Though the broadband grant funding debate has occurred in earnest on this community for years and amongst the telecommunications and fiber industries, it’s hardly become a mainstream issue for water cooler conversation—until now. Jon Stewart invited New York Times writer and Vox Media founder Ezra Klein onto his podcast, The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart to discuss—of all things—the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program. Klein is in the midst of a cross country book tour for his new non-fiction book, Abundance. The topic of the Democrats’ addiction to process over outcomes is a major theme of the book, and while appearing on the podcast with Stewart, Klein laid out in detail the 14 steps all the 56 Eligible Entities of BEAD needed to undertake in order to qualify for funding, from the Notice of Funding Opportunity through the challenge process to the final proposal. A gobsmacked Jon Stewart listened and occasionally chimed in with expressions of disbelief at the amount of red tape the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Biden Administration behind it put in place for the states and territories to secure the funding, with Klein ending his point on the issue by stating that the Democrats did this to themselves.

Nearly 5,000 people call the Umatilla Nation home. On any given day, residents across the reservation come together to celebrate and honor their heritage and culture. Community is an integral part of every day, and connecting is woven into the fabric of Tribal life. For Tribal communities, ‘connectivity’ means preserving traditions while engaging with the modern digital world. Unfortunately, limited technology and connectivity resources on the Umatilla Reservation have also left many residents without the opportunity and tools needed to thrive in today’s online society. But with the help of a locally run initiative aimed at addressing the technology needs of all Umatilla residents, achieving digital equity may soon be realized. Thanks to a grant through Google.org, Cayuse Native Solutions was selected to join the National Digital Inclusion Alliance’s National Digital Navigator Corps to launch a program providing free, hands-on technology assistance to residents across the reservation. That community-trusted resource is Leo Wallahee, the lead Digital Navigator for the program. 

Apple is clashing with Elon Musk in its push to eliminate cellphone dead spots with satellite technology. Apple is investing heavily in satellite-based communications that keep users connected in places where traditional wireless signals aren’t available. Musk’s SpaceX, meanwhile, has launched more than 550 satellites that provide cellphone connectivity via its Starlink service. To build capacity, the companies are competing for valuable spectrum rights—airwaves to carry their signals—which are in limited supply. Apple’s outer-space investments have drawn Musk’s ire, people familiar with the matter said. SpaceX has pushed federal regulators to stall an Apple-funded satellite expansion effort. The conflict intensified in recent months after SpaceX and its partner, T-Mobile, sought Apple’s cooperation to offer Starlink on iPhones. The companies engaged in tense discussions and eventually reached an agreement that allows the SpaceX and T-Mobile satellite cellphone service, which will debut this summer, to appear seamlessly on newer iPhones. Apple retains tight control over the iPhone’s largely closed software ecosystem. The feud between Musk and Apple over satellite service pits the world’s richest man against one of the world’s most-valuable companies. 

National Artificial Intelligence Literacy Day encourages collective action to learn more about AI and reflect on how it shapes the human experience in all aspects of life. AI literacy is for everyone. It’s for people who design technology and people who interact with technology—whether they choose to adopt the latest tools or not—because AI is increasingly embedded into traditional platforms and products. AI literacy is foundational to digital skills training, and a necessary condition for informed AI adoption, where individuals make decisions about their personal use of technology based on an understanding of how it works, how they can leverage it, and what the risks might be in different applications. 

I am writing to inform you that I have asked the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau to open an investigation into Disney and ABC.  In particular, I want to ensure that Disney and ABC have not been violating FCC equal employment opportunity regulations by promoting invidious forms of DEI discrimination.  While I have seen reports that Disney recently walked back some of its DEI programs, significant concerns remain. For one, I want to ensure that Disney ends any and all discriminatory initiatives in substance, not just name.  For another, I want to determine whether Disney’s actions—whether ongoing or recently ended—complied at all times with applicable FCC regulations.  As you know, Disney started out a century ago as an iconic American company.  For decades, Disney focused on churning out box office and programming successes.  But then something changed.  Disney has now been embroiled in rounds of controversy surrounding its DEI policies. Numerous reports indicate that Disney’s leadership went all in on invidious forms of DEI discrimination a few years ago and apparently did so in a manner that infected many aspects of your company’s decisions. As you may know, the Communications Act and Commission rules prohibit regulated entities like Disney’s ABC from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, or gender.  Indeed, the FCC’s longstanding equal employment opportunity or EEO rules set forth specific requirements to which Disney’s regulated operations must adhere. Nonetheless, I am concerned that ABC and its parent company have been or may still be promoting invidious forms of DEI in a manner that does not comply with FCC regulations.