Defense Department
Reuters: U.S. Threatens Ukraine’s Starlink Access in Negotiations, Again
U.S. officials warn Ukraine of Starlink shutdown if deal over critical minerals not struck, the news service reported.
Jericho Casper
Assistant Editor Jericho Casper graduated from University of Virginia studying telecommunications policy. She previously served as a research assistant examining state laws that restrict local governments from owning or operating broadband networks.
F. X. Flinn
Vermont, Ohio Networks Prove Municipal Broadband Pays for Itself
A grassroots effort to bring broadband to rural Vermont now boasts more than $1 billion a year in revenue.
Democracy
FTC to Investigate Big Tech’s Content Moderation Practices for ‘Censorship’
Critics call the inquiry the latest Trump administration push to control online speech.
Public Safety
Pennsylvanians Demand Consumer Protections in Verizon-Frontier Merger Review
Residents, local attorneys, and emergency officials urge PUC to protect consumers before approving deal.
Democracy
3 Former FCC Chairmen Condemn Brendan Carr’s Threats Targeting Media Outlets
Carr shrugs off the criticism, saying: ‘I feel bad for the three of them’
SpaceX
AI Boom Drives Demand for Fiber Data Center Infrastructure
Shortages in power and semiconductors render fiber the only solution to sustain AI growth, panelists said.
Interior Department
Senators Agree Permitting Deadlock Threatens Infrastructure Boom
Lawmakers clashed over NEPA reforms as they warned regulatory delays could stall billions in clean energy and broadband projects.
Commerce
Senate Confirms Howard Lutnick as Commerce Secretary
Lutnick, confirmed 51-45, has emphasized commercial growth in broadband, spectrum, and artificial intelligence.
Digital Inclusion
Prison Phone Providers Renew Legal Fight Against FCC Rate Caps
The First Circuit will review arguments on whether the FCC’s rate caps should remain in place.
BEAD
Lawmakers Renew Bill to Address Permitting Delays on Federal Lands
The bill comes as state officials push for reforms to environmental and historic preservation permitting rules under BEAD.
BEAD Data
Arkansas’ First BEAD Round Covers 9% of Locations With Just 2% of Funds
Arkansas' first BEAD funds go to 18 providers to cover 7,000+ locations
FCC
FCC’s Diversity Probe Into Comcast Draws Fire from Starks
Democrat fears Carr’s probe exceeds FCC authority.
IIJA
Senators Revive Bill to Prevent BEAD Supply Chain Bottlenecks
The NET Act would address supply chain delays ahead of the government dolling out $42.5 billion for broadband.
BEAD
Former FCC Commissioner Predicts Court Battle Over BEAD’s Fiber Preference
But Kathryn de Wit of Pew said the structure of BEAD was carefully crafted to address systemic flaws in federal broadband policy.
JD Vance
Tech Industry Largely Cheers Trump Hands Off Approach to AI
But some raised fears about Big Tech.
Democracy
Gomez Warns FCC Being ‘Weaponized’ Under Trump Administration
‘This FCC has been weighing in on partisan issues that go far beyond our core responsibilities,' she said.
