Federal Drive

Wednesday Federal Morning Newscast

Written by Tom Temin and Jane Norris Edited by Emily Jarvis This morning’s federal news as heard on WFED: Could the president shut down everyone’s e...

Federal News Network Staff

September 2, 2009 7:56 am

2 min read

Written by Tom Temin and Jane Norris
Edited by Emily Jarvis

This morning’s federal news as heard on WFED:

Could the president shut down everyone’s e-mail and web traffic? A draft amendment to a Senate bill would give the president broad authority to direct any national response to a cyber security emergency. As first written, the bill would let the president shut down Internet traffic only for government computers. The amendment broadens the powers of the president. Congressional Quarterly says, some observers think the White House could shut down all Internet traffic, including systems controlling the electrical grid.

Three federal departments have enlisted the help of none other than Elmo and Gordon of Sesame Street to spread the word about how to avoid swine flu. The departments of Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, and Education teamed up with the Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational group behind Sesame Street. A White House press release says, the result will be a national public service ad campaign bringing tips such as washing your hands and being careful where you sneeze. Catch a preview at flu.gov.

Even the government itself uses alternatives to the troubled U.S. Postal Service. The General Services Administration has awarded a 5-year contract for express and ground domestic delivery services to United Parcel Service. GSA says the contract should save taxpayers more than a billion dollars. Costs under the new contract are expected to be 6 percent lower than those of a previous delivery contract.

Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with post traumatic stress disorder can soon seek help at an online, virtual village. Vets can walk through the village, share stories with other vets, and lighten their burdens. NextGov reports, the village was created at a web site called Second Life by The Institute for Creative Technologies of California. The Village is dubbed, Chicoma Island. The designers describe the village as a non-threatening place of “camaraderie and healing.” And it will be open only to veterans.

The United States and Cuba will start negotiations this month on resuming direct mail service. Mail between the U.S. And Cuba stopped back in 1963, in case you are wondering what happened to that letter you might have mailed back then. The two sides agreed on the discussions in May, after President Obama eased travel and financial restrictions on Americans with family members in Cuba.

More news links

Wireless Group Wants Repeal of Cellphone-Tax Law — (WSJ)

Energy, Treasury announce first clean energy project awards — (GovExec)

Watchdog alleges abuses of Afghanistan security contract — (GE)

TSP funds recover more slowly in August — (GovExec)

Wealthy, well-educated more likely to engage in online civic activities — (NextGov)