain unsettled.
-
Federal Task Force Targets CDL Schools, Testers and State Oversight
A federal task force is targeting CDL schools, skills testers and state oversight systems over alleged training, testing and licensing failures.
-
NLRB Adds Five Judges as Labor Case Backlog Persists
The NLRB appointed five administrative law judges, restoring its corps to 30 as workers, unions and employers await decisions in a strained system.
-
Ed Martin to leave DOJ post for election legal battles
Trump says Ed Martin will leave his Justice Department clemency post for outside legal work tied to the 2026 midterms and 2028 presidential election.
-
Five Agencies Warn of AI-Assisted Probing of Siemens PLCs
A federal advisory says attackers are probing exposed Siemens industrial controllers with AI-assisted tools and urges U.S. operators to isolate and monitor them.
-
OCC Proposes Separating ‘Substantive’ and ‘Technical’ Bank Violations
The OCC proposal would reserve formal MRAs for more consequential violations while allowing examiners to direct correction of lesser problems.
-
Senate funding bill would push shutdown deadline to Dec. 11
The Senate passed a temporary funding bill for Dec. 11, but the House must still act before Sept. 30 because the measure is not yet law.
-
New NLRB Majority Can Revisit Major Biden-Era Union Rulings
James Macy’s arrival gives Republicans three of four sitting NLRB members as the agency’s general counsel identifies labor precedents she may challenge.
-
CFPB Inspector General Finds Temporary Disruptions to Agency Operations
A new inspector general review found temporary disruptions to CFPB enforcement, supervision and complaint systems, but did not quantify consumer harm.
-
Trump’s FDA nominee faces Senate scrutiny as agency remains under acting leadership
Trump’s FDA nominee Heidi Overton still needs Senate confirmation while Kyle Diamantas remains acting commissioner and the FDA lists key vacancies and acting posts.
-
ATF Probes Cyber Incident in Standalone System, Says Core Services Unaffected
ATF is investigating a cyber incident in an isolated system reportedly holding information on investigation targets. The agency says core services remain operational.
-
FEMA Leadership Change Raises Capacity Questions Before Peak Hurricane Months
The Senate confirmed Cameron Hamilton on August 7, giving FEMA a permanent administrator as hurricane activity typically peaks from August through October.
-
Federal FOIA Requests Hit Record 1.7 Million as Backlog Rises 27%
Federal agencies processed a record number of FOIA requests in fiscal 2025, but unresolved requests and appeals grew faster, according to new figures.
-
Justice Department Updates Federal Religious-Liberty Guidance
The Justice Department’s updated guidance directs federal agencies to consider religious-liberty protections in rules, enforcement, employment, contracts and grants.
-
DOJ Issues Updated Guidance Directing Federal Agencies to Strengthen Religious-Liberty Protections
The Justice Department’s updated guidance directs federal agencies to account for constitutional religious-liberty protections in programs, employment, contracting, rulemaking and enforcement.
-
Justice Department Updates Guidance to Strengthen Religious-Liberty Protections
The Justice Department’s July 23 guidance says federal agencies should recognize religious conduct in daily life and reasonably accommodate it when practicable and legally permitted.
-
Supreme Court expands president’s authority to remove most agency heads
The Supreme Court ruled June 29 that presidents generally may fire federal agency heads at will, limiting statutory protections that required cause for removal while preserving a distinct exception for the Federal Reserve.
-
GAO Releases Report on Recent Federal Workforce Changes at OPM
The Government Accountability Office released a report examining recent workforce changes at the Office of Personnel Management, alongside five other reports issued July 16–20, 2026.
-
Justice Department Updates Religious-Liberty Guidance for Federal Agencies
The revised guidance, issued July 23, directs agencies to review religious-liberty concerns in programs, employment, contracting, rulemaking and enforcement.
-
Senate leaders unveil stopgap funding deal aimed at keeping federal agencies open past midterm elections
Senate leaders unveiled a short-term spending bill on August 2 that would keep federal agencies funded past the November midterm elections and into early December, but the proposal is not yet law.