*** The Office of Personnel Management announced plans to develop guidance on workforce issues arising from the potential for contagion of the Wuhan coronavirus epidemic currently spreading in China and worldwide. OPM said it is coordinating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to "educate the federal community" on the virus with an eye to maintaining the safety of the federal workforce and preserving continuity of government operations.
*** Attorney General William Barr tapped Bobak Talebian as director of the Justice Department's Office of Information Policy. Talebian had been acting director of the office since October. He manages Freedom of Information Act requests and responsibilities for the agency, as well as developing FOIA policy for all executive branch agencies. Talebian has been acting director since October. He was preceded in this office by Melanie Ann Pustay.