iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 8h

Quantum computers may soon be able to hack the current cybersecurity measures used by federal agencies—putting sensitive information at risk. Our new report looks at how federal agencies can better prepare to protect their data in the quantum era: ow.ly/zL7B50ZTEhx

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 11h

When you apply for a mortgage, it comes with a credit check. This can trigger a wave of spam calls and texts from other lenders with loan offers of their own. A new law seeks to curb these unwanted solicitations. Learn more by listening to our podcast: ow.ly/8aSn50ZUUCw

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 05/10/2026

86% of U.S. properties that are at high risk of flooding don’t have insurance for it. Why are so many homeowners going without it? Find out in today’s WatchBlog post: ow.ly/KkKc50ZTCMX

Image shows an aerial view of homes in Florida flooded by Hurricane Debby.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 02/10/2026

Congratulations to GAO’s Andrew Kurtzman, who has been announced as a 2026 Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration! Andrew leads GAO’s Innovation Lab, which enhances our operational and oversight capabilities using data science and emerging technologies.

Image of Andrew Kurtzman with text “Andrew Kurtzman, Director, GAO Innovation Lab & 2026 National Academy of Public Administration Fellow”

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 01/10/2026

Corporate transparency can help prevent fraud and financial crimes. It can also ensure that ineligible businesses don’t have access to federal funding. Our new WatchBlog post looks at the importance of knowing who owns a company, or its “beneficial owners:” ow.ly/trKO50ZQLqT

A man in a suit clutches a folio that has $100 bills spilling out of it.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 30/09/2026

Millions of children in the U.S. work jobs to earn money or gain work experience. But there have been thousands of violations of child labor laws that put kids at risk of injury or death. Today’s blog post looks at how to better protect working children: ow.ly/xCKl50ZQJF1

Image of several young teens working in a coffee shop.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 29/09/2026

DOD has historically struggled to prevent fraud in its purchasing, losing about $11 billion to fraud in recent years. As it plans to spend billions updating IT infrastructure, we look at sources of fraud risk and how to prevent it in our new blog post: ow.ly/fgsg50ZQI8x

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 25/09/2026

The Navy is taking on its largest-ever construction project to improve its 4 shipyards. The effort could take over 50 years and cost more than $200 billion. We looked at how the Navy can ensure its current project plans evolve to meet future needs: ow.ly/Bfcy50ZRtH2

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 25/09/2026

DOD helps partner nations build security capacity through training, weapons sales, and more. GAO’s Jim Reynolds discusses efforts to reform the workforce that manages this effort on Federal News Network’s podcast Federal Drive with Terry Gerton: ow.ly/XugA50ZR2Kt

Image of Jim Reynolds, GAO Director of International Affairs and Trade, with quote “The reforms were aimed at institutional challenges. How many people do we need? What training do they require?” In the background is an image of the Pentagon.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 24/09/2026

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline helps millions of people each year. But a cyberattack could threaten the availability of this critical resource. Our new WatchBlog post looks at how to better secure the helpline: ow.ly/8S8G50ZPMKX

A woman talks on the phone while looking distressed with her head in her hand.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 23/09/2026

American Indians and Alaska Natives are less likely to have access to safe water than other Americans. This risks numerous health issues—from GI illnesses to respiratory diseases. Our new WatchBlog post looks at efforts to improve tribal water access: ow.ly/oNeh50ZPEAb

Graphic titled “Examples of Water Infrastructure in Underserved Tribal Communities” Photos show a water pipe, watering point, and wastewater haul tank.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 22/09/2026

We’ve all spent time cleaning, cooking, and caring for kids or maybe older parents. But did you know your unpaid household work contributes to the U.S. economy? Our new blog post looks at how and why it matters: ow.ly/G3kg50ZPemt

Image of a young woman assisting an elderly woman in using an inhaler.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 18/09/2026

Many full-time employed workers still need help from federal programs like SNAP and Medicaid to make ends meet. GAO’s Kathy Larin discusses our recent report about these struggling workers on Federal News Network’s podcast Federal Drive with Terry Gerton: ow.ly/GN5g50ZPaEX

Image of Kathy Larin, GAO Director of Education, Workforce, & Income Security with quote “Most people working and participating in these programs work in certain industries—food service, hospitality, retail sales, for example.” In the background is an image of a woman working behind a counter in a cafe looking stressed.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 17/09/2026

Federal whistleblowers are critical to fighting fraud, waste, and abuse. But they risk retaliation, such as demotion and firing. Our new report examines how the Dept. of Homeland Security could improve its handling of whistleblower retaliation complaints: ow.ly/V39C50ZNW2P

Image shows four cartoon silhouettes of people. One has a large, red whistle draped around its neck.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 17/09/2026

Have you noticed that “snail mail” is getting slower? USPS is adding days to some of its delivery times and cutting end-of-day collection at certain post offices. Today’s WatchBlog post looks at why USPS is making these changes: ow.ly/jVGh50ZJoj4

Image of a hand putting letters into a standard blue USPS mail collection box.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 16/09/2026

Today at 2:30 p.m. ➡️ GAO’s Alicia Cackley testifies on housing issues in Native American communities, including poor housing conditions, overcrowding, and homelessness. ow.ly/423C50ZMBjp

Image of Alicia Puente Cackley with text: “GAO Testimony. Alicia Puente Cackley Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment.”

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 16/09/2026

The federal government disposes of hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of property each year—everything from office supplies to aircraft. What happens to items that are no longer needed and why should you care? Find out on our new podcast: ow.ly/pt0n50ZOhrk

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 15/09/2026

Public school students lost millions of class days in a recent year to facility issues like flooded halls, 100-degree classrooms, and black mold. Today’s WatchBlog post looks at how widespread these issues are in K-12 and why they are hard to fix: ow.ly/jI9t50ZIV9E

Image shows a special needs classroom with no sound insulation and lacking a finished ceiling.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 15/09/2026

Every day, we work to deliver fact-based, nonpartisan information on the most pressing issues facing our nation. Our mission? Support the Congress. Acting Comptroller General Orice W. Brown discusses how GAO is evolving to meet the moment in our new podcast: ow.ly/BwaB50ZNPUw

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 14/09/2026

The FAA is working to replace its outdated air traffic control systems. But is it prioritizing speed over increased costs and potential disruptions? Our new report looks at how FAA could improve its modernization efforts to avoid these issues: ow.ly/gUEJ50ZMFh8

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 14/09/2026

The National Register of Historic Places has more than 100,000 properties—from buildings to battlefields. But some groups, including Native American Tribes, have struggled to participate in this list. Find out why by listening to our new podcast: ow.ly/VIOQ50ZNi3s

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 11/09/2026

Like football players who have taken too many hits, service members repeatedly exposed to blasts can experience brain injuries. GAO’s Alyssa Hundrup discusses how DOD can improve efforts to monitor & track service members’ brain health on Federal News Network: ow.ly/ALVk50ZMw2j

Image of Alyssa Hundrup, GAO Director of Health Care with quote “Repeated exposures can have cumulative effects and cause headaches, memory loss, and traumatic brain injuries." In the background is an image of soldiers firing a shoulder fired weapon.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 11/09/2026

Today we remember those who lost their lives in the attacks on September 11, 2001, as well as those who stepped up to serve in the days, months, and years following. Never forget.

A flag being flown at half-mast on the U.S. Capitol.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 08/09/2026

Thousands of infants are diagnosed with hearing loss each year. HHS tracks hearing screenings and connects families to help when needed. This Newborn Screening Awareness Month, learn how HHS could improve efforts to ensure all infants get this care: ow.ly/HBPc50ZJtSn

Image of an infant receiving a hearing screening.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 08/09/2026

Many states have legalized cannabis, but the drug remains illegal at the federal level. As a result, banks may be wary of working with cannabis businesses for fear legal repercussions. Our new report takes an in-depth look at this issue: ow.ly/hAFf50ZJt4r

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 07/09/2026

This Labor Day, we’re proud our work has helped to improve protections for American workers—from coal mines to meat & poultry plants. But the work is not done. Check out our key recommendations to the Department of Labor that would strengthen worker protections: ow.ly/HniM50ZIV9M

Image showing poultry workers in a factory.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 04/09/2026

To encourage investment in low-income communities, Congress created the Opportunity Zone tax incentive. GAO’s Jessica Lucas Judy discusses how the incentive works and how it’s been used on Federal News Network’s podcast Federal Drive with Terry Gerton: ow.ly/i0xo50ZIWo1

Image of Jessica Lucas-Judy, GAO director of Strategic Issues, with quote “People who have capital gains can invest into qualified opportunity funds and get tax incentives. The funds, in turn, make investments in distressed areas." In the background is an image of an apartment building under construction.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 03/09/2026

The airline industry needs thousands of mechanics to keep planes and their engines running. Specialized programs across the country are training high school students to do the job. Learn more in today’s WatchBlog post: ow.ly/qiON50ZFlkp

Image of two people in blue coveralls working on the internal mechanism of an airplane wing.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 02/09/2026

The Department of Veterans Affairs has struggled to modernize its electronic health records system, which it uses to manage benefits and provide care for veterans and their families. GAO’s Carol Harris testifies about VA’s efforts—today at 10 a.m.: ow.ly/E2h050ZHiQv

Image of Carol Harris with text: “GAO Testimony. Carol Harris. Director, Information Technology and Cybersecurity.”

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 01/09/2026

The federal government may lose up to $521 billion each year to fraud. What can be done about it? Over the years, we’ve made hundreds of recommendations to prevent fraud. Today’s blog post looks at 9 key action Congress can take to help: ow.ly/6msY50ZGeip

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 28/08/2026

Airplanes rely on interconnected systems—both onboard & on the ground—to move safely from place to place. But this interconnection makes them vulnerable to cyberattacks. Learn more from GAO’s Jennifer Franks on Federal News Network’s podcast Federal Drive: ow.ly/iRiO50ZG2Z4

Graphic with a picture of GAO’s Jennifer Franks and her title “Acting Chief Technology Officer” with the quote from her that says, “TSA really needs to clearly define their roles and responsibilities for the entities that are responsible for carrying out aviation cybersecurity.”

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 27/08/2026

The Navy’s fleet of 44 attack submarines gives the U.S. an unparalleled military advantage. But too often, these key assets experience costly maintenance delays. Learn more on our new podcast with GAO’s Diana Maurer: ow.ly/Z1pa50ZG5kA

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 25/08/2026

If you have a 401(k) or similar retirement account, your personal information may be shared or sold by your plan provider. This may put your information at risk. Today’s blog looks at why this info is shared and what’s being done to protect it: ow.ly/AOSB50ZEQya

Image of paperwork on a desk with a magnifying glass over the words “401(k) Plan.”

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 20/08/2026

The federal government’s debt just hit $40 trillion. We’ve looked at how rising federal debt can affect Americans’ personal finances, as well as what needs to be done to put the country on a sustainable long-term fiscal path. Learn more: ow.ly/IAq050ZBEYU

Graphic shows a red line from a line chart rising across the image. The background shows an image of a graduate, houses, and a city skyline.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 19/08/2026

When using certain weapons, service members can be repeatedly exposed to blasts. This can result in traumatic brain injuries. Today’s WatchBlog post looks at DOD’s efforts to protect troops from these injuries: ow.ly/118950ZzrK8

Image of a military service members firing a howitzer artillery weapon.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 17/08/2026

FDA has sent food inspectors to a facility in Mexico linked to the cyclospora outbreak that began in June. We have repeatedly raised concerns about FDA’s oversight of food safety—adding it to our High Risk List in 2007—most recently in 2025: ow.ly/mPgb50ZACHV

Image of the sign in front of an FDA building. The sign ready “FDA. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration”

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 14/08/2026

Staffing at the Office of Personnel Management, the government’s central human resources office, has decreased 35% since the end of 2024. GAO’s Dawn Locke discusses the effects of this and other changes at OPM on Federal News Network’s podcast Federal Drive: ow.ly/MIrP50ZzUVk

Image of Dawn Locke, GAO Director of Strategic Issues, with quote “The concern isn’t the number of people or the shuffling of offices. It’s whether OPM can still meet mission need.” In the background is an image showing a network of people suspended between two hands.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 11/08/2026

What happens when an Army tank breaks down? Two Army depots are responsible for maintaining and repairing hundreds of large Army vehicles each year. But recently, they’ve faced challenges with this work. Learn more in our new blog post: ow.ly/58Oq50Zy5ZP

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 07/08/2026

Renewable energy projects, like rooftop solar panels, can help provide emergency electricity after natural disasters. GAO’s Janet McKelvey discusses how FEMA is funding these small-scale renewable energy projects on Federal News Network’s podcast: ow.ly/H9MZ50ZxCoQ

Image of Janet McKelvey, GAO Director of Natural Resources and Environment, with quote “If the electric grid goes out in a hurricane, you want the hospital to have some sort of power source. You could use solar power.” In the background is an image of a flooded street.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 06/08/2026

Wearable health devices, like glucose monitors and smart watches, collect data that could help doctors diagnose and treat patients. Our new report looks at policy options that could help integrate these devices into the medical decision-making process: ow.ly/lO3S50Zp4GY

Image of a woman in workout clothes looking at a smart watch on her wrist. A graphic showing health related icons and a heart rate line is superimposed over the image.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 06/08/2026

Buying a gun for someone who is prohibited from owning one is a felony. It’s also one of the most common forms of gun trafficking. Today’s WatchBlog post looks at a federal campaign to prevent these crimes: ow.ly/h8rz50Zw95E

Image of marketing materials from Don’t Lie for the Other Guy Campaign

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 04/08/2026

FEMA helps American communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters like hurricanes. But significant staffing cuts at the agency could jeopardize these efforts. Watch our interview with GAO's Chris Currie to learn more: ow.ly/45mF50Zw8Kv

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 04/08/2026

The Air Force has relied on the B-52 aircraft as its long range, heavy bomber for over 70 years—50 years longer than originally expected. Our new blog post looks at why the B-52 remains important and efforts to modernize it: ow.ly/esIs50Zw7po

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 30/07/2026

Infectious diseases—like COVID-19 and Ebola—are increasingly crossing global borders. Early detection can help prevent these outbreaks. Learn how the U.S. uses surveillance to detect and stop the spread of these deadly diseases on our new podcast: ow.ly/BpAe50ZuHq7

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 29/07/2026

Millions of people use rideshares and taxis each day to get where they need to go. While incidents are rare, headlines about attacks on passengers and drivers have raised concerns about safety. Our blog looks at efforts to improve rideshare and taxi safety: ow.ly/FYV450ZtMYF

Image of a woman getting into the back seat of a car.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 28/07/2026

Modern electronics require critical minerals to function. The U.S. relies on imports as a source for these minerals—leaving us vulnerable to supply disruptions. Today’s blog post looks at how new technologies could help reduce this import reliance: ow.ly/apaA50Zsqml

A computer chip and dark, shiny pieces of minerals.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 24/07/2026

To support National Hire a Veteran Day on Saturday, some businesses may host hiring events. DOD also helps support transitioning service members with SkillBridge, a program that gives them opportunities to participate in civilian job training. Learn more: ow.ly/lXuB50ZrVzC

Image of a man wearing civilian clothes on the left side of his body and a military uniform on the right.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 24/07/2026

From improving food safety to delivering disaster relief, the success of many public services relies on federal agencies working together. GAO’s Lori Atkinson discusses how agencies could improve coordination on Federal News Network’s podcast Federal Drive: ow.ly/59RS50Zs3er

Image of Lori Atkinson, GAO Director of Strategic Issues with quote “Strengthening performance management can help effectively manage complex challenges that are cross agency, like cybersecurity, disaster relief.” In the background is an image of the aftermath of a wildfire.

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 23/07/2026

World Cup events attracted millions of spectators. In the U.S., federal agencies collaborated to keep events safe. We recently reported on ways the government could improve collaborations—not just for events like the World Cup but in general: ow.ly/GW6G50Zs2wq

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U.S. Government Accountability Office @gao.gov · 23/07/2026

NASA has big plans to explore the moon, solar system, and beyond. But it recently hit pause on some efforts and many projects are feeling the effects of 20% staffing cuts in 2025. Our new report looks at NASA’s progress on its major projects: ow.ly/GY6J50Zrpj6

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