SpaceX
Advocates: Fine Print in New BEAD Notice Favors Satellite Providers
Officials say LEO providers could skirt performance benchmarks others must meet in half the time.
Jericho Casper
Former Assistant Editor and 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
Texas Senator Resigns to Lead Comptroller’s Office, Citing Broadband as Key Priority
Kelly Hancock to replace Glenn Hegar, who clashed with NTIA and floated returning $1B in broadband funds
Funding
Wisconsin Governor Presses for $400M Broadband Investment
State GOP rejected $750M in 2023, banking on now delayed federal funds.
Spectrum
Broad Swath of Stakeholders Warns FCC Undoing EchoStar Deal Would Cause Harm
More than 60 stakeholders, including former GOP commissioners, back Dish/EchoStar in defense of its 2 GHz licenses
Commerce
New BEAD Rules Trigger Uproar Over U.S. Broadband Future
Awardees under original rules say they may not reapply.
Commerce
House Republicans Urge Trump to Release Broadband Funds
As GOP calls for speed, former BEAD chief warns of policy shifts.
FCC
Republican Majority Derailed as FCC Loses Two Members
Senate to accelerate confirmation of Trump nominee Olivia Trusty following Simington’s surprise exit.
FCC
Simington Announces Early Exit from FCC
Commission to enter 1-1 partisan split with Simington and Starks stepping down
Digital Inclusion
One Year Without the Affordable Connectivity Program
Without the broadband subsidy, families are facing harsh tradeoffs to stay connected.
Funding
Tilson Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy After Gigapower Contract Fallout
Tilson alleged that Gigapower failed to pay nearly $20 million in invoices.
DC Circuit
Supreme Court Greenlights Trump Firings of Independent Agency Officials
Emergency stay allows President to remove NLRB, MSPB members without cause
Commerce
FCC Votes to Block Foreign-Controlled ‘Bad Labs’
Also proposed opening 20,000 megahertz of spectrum for space-based internet at May meeting.
Free Speech
Lawyers: FTC ‘Censorship’ Inquiry Itself Violates First Amendment
Critics say the agency is acting beyond its authority by probing how platforms police speech.
House Appropriations
Carr Pressed Over FCC’s ‘Speculative’ Savings as No Budget Request Submitted
Lawmakers say only a fraction of Carr’s $567 million in cuts may be realized .
Digital Equity Act
Texas Opens $3.8 Billion Broadband Grant Window
BEAD applications due August 1 in the state that pushed for looser rules.
Funding
Commerce Department to Relaunch Tech Hubs Program
Lutnick slams Biden administration's Tech Hub picks as ‘rushed, unfair.’
