Podcasts about federal agencies

This weekend's UFC Fight at the White House is coming at a significant cost. Correspondent Gethin Coolbaugh reports.

Podcast: Industrial Cybersecurity InsiderEpisode: Five Federal Agencies. One Zero-Trust OT Briefing. Most Haven't Read it.Pub date: 2026-06-03Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationThe joint CISA, FBI, Department of War, Department of Energy, and Department of State briefing on adapting Zero Trust to operational technology landed on April 29. Has OT leadership read it?In this episode, Craig and Dino address how the European Cyber Resilience Act is quietly forcing US plants into failed audits, why IT teams still see less than a third of OT assets, how EDR tools are taking down $100K-an-hour packaging lines, and why only a handful of integrators in North America have a real OT cybersecurity practice. They walk through what zero trust and micro-segmentation actually look like inside a 20-year-old plant with flat layer-two networks, DLR rings, jump boxes, and Cradlepoint workarounds, and lay out the first concrete move every CISO and CIO should make to start closing the IT/OT gap.Chapters:(00:00:00) - Cold Open: How the European CRA Is Failing US Plants(00:01:30) - The April 29 CISA/FBI Zero Trust in OT Briefing Nobody Read(00:05:00) - Compliance Without Teeth: Why US Regulations Aren't Moving the Needle(00:07:30) - When CrowdStrike Shuts Down a $100K-an-Hour Packaging Line(00:10:30) - The Visibility Gap: IT Sees Less Than a Third of OT Assets(00:15:30) - OEM Resistance: The Million-Dollar, Six-Month Cybersecurity Tax(00:18:30) - The Cradlepoint Workaround: How Plant Managers Bypass IT(00:21:30) - Layering Zero Trust onto a 20-Year-Old Plant Without Rip-and-Replace(00:25:30) - Why Only 5–10 of 1,000 Integrators Have a Real OT Cyber Practice(00:31:30) - Where CISOs Should Actually Be Looking (Hint: Not RSA or Black Hat)Links And Resources:Want to Sponsor an episode or be a Guest? Reach out here.Industrial Cybersecurity Insider on LinkedInCybersecurity & Digital Safety on LinkedInBW Design Group CybersecurityDino Busalachi on LinkedInCraig Duckworth on LinkedInThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Industrial Cybersecurity Insider? Have some feedback you'd like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube to leave us a review!The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Industrial Cybersecurity Insider, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.

Federal agencies have expanded their use of artificial intelligence beyond early experimentation, but maturity varies widely from one organization to another. Some have moved toward operational use, while others are still working through basic implementation. That uneven progress is shaping how much of that activity actually turns into results. Here to break down her recent findings and take a look at the future is Valerie Wirtschafter of the Brookings Institution.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(9) Steven Mazie discusses Supreme Court challenges to birthright citizenship and the President's power over the Federal Reserve. Rulings could drastically redefine executive authority and independent federal agencies.1876 SCOTUS

EPISODE DESCRIPTION Today's episode dives into explosive allegations surrounding the FBI, the attempted Trump assassination investigation, and growing accusations of political bias inside federal law enforcement. New scrutiny surrounds the firing of an FBI agent connected to the congressional baseball shooting investigation and renewed questions over what the bureau knew — and allegedly hid — about the Butler shooter's political background. Plus, outrage erupts over reports of a possible new Iran agreement that critics say gives Tehran major concessions despite continued attacks on U.S. interests. Is the administration rewarding aggression? And what happens if Iran refuses to stop uranium enrichment? From deep state accusations to escalating Middle East tensions, this episode breaks down the biggest political and geopolitical controversies dominating headlines. Trump, FBI, Iran, Deep State, Butler Shooting, Congressional Baseball Shooting, Steve Scalise, Politics, News Analysis, Iran Nuclear Deal, Middle East Conflict, Federal Agencies, Kash Patel, Dan Bongino, Current Events, Conservative Podcast, AmperWave

Your capability statement is the first document a federal contracting officer sees, and if it does not immediately communicate who you are, what you do, and why you are trustworthy, you lose the opportunity before the conversation even starts. In this episode, govcon consultant Randie Ward walks through every section of a capability statement from company summary to contact information and shows you exactly what agencies are evaluating when they pick it up. Whether you are brand new to government contracting or refining your federal marketing materials, this episode delivers a practical build-it-now framework: How to write a two to three sentence company summary that works even if you are a startup with no federal experience, by leveraging your personal background instead Why you must spell out your NAICS code descriptions in plain language, and how one contracting officer's honest feedback changed the way Randie structures every client's cap statement How to identify your core competency "sweet spot" rather than listing everything you can do, and why specificity wins more trust than breadth The differentiator strategy that helps small businesses stand out, including a real example of a DOJ database project that went all the way to the White House Why your project list should lead with your largest and most complex work, and how to use project size to signal capacity without saying a word EPISODE CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction to the Federal Help Center podcast 0:23 - Why your company summary must be clear and concise 1:22 - Using AI to brainstorm your capability statement summary 2:22 - How to find NAICS codes using SBA.gov size standards 3:20 - Why you should spell out NAICS code descriptions for agencies 4:12 - Identifying your core competencies and sweet spot 6:07 - What makes a strong differentiator in govcon 7:28 - Real client example with a DOJ project differentiator 8:36 - How to choose and present your past performance projects 10:36 - Making your contact information and UEI easy to find 11:18 - Outro and community call to action Market Intelligence gives you the federal opportunities, agency signals, recompete intel, and pursuit briefs that tell you not just what contracts exist, but which ones to chase and how to win them. Sign up for free Daily Alerts and get opportunities delivered to your inbox before the day starts.

Federal agencies doubled their number of AI use cases over the past year. That's according to the latest inventory maintained by the Office of Management and Budget. There are now more than 3,600 use cases documented across the government. Gregory Barbaccia is the federal chief information officer and chief AI officer. In a conversation with Jason Miller, Barbaccia gave us an update on Federal News Network's 2026 A-I and Data Exchange.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on Uncommon Sense, we're talking about “law enforcement” and why so many people no longer feel like laws are actually being enforced equally or consistently, especially when it comes to powerful and well-connected individuals connected to the Epstein scandal.We discuss the growing public frustration surrounding the unreleased and heavily redacted Epstein files, the lack of visible accountability for elite predators, and why so many Americans feel the justice system has failed women, children, and vulnerable people. We also talk about why local police departments, sheriffs, prosecutors, and public officials should be demanding full transparency and supporting the release of the complete unredacted Epstein files so the public can see the truth plainly.This episode also goes into the broader leadership crisis facing America and much of the world: weak leadership, fear of confrontation, and silence in the face of corruption. We discuss the need for stronger moral leadership, stronger families, stronger communities, and men willing to stand up publicly against evil instead of shrinking back from difficult conversations.If laws are not enforced equally, trust in institutions collapses. If justice is selective, people stop believing justice exists at all.It's time for courage, accountability, truth, and leadership again.--https://www.youversion.com/bible-app

Podcast: Industrial Cybersecurity InsiderEpisode: Federal Agencies Can Enter Private Networks to Hunt Malware. Is Your Plant Prepared?Pub date: 2026-05-06Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationDino and Jim break down a major shift in the cyber threat landscape: federal agencies obtaining legal authority to enter private networks to hunt down state-sponsored malware, and what that signals for industrial organizations. They discuss why critical infrastructure and supply chains are prime targets, how “soft targets” in OT and building automation get exploited, and why many companies still lack visibility into what's happening on the plant floor. The conversation zooms in on real-world exposure points, especially unmanaged vendor remote access and end-of-life equipment, and closes with practical themes for leadership.Stop assuming “IT has it covered” Define measurable OT security outcomesStart taking steps that make disruption harder and detection faster.Chapters:(00:00:00) Why identity, trust, and vendor access are breaking down in modern plants(00:01:00) The episode's trigger: government-led operations to remove malware from private networks(00:03:00) “Machete scanning” and why IT-style tactics can disrupt OT operations(00:05:00) The real target set: critical infrastructure, supply chains, and smaller utilities with limited resources(00:08:00) Collateral damage and how cyber “weapons” trickle down to criminal ransomware(00:13:00) Why OT is still a soft target: visibility gaps, unpatched systems, and weak segmentation(00:14:00) Remote access everywhere: OEM/SI pathways, unknown identities, and lack of governance(00:20:00) The logging gap: what IT sees vs. what OT can't see (and why that matters for incident response)(00:24:00) Building automation and facilities systems as weak links attackers love(00:26:00) Executive accountability: what boards should be measuring after breaches (and why progress stalls)Links And Resources:Want to Sponsor an episode or be a Guest? Reach out here.Industrial Cybersecurity Insider on LinkedInCybersecurity & Digital Safety on LinkedInBW Design Group CybersecurityDino Busalachi on LinkedInCraig Duckworth on LinkedInThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Industrial Cybersecurity Insider? Have some feedback you'd like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube to leave us a review!The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Industrial Cybersecurity Insider, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.

This week, the S&P 500 hit an all-time high, despite a deepening global energy crisis. On this week's On the Media, the mismatch between the stock market and reality. Plus, to understand how FEMA became so distrusted, we look at its response to Hurricane Katrina – and how it stained the agency's reputation forever.  [01:00]  Host Brooke Gladstone sits down with Bryan Walsh, senior editorial director at Vox overseeing the Future Perfect and climate teams, about the phenomenon of “economic blindness,” which explains why the stock market hit an all-time high this week despite the oil crisis unspooling across the globe due to Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Plus, how human evolution may play a role in this cognitive dissonance. [13:38]  Host Micah Loewinger presents the second part of our investigation American Emergency: The Movement to Kill FEMA. This week, we look at the event that shaped FEMA's reputation perhaps more than any other: Hurricane Katrina, one of the costliest disasters in U.S. history. Experts had warned about this kind of storm for years, but when it hit the agency only had one staffer on the ground–a PR guy named Marty Bahamonde. We also hear from Superdome survivor Chavon Allen, who was celebrating her 19th birthday when the hurricane made landfall.  Further reading / watching: “We're missing the economic fallout of the Iran war — just like we did with Covid,” by Bryan Walsh Disaster: Hurricane Katrina and the Failure of Homeland Security, by Christopher Cooper and Robert Block Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time on Hulu On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today (https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm). Follow our show on Instagram, Bluesky, TikTok and Facebook @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing onthemedia@wnyc.org.

AP correspondent Marissa Duhaney reports President Trump wants to paint a famous Washington building, alarming those who say the plan could cause damage.

The core structural shift highlighted is the movement of security for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) from best-effort practices to a regulated, continuously verified service operation. This change is being driven by the compression of vulnerability exploit timelines as a result of attackers leveraging both automation and AI, and by regulators imposing hard patching and compliance deadlines. Companies such as ConnectWise and Microsoft are central, with federal agencies (CISA) now converting exploited vulnerabilities into time-bound remediation mandates. A significant development underscoring this shift is the addition of two known exploited vulnerabilities—CVE-2024-1708 in ConnectWise ScreenConnect and CVE-2026-32202 in Microsoft Windows Shell—to CISA's remediation requirements. Agencies must address these by May 12, 2026, marking a move from tracking to deadline-driven action. Reports from Huntress and TechCrunch confirm that real-world attackers rapidly exploit public vulnerability information, and Microsoft's own documentation illustrates attackers increasingly using Microsoft Teams for social engineering, remote assistance, and privilege escalation. Supporting developments include major vendors like Microsoft integrating models from Anthropic into their security development lifecycle to accelerate vulnerability discovery and remediation. However, studies noted by The Hacker News and The Verge indicate that AI-driven discovery is outpacing operational capacity, creating a growing discovery-to-remediation gap. At the organizational level, information from the Reveal 2026 IT Talent Survey indicates that 8 in 10 technology leaders face significant shortages in AI and cybersecurity skills, compounding the operational burden of continuous security verification. For MSPs and IT leaders, these factors combine to increase operational complexity, require more explicit contract scoping and evidence obligations, and shift oversight from periodic compliance towards continuous, demonstrable verification. Contractual ambiguity—especially when services are described as “best effort”—exposes providers to unmeasured labor and unassigned accountability. Practical steps now include reclassifying business collaboration platforms as active attack surfaces, formally auditing and documenting previously “invisible” tasks, and aligning internal operations with external, regulator-mandated verification standards. 00:00 AI Patches Gaps 05:10 Discovery Isn't Enough 07:11 Reprice or Absorb 10:24 Why Do We Care?  Supported by:   Moovila  Zero Networks   Upcoming event:  The Pivotal Point of IT: Building Services for the AI-First Era Date: May 13 at 1p.m. EDT Register: https://go.acronis.com/davesobelaiera  

As natural disasters grow more frequent and intense, new EPA Inspector General findings suggest some federal facility Superfund cleanups may fail when conditions overwhelm existing remedies; pushing environmental and health risks into surrounding communities. We'll discuss what that means for EPA staff, partner agencies and prevention planning before disasters strike, with Erin Barnes‑Weaver, deputy assistant inspector general for evaluation at the EPA Office of Inspector General.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A federal agency approves a concept for President Trump's Triumphal Arch. AP correspondent Mike Hempen has the latest.

Procurement readiness is the foundation every small business needs before stepping in front of a federal agency — and most contractors skip it entirely. In this episode of the Federal Help Center Podcast, Eric Coffey walks you through exactly what it means to show up prepared, why agencies respond differently when you do, and the specific tools and profiles that signal you're a serious contender before the conversation even starts. Here's what you'll learn in this episode: Why research wins the room: Eric shares a real-time case study where deep agency research — not charm — unlocked direct access to an internal contact and a capabilities briefing within days. How to get agencies to respond when their systems are broken: When outdated forecast lists and dead links block your path, Eric shows you the exact email approach that bypasses the noise and reaches the right person. What the SBA Small Business Search replaced and why it matters: Learn how this new platform replaced DSBS and why your profile there is now a living first impression for contracting officers across every agency. How to complete your capabilities narrative the right way: Eric breaks down what agencies are actually scanning for — keywords, past performance, and service narratives — and what an incomplete profile quietly says about you. Why certifications like 8(a), SDVOSB, and WOSB now auto-link to your profile: Understand how the SBA's backend integration works and what to do if your designation isn't showing up correctly. EPISODE CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Welcome to the Federal Help Center podcast 0:27 - What procurement readiness means for small businesses 1:24 - How research landed Eric a capabilities briefing fast 3:19 - What happened when Eric showed up prepared to the agency 4:44 - Building agency rapport before your first real meeting 5:12 - SAM.gov registration updates every contractor should know 5:41 - How SBA small business search replaces your DSBS profile 7:06 - Completing your capabilities narrative with the right keywords   If you want to learn more about the community and to join the webinars go to: https://federalhelpcenter.com/ Website: https://govcongiants.org/ Connect with Encore Funding: http://govcongiants.org/funding  

From cross‑agency data sharing to AI‑driven analysis, federal programs now rely on personal information in ways the Privacy Act never fully anticipated. As new APDU resources roll out this week, they aim to clarify how data actually moves, where risks emerge, and what reasonable expectations should look like today. Bethanne Barnes from the Association of Public Data Users joins me to walk through those challenges.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, early‑career scientists will step up to a microphone and have three minutes to explain their research to policymakers, without jargon and with only one slide. The National Lab Research SLAM is designed to move ideas out of the lab and into federal decision‑making faster. Here to tell us what to watch as it gets underway is Antonya Sanders from Los Alamos National Laboratory.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The deadline for federal agencies to implement risk management practices for high-impact AI use cases — or terminate them — has come and gone, but a handful of departments are still working to complete their requirements. FedScoop reached out to 28 federal agencies to inquire about the steps they have taken to ensure compliance within the April 3 timeframe. Some agencies fulfilled the requirements, like the Labor Department, NASA, the VA, State, GSA, and the EPA, while others reclassified use cases or still have a couple boxes to check. A few appear to have missed the deadline entirely. As outlined by an Office of Management and Budget memorandum, uses considered high-impact are required to comply with minimum risk management practices, which include pre-deployment testing, impact assessments, adverse impact monitoring, adequate human training and assessments, appropriate fail-safes that minimize harm, consistent appeal processes, and options for end users to submit feedback. The Department of Justice is asking Congress for a major boost in fiscal 2027 to the fund it uses to support IT modernization and enterprise cybersecurity, with the entire increase going directly to the agency's zero-trust cybersecurity architecture. DOJ has requested $149 million for its Justice Information Sharing Technology fund as part of the Trump administration's fiscal 2027 budget request. Congress appropriated $38.5 million for the program in the past two fiscal years. The primary difference between this request and the funding enacted in the most recent years prior is the $110.3 million that DOJ says it needs to support its migration to a zero-trust architecture for its unclassified and national security systems. To put that into perspective, Justice requested a more meager $11.8 million increase to the JIST fund's topline in fiscal 2026 for “cybersecurity posture enhancement,” which it did not get. In its congressional budget justification for 2027, Justice explains that despite an industrywide shift to zero trust as the cybersecurity model of choice in response to the SolarWinds attack on federal agencies in 2020, its funding for cyber was cut by $108 million in fiscal 2024 and remained essentially flat since then. “Enacted funding levels over the past three years are below the level required to cover DOJ's over 275,000 endpoints and approximately 160,000 users,” the budget document states, adding that “the current funding levels impact the Department's current defenses and constrain its ability to adapt to evolving threats.” The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

Imagine a blueprint for remaking America's government from the ground up, drawn by conservative powerhouses like the Heritage Foundation. That's Project 2025, a 900-page manifesto unveiled in April 2023, now thrusting into reality under President Trump's second term. According to the Heritage Foundation's “Mandate for Leadership,” it aims to “dismantle the administrative state”—those federal agencies seen as bloated and unaccountable—by consolidating power in the White House.The plan kicks off with a radical workforce overhaul. It revives Schedule F, reclassifying up to 500,000 career civil servants in policy roles as at-will employees, stripping job protections to install political loyalists on day one. The AFGE warns this could eliminate up to a million federal jobs through cuts, freezes, and privatization. Already, Trump's Executive Order has begun remaking the workforce, as noted in a White House fact sheet, while Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency—DOGE—has fired thousands, shuttering agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a Project 2025 target that returned $21 billion to scam victims, per Government Executive reporting.Agency by agency, the ambition unfolds. The Department of Homeland Security and TSA face elimination or privatization, risking post-9/11 security gains, says the AFGE. The Department of Education would vanish, shifting funds to states and gutting anti-discrimination rules on gender and sexual orientation. FEMA moves to Interior or Transportation, offloading disaster costs to locals. The ACLU highlights plans to abuse warrantless surveillance, dismantling DOJ and FBI independence under unitary executive theory.Proponents, like those in the Mandate, declare, “The unelected administrative state is antithetical to our constitutional system of divided powers.” Critics, including the Brennan Center, see threats to democracy, civil rights, and impartial justice. The Supreme Court's Loper Bright ruling, overturning Chevron deference, bolsters this by curbing agency rulemaking, aligning perfectly with the project's vision.These changes ripple through taxes—pushing a flat rate and corporate cuts—Medicare trims, and reversed Biden policies, illustrating a sweeping bid to shrink government and amplify presidential control.Looking ahead, court battles over DOGE firings loom, with judges reinstating some workers, and midterm elections could test this overhaul. As implementation accelerates, America watches a high-stakes experiment in governance.Thanks for tuning in, listeners. Come back next week for more.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.aiThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Imagine a blueprint for remaking America's government from the ground up, drawn by conservative powerhouses like the Heritage Foundation. That's Project 2025, a 900-plus-page manifesto unveiled in 2023 to consolidate presidential power and dismantle what its authors call the “unelected administrative state.” According to the Heritage Foundation's document, “The unelected administrative state is antithetical to our constitutional system of divided powers and checks and balances.”Fast forward to early 2026, and the Trump administration has embraced much of it. The Center for Progressive Reform's February 2026 update reveals that 53 percent of Project 2025's domestic policy agenda across 20 agencies has been initiated or completed. President Trump's February 2025 fact sheet boasts of an executive order “reforming the federal workforce to better serve Americans,” echoing the plan's core.Key proposals target federal agencies head-on. The Heritage Foundation blueprint calls for eliminating the Department of Education, shifting oversight to states, and gutting the Department of Homeland Security, privatizing the Transportation Security Administration—agencies born from 9/11 to safeguard the nation. FEMA faces dissolution, pushing disaster costs to local governments. The AFGE warns this could axe up to a million federal jobs through budget cuts, hiring freezes, and Schedule F—a reclassification stripping protections from over 500,000 policy-related civil servants, turning career experts into political pawns.Reforms extend to unions and equity: stripping rights from TSA, DOJ, and FEMA workers, banning DEI efforts at the VA and Labor Department, and ending data collection on racial disparities. The National Federation of Federal Employees describes it as a “radical blueprint for government political corruption,” with a 180-day playbook of executive orders ready for Day One.Experts see sweeping implications. The Brennan Center cautions it prioritizes political agendas over law enforcement independence, while Government Executive reports Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency has fired tens of thousands, targeted the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau—which returned $21 billion to scam victims—and hit Voice of America, though courts have pushed back some moves.This ambition connects to unitary executive theory, centralizing control in the White House, curbing agencies like the FBI and FTC. The Supreme Court's Loper Bright ruling, overturning Chevron deference, aligns perfectly, shifting regulatory power to judges.As midterms loom, battles over Schedule F and agency fates will define governance. Will checks and balances hold, or yield to this vision? Tune in next week for more. Thanks for listening.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.aiThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

The recent news linking Larry Nassar and Jeffrey Epstein stems from a document that appeared in a large federal release of Epstein-related records, described as a handwritten letter from Epstein to Nassar. Almost immediately, officials said the letter was not authentic, citing technical issues with handwriting, mailing details, and dates. On paper, that explanation is straightforward. But given the long history of mishandled evidence, delayed disclosures, and shifting narratives in the Epstein case, it is not unreasonable that the appearance of such a document—however brief—triggered questions before being dismissed.The government's position is that there is no verified connection between Epstein and Nassar beyond this disputed item, and no evidence the two ever corresponded. Still, the episode highlights a recurring problem with how Epstein material has been released: documents surface without context, provenance, or explanation, leaving the public to parse authenticity after the fact. Even if the letter is exactly what authorities say it is, the way it entered the public record reinforces skepticism—not about any specific claim, but about a process that repeatedly introduces confusion into a case where clarity and credibility have already been in short supply.to contact  me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Letter to Larry Nassar, signed by ‘J. Epstein,' cites “our president” | CNN Politics

Imagine a blueprint for reshaping America's government, drawn up by conservative powerhouses like the Heritage Foundation and now unfolding in real time. Project 2025, launched in April 2023 as a 900-plus-page manifesto, aimed to dismantle what its authors call the "administrative state" and consolidate power in the presidency. According to the Heritage Foundation's own documentation, it promises a "180-day playbook" of executive orders ready for "Day One" of a new Republican administration, starting January 20, 2025.Fast forward to today: President Donald Trump has embraced core elements, with his Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency accelerating cuts. Government Executive reports agencies like the IRS have gutted 75% of their civil rights offices through reductions in force, while the Agriculture Department shutters its D.C. headquarters and field offices. A White House fact sheet boasts Trump signed an executive order remaking the federal workforce, reinstating Schedule F to strip protections from up to 500,000 career employees, turning policy roles into at-will political posts.Key proposals target federal agencies head-on. The plan calls for abolishing the Department of Education, handing education oversight to states, and eliminating the Department of Homeland Security, privatizing the TSA—agencies born from 9/11's ashes, as AFGE warns, risking national security. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Federal Trade Commission face erasure, shrinking antitrust enforcement. The DOJ and FBI would fall under direct presidential control, rooted in unitary executive theory, which the Center for American Progress labels an "absolutist view" that shreds checks and balances.Proponents, like Heritage, argue this restores efficiency: "Maximize presidential control to implement conservative priorities," including corporate tax cuts, a flat income tax, and slashing Medicare and Medicaid. Critics, including the National Federation of Federal Employees, decry it as politicizing civil service for "personal and political gain," potentially firing a million workers and ending public unions.These changes ripple outward, from privatizing CDC labs—splitting data from policy, per Project 2025—to blocking DEI hiring and reinstating discriminatory tests. NAACP Legal Defense Fund tracks how executive actions curb civil rights.As agencies submit RIF plans by April deadlines, the real test looms: court battles and midterm elections. Will this ambition hold, or fracture under scrutiny? Tune in next week for updates. Thanks for listening.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.aiThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

The recent news linking Larry Nassar and Jeffrey Epstein stems from a document that appeared in a large federal release of Epstein-related records, described as a handwritten letter from Epstein to Nassar. Almost immediately, officials said the letter was not authentic, citing technical issues with handwriting, mailing details, and dates. On paper, that explanation is straightforward. But given the long history of mishandled evidence, delayed disclosures, and shifting narratives in the Epstein case, it is not unreasonable that the appearance of such a document—however brief—triggered questions before being dismissed.The government's position is that there is no verified connection between Epstein and Nassar beyond this disputed item, and no evidence the two ever corresponded. Still, the episode highlights a recurring problem with how Epstein material has been released: documents surface without context, provenance, or explanation, leaving the public to parse authenticity after the fact. Even if the letter is exactly what authorities say it is, the way it entered the public record reinforces skepticism—not about any specific claim, but about a process that repeatedly introduces confusion into a case where clarity and credibility have already been in short supply.to contact  me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Letter to Larry Nassar, signed by ‘J. Epstein,' cites “our president” | CNN PoliticsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Today, we sat down with Trey Ford from Bugcrowd to talk about ethical hacking. One of the most memorable phrases from ancient Rome is Quis custodiet custodes? (Who Watches the Watchman?). This ancient admonition has direct application to federal cybersecurity. We know federal agencies spend millions of dollars to protect data. How does one ensure the contracted companies are doing their jobs? Traditionally, an organization would use penetration testers, contractors, or basic scanning methods. However, today's attack surfaces are expanding, and malicious actors are innovating so rapidly that we are being forced to consider more creative options. In other words, an annual penetration test against an AI-inspired attack is too focused to be effective. The innovation Bugcrowd brings to the table is a community of researchers who can attack a system from many perspectives. During the discussion, you will learn about federal vulnerability disclosure programs, how to overcome talent shortages, and how Bugcrown vets its research community. Trey Ford also touches on the FedRAMP journey, AI integration, and the evolving cybersecurity landscape, stressing the need for human creativity and dynamic responses to threats. Connect to John Gilroy on LinkedIn   https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-gilroy/ Want to listen to other episodes? www.Federaltechpodcast.com

U.S. government agencies continued to have low compliance with a statute designed to ensure that federal websites, software, and other products are accessible for people with disabilities, according to a recent federal review. In a new report, the General Services Administration found that alignment with the accessibility statute known as Section 508 was a 1.96 on a 5-point scale, continuing a trend of lacking compliance. GSA reported that roughly half of agencies didn't review accessibility for their most-used information and communication technology tools, and the majority of agencies don't conduct usability testing with people who have disabilities before resources are deployed or published. The poor compliance showing follows similar findings from past GSA reviews and indicates that more work is needed to help agencies comply. As a result, GSA concluded its report with recommendations that Congress both update the statute to clarify requirements and strengthen enforcement and oversight of agency compliance. The annual report is required by statute and was prepared in consultation with the White House Office of Management and Budget and the U.S. Access Board, an independent agency that establishes Section 508 standards. The report includes responses from 212 agencies, parent agencies, and other components. Its publication follows changes to the review process aimed at reducing the reporting burden on agencies. The top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is demanding a full, independent investigation into new reports of DOGE representatives improperly accessing and transferring Social Security Administration data. In a press release sent Tuesday, Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., said “new disclosures revealed DOGE personnel may have broken federal law and exposed Americans' most sensitive personal information, including Social Security numbers.” The release came shortly after the Washington Post reported that an SSA whistleblower said a former DOGE engineer put sensitive information from two agency databases — Numident and the Master Death File — on a thumb drive and planned to share that data with his private-sector employer. Democracy Forward, which represents several labor groups in a lawsuit against SSA over DOGE's “unprecedented data grab,” filed a notice of factual development Tuesday in response to the Post's reporting. The new court filing said the revelations in the article “are consistent with the substantial issues … of disclosures beyond SSA and the federal government as a whole and the ongoing risk of further disclosures of such uncontrolled data.” Peters' press release references the Post's story, but also highlights a January court filing from the Department of Justice that disclosed the use of an unapproved third-party server and communication between DOGE and an advocacy group seeking “evidence of voter fraud.” The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

The Civilian Board of Contract Appeals has issued new procedural rules to implement the Administrative False Claims Act, a revamped law that gives federal agencies greater ability to pursue smaller fraud cases involving government contracts. The changes could expand enforcement tools and raise new compliance considerations for contractors doing business with the federal government. To help unpack what the new rules mean and how companies should prepare, Federal News Network's Eric White spoke with Dan Ramish, Counsel at Haynes Boone.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The high-stakes dispute between Anthropic and the U.S. military led to a sweeping decision Friday by President Donald Trump to remove the AI startup's technology from all federal agencies. Already, several agencies are taking action. The General Services Administration, Department of State, and Department of Health and Human Services immediately indicated in public statements, comments, or internal emails that they were moving to boot Anthropic. The fallout is sure to continue as agencies untangle the Claude maker from their workflows. The clash centered on the Defense Department wanting Anthropic to remove stipulations that limited the military's use of the startup's technology in real-world operations, DefenseScoop previously reported. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said in a statement Thursday that the company could not accede to the request “in good conscience. Madhu Gottumukkala is out as acting director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, with current agency executive director for cybersecurity Nick Andersen replacing him as the interim leader. News of Gottumukkala's departure breaks one day after CyberScoop reported on widespread dismay with the agency's performance during the first year of the Trump administration, with significant criticism aimed at Gottumukkala's leadership on both sides of the aisle after a number of unflattering stories about his stewardship. “Madhu Gottumukkala has done a remarkable job in a thankless task of helping reform CISA back to its core statutory mission,” a Department of Homeland Security official told CyberScoop Thursday. “He tackled the woke, weaponized, and bloated bureaucracy that existed at CISA, wrangling contracts to save American taxpayer dollars.” Gottumukkala, served as chief information officer under then-South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, now secretary of DHS, before he was picked as deputy director of the agency. Sean Plankey's nomination to serve as full-time director of CISA has stalled, leaving Gottumukkala as the acting director in his place. Gottumukkala will take on a new role at DHS, as director of strategic implementation. The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

Federal agencies are releasing their new use case inventories for artificial intelligence. Across the government, there now are more than 2,500 AI use cases, an increase of more than 800 since last year. And with the rise of agentic AI, agencies are positioning themselves to drive toward more automation and efficiencies. Kelly Fletcher is the chief information officer for the State Department. And Kris Saling is the chief technology advisor for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. They talked about the state of their AI rollouts with Federal News Network's Jason Miller. Fletcher leads off this excerpt from the discussion.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

THE TIM JONES AND CHRIS ARPS SHOW 0:00 SEG 1 Today's Speaker's Stump Speech is brought to you by https://www.hansenstree.com/ Iran's attacks on America 22:08 SEGMENT 2: SUSIE MOORE, Deputy Managing Editor at RedState.com, co-host of Mike Ferguson in the Morning, and host of RedState Radio, Sundays at 4pm || TOPIC: Top Red State headlines || Trump Calls Out Anthropic, Orders All Federal Agencies to Cut Ties || Why Now? The Reason Trump Authorized Epic Fury || Interesting Timing? Anti-US Protesters Were at It Before Trump Announced Epic Fury Was Underwayhttps://x.com/SmoosieQhttps://redstate.com/author/smoosieq 36:50 SEGMENT 3: Texas primaries are tomorrow https://newstalkstl.com/ FOLLOW TIM - https://twitter.com/SpeakerTimJones FOLLOW CHRIS - https://twitter.com/chris_arps 24/7 LIVESTREAM - http://bit.ly/NEWSTALKSTLSTREAMS RUMBLE - https://rumble.com/NewsTalkSTL See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

THE TIM JONES AND CHRIS ARPS SHOW 0:00 SEG 1 Today's Speaker's Stump Speech is brought to you by https://www.hansenstree.com/ Iran's attacks on America 22:08 SEGMENT 2: SUSIE MOORE, Deputy Managing Editor at RedState.com, co-host of Mike Ferguson in the Morning, and host of RedState Radio, Sundays at 4pm || TOPIC: Top Red State headlines || Trump Calls Out Anthropic, Orders All Federal Agencies to Cut Ties || Why Now? The Reason Trump Authorized Epic Fury || Interesting Timing? Anti-US Protesters Were at It Before Trump Announced Epic Fury Was Underwayhttps://x.com/SmoosieQhttps://redstate.com/author/smoosieq 36:50 SEGMENT 3: Texas primaries are tomorrow https://newstalkstl.com/ FOLLOW TIM - https://twitter.com/SpeakerTimJones FOLLOW CHRIS - https://twitter.com/chris_arps 24/7 LIVESTREAM - http://bit.ly/NEWSTALKSTLSTREAMS RUMBLE - https://rumble.com/NewsTalkSTL See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Eva Cohen to discuss disaster response capacity in Canada, looking at Germany's Federal Agency for Technical Relief's model for a structured, volunteer-driven, and federally coordinated disaster response system. // Participants' bios: Eva Cohen is the Founder & President of Civil Protection Youth Canada (CPYC) // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "A New Disaster Relief Approach for Canada: Citizen-Based Civil Protection" by Eva Cohen and Bettina Koschade // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: January 21, 2026 Release date: March 02, 2026

Plus: Paramount wins bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery after Netflix drops out. And Trump Media in talks to spin off businesses into a new publicly traded company. Julie Chang hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Were federal agencies weaponized against political opponents? Did intelligence officials spy on campaign operatives without evidence of crimes? And are new administration officials now uncovering internal surveillance inside their own departments? Today on AmperWave Daily — explosive allegations about the FBI, Homeland Security, and what some are calling a domestic surveillance scandal. Let's unpack it.

R. Kelly survivor Reshona Landfair joins 'TMZ Live' to tell her story, Trump accuses Obama of revealing classified information, Michael Rubin's housekeeper allegedly steals $130k, and Eric Dane shares his last words to his daughters in final interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Federal government agencies have repeatedly invoked white nationalist language and images in the year since President Trump returned to the White House for his second term. We discuss the intended target of those messages and what effects they have. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, domestic extremism correspondent Odette Yousef, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Preview for later today. Professor John Yoo of Berkeley Law explores Justice Scalia's legacy, emphasizing his defense of the unitary executive and belief that clear, predictable laws should govern independent federal agencies.1889 SCOTUS

Connect to John Gilroy on LinkedIn   https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-gilroy/ Want to listen to other episodes? www.Federaltechpodcast.com Cybersecurity is a rapidly evolving field, where every effective defense technique is quickly noticed and adapted to by malicious actors. The real question is how fast each side of this ongoing cat-and-mouse game can respond. Let us take an example of web applications. In the decade-long slog of the cloud, federal users migrated to web-based applications protected by Web Application Firewalls (WAFs). firewalls. As that method matured, malicious observers noted that the Application Programming Interface (API) allowed these software programs to communicate and exchange data. Voila, another attack vector was born. During today's interview, Joe Henry from Akamai Technologies notes that 80% of their customers report API attacks. Henry details a curious term called "Broken-Object Level Authorization." In this attack, an application fails to check if a user is authorized to access specific data objects. The ID is manipulated, and the malicious actor gets access. Akamai's API Security performs behavioral analysis beyond WAFs, flags PII exposure, and supports a zero-trust posture. Software developers talk about a "shift left"; we apply that to the Akamai approach. They have a worldwide network of Points of Presence (POPs) and data centers where they can observe attacks as they develop. It is so strong that it provides fail-open resilience with a 100% SLA. Akamai provides a State of the Internet Report (quarterly). If you would like to stay connected with the next manifestation of attack, consider subscribing or visiting their website to stay informed about the latest trend

Everyone reading this has had minor delays at the airport. It is remarkable that more problems have not developed. Look at Chicago O'Hare International Airport—it has 857,392 takeoffs and landings in a year. Each one has passengers, and most have luggage. The opportunities for problems are overwhelming. Now add an increasing number of sensors and interlaced networks, and you have an attack surface of biblical proportions. All an adversary needs is one single point of vulnerability to attack a system. Think what could happen if an airport network were disabled by a ransomware attack. During today's interview, Lou Karu makes suggestions for defense that include a multi-layered strategy emphasizing zero trust and network segmentation. However, Karu reminds us that a cybersecurity strategy is not complete without a robust recovery plan. For example, if a basic recovery plan was deployed, it is possible that a system can have compromised code locked into a backup. An airport suffers an attack, pays the ransom, and the recovered data has more attacks built in. Best practice here is to have a backup system that is rapid and accurate, and that restores the code without it being hot-infected with additional malicious code. Systems like this from Rubrik call these backups "immutable." The next time you go to the airport, try to imagine  the numerous attack points that an airport must contend with. Even the most robust cyber defense must include plans for safe, secure recovery.   Connect to John Gilroy on LinkedIn   https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-gilroy/ Want to listen to other episodes? www.Federaltechpodcast.com  

For more than 30 years, Washington has churned out idea after idea to boost federal agency performance. We've seen everything from the Clinton administration's Reinventing Government push, to the Bush administration's PART reviews, to the Government Performance and Results Act. Now, a group of former senior federal executives, calling themselves We the Doers, say there's a better way, drawing on more than 88 years of combined service. For a look at what they're proposing, Federal News Network executive editor Jason Miller spoke with Maureen Klovers and April Harding, the group's co-founders.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

TBI Director, David Rausch joins Hallerin to discuss his call to have local, state and federal agencies meet at the White House in an effort to address the disconnect between agencies and the public.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stay informed on current events, visit www.NaturalNews.com - Trump's Betrayal of the Second Amendment (0:00) - Impact on Trump's Support Base (7:02) - Gun Industry Boom and Personal Reflections (8:58) - ICE Agents' Actions and Government Terror (13:37) - Historical Comparisons and Future Implications (32:30) - Democrats' Reactions and Potential Consequences (34:16) - Economic Collapse and Food Riots (38:43) - Government's Use of Force and Historical Precedents (39:03) - Censorship and Alternative Platforms (42:35) - Preparation for Economic Collapse (59:17) - Mike Adams' Critique of Federal Agencies and Society (1:02:37) - David Dubine's Introduction and Global Governance (1:26:57) - US Military and Economic Challenges (1:33:50) - Regionalism and Infrastructure Development (1:34:04) - Food Production and Economic Collapse (1:46:06) - Secret Police and Historical Precedents (1:52:20) - Global Financial System and Gold Demand (2:06:46) - Preparation and Resilience (2:16:04) - Final Thoughts and Call to Action (2:18:11) Watch more independent videos at http://www.brighteon.com/channel/hrreport  ▶️ Support our mission by shopping at the Health Ranger Store - https://www.healthrangerstore.com ▶️ Check out exclusive deals and special offers at https://rangerdeals.com ▶️ Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed: https://www.naturalnews.com/Readerregistration.html Watch more exclusive videos here:

Valley sports-bar chain, Zipps, was raided by several federal organizations including HSI and ICE Monday night. Mike talks about the protestors who showed up and what is known about the raid.

Bruce & Gaydos discuss Phoenix Police Department's statement regarding citizens' concerns about the presence of Federal Agencies such as ICE.

In this episode, we sit down with Tabitha Hancock, Identity Services General Manager at UberEther, to explore how this leading identity and access management company tackles challenges in environments where security isn't optional. Discover their collaborative culture, what makes a standout candidate, and why UberEther is a go-to for cleared professionals seeking growth in a cutting-edge environment.Find complete show notes at: https://clearedjobs.net/uberether-solving-complex-icam-challenges-podcast_ This show is brought to you by ClearedJobs.Net. Have feedback or questions for us? Email us at rriggins@clearedjobs.net. Sign up for our cleared job seeker newsletter. Create a cleared job seeker profile on ClearedJobs.Net. Engage with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, or YouTube. _

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The recent news linking Larry Nassar and Jeffrey Epstein stems from a document that appeared in a large federal release of Epstein-related records, described as a handwritten letter from Epstein to Nassar. Almost immediately, officials said the letter was not authentic, citing technical issues with handwriting, mailing details, and dates. On paper, that explanation is straightforward. But given the long history of mishandled evidence, delayed disclosures, and shifting narratives in the Epstein case, it is not unreasonable that the appearance of such a document—however brief—triggered questions before being dismissed.The government's position is that there is no verified connection between Epstein and Nassar beyond this disputed item, and no evidence the two ever corresponded. Still, the episode highlights a recurring problem with how Epstein material has been released: documents surface without context, provenance, or explanation, leaving the public to parse authenticity after the fact. Even if the letter is exactly what authorities say it is, the way it entered the public record reinforces skepticism—not about any specific claim, but about a process that repeatedly introduces confusion into a case where clarity and credibility have already been in short supply.to contact  me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Letter to Larry Nassar, signed by ‘J. Epstein,' cites “our president” | CNN Politics

The recent news linking Larry Nassar and Jeffrey Epstein stems from a document that appeared in a large federal release of Epstein-related records, described as a handwritten letter from Epstein to Nassar. Almost immediately, officials said the letter was not authentic, citing technical issues with handwriting, mailing details, and dates. On paper, that explanation is straightforward. But given the long history of mishandled evidence, delayed disclosures, and shifting narratives in the Epstein case, it is not unreasonable that the appearance of such a document—however brief—triggered questions before being dismissed.The government's position is that there is no verified connection between Epstein and Nassar beyond this disputed item, and no evidence the two ever corresponded. Still, the episode highlights a recurring problem with how Epstein material has been released: documents surface without context, provenance, or explanation, leaving the public to parse authenticity after the fact. Even if the letter is exactly what authorities say it is, the way it entered the public record reinforces skepticism—not about any specific claim, but about a process that repeatedly introduces confusion into a case where clarity and credibility have already been in short supply.to contact  me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Letter to Larry Nassar, signed by ‘J. Epstein,' cites “our president” | CNN PoliticsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

The Supreme Court appears ready to let Donald Trump fire Federal Trade Commission members at will. On this week's On the Media, why the court's expansion of presidential powers would impact the entire government. Plus, how two Hollywood giants are squaring off over a massive merger. [02:47] Host Brooke Gladstone sits down with Noah Rosenblum, associate professor of law at New York University, to discuss how the Supreme Court's pending decision in Trump v. Slaughter could radically expand the president's power, and the history behind the case. [23:02] Host Micah Loewinger talks with Oliver Darcy, lead author of the newsletter Status and co-host of the podcast Power Lines, about the moguls at Netflix and Paramount Skydance battling over Warner Brothers Discovery, and what this means for the future of CNN, which is owned by Warner Brothers Discovery, and Hollywood. [37:41] Micah speaks with Joel Simon, founding director of the Journalism Protection Initiative at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, about what happened with Blake Lively's legal team subpoenaed Perez Hilton, the gossip blogger, and why expanding the legal framework of journalistic protections is essential.  Further reading / watching:The Supreme Court Is About to Hand Trump a Cudgel in the Paramount-Netflix Fight, by Mark Joseph SternThe CNN Sacrifice, by Oliver DarcyThe O.G. News Influencer, by Joel Simon   On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today (https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm). Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing onthemedia@wnyc.org.

In this episode of Passing Judgment, Jessica Levinson unpacks a significant federal court decision blocking the Trump administration from withholding or conditioning federal funds to UCLA in exchange for major campus policy changes. The discussion covers the court's reasoning under the Administrative Procedures Act, the First and 10th Amendments, and why the judge deemed the administration's actions coercive. Join us for a breakdown of this breaking legal news and its broader implications for university autonomy.Here are three key takeaways from the episode:Federal Funding Leverage Challenged: A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction preventing the Trump administration from freezing, terminating, or conditioning UC research funds—pointing out that the administration's approach may violate legal requirements, including the Administrative Procedures Act, the First Amendment, and the Tenth Amendment.Academic Freedom & Speech Protected: The court found that forcing changes to speech policies, DEI efforts, gender healthcare, protest rules, and admissions could unlawfully coerce universities and chill free speech, especially among public university faculty and students.States' Rights and Spending Clause Limits: The judge ruled that federal conditions on funding can't be so extreme they essentially take away states' ability to decide their own policies—a “gun to the head” tactic that threatens economic stability and state sovereignty.Follow Our Host: @LevinsonJessica