Funding
Uncertainty Grows as Government Shutdown Begins
What began as temporary furloughs could become lasting cuts that deepen the FCC’s workforce losses
Spectrum
Carriers Push FCC for Extra Upper C-Band Spectrum
CTIA wants 220 megahertz of Upper C-Band for 5G; Congress only guaranteed 100 megahertz.
AI
California Gov. Gavin Newsom Signs Landmark Bill Creating AI Safety Measures
The law requires AI companies to disclose safety protocols for their most advanced models and report safety incidents to the state within 15 days.
FCC
Carr: FCC Ready if Shutdown Hits This Week
Agency ‘crunching the numbers’ to gauge how long it could operate without new funding.
China
West Virginia To Pull State Investment from China by 2026
Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) says plans will be completed by early 2026.
Democracy
Supreme Court Allows Trump to Remove FTC Democrat
The decision sets the stage for a fight over precedent.
AI
U.S.–UK Tech Pact Spurs $350B in Cross-Atlantic Deals
Deal promises joint leadership on AI, nuclear and quantum computing.
Chips
Trump AI Advisor Touts Plan to Secure U.S. Leadership
‘Let's make sure the world is using the American [technology] stack,’ Sriram Krishnan said.
AI
Trump AI Plan Spurs FCC Review of State Regulations
Chairman Brendan Carr cites Communications Act powers as a possible means to preempt state AI laws
Social Media
Framework Deal on TikTok Reached Between U.S. and China: Sec. Bessent
Bessent says the objective of the deal would be to switch to U.S. ownership; Trump and Xi to speak Friday, possibly to finalize the deal.
What's New
‘Social Media is a Cancer’: Making Sense of the Charlie Kirk Assassination
Connecting the dots between Utah politics and culture, the hyper-partisan world of social media, and a tragic political assassination.
Expert Opinion
David Nelson: Act Now to Protect American Jobs, Keep Promise of Broadband Grants
Unintended tax law changes now threaten to strip away up to 30% of federal broadband grants, putting rural connectivity at risk.
Congress
House Appropriations Passes FY26 Budget Impacting NTIA
$47 million allocation for National Telecommunications and Information Administration includes amendment blocking federal rate-setting in broadband deployment.
AI
Cruz Unveils SANDBOX Act to Ease Federal AI Rules
Proposal would let developers test AI under federal waivers
Expert Opinion
Christopher Mitchell: Trump Administration Doubles Down on Pulling Investment from Rural America
NTIA has added a secretive new 'Best and Final Offer' step to the $42.5 billion BEAD program, raising concerns it will further cut rural broadband.
Supreme Court
Chief Justice Lets Trump Remove Members of Federal Trade Commission For Now
Chief Justice John Roberts let President Trump remove an FTC commissioner, hinting at fewer limits on presidential power.
