Digital Inclusion
California’s $15 Broadband Proposal Could Save Households $1B Annually, State Report Finds
New report finds affordability mandate would cut less than 1% from top ISPs’ revenues.
Jericho Casper
Reporter Jericho Casper graduated from the University of Virginia studying media policy. She grew up in Newport News in an area impacted by the digital divide and has a passion for universal access.
BEAD
Minnesota: Keep BEAD Fast and Grounded in Local Expertise
State seeks shot clock for federal reviews and greater trust in state-led broadband plans.
Congress
House and Senate Democrats Demand Answers from Carr Over Media Investigations
The efforts are not termed ‘investigations,’ but - signed only by Democrats - demand answers from Carr.
Congress
Congress Accelerates Tech Agenda with House Markup of Key Bills
House panel revives broadband, cybersecurity, and supply chain bills.
Congress
House Bill Could Open Appalachian Broadband Funds to Starlink
GAO study would evaluate whether the Appalachian Regional Commission should fund LEO providers.
BEAD
West Virginia Reworking BEAD Proposal Amid Trump-Driven Program Overhaul
State delays final BEAD proposal to reconsider technology mix under Trump administration’s revised priorities.
Energy
Panelists Warn of ‘Choke Points’ in America’s Nuclear Energy Future
Permitting delays, transmission backlogs, siting fights, and supply chain gaps top the list.
Advanced Energy
AI’s Energy Appetite Is Growing; Permitting Delays Could Starve It
Outdated permitting systems could stymie nuclear projects needed for tomorrow’s data centers, panelists said.
nuclear
‘Nuclear Congressman’ Says Small Modular Reactors Key to Data Center Growth
With AI, broadband, and cloud infrastructure stressing the grid, Fleischmann wants to put nuclear reactors on-site.
BEAD
NTIA Nominee Roth Mostly Noncommittal on Key BEAD Issues
Roth offered no guarantees that states won’t have to restart BEAD subgrantee selections.
NTIA
Trump’s NTIA Pick Vows to ‘Finish the Job’ on BEAD
Roth vows to preserve bipartisan spirit of $42.5 billion broadband program.
nuclear
Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant May Return to Fuel Microsoft AI Data Center
Plan to restart the storied Pennsylvania reactor reflects the growing convergence of Big Tech’s energy demand.
FTC
Fired FTC Official Slaughter: Trump Put Big Tech Above the Law
Democrat says FTC lost two Big Tech watchdogs over Meta, X, and Amazon.
Congress
Thune: More Congressional Review Act Votes Coming
Wi-Fi hotspots CRA still pending.
NTIA
Rep. Hudson Wants to Rewrite Many BEAD Requirements
Republican lawmaker targets rules on labor, DEI, and price caps in the name of faster rollout.
Digital Inclusion
USDA Scrubs DEI Criteria from Rural Broadband Grant Programs
Removal of DEI scoring may shift broadband funds away from Tribes and disadvantaged areas.
