Senate confirms senior VA advisor to become next department watchdog
The incoming VA Inspector General, Cheryl Mason, worked for several months alongside the senior VA leaders she will now be charged with investigating.
Pentagon & Congress
Senate panel OKs plans for $852 billion in defense spending next year
The Senate defense budget plan would give a boost of more than 2% to base military funding next year, more than the White House asked for.
Pentagon changes discharges for 800-plus vets kicked out for being gay
The move comes after a yearlong review of cases of troops forced to leave the services because of their sexual orientation.
Plans for multiple VA medical clinics remain stalled despite funding
More than $670 million set aside for new VA outpatient clinics in 12 states is still waiting for final plans from the White House and Congress.
Here’s what veterans will get for a cost-of-living increase next year
The boost in benefits payments is the smallest since 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
DOD rolls out child care reimbursement test program
Here's how troops might qualify for the new reimbursement of eligible transportation expenses for their child care provider.
How the Army is using AI during Hurricane Helene relief
The system is helping responders make quick decisions, such as where to send medical supplies or how many truckloads of water to take into certain areas.
5,000 more National Guard troops mobilized ahead of Hurricane Milton
Guardsmen are readying for the next hurricane even as other military personnel are still working on recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene.
More troops are moving under new household goods shipment program
Service members at 38 bases are moving under a new system, with many more coming online by the end of the year.
500 more active-duty troops to aid Hurricane Helene relief efforts
About 1,500 active-duty troops and 6,100 National Guardsmen are currently helping with recovery efforts in southeast states.
Navy identifies three vessels impacted by faulty shipyard weld work
The bad welds are not on components that would impact ship safety or operations, but the Navy said it is reviewing at least 23 potentially impacted ships.
