Featured Stories
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Brings "Stories From the Field: Filipino Migrant Workers in Hawai'i" to Honolulu
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
* * *
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Brings "Stories from the Field: Filipino Migrant Workers in Hawai'i" to Honolulu
Exhibition Showcases the Enduring Legacy of Early Filipino Migrant Workers in Hawai'i
October 14, 2026
In recognition of Filipino American History Month, the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (APAC) is presenting "Stories from the Field: Filipino Migrant Workers in Hawai'i," in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu. The exhibition, which examines
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
* * *
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Brings "Stories from the Field: Filipino Migrant Workers in Hawai'i" to Honolulu
Exhibition Showcases the Enduring Legacy of Early Filipino Migrant Workers in Hawai'i
October 14, 2026
In recognition of Filipino American History Month, the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (APAC) is presenting "Stories from the Field: Filipino Migrant Workers in Hawai'i," in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu. The exhibition, which examinesthe experiences and contributions of Filipino migrant workers--contract laborers known as sakadas--will be on view at the Philippine Consulate General Tuesday, Oct. 27-Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The exhibition centers on the lives of two sakadas, Eusebio Maglinte and Epimaco Fariola Mansueto, whose experiences illuminate the broader history of Filipino migration, labor and community building in Hawai'i.
Beginning in the early 20th century, thousands of Filipinos were recruited to work on Hawai'i's sugar plantations. Sakadas became an essential part of Hawai'i's workforce and helped shape the islands' social, economic and cultural landscape.
"We are excited to work with Consul General Arman R. Talbo and his team to bring our exhibition to Honolulu," said Yao-Fen You, APAC's acting director. "At the Smithsonian, we are committed to sharing the histories of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) individuals and communities. The story of the sakadas constitutes a vital chapter of Asian American--and American--history."
"I am proud to partner with APAC to amplify the history of Filipino and Filipino American communities in Hawai'i," said Arman R. Talbo, consul general, Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu. "It is especially meaningful for the Consulate General to host the exhibition this year to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the arrival of the first sakadas in Hawai'i. This partnership with the Smithsonian is also fitting as we commemorate 80 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Philippines."
The exhibition's presentation in Honolulu also coincides with the 80th anniversary of the landmark Luce-Celler Act of 1946.
"Stories from the Field" was curated by Ethan P. Johanson, who also served as curatorial assistant for APAC's exhibition, "How Can You Forget Me: Filipino American Stories."
"Stories from the Field" is supported by the Smithsonian's "Our Shared Future: 250," a Smithsonian-wide initiative supported by private philanthropy and created to commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary and advance the Smithsonian vision for the next 250 years. Additional support is provided through federal funding from the Asian Pacific American Initiatives Pool, administered by APAC.
Public Tours
Johanson will lead public tours of "Stories from the Field" Wednesday, Oct. 28, and Thursday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu. Advance registration is required, and space is limited. Please register here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3_mgh6l5eGTUMVtuQg3dxCpcwLehXLRbE4Wo7Z_hionBGPw/viewform).
* * *
About the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (APAC)
APAC, established in 1997, ensures the comprehensive representation and inclusion of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders across the Smithsonian's collections, research, exhibitions and programs. Through exhibitions, education initiatives and public programs, APAC provides new avenues to document, celebrate and share the rich and diverse history, art and culture of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. APAC's current exhibition, "How Can You Forget Me: Filipino American Stories" (on view at the National Museum of American History through Nov. 28, 2027), and its previous exhibition, "Sightlines: Chinatown and Beyond," are paving the way for a dedicated APAC gallery on the National Mall showcasing AANHPI history, art and culture. For more information about the center, visit its website and follow it on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/smithsonian-asian-pacific-american-center-brings-stories-field-filipino-migrant
Smithsonian's Lemelson Center Appoints Joanna K. Garner as New Director
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
* * *
Smithsonian's Lemelson Center Appoints Joanna K. Garner as New Director
Scholar and Educational Research Leader Brings More Than Two Decades of Experience Spanning Museums, Universities, Schools and Public Institutions
October 13, 2026
The Smithsonian has appointed Joanna K. Garner, an internationally recognized scholar and leader in educational research, as the Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson Director of the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation at the National Museum of American History.
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
* * *
Smithsonian's Lemelson Center Appoints Joanna K. Garner as New Director
Scholar and Educational Research Leader Brings More Than Two Decades of Experience Spanning Museums, Universities, Schools and Public Institutions
October 13, 2026
The Smithsonian has appointed Joanna K. Garner, an internationally recognized scholar and leader in educational research, as the Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson Director of the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation at the National Museum of American History.She is the third director in the Lemelson Center's 30-year history and the first woman to serve in the role.
Garner began her new role Tuesday, Sept. 8. She has more than two decades of experience in educational research and cross-sector partnerships across museums, universities, schools and public institutions. Her research has examined how educational and museum experiences can shape people's identities as inventors and innovators, including how invention education can help people understand their own inventive potential and see themselves as capable of contributing to innovation.
"Joanna Garner brings a remarkable combination of scholarship, leadership and critical understanding of the Lemelson Center's work," said Anthea M. Hartig, the Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the National Museum of American History. "Having collaborated with the center for many years, she already knows and understands the people, ideas and partnerships that make it such a distinctive part of the Smithsonian. Her experience across museums, universities, schools and public institutions will be invaluable as the Lemelson Center continues to explore the history and impact of invention while creating new opportunities for people to appreciate and develop their own inventive potential, and I am thrilled to welcome Joanna as the center's new director."
For the past five years, Garner has contributed to the Lemelson Center's work as a researcher and education consultant, including major initiatives such as the "Change Your Game"/"Cambia tu juego" exhibition and the global Spark!Lab Network. Her research on inventive identity helped inform the development of "Change Your Game," which explores how sports and play can encourage young people to explore their inventive potential. In this role, she worked closely with center curators, educators, designers and researchers on exhibition development, visitor engagement research and professional learning initiatives.
Before joining the Smithsonian, Garner served for nine years as executive director of The Center for Educational Partnerships at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, where she led educational research and innovation initiatives and established partnerships across education and public institutions. She has secured more than $35 million in external funding and published extensively on invention education, STEM identity and educational practice. Garner has a doctorate in educational psychology from Pennsylvania State University.
"I am delighted to return to the Lemelson Center in this new role and to build on the work I have had the privilege of being part of over the past five years," Garner said. "The center has a unique ability to connect the history of invention and innovation with the ways people are imagining and creating the future. I am excited to work with its talented staff, partners and communities to advance that work and expand opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to understand themselves as inventors and participate in innovation."
Founded in 1995 through a gift from inventor and philanthropist Jerome H. Lemelson and his wife, Dorothy, the Lemelson Center is the Smithsonian's hub for the study of invention and innovation. Through exhibitions, educational resources, public programs, collections and scholarly research, the center explores the history and impact of invention and encourages people to recognize their own capacity for inventive thinking.
Recent initiatives include Inspiring STEM Pathways, a free educational resource for middle school students featuring contemporary innovators working across sports, gaming, health, technology accessibility and design; "Change Your Game," an exhibition that explores inventive identity through the lens of sports and play; and Spark!Lab, a pioneering hands-on invention space for children that operates in museums across the United States and internationally.
* * *
About the Lemelson Center
The Smithsonian's Lemelson Center engages, educates and empowers the public to participate in technological, economic and social change. The center undertakes historical research, develops educational initiatives, creates exhibitions and hosts public programs to advance new perspectives on invention and innovation and fosters interactions between the public and inventors. The Lemelson Hall of Invention and Innovation, featuring the Draper Spark!Lab and "Change Your Game"/"Cambia tu juego," is a signature part of the National Museum of American History's 45,000-square-foot space centered on the theme of innovation. For more information, visit invention.si.edu.
* * *
About the National Museum of American History
Through incomparable collections, rigorous research and dynamic public outreach, the National Museum of American History seeks to empower people to create a more just and compassionate future by examining, preserving and sharing the complexity of our past. The museum, located on Constitution Avenue N.W., between 12th and 14th streets, is open daily except Dec. 25, between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. The doors of the museum are always open online, and the virtual museum continues to expand its offerings, including online exhibitions, PK-12 educational materials and programs. The public can follow the museum on social media on Instagram and Facebook. For more information, go to the museum's website. For Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/smithsonians-lemelson-center-appoints-joanna-k-garner-new-director
Postal Service IG: Review of the Postal Regulatory Commission's Compliance With the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 for Fiscal Year 2026
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 26-016-R26) on September 18, 2026, entitled "Review of the Postal Regulatory Commission's Compliance With the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 for Fiscal Year 2026."
Here are excerpts:
* * *
Background
This report presents a review of the U.S. Postal Regulatory Commission's (PRC) information security program and practices for fiscal year (FY) 2026. The Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 (FISMA) requires agencies to develop, implement, and
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 26-016-R26) on September 18, 2026, entitled "Review of the Postal Regulatory Commission's Compliance With the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 for Fiscal Year 2026."
Here are excerpts:
* * *
Background
This report presents a review of the U.S. Postal Regulatory Commission's (PRC) information security program and practices for fiscal year (FY) 2026. The Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 (FISMA) requires agencies to develop, implement, anddocument agency wide information security programs and practices. FISMA also requires inspectors general to conduct annual reviews of their agencies' information security programs and report the results to the Office of Management and Budget. FISMA helps agencies maintain strong cybersecurity programs via a comprehensive framework to ensure the effectiveness of information security controls over information resources that support federal operations and assets and provide a mechanism for improved oversight of federal agency information security programs.
What We Did
To meet the annual review requirement, we contracted with KPMG LLP (KPMG) to conduct this audit subject to our oversight. The audit objectives were (1) to determine the effectiveness of the PRC's information security program and practices in six framework function areas: Govern, Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover, and (2) to follow up on the status of corrective actions taken by the PRC to implement the prior year performance audit recommendations and determine whether corrective actions for open FISMA recommendations were effectively implemented.
What We Found
The PRC has made incremental advancements in its information security program and closed all but one prior year recommendations. The PRC generally established controls and practices consistent with FISMA requirements, Office of Management and Budget policy and guidelines, and applicable NIST standards and guidelines. However, it has opportunities to improve. Overall, we assessed the PRC's information security program as Defined (Level 2), which was "Not Effective" based on the FY 2026 IG FISMA Reporting Metrics and the associated averages for the metric domains and cybersecurity functions.
Recommendations and Management's Comments
We made nine recommendations to address the issues identified in the report to help strengthen the effectiveness of the PRC's information security program controls and practices. The PRC agreed with all recommendations. We consider management's comments responsive to the recommendations, as corrective actions should resolve the issues identified.
* * *
View the original text at:
Postal Service IG: Postal Service Contract Practices and Oversight
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 25-139-R26) on September 24, 2026, entitled "Postal Service Contract Practices and Oversight."
Here are excerpts:
* * *
Background
In fiscal year (FY) 2025, the U.S. Postal Service spent over $15 billion to buy a wide variety of products and services, ranging from delivery vehicles to common office supplies, to help fulfill its mission. Given the Postal Service's challenging financial position and with contract spending increasing by roughly $3.4 billion since FY 2016, effective
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General issued the following audit report (No. 25-139-R26) on September 24, 2026, entitled "Postal Service Contract Practices and Oversight."
Here are excerpts:
* * *
Background
In fiscal year (FY) 2025, the U.S. Postal Service spent over $15 billion to buy a wide variety of products and services, ranging from delivery vehicles to common office supplies, to help fulfill its mission. Given the Postal Service's challenging financial position and with contract spending increasing by roughly $3.4 billion since FY 2016, effectivemanagement of procurement portfolios is increasingly critical to the organization's financial stability.
What We Did
Our objective was to evaluate the Postal Service's oversight and management of its contracts, including pre-award and post-award processes. We analyzed key contracting processes and related requirements, assessed how the Postal Service monitors its contracts, and identified use cases for improving automation of contract management.
What We Found
We found that the Postal Service does not consistently collect and maintain required information to support informed contract decisions, which limits oversight and increases exposure to improper payments and fraud. Missing or incomplete evidence to justify invoice payments and gaps in critical unauthorized contractual commitment and noncompetitive purchase information weakens oversight. We identified $271,916,465 of monetary impact where required processes were not followed from FY 2024 to FY 2025. These gaps are compounded by the limited availability of automation tools across contracting systems. While some automation in support of contract management exists, many workflows still rely on manual processing, uploading, and verification. Contracting officers reported that these manual steps contribute to errors, inconsistent practices, and heavy workloads. However, there are opportunities to integrate Artificial Intelligence monitoring tools and automation to strengthen contract execution, improve efficiency, and reduce the risk of waste or mismanagement.
Recommendations and Management's Comments
We made nine recommendations to address the issues in the report, and the Postal Service agreed or agreed in part with all recommendations. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General considers management's comments responsive to recommendations 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9, as corrective action should resolve the issues identified. We view management's responses to recommendations 1, 2, 3, and 6 as unresolved and will work with management through the audit resolution process. A summary of management's comments and our evaluation are at the end of each finding and recommendation.
* * *
View the original text at: https://www.uspsoig.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2026-09/25-139-r26.pdf
Federal Housing Finance Agency IG: FHFA's Design and Implementation of Select Security Controls for Its EGRC Cloud System Were Not Fully Effective
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency Inspector General issued the following report on September 28, 2026, entitled "FHFA's Design and Implementation of Select Security Controls for its eGRC Cloud System Were Not Fully Effective".
Here are excerpts:
* * *
PURPOSE
The Enterprise Governance, Risk, and Compliance (eGRC) Cloud System is a comprehensive solution the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA or Agency) uses to manage risks, ensure compliance, and support oversight activities, including tracking of hotline complaints referred by the Office of Inspector General
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency Inspector General issued the following report on September 28, 2026, entitled "FHFA's Design and Implementation of Select Security Controls for its eGRC Cloud System Were Not Fully Effective".
Here are excerpts:
* * *
PURPOSE
The Enterprise Governance, Risk, and Compliance (eGRC) Cloud System is a comprehensive solution the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA or Agency) uses to manage risks, ensure compliance, and support oversight activities, including tracking of hotline complaints referred by the Office of Inspector General(OIG). The system includes production and pre-production environments managed by Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) staff and contractors.
Our objective for this audit was to determine whether FHFA effectively designed and implemented security controls for its eGRC Cloud System to manage access and protect information in accordance with federal standards and FHFA requirements.
RESULTS
We determined that FHFA's design and implementation of select security controls for its eGRC Cloud System were not fully effective. While FHFA designed and implemented some of the security controls in accordance with federal standards and FHFA requirements, we found weaknesses in other controls. Specifically, FHFA did not consistently implement access controls for privileged and inactive accounts; did not fully document and implement data protection controls for sanitizing hotline complaints referred by the OIG; did not fully describe the controls applicable to the system in its security documentation; and did not fully implement identification and authentication controls to protect account passwords, enforce multifactor authentication, and uniquely identify users. Moreover, FHFA established audit log review procedures but did not fully implement them in the pre-production environment.
These weaknesses reduce FHFA's ability to ensure that access is appropriate, complaint information is protected, and security controls are documented. Accordingly, we are reporting five findings related to the identified weaknesses in design and implementation of controls.
RECOMMENDATIONS
We made 12 recommendations to address our findings. In a written response, FHFA management acknowledged receipt of the report but did not express agreement or disagreement with our recommendations. As such, management's response did not address our recommendations. See FHFA Comment and OIG Evaluation for more details.
* * *
The report is posted at: https://www.fhfaoig.gov/sites/default/files/AUD-2026-006.pdf
Federal Housing Finance Agency IG: ER Designed and Implemented Effective Oversight of the Enterprises' Multifamily Credit Risk Transfer Programs
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency Inspector General issued the following report on September 29, 2026, entitled "DER Designed and Implemented Effective Oversight of the Enterprises' Multifamily Credit Risk Transfer Programs".
Here are excerpts:
* * *
PURPOSE
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, together the Enterprises, have credit risk transfer (CRT) programs for their multifamily businesses (properties with 5 or more units) to reduce the risk of loan losses and risk to taxpayers. The Enterprises reduce these risks by transferring credit risk (risk of losses) to sources
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (TNSrep) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency Inspector General issued the following report on September 29, 2026, entitled "DER Designed and Implemented Effective Oversight of the Enterprises' Multifamily Credit Risk Transfer Programs".
Here are excerpts:
* * *
PURPOSE
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, together the Enterprises, have credit risk transfer (CRT) programs for their multifamily businesses (properties with 5 or more units) to reduce the risk of loan losses and risk to taxpayers. The Enterprises reduce these risks by transferring credit risk (risk of losses) to sourcesof private capital primarily through risk sharing arrangements, and other transactions. The Federal Housing Finance Agency's (FHFA or Agency) Division of Enterprise Regulation (DER) evaluates how the Enterprises manage risks to assess their safe and sound operation.
We conducted this audit to determine whether DER designed and implemented effective oversight of the Enterprises' multifamily CRT programs.
RESULTS
We found that DER designed and implemented effective oversight of the Enterprises' multifamily CRT programs.
Specifically, DER designed its oversight to include an annual supervisory planning process and examination guidance with procedures and work steps for evaluating the Enterprises' management of multifamily CRT programs. The planning process resulted in supervisory activities addressing aspects of each Enterprise's management of multifamily CRTs during each year of our audit scope period. We also found that DER's examination guidance was consistent with the applicable FHFA guidance for multifamily CRTs.
DER implemented its oversight by completing annual risk assessments and conducting supervisory activities that addressed identified risks pertaining to the Enterprises' management of multifamily CRT programs. For the 10 supervisory activities we tested, examiners generally used procedures and work steps for targeted examinations and ongoing monitoring that complied with examination guidance for conducting the applicable supervisory activities.
Furthermore, DER assessed the remediation of Matters Requiring Attention (MRAs) related to the Enterprises' management of multifamily CRT programs in accordance with DER adverse findings guidance.
We make no recommendations in this report.
* * *
The report is posted at: https://www.fhfaoig.gov/sites/default/files/AUD-2026-008%20%28public%29.pdf
Fed IG: CFPB: Hardware Assets at Former Regional Offices May Not Be Appropriately Secured
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (TNSLrpt) -- The Federal Reserve Inspector General issued the following report on September 30, 2026, entitled "CFPB: Hardware Assets at Former Regional Offices May Not Be Appropriately Secured."
Here are excerpts:
* * *
The CFPB maintains data that, if exposed, could reveal consumers' and businesses' private information, undermine public trust, and compromise enforcement of consumer financial laws.
During an ongoing audit, we discovered that the CFPB left hardware assets at former regional offices it vacated in March 2026. The CFPB has not verified whether those assets
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (TNSLrpt) -- The Federal Reserve Inspector General issued the following report on September 30, 2026, entitled "CFPB: Hardware Assets at Former Regional Offices May Not Be Appropriately Secured."
Here are excerpts:
* * *
The CFPB maintains data that, if exposed, could reveal consumers' and businesses' private information, undermine public trust, and compromise enforcement of consumer financial laws.
During an ongoing audit, we discovered that the CFPB left hardware assets at former regional offices it vacated in March 2026. The CFPB has not verified whether those assetsare properly secured.
Due to the urgency of this issue, our management alert includes a recommendation for the CFPB to secure the hardware assets, which the agency has agreed to do.
* * *
The report is posted at: https://oig.federalreserve.gov/reports/cfpb-alert-hardware-assets-security-sep2026.pdf
