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Outdated permitting systems could stymie nuclear projects needed for tomorrow’s data centers, panelists said.
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.
House Appropriations
‘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.
SpaceX
NTIA Nominee Roth Mostly Noncommittal on Key BEAD Issues
Roth offered no guarantees that states won’t have to restart BEAD subgrantee selections.
Commerce
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.
Justice Department
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.
Commerce
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.
FTC
FTC’s Ferguson Says Tech Censorship Practices May Violate Antitrust Law
Chairman signals agency’s expanding role in countering Big Tech censorship
UK
UK on Track to Reach 96% Fiber Coverage by 2027
Regulator Ofcom unveils new rules to sustain rural broadband buildout.
Digital Inclusion
California Democrat Releases $15 Internet Affordability Bill
New text lays out speed, eligibility, and reporting rules under the proposed California Affordable Home Internet Act.
Benton
Lawyers Backing FCC Cautiously Optimistic Ahead of Supreme Court USF Case Showdown
Telecom companies, public interest groups, and both the Biden and Trump administrations are united in the fight over the FCC’s Universal Service Fund.
BEAD
State-by-State BEAD Bids Reveal Varying Degrees of ISP Participation
Arkansas nearly reached full coverage, Massachusetts barely half.
FCC
Who Might Replace Geoffrey Starks at the FCC?
Trump’s next move could upend agency norms.
Funding
Missouri Wants FCC to Return $177 Million in Defaulted Grants
More than 85,000 locations meant to be served by the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund remain without service.
