June 2026
Broadband infrastructure projects receive $5.1 million from Washington Public Works Board
Communities in Island, Kitsap, and Okanogan (WA) counties will receive a combined $5.1 million for four broadband projects to enhance online education, telehealth, public safety and local economic development opportunities, while extending reliable, high-speed broadband access to unserved or underserved households and businesses. The funding is from the Coronavirus Capital Project Fund and was awarded by the Washington State Public Works Board. Awards:
Analysis
Analysis
NTIA Opens Native Entities Grant Program Competition
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
FCC to Review E-Rate Program to Ensure it Fulfills Congress's Vision
The Federal Communications Commission launched a proceeding that aims to empower parents and better protect children when using networks and services eligible for discounts under the FCC’s E-Rate program, including by limiting screen time. The Notice seeks to ensure that E-Rate-funded networks and services are being used for educational purposes, while also strengthening E-Rate program integrity and streamlining program administration to support learning opportunities.
Reactions to the FCC's New E-Rate Proceeding
“Today’s FCC vote is a deeply troubling step toward weakening E-Rate, a universal program that has connected millions of students, teachers, schools, and libraries—in urban and rural communities alike—to the internet for 30 years,” said Sen Ed Markey (D-MA). “This rulemaking goes far beyond reviewing the impact of screen time on students and undermines educational equality, harms our economic competitiveness, and threatens to reverse three decades of settled law.
FCC Looks to Streamline Modern, High-Speed Wireline Deployment
The Federal Communications Commission proposed new rules to ensure consistent, reasonable state and local regulations for the deployment of modern, high-speed wireline infrastructure. This rulemaking aims to cut red tape and excessive fees imposed by some state and local governments in the public rights-of-way for wireline deployments. State and local statutes, regulations, and legal requirements that prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting the provision of wireline telecommunications services are unlawful under Section 253 of the Communications Act.
Rep Ocasio-Cortez Introduces House Version of the AI Data Center Moratorium Act
Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14) introduced the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act, legislation that would create a temporary prohibition on the construction of new data centers and the expansion of existing data centers until Congress passes comprehensive legislation to address the economic, environmental, and safety impacts of artificial intelligence. Specifically, the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act would institute an immediate federal moratorium on the construction of new data centers and the expansion of existing data centers until strong nation
Publishers Sue OpenAI, Microsoft for Scraping Articles (Bloomberg)
Submitted by benton on Thu, 06/25/2026 - 10:47AI agents are here for real this time
AI is moving from chat and web search to delegated work.