Digital Inclusion
USDA Cuts Race and Gender Criteria From Rural Development Programs
Follows March rollback of equity scoring in broadband grants.
Crypto
Bitcoin Soars to New All-Time High as US Lawmakers Focus on Pro-Crypto Legislation
Bitcoin has hit a new all-time high, surpassing $123,000 on Monday.
Donald Trump
Trump Signs His Tax and Spending Cut Bill at the White House July 4 Picnic
The legislation amounts to a repudiation of the agendas of the past two Democratic presidents, including Joe Biden’s tax credits for renewable energy.
Free Speech
Paramount Pays $16M to Settle ‘60 Minutes’ Suit
Settlement draws ire from Democrats and free speech advocates alike
Expert Opinion
Garland McCoy: Make BEAD Deliver Where It Matters Most–Rural America
A rural-first approach would address the core equity and produce tangible, far-reaching benefits for all Americans.
West Virginia
West Va. Gov. Announces $34.6 Million Grants for Fiber Expansion
Morrisey awards broadband funding to ISPs serving 10 counties
AI
New Hampshire Jury Acquits Consultant Behind AI Robocalls Mimicking Biden on All Charges
Kramer argued that the primary was a meaningless straw poll, and therefore the state’s voter suppression law didn’t apply.
Cybersecurity
Trump Signs Executive Order on Cyber Security
White House narrows scope of Obama and Biden-era executive orders.
AI
AI Safety Institute Renamed Center for AI Standards and Innovation
Trump administration pivots AI institute toward national security and deregulation.
Digital Inclusion
One Year Without the Affordable Connectivity Program
Without the broadband subsidy, families are facing harsh tradeoffs to stay connected.
Crypto
Vance to Crypto Industry, as He Touts Trump Administration's Record: Stay Involved
The Trump family holds about a 60% stake in World Liberty Financial, a crypto project that recently launched its own stablecoin.
Digital Inclusion
The Digital Equity Act Tried to Close the Digital Divide. Trump Calls It Racist and Acts to End It
Whether Trump has the legal authority to end the program remains unknown. But for now the Republican administration can simply stop spending the money.
American Energy
Tax Bill Passed by House Would Gut Biden-era Clean Energy Tax Credits
The House-passed bill repeals or phases out more quickly clean energy tax credits passed in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.
Chips
China Blasts New U.S. Rule Banning Use of Huawei's Ascend Advanced Computer Chips
The Commerce Department said Huawei's semiconductors are subject to U.S. export controls because they are thought to employ U.S. technology.
Expert Opinion
Tim Stelzig: Explaining BEAD, Broadband Abundance?
The aspects of the program that have been criticized most widely have nothing to do with Democrats’ preference for process over results.
AI
Data Center Investment for AI Critical in Race Against China: Altman, Tech Execs
By 2028, data centers could consume up to 12% of the nation’s electricity.
