Podcasts about Federal Communications Commission

For today's episode, Lawfare Senior Editor Scott R. Anderson and Contributing Editor Brandon Van Grack sit down with Adam Chan, the first National Security Counsel at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), to discuss the FCC's increasingly important role in U.S. national security policy.Together they discuss the origins of the FCC's role in national security, how and why it has grown in an era of major power competition, and several of the initiatives they currently have underway. Since recording, the FCC has taken further action on one such issue: the problem of “bad labs.” You can read their press release here.This episode is part of the special “The Regulators” podcast series, which features conversations with senior officials working at the intersection of national security and the economy.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Project 2025 began quietly in conservative conference rooms but today stands at the center of a storm over the future of American governance. Born from the Heritage Foundation and assembled by over one hundred right-leaning partners, its 900-page “Mandate for Leadership” lays out not just a governing plan for a future Republican administration, but a wholesale reimagining of the federal government itself. Supporters rally around its stated purpose: as Heritage's Kevin Roberts says, “We're going to impose the will of the people through a reinvigorated executive branch.” Critics, however, warn of what the American Civil Liberties Union calls “a blueprint for replacing the rule of law with right-wing ideals.”One of Project 2025's boldest proposals is placing the entire executive branch—agencies like the Department of Justice, the FBI, even the Federal Communications Commission—under direct presidential control. The aim, described by Roberts as “ending the era of the ‘independent' bureaucracy,” is rooted in the controversial unitary executive theory. The project calls for every senior official in the State Department to be replaced by a president's handpicked loyalists, bypassing the usual Senate confirmation process. Kiron Skinner, who authored the State Department chapter, explained her vision by insisting most career employees are “too left-wing” and must make way for “warriors for the conservative agenda.”The methods are as consequential as the proposals. Project 2025 revives the idea of “Schedule F,” a bureaucratic mechanism that lets a president reclassify tens of thousands of civil service jobs, stripping long-held protections. The National Federation of Federal Employees warns that by transforming apolitical government roles into political appointments, Project 2025 would make it nearly impossible for career staff to resist pressure or political overreach. As one union leader put it, “Without civil service protections, federal employees will be powerless to stop them.”The details ripple into almost every corner of American life. A return-to-office mandate for federal workers, for example, upends years of flexible work arrangements, with federal employees ordered back to their offices, often within tight timelines. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an agency created after the 2008 financial crisis to oversee banks and safeguard consumers, is marked for elimination. Agencies like USAID, which manages American humanitarian aid abroad, have already faced drastic cuts and layoffs, with numbers reaching into the hundreds of thousands according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas.Labor unions also appear squarely in the project's crosshairs, with proposals to ban public-sector unions, eliminate card check elections, and speed up the process to decertify existing unions. Another core promise is what Project 2025 calls the “restoration of the family.” The authors advocate policies that would restrict abortion, curtail LGBTQ+ rights, and reinforce what they describe as traditional values. According to the project's summary, the intent is to make the family “the centerpiece of American life,” a phrase that has triggered heated debate over what counts as a family in today's country.Some experts warn these moves risk upending critical norms. Legal scholars have voiced concern that Project 2025, if realized, could hurry the erosion of separation of powers, spark legal battles over constitutional rights, and bring about what many label the most extensive centralization of power in the modern era. Detractors have called it a “systemic, ruthless plan to undermine democracy,” while supporters argue it's a necessary correction to what they see as runaway bureaucracy.Looking ahead, the nation waits. The next major turning point arrives this November, when voters will decide not only on a president but, indirectly, on whether Project 2025's policies—already mapped, written, and ready for day one—will be greenlit for action. Whichever side prevails, both the vision and the pushback it's generated signal a lasting confrontation over the future shape of American democracy.Thank you for tuning in, and come back next week for more.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.ai

Project 2025 is not just another policy blueprint; it is a sweeping, meticulously detailed playbook designed to overhaul how the federal government operates, reshape the civil service, and realign American governance along sharply conservative lines. Crafted by the Heritage Foundation with contributions from over 100 coalition partners and released in April 2023, the 927-page document, titled “Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise,” outlines concrete steps a newly elected Republican president could take starting from day one in office.Proponents of Project 2025 describe it as a plan to “destroy the Administrative State,” targeting what they argue is an unaccountable bureaucracy captured by liberal interests. Kevin Roberts of the Heritage Foundation put it bluntly: “All federal employees should answer to the president.” The vision centralizes control of the entire executive branch, grounding itself in an expansive interpretation of the unitary executive theory. According to the project's documentation, independence for agencies such as the Department of Justice, the Federal Communications Commission, and others would be eliminated. Leadership at these institutions would be swept clean and staffed by presidential loyalists, many of whom could be installed in “acting” roles that bypass Senate confirmation.A key mechanism enabling this transformation is Schedule F, a controversial classification devised to move large numbers of nonpartisan civil servants into at-will positions. Without traditional civil service protections, these employees could be easily removed and replaced with political appointees. Heritage Foundation writers stress that this is essential to secure rapid, loyal implementation of the president's agenda. Critics, however, warn that the move exposes federal government positions to unchecked political influence and undermines the longstanding principle of impartial public service.Listeners may recognize some of these ambitions from earlier efforts under President Trump. This time, Project 2025 comes armed with a detailed 180-day playbook and ready-to-sign executive orders designed to implement change with unprecedented speed. As reported by Government Executive, the plan's first phase has already resulted in the abrupt dissolution of agencies such as the Consumer Financial Protection Board and USAID, accompanied by mass firings spanning across more than two dozen agencies. Challengers, including federal employee unions like the NTEU, have launched lawsuits, arguing these actions violate long-standing legal protections for government workers.Project 2025 reaches well beyond administrative restructuring. In criminal justice, for example, the document spells out proposals directing the Department of Justice to directly intervene in cases where local prosecutors are viewed as too lenient—potentially removing them from office. The Brennan Center points out that such measures could limit prosecutorial discretion and pressure local officials to abandon reform agendas, particularly in drug or low-level offenses.In the education sphere, the blueprint calls for significant expansion of voucher programs, the empowerment of charter schools, and even the closure of public schools deemed noncompliant with conservative values. Curriculum “censorship” is highlighted as a tool to ensure ideological conformity, and efforts to diminish the role of public education are explicitly connected to broader goals of limiting federal influence at the state and local levels.Reproductive rights are a prominent battleground as well. The project supports creating a national registry to track abortions and calls for nationwide restrictions that leverage statutes like the Comstock Act and reverse FDA approvals of abortion medication.Expert commentary ranges widely on the likely impacts of these reforms. Advocates assert Project 2025 will bring accountability and restore order, claiming decades of bureaucratic drift must be corrected by strong executive leadership. Detractors warn of an “authoritarian presidency,” as noted by the Brennan Center and the ACLU, pointing to risks for democratic norms, the separation of powers, and civil liberties.As the nation watches, key milestones approach. Should a Republican administration prevail in the next election, listeners can expect swift, far-reaching executive actions, many of which are already being tested on a smaller scale in various states. The months ahead promise critical court battles, legislative showdowns, and profound debates about the future of American government.Thank you for tuning in to today's narrative exploration of Project 2025. Join us again next week for more in-depth analysis and vital updates on the changing landscape of American policy and governance.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.ai

S&P Futures are weakening this morning following Friday's strong gains that were sparked by dovish comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell at the Jackson Hole event. Markets are pricing in a 25 basis point interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve in September 2025, with expectations for a similar 25 basis point cut in December. President Trump to meet with the President of South Korea today with trade agreement and regional security in focus. On Friday, President Trump said that he would be launching a major tariff investigation into furniture imports coming into the United States.  Over the weekend he called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revoke the broadcast licenses of ABC and NBC, accusing them of biased coverage against him and labeling them as "fake news" networks. The week ahead features a host of key earnings announcements from major companies across various sectors including PVH, ANF, WSM, FIVE, SNOW, CRWD, NVDA, BBY, DKS, MRVL, DELL, ADSK & BABA.

In April 2023, a coalition led by the Heritage Foundation released Project 2025, an audacious blueprint proposing to reshape American governance on a scale rarely seen in modern politics. The plan, spanning nearly a thousand pages, lays out a “Mandate for Leadership” that reaches into the fiber of every federal agency and policy domain, promising dramatic change beginning as soon as January 20, 2025, should the architects gain influence.Project 2025 isn't just another policy playbook. According to The Center for Progressive Reform, it aims to radically restructure the executive branch by concentrating unprecedented power in the Oval Office. By relying on a controversial interpretation of the unitary executive theory, the project proposes to eliminate the independence of the Justice Department, the FBI, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Federal Trade Commission, placing them all directly under presidential control. Kevin Roberts of Heritage proclaimed, “All federal employees should answer to the president,” highlighting the drive for loyalty and ideological uniformity at the highest levels.A significant tool in this restructuring is Schedule F, a hiring scheme that allows for unlimited political appointments without civil service protections. Political loyalists would fill key posts overnight, while thousands of career officials could be dismissed or reassigned. The National Federation of Federal Employees warns this could “destroy the Administrative State,” stripping public servants of their protection and empowering the incoming administration to act with little oversight. Experts note this opens the door to corruption and abuse of power on a level unseen since the patronage systems of the 19th century.Concrete proposals go beyond staffing. Project 2025 calls for dismantling the Consumer Financial Protection Board and the United States Agency for International Development, as seen in recent attempts to eliminate these agencies under the current administration, which has already fired hundreds of thousands of workers. The American Federation of Government Employees and National Treasury Employees Union have filed lawsuits, arguing, “For over 47 years, the law has made clear that collective bargaining in the federal sector is in the public interest. We have taken the necessary action to file a lawsuit to uphold the law and stop this attack.” Meanwhile, chaotic return-to-office mandates and office closures serve a dual purpose: savings, and making remote work, long a civil service perk, much harder.Education policies advocated by Project 2025 are even more sweeping. Brookings experts describe proposals to shutter the Department of Education, eliminate Head Start and Title I funding, privatize the federal student loan program, and rescind protections for LGBTQ+ students. The report's authors, many of whom served in the first Trump administration, envision a landscape where federal enforcement of civil rights is severely curtailed. “This is a great group, and they're going to lay the groundwork and detail plans for exactly what our movement will do,” said former President Trump in 2022, underscoring the project's ambition and alignment with his worldview.Civil liberties groups, including the ACLU, describe Project 2025 as a “blueprint for how to replace the rule of law with right-wing ideals.” Their analysis argues that, from abortion and immigration to free speech and racial justice, recommended actions would erode democratic norms and threaten fundamental rights.As the Heritage Foundation and its allies press forward, the next few months loom large. Will Congress and the courts intervene in time to temper the most sweeping proposals? Could a dramatic overhaul of the federal government become reality on “Day One”? Experts from both ends of the political spectrum agree that, if enacted, Project 2025 would alter the balance of power in Washington – possibly for generations.Thank you for tuning in. Join us next week for a deeper look at how these changes could affect American lives, and what milestones to watch as this bold project unfolds.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.ai

Project 2025 has become one of the most ambitious—and controversial—proposals to reshape American governance in modern times. Unveiled by the Heritage Foundation and backed by a coalition of over 100 conservative groups, this nearly thousand-page blueprint envisions a sweeping overhaul of the federal government if a Republican president takes office in January 2025. Its stated mission is nothing short of a root-and-branch restructuring: dismantle the so-called “administrative state,” reassert presidential control, and roll back everything from agency independence to civil service protections.As Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts put it, “all federal employees should answer to the president.” At Project 2025's core lies an aggressive reading of the “unitary executive” theory, which claims the president should exercise direct oversight of the entire executive branch. The project calls for the elimination of the independence of agencies like the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Trade Commission, and the Federal Communications Commission. This would mean every official answers directly to the Oval Office, erasing barriers that, until now, protected agencies from political interference.Concrete examples of this ambition spill across the plan's 30 dense chapters. According to the policy document “Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise,” Project 2025 proposes the immediate dismissal of all State Department leadership and their replacement by ideologically vetted appointees. Kiron Skinner, who led the chapter on the State Department, wrote that career officials should be replaced by those more loyal to the president's agenda—noting she considered most State staff as “too left-wing.”The implications run deep for the federal workforce. Project 2025 reinvigorates the controversial “Schedule F” system, which would allow the mass reclassification of up to a million civil service positions to at-will federal jobs. As the National Federation of Federal Employees explains, everyone in these positions could be fired and replaced at the president's discretion. This would gut long-standing protections intended to shield government workers from political retribution or interference, paving the way for a loyalist bureaucracy on “Day One.”Some of the earliest developments since the 2024 election have been dramatic. The new administration, working with an Elon Musk–led Department of Government Efficiency, has already attempted to dismantle entire agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the U.S. Agency for International Development. According to Politico, Musk's team eliminated the CFPB and USAID, fired tens of thousands of federal workers, and rapidly imposed return-to-office mandates intended to shrink the government's physical footprint. The White House described the effort as making government “more efficient and effective,” with President Trump issuing an executive order for agencies to hire only one new worker for every four who leave.Critics, including the American Civil Liberties Union, warn that Project 2025 poses a grave threat to civil liberties and democratic norms. The ACLU highlights that the blueprint would roll back protections for LGBTQ rights, reproductive rights, and racial equity, while rolling out aggressive new policies on immigration, policing, and free speech. The Center for Progressive Reform is tracking these moves, reporting devastating consequences upon workers, the environment, and the rights of millions as the changes ripple through every U.S. state and territory.Supporters say Project 2025 is necessary to rid Washington of bias, inefficiency, and “woke” influence. Critics counter that it is, in the words of one legal expert for The Atlantic, “an attempt to intellectually retrofit a rationale for Trumpism.” They note that many proposals may require approval from Congress or survive Supreme Court scrutiny, but much of the plan is designed to work through executive action alone.As the country heads toward the 2026 congressional midterms, all eyes are on milestones set by the Project 2025 playbook. Will the courts uphold the expanded executive powers? Can civil service protections be permanently dismantled? And to what extent will Congress shield or resist the transformation underway? More executive orders, agency reshuffles, and legal showdowns are on the horizon, ensuring the fate of Project 2025 will remain a defining issue for the nation.Thanks for tuning in—come back next week for more.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.ai

Adam Chan, National Security Counsel at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and inaugural Director of the FCC's new Council on National Security, joins Lawfare's Justin Sherman to discuss the FCC's rulemaking on submarine cables and national security. They discuss the FCC's new submarine cable rules, the role of submarine cables in the U.S. telecommunications supply chain and in the data and AI era, and the national security risks facing submarine cable infrastructure. They also discuss new requirements for submarine cable license applicants to make physical security and cybersecurity certifications, the objective of limiting Chinese influence on U.S.-tied submarine cables, and the future of how the FCC is thinking about threats, responses, and engagement with industry to address them.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is our first episode covering Lyndon Johnson and how he accumulated his wealth, becoming the richest president in history up to his time.  In today's episode (which is one of 2 episodes covering this topic ), we begin by telling the story of KTBC Austin, the radio station snatched from the hands of Dr. Ulmer and JM West. And how  KTBC served as the foundation for acquisition of the only  TV station in Austin. Johnson was able to skillfully accomplish this through his  political influence that even by 1939,  extended deep into the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The events which came together to allow him to purchase station KTBC  are chronicled closeup by J. Evetts Haley who was a first person participant in the events as an agent for J.M. West the man who should have become the rightful owner of the station. These events are but one more glimpse into the soul of Lyndon Johnson. Rumors began to swirl almost immediately after the President's assassination and there is a defined school of thought within the JFK assassination research community that staunchly believes in Johnson's involvement. His involvement  in both the assassination and its cover up. Join us in one of the most fascinating story tells of the Kennedy assassination and stick around as we will be returning to the Mexico City series right after we complete this min-series that was spawned by the recent release of the Billy Sol Estes and Cliff Carter tape that the two recorded in 1971. Folks, you just can't write this stuff. Even as early as 1964, rumors and serious concerns over  the lone gunman theory and the evidence that might contravene it,  were becoming a major concern for the government and the commission. Conspiracy theories were contrary to the government's stated narrative from the very beginning. This  real-life story is more fascinating than fiction.  No matter whether you are a serious researcher or a casual student, you will enjoy the fact filled narrative and story as  we relive one of the most shocking moments in American History. An event that changed the nation and changed the world forever.

Project 2025 stands at the center of the most audacious effort to refashion the American federal government in a generation. Announced by the Heritage Foundation in April 2023, it's described by its architects as a “Mandate for Leadership,” a nearly 1,000-page policy blueprint orchestrated for the next conservative administration. Its goal is to radically re-engineer almost every corner of the federal bureaucracy, starting on day one after inauguration.The true scope of Project 2025 emerges in its detailed chapters—each targeting a federal agency, each brimming with concrete proposals and strict timelines. According to Heritage president Kevin Roberts, “We must tear apart the administrative state,” and his words echo through the policy pages. The plan's core principle is to place the executive branch firmly under direct presidential control. This means eliminating the independence of agencies like the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the Federal Communications Commission. Kiron Skinner, the main author of the State Department section, put it bluntly: “Most State Department employees are too left-wing. They should be replaced by loyal conservatives appointed to acting roles with no Senate confirmation required.”Listeners should note the mechanism behind this overhaul: Schedule F. This little-known hiring classification, revived for this project, lets the president move career civil servants into politically appointed roles stripped of traditional protections. As the National Federation of Federal Employees explains, “Schedule F wipes out the guardrails against political overreach or abuse of power.” The vision is clear—on January 20, 2025, the new president would sign a prepared stack of executive orders, dismiss hundreds of agency leaders, and flood offices with handpicked loyalists.Elon Musk's stewardship of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has served as the shock troops for these changes, reports Government Executive. Entire agencies, like the Consumer Financial Protection Board and USAID, have already been eliminated. In tandem, tens of thousands of federal workers have been laid off, with over 280,000 jobs cut or slated for elimination across 27 agencies. This restructuring, according to statements from the American Federation of Government Employees, represents “an attack on the very foundation of public service.” Return-to-office mandates and the downsizing of federal office buildings, often with little coordination, have further upended daily life for civil servants.President Trump's executive order from February 2025 codified much of the Project's ethos. The Department of Government Efficiency must reduce federal hiring to only essential positions, and for every four employees departing, only one replacement is allowed—excluding national security, law enforcement, and immigration. Agencies must draw up plans for large-scale reductions in force. Trump asserts this will shrink the government “for a new era of prosperity and innovation.”But the ambition doesn't stop at workforce reshuffling. Project 2025 targets environmental regulations, civil rights enforcement, and social policies. The Center for Progressive Reform warns that rollbacks across 20 agencies will have “devastating consequences for workers, the environment, public health, and the rights of millions.” Civil rights organizations like the Leadership Conference highlight proposals to gut the enforcement of key laws, eliminate disparate impact as a metric for discrimination, shut down diversity, equity, and inclusion offices, and retool the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to prioritize “religious exemptions” and shield employers from DEIA mandates. The stated goal is to erase what the blueprint calls “managerialist left-wing race and gender ideology.”Supporters say these proposals will reclaim democratic accountability from an unelected bureaucracy and restore presidential power. “All federal employees should answer to the president,” says Kevin Roberts. Critics, however, see the project as authoritarian, calling it an unprecedented centralization of power and a threat to civil liberties, institutional independence, and separation of powers.As the country approaches key decision points in the months ahead, Project 2025 stands ready for rapid, high-impact implementation. It's not just a wishlist—it's a playbook, already in motion, with real consequences unfurling agency by agency and law by law. With court challenges underway and public debate intensifying, listeners can expect major milestones and consequences in the coming weeks.Thank you for tuning in, and be sure to join us next week for more insights and updates on America's changing governance.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.ai

The best tool to connect with your clients is in your hands! We've compiled a list of applications that make compliant communication through the phone a lot easier. Listen to learn more!   Read the text version   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Phone & VolP Resources: AgencyBloc Phone.com RingCentral Zoom Phone   Call Recording Application Resources: AgencyBloc's Plus Suite Integrity's MedicareCENTER Recordia Telephony Service Senior Market Sales CallRecording Solution TTEC Mobile Record and Store Now   Ritter Resources: eBooks & Guides Field Notes Episode Playlist The Ritter Blog   References:   Tautimes, Mari. “Should Insurance Agents Use Text Messages to Communicate with Clients?” Western Asset Protection Blog, Western Asset Protection, 16 May 2019, info.westernassetprotection.com/blog/should-insurance-agents-use-text-messages-to-communicate-with-clients Dice, Zach. “VoIP vs. Company Cell Phones: Which Is Best for Your Business?” Dice Communications Blog, Dice Communications, 3 Nov. 2022, dicecommunications.com/six-key-differentiators-between-company-cell-phones-and-voip Alder, Steve. “HIPAA Training Requirements.” HIPAA Journal, HIPAA Journal, 21 May 2023, www.hipaajournal.com/hipaa-training-requirements/                            “Telephone Consumer Protection Act 47 USC § 227.” Federal Communications Commission, Federal Communications Commission, www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tcpa-rules.pdf Accessed 22 July 2024. Alder, Steve. “The Use of Technology and HIPAA Compliance.” HIPAA Journal, HIPAA Journal, 27 Nov. 2023, www.hipaajournal.com/the-use-of-technology-and-hipaa-compliance/  “Worldwide Texting Statistics.” Vermont State Highway Safety Office, State of Vermont, 20 June 2018, shso.vermont.gov/sites/ghsp/files/documents/Worldwide%20Texting%20Statistics.pdf Staff in the Office of Technology. “Can-SPAM Act: A Compliance Guide for Business.” Federal Trade Commission, 17 Jan. 2024, www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/can-spam-act-compliance-guide-business   Follow Us on Social!  Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has traditionally regulated interstate and international communications and, as part of that, maintained a universal service fund that requires telecommunications carriers to contribute quarterly based on their revenues. In order to calculate these contribution amounts, the FCC contracts the help of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). The constitutionality of these delegations of power—to the FCC by Congress and to USAC by the FCC—were challenged in court by Consumers’ Research. On June 27, 2025, the Court ruled in favor of the FCC, rejecting the argument that the universal-service contribution scheme violates the nondelegation doctrine.Join this FedSoc Forum to discuss this case, its decision, and what this means for the nondelegation doctrine going forward.Featuring:Sean Lev, Partner, HWG LLPModerator: Devin Watkins, Attorney, Competitive Enterprise Institute

The Federal Communications Commission is planning a review of the US emergency alert systems. The announcement of this plan notes that the infrastructure underlying the EAS — which includes radio, television, satellite and cable systems — is 31 years old, while the framework underpinning the Wireless mobile device alert is 13 years old. Also, Meta previewed some of its latest virtual reality prototypes this week, with concepts that are compelling on the specs and long on the design. The company shared some details on its Tiramisu project, dubbing it "hyperrealistic VR." This set promises three times the contrast, 14 times the maximum brightness and 3.6 times the angular resolution of the Meta Quest 3. In actual stats, that's up to 1,400 nits of brightness and an angular resolution of 90 pixels per degree; and HBO Max will begin an "aggressive" messaging campaign about the practice beginning next month, according to an earnings report. Beyond stricter messaging, the company is looking to close any and all loopholes that allow users to share account passwords by the end of the year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

India is expelling Bengali Muslims - stripping citizenship, detaining and deporting them to Bangladesh. The crackdown has spread nationwide, prompted by years of BJP propaganda and a news media all too willing to sell the story of a Muslim "enemy within". Contributors:  Shoaib Daniyal - Political editor, Scroll Fatima Khan - Political journalist Vaishna Roy - Editor, Frontline magazine Paranjoy Guha Thakurta - Journalist and filmmaker On our radar: The images of starving Palestinians in Gaza have provoked global outrage. Israel has launched a PR campaign to deflect blame. Ryan Kohls reports. An interview with Alex Shephard Alex Shephard of The New Republic explains how Donald Trump is putting unprecedented pressure on US media outlets. After CBS was forced to settle out of court with the president, Trump is now suing the Wall Street Journal and its owner - Rupert Murdoch - as well as politicising the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Featuring: Alex Shephard - Senior editor, The New Republic

In this episode of Full Spectrum, Kelley Drye's Communications team provides a detailed “First Take” on the Federal Communications Commission's July 24, 2025 Open Meeting. Special Counsel Mike Dover is joined by partners Chip Yorkgitis and Hank Kelly, and senior associates Jennifer Wainwright and Winafred Brantl, to break down the Commission's major actions and rulemakings, including: • A multi-part Report and Order on pole attachments that introduces new application timelines, advance notice requirements, meet-and-confer obligations, and expanded self-help rights for attachers • Updates to designated entity eligibility rules ahead of the AWS-3 spectrum auction (Auction 113), including revised bidding credits for small and rural service providers • A direct final rule eliminating 11 outdated regulations—such as rules for analog TV, payphones, and telegraphs—while outlining a broader FCC strategy to streamline future rulemaking • A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to modernize rules for network transitions, including proposals to reduce or eliminate certain network change disclosures and streamline Section 214 discontinuance processes • Another NPRM revisiting the FCC's slamming, cramming, and truth-in-billing rules, asking whether current protections are still necessary and proposing a simplified, unified framework The episode also touches on broader themes like AI-driven fraud, transparency in billing, and the agency's increased use of the Administrative Procedure Act's direct final rule mechanism. Whether you work in broadband, wireless, telecom, or policy, this recap offers a sharp, practical rundown of where FCC priorities are headed next.

In der aktuellen Podcast-Episode des SJ Weekly sprechen Hanna und Adam über die heißesten Ankündigungen und Trailer der diesjährigen "San Diego Comic-Con", die am vergangenen Wochenende über die Bühne ging. Doch wo blieben die großen Superhelden-Blockbuster? Entwickelt sich die Messe etwa zu einem reinen Fan-Event, ganz ohne die Zugkraft der großen Kinofranchises?Mit dabei in San Diego waren auch die Köpfe hinter der langlebigen Animationsserie "South Park" Matt Stone und Trey Parker. Das Duo hatte einen neuen Milliarden-Deal mit Paramount im Gepäck. Interessant: Paramount bzw. CBS hatte sich gerade erst mit der US-amerikanischen Aufsichtsbehörde "Federal Communications Commission" (FCC) geeinigt. Doch wie passt das zum nächsten großen Aufreger? In der neuen South-Park-Episode wird Donald Trump als Satans Geliebter inszeniert und kriecht nackt durch die Wüste. Hat Steven Colbert da auch noch ein Wörtchen mitzureden?Zum Abschluss der Folge werfen wir noch einen Blick auf einige neue Serienstarts und auf einen besonders auffälligen Werbespot rund um Sydney Sweeneys Gen-Kampagne im Denim-Outfit. Unsere Frage: Sitzen die wirklich so gut, wie es der Spot verspricht?Timestamps:News:0:00:00 Comic-Con Bericht,0:09:40 South Park, Stephen Colbert & Paramount0:22:00 Sydney SweeneyReviews:0:29:00 Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Happy Gilmore 20:38:00 Trigger, RembetisNeustarts:0:43:00 https://www.serienjunkies.de/docs/serienplaner.html Hanna Twitter/ X: https://twitter.com/HannaHuge Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mediawhore.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mediawhore Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2gBf2qycVN7asOiujkOhDQAdam: Twitter/ X: https://twitter.com/AwesomeArndt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awesomearndt/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AwesomeArndt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The U.S. economy is demonstrating resilience with strong consumer spending and low unemployment filings, despite looming inflation and tariff pressures. Retail sales rose by 0.6% in June, surpassing expectations and indicating solid growth in gross domestic product for the second quarter. However, concerns about rising import costs, which saw their largest monthly increase in over a year, continue to cast a shadow over the economic outlook. While manufacturers anticipate growth and increased hiring, the uncertainty surrounding tariffs remains a significant concern.IBM's CEO, Arvind Krishna, argues that fears of artificial intelligence (AI) eliminating jobs are exaggerated, suggesting that AI will actually enhance employment opportunities by increasing productivity. He notes that while some clerical roles may be phased out, new job creation will occur in programming and sales. Meanwhile, Gartner forecasts a substantial rise in global IT spending, projected to reach $5.43 trillion in 2025, driven largely by investments in AI infrastructure. This shift indicates a growing trend where companies must adapt to the changing landscape or risk being left behind.The podcast also discusses recent layoffs at major tech firms, including Microsoft, Tata Consultancy Services, and Intel, as they navigate the challenges posed by AI and automation. Microsoft has laid off approximately 9,000 employees while reporting significant revenue growth, highlighting the paradox of job cuts amid financial success. Similarly, TCS plans to cut 12,000 jobs, primarily affecting senior and mid-level positions, as clients demand AI-driven services and cost reductions. This trend underscores the rapid transformation of the workforce as companies pivot towards automation and higher-margin activities.Legislative updates include the Federal Communications Commission's review of state laws on AI, aimed at reducing regulations to promote American AI systems. Critics argue that this approach lacks a comprehensive vision for AI innovation. In the UK, a court has denied WhatsApp's intervention in a case involving Apple's compliance with government orders to access encrypted data, raising concerns about privacy. Additionally, New York has announced stricter cybersecurity regulations for water utilities, emphasizing the need for enhanced security measures in critical infrastructure. These developments reflect a broader struggle between regulatory frameworks and the fast-evolving tech landscape. Four things to know today 00:00 U.S. Economy Grows Steadily as AI Reshapes Labor and IT Spend Soars to $5.43 Trillion04:45 Global Policy Divide on AI and Cybersecurity Widens as U.S., UK, and New York Take Conflicting Regulatory Paths07:54 Layoffs Mount Across Tech and Services as AI Drives Shift Toward Margin, Not Manpower12:09 Intel Restructures for AI Future with Major Layoffs, Factory Slowdown, and Network Division Spinoff Supported by:  https://scalepad.com/dave/ https://businessof.tech/sponsor/moovila/  Tell us about a newsletter!https://bit.ly/biztechnewsletter All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.tech

As the week comes to a close, President Trump boards Air Force One, bound for Scotland. Among other things, he'll be meeting with the head of the European Union to finalize our contracts on tariffs. Of course, since Trump owns two golf country clubs, Democrats are screaming he's going over there to "enrich himself by attracting people to stay, work, and eat in those clubs while he's there!Today's show is full of important information addressing numerous events that are happening in the U.S.:House Speaker Mike Johnson informs us that two more "Big Beautiful Bills" are in the works, which are massive reconciliation bills that will build upon the outstanding accomplishments of this administration. After those two, there's one more; the hope is to complete before the midterm elections.The Trump administration announced the building of a new massive immigration facility to house illegals awaiting processing. This enormous facility will be located outside of El Paso, very close to the Mexican border. It will accommodate 5,000 people, who will stay in heated and air-conditioned tents.The Federal Communications Commission approved the deal for Paramount to acquire CBS. Democrats are claiming that the White House's authorization was a result of Paramount's payment to settle the lawsuit brought by Trump.

Spectrum is a vital asset to America's digital infrastructure, but who decides how this resource is distributed? As wireless demand accelerates, what is causing the United States to lag in spectrum policy and oversight? With the recent change in the Big Beautiful Bill to renew auction authority, how can we ensure that spectrum doesn't become a roadblock to future innovation?In this episode, Shane is joined by Harold Furchtgott-Roth, former commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission and currently a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. They examine the historical reasons behind America's rise—and subsequent decline—in spectrum innovation and discuss the policy reforms necessary to restore American leadership in this vital area.

Project 2025 has emerged as one of the most ambitious and polarizing policy blueprints in recent American history. Developed under the guidance of the Heritage Foundation, with participation from more than 100 conservative organizations, Project 2025 represents a detailed roadmap for the executive branch—the so-called “Mandate for Leadership”—aimed at fundamentally reshaping the federal government should a conservative administration return to the White House.At its heart, Project 2025 proposes to dramatically increase presidential control over the federal bureaucracy. According to The Heritage Foundation's Kevin Roberts, “every federal employee should answer to the president,” and the blueprint recommends eliminating the independence of agencies like the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the Federal Communications Commission. Supporters argue this would remedy what they see as an unaccountable, left-leaning bureaucracy, but critics warn that the plan would threaten the separation of powers and basic civil liberties by putting nearly all executive branch decision-making directly under the president.Specifics from the plan highlight its scope. The project calls for the replacement of all State Department leadership before Inauguration Day with appointees handpicked for ideological alignment, bypassing Senate confirmation requirements wherever possible. Kiron Skinner, who authored the State Department chapter, said that career officials had become “too left-wing” and should be replaced with loyal conservatives, despite admitting she could not name a time when these officials had obstructed Trump policies.The workforce reductions proposed are equally sweeping. Project 2025 recommends dismissing up to a million federal workers, either by abolishing entire agencies or through mass layoffs. According to reporting from Government Executive, the Trump administration, implementing elements of the playbook through the Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency, has already cut hundreds of thousands of jobs and eliminated agencies such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and USAID, moves claimed to save $1 trillion but mired in legal disputes with federal workers' unions. These layoffs coincide with aggressive return-to-office mandates and office consolidations, disrupting telework programs relied upon since the pandemic.Policy changes extend well beyond personnel. On public health, Project 2025 would fundamentally curtail the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's authority. The plan advises preventing the CDC from issuing prescriptive guidance on vaccines and masks, transferring these decisions to parents and providers, and splitting the CDC into two agencies to limit its agenda-setting power. The Food and Drug Administration's drug approval process would be reformed, and federal public health funding would be channeled directly to states, bypassing agencies like NIH.On social policy, the proposals are stark. Project 2025 outlines a strict anti-abortion agenda—cutting federal funds to states that don't require detailed abortion reporting, limiting access to medications like mifepristone, and instructing the Department of Health and Human Services to combat so-called “abortion tourism.” The blueprint also calls for a ban on transgender individuals in military service and would have the CDC stop collecting data on gender identity. Civil rights and liberty organizations like the ACLU argue these measures would “replace the rule of law with right-wing ideals,” further noting that Project 2025's reach would touch nearly every aspect of American life.While the Heritage Foundation frames its mission as restoring efficiency and democratic accountability, critics like the Center for Progressive Reform describe Project 2025 as the “authoritarian blueprint” of an administration racing to roll back worker and environmental protections, undo public health safeguards, and undermine democratic checks and balances nationwide.The next weeks and months will be crucial as lawmakers, federal employees, and advocacy groups react to the ongoing implementation of these policies and court challenges move forward. As Project 2025 continues to unfold—whether through executive action, litigation, or legislative attempts—Americans face a period of tremendous uncertainty about the future shape of their government.Thank you for tuning in, and be sure to come back next week for more.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.ai

Aughie and Nia discuss the following case rulings: United States v. Skrmetti, Diamond Alternative Energy v. EPA, Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, and Federal Communications Commission v. Consumers' Research.

Story of the Week (DR):NEO turnover week MMApple CFO and COO resign, raising questions about CEO Tim Cook's futureApple CEO succession plan blown open as most obvious candidate to step downChief Operating Officer (COO) Jeff Williams, 62, will retire at the end of this year. Following the retirement of former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Luca Maestri, 61, last year, the departure of these 'key figures in growth' seems to signal a significant generational shift within Apple.Meet Apple's next COO Sahib Khan, a 30-year veteran who will oversee the iPhone maker's supply chain amid the ‘Trump tariff black cloud'Twitter/X CEO Linda Yaccarino quits after Grok AI praises HitlerWendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Leaving Burger Giant for HersheyIs this another Peltz failure? Tanner has been CEO of Wendy's since only February 2024Trian Fund Management controls two board seats:Peter May (29%): director since 1993; former Wendy's executive; Founding Partner of Trian; chair of Capital and Investment committee, chair of Technology Committee, member of Compensation Committee, member of Corporate Social Responsibility committee, and member of Executive committee.Matthew Peltz (31%): son of Nelson; Partner of Trian; chair of Corporate Social Responsibility committee, member of Capital and Investment committee, member of Technology Committee, and member of Executive committee.Matthew resigned in same 8-k mentioning the CEO's departure and will be replaced by his brother Bradley Peltz; drafted by the Ottawa Senators and played in the Senators' organization from September 2012 to January 2013.Always my favorite line: “There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. B. Peltz and any other persons pursuant to which Mr. B. Peltz was selected as a director.”His photo on website:leaving Tanner (8%) with a small voiceGolden hello at Hershey: (i) $7M RSU Award (ii) $4M PSU Award, (iii) an additional $1.2M Pro-Rata 2025 RSU Award, and (iv) an additional $2.2M Pro-Rata 2025 RSU AwardWendy's: salary $1M; 175% annual target; $6M annual equity targetHershey: $1.25M/180%/$9MAlso Kristin Dolan, James Dolan wifeHershey not much different: controlled by Hershey Trust and several Hershey Trust directorsInterim CEO is CFO Ken Cook, who started in December 2024Tesla announces Nov. annual meeting under pressure from shareholders, but may still be skirting lawElon Musk's Tesla finally sets a shareholder meeting date amid doubts about his long-denied $56 billion pay packageThe exciting Item 5.08 (which I never see): “The board of directors (the “Board”) of Tesla, Inc. (“Tesla”) has designated November 6, 2025 as the date of Tesla's 2025 annual meeting of shareholders (the “2025 Annual Meeting”).”T-Mobile follows orders from Trump FCC, ends DEI to get two mergers approved"As T-Mobile indicated earlier this year, we recognize that the legal and policy landscape surrounding DEI under federal law has changed and we remain fully committed to ensuring that T-Mobile does not have any policies or practices that enable invidious discrimination, whether in fulfillment of DEI or any other purpose," T-Mobile General Counsel Mark Nelson wrote in a July 8 letter that was posted to the Federal Communications Commission's filings website yesterday. "We have conducted a comprehensive review of T-Mobile's policies, programs, and activities, and pursuant to this review, T-Mobile is ending its DEI-related policies as described below, not just in name, but in substance."CEO Mike Sievert: CNN Business recognized Mike as “CEO of the Year” in 2022, and Yale honored him in 2024 with its “Legend in Leadership Award,” in part due to the impact of these initiatives.UPS Drivers Are Battling Deadly Heat—Without A.C. in Their TrucksWhy is the company dragging its heels on updating the vehicles, as the new union contract requires?As part of the contract the union negotiated with UPS in 2023, the company is now required to provide workers with several protections against the kind of extreme heat many of them are facing across the U.S. right now. Those include readily available clean water and ice, as well as access to “cool zones” and the right to take and extend breaks when they feel overheated. The contract further mandated UPS to install fans in the largely non-air-conditioned warehouses where packages are sorted and loaded, and in the front of vehicles. Delivery trucks have also been outfitted with heat exhaust shields and vents. UPS Teamsters, though, are still waiting on some of these historic protections. UPS is required to equip its fleet with at least 28,000 new air-conditioned delivery trucks by the time the current contract expires in 2028; toward that end, all new vans UPS purchases after January 1, 2024, are supposed to have air conditioning. As of last summer, CNN reported, it hadn't bought any. UPS Brand Management Representative Becca Hunnicut did not directly answer my questions about whether UPS has purchased any new delivery vehicles equipped with air conditioning since the beginning of 2024 and if any of its delivery trucks currently have air conditioning. She wrote over email that the company is “installing air conditioning in all new delivery vehicles we buy and adding them as quickly as possible,” adding that UPS does not “publicly share the number of vehicles we purchase” and that it is “prioritizing deployment in the hottest regions.”Goodliest of the Week (MM/DR):DR: ‘Prevention is better than remedy': majority of investors say governance gaps attract activists, research shows MM DR84 percent of investors polled, who hail from North America, Europe (including the UK) and Asia, said that poor governance was the main driver of activist investor attention.Investors also largely (71 percent) favor activism targeting the board on governance and management change versus operational (10 percent), balance sheet (3 percent) or M&A activism (3 percent)MM: Tesla announces Nov. annual meeting under pressure from shareholders, but may still be skirting lawAssholiest of the Week (MM):Democracy73% of votes cast in alternative democracy were for directors in the US0.01% of directors up for a vote were voted out - incumbency rulesWe know governance in corporations isn't working, and it's the primary driver of activism: ‘Prevention is better than remedy': majority of investors say governance gaps attract activists, research showsGovernance proponents were the only winners in the shareholder proposal space with an 18% win rateWe know money doesn't care nearly as much about performance as it cares about power status quo:Vote Gap - directors batting .333 or lower on TSR vs. average vote at the companyAverage vote gap was actually +1.3% - bottom directors outperformed average vote at the companiesWe know that only 22% of US directors have “merit”, but we know that more than 1 in 4 directors are connected to each other through other boards and non profits - including the CEOSo we should all fucking lose our minds when…New York's Financial Crowd Rushes to Build Anti-Mamdani War Chest - no more buying electionsJamie Dimon criticizes Zohran Mamdani as 'Marxist,' blasts Democrats' DEI push: 'Big hearts and little brain' - shut your fat mouthAdvertisersYour ads are now next to AI for middle school boysGrok praises Hitler, gives credit to Musk for removing “woke filters”Grok's harmful outputs come at a time when advertisers have just begun returning to X, after X first sued advocacy groups publishing reports of hate speech on the platform, then sued advertiser groups who boycotted the platform allegedly partly due to those reports. Most recently, X's plan to sue firms that don't buy ads has seemed to pay off, while the Federal Trade Commission has moved to stop advertising boycotts, which may help X avoid losing revenue no matter what Grok is trained to say.Musk says Grok chatbot was 'manipulated' into praising HitlerGrok 4 appears to seek Elon Musk's views when answering controversial questionsNo more hedging “well, he is a brilliant businessman and innovator” - Elon Musk is a fucking nightmare, antisemite, misogynist pig baby.We don't say “Well, Hitler was a brilliant dictator, but you know, Holocaust.” Musk is pure shitbird. Dollar Tree DRNEW RULE: if your CEO pay ratio is more than 5:1, the Aristotle rule, no fucking share buybacksShare Buyback Program Declared by Dollar Tree (NASDAQ:DLTR) Board of Directorsour median employee in fiscal 2024 was a parttime hourly store associate located in the United States.Out of a total population of 209,517 employees, 140,001 were part-time employees and 5,892 were either temporary or seasonal workers.Mr. Creedon's total annual compensation for purposes of the pay ratio was $9,246,835The median employee's total annual compensation for fiscal 2024 was $15,602, resulting in an estimated pay ratio of 592:1.Creedon effectively made is median employee's salary 14 hours into his first 24 hours of the yearThe board approved a buyback of $2.5 billion, with a “B”, equal to roughly 11.5% of outstanding sharesThe annual total paid to part time employees is $2.18 billion - they took a full year of 140,000 people's pay and bought their own stock with it to grease investorsAccording to the internet, a Dollar Tree cashier makes on average $10/hour - you could easy give them $15 and pay for it for TWO YEARS without needing to make a dollar if you can afford these buybacksAnd Bill Ackman is busy complaining why a labor focused socialist democrat won NYC mayor… Headliniest of the WeekDR: TVA board set to be all-male, all-whiteOn Tuesday, President Donald Trump nominated four white men to join the three white men he left on the board after firing the only two female directors.MM: Barbie Launches Doll With Type 1 DiabetesMM: How Starbucks' Founder Uses the ‘Two Chairs Rule' to Guide Every Leadership Decision“Every decision that we tried to make with two chairs metaphorically sitting in the room was designed to ask ourselves during the debate, is this decision going to exceed the expectations of our people and our customers and make them proud?” Schultz said. “And if the answer was no, we shouldn't do it.”Not mentioned were the chairs of “CEO” and “Chair of Board” a total of three timesWho Won the Week?DR: Kirk Tanner, more chocolate, less disgusting grease, less Peltz, more diversity in leadership, and zero nepotism (LD is woman; 3 Hershey Trust board members are Asian woman and two lack men)MM: Tennis, the great billionaire equalizer. ‘Biggest joke I've ever watched in professional tennis': Swift backlash after billionaire Bill Ackman's pro debutPredictionsDR: New Wendy's director Brad Peltz gets caught watching hockey during board meetings, still gets the support of 99.3% of shareholdersMM: Elon Musk Obtains Permit to Spew Pollution - isn't this the greatest future money maker for the Trump administration? Pay for a permit to do heinous shit? PREDICTION: Trump begins issuing permits, with starting cost of $1m, for oil spills, pollution, hate speech, deforestation, and using forced labor (kids or immigrants are both covered, obviously).

The Federal Communications Commission is asking Cellcom customers for information about the recent service outage. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has traditionally regulated interstate and international communications and, as part of that, maintained a universal service fund that requires telecommunications carriers to contribute quarterly based on their revenues. In order to calculate these contribution amounts, the FCC contracts the help of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). The constitutionality of these delegations of power—to the FCC by Congress and to USAC by the FCC—were challenged in court by Consumers’ Research. On June 27, 2025, the Court ruled in favor of the FCC, rejecting the argument that the universal-service contribution scheme violates the nondelegation doctrine.Join this FedSoc Forum to discuss this case, its decision, and what this means for the nondelegation doctrine going forward.Featuring:Sean Lev, Partner, HWG LLPModerator: Devin Watkins, Attorney, Competitive Enterprise Institute --To register, click the link above.

In the 8 AM hour, Larry O’Connor and Cassie Smedile discussed: WMAL GUEST: BRENDAN CARR (Chairman, Federal Communications Commission) on the Rollout of His 'Build America Agenda' NY POST: Mamdani Stokes Italian American Outrage After Resurfaced Tweet Shows Socialist Giving the Finger to Christopher Columbus Statue: ‘Take It Down’ WMAL GUEST: REP. JIM JORDAN (R-OH, House Judiciary Committee Chairman) on Anti-ICE Attacks and the Big, Beautiful Bill Signed Into Law NY POST: Hakeem Jeffries Dubbed ‘Massive Clown’ for Posting Warped Photo: ‘Work on Those Editing Skills’ Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple, Audible and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 / 8 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WMAL GUEST: BRENDAN CARR (Chairman, Federal Communications Commission) on His Build America Agenda to Unleash Higher Speed Communication Infrastructure Across the Country WEBSITE: FCC.gov SOCIAL MEDIA: X.com/BrendanCarrFCC Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple, Audible and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 / 8 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Project 2025 is setting the stage for a sweeping transformation of American governance, promising changes that could reshape the federal landscape for years to come. Backed by the Heritage Foundation and a coalition of conservative advocacy groups, this policy blueprint is designed to consolidate executive power and implement a far-reaching conservative agenda from the first day of a new presidential administration.Central to Project 2025 is its intent to dramatically expand presidential authority over the executive branch. According to project advocates, the goal is to “place the entire executive branch under direct presidential control,” which would eliminate the traditional independence of agencies like the Department of Justice, FBI, Federal Communications Commission, and Federal Trade Commission. “All federal employees should answer to the president,” declared Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, reflecting the project's belief in a unitary executive theory where the president wields unprecedented control over federal administration. This vision calls for mass dismissal of top federal employees and replacing them with ideologically aligned appointees, a process that circumvents the usual need for Senate confirmation and could reshape federal agencies overnight.A concrete example of this agenda has already unfolded in the first months of the current administration. The Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, has been instrumental in executing proposals that have stunned even Project 2025's own architects. In rapid succession, agencies such as the Consumer Financial Protection Board and USAID have been dismantled. Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. report that over 280,000 federal workers and contractors across 27 agencies have been laid off or are planned to be laid off, reflecting an unprecedented overhaul of the civil service. Return-to-office mandates have been paired with reductions in federal office space, complicating the lives and careers of hundreds of thousands of workers who had adapted to remote work during the pandemic.Project 2025's scope also extends to emergency management and disaster response. The plan calls for shifting FEMA's emergency preparedness and response costs overwhelmingly onto states and localities, with the federal government restricting its contribution to catastrophic events only. “FEMA is overtasked, overcompensates for the lack of state and local preparedness and response, and is regularly in deep debt,” warns the Project 2025 blueprint. It also urges Congress to end federal preparedness grants, signaling a major reversal in longstanding disaster response policy.The plan proposes similar upheavals in the realm of public broadcasting, with investigations launched into National Public Radio and PBS and calls to reduce or eliminate federal funding for these institutions. In immigration and border security, Project 2025 recommends direct use of military personnel for arrest operations at the southern border—something not previously seen in U.S. policy—and a sharp reduction in refugee admissions.Criminal justice is another key battleground. The blueprint advises the Department of Justice to charge or remove elected local prosecutors who decline to pursue certain offenses, such as low-level marijuana or shoplifting cases. This unprecedented federal intervention would curtail local prosecutorial discretion and centralize decision-making in Washington. As the Brennan Center for Justice notes, this approach “would deter local prosecutors from using their discretion in making case-specific decisions, regardless of what policies they may have campaigned on.”Critics, from the American Civil Liberties Union to labor unions and public sector advocates, argue that these changes threaten civil liberties, the separation of powers, and the independence of federal employees. The ACLU contends that Project 2025 “is a federal policy agenda and blueprint for a radical restructuring of the executive branch,” warning that its implementation could erode longstanding civil rights and democratic norms.With executive actions rolling out across more than 20 federal agencies, as tracked by the Center for Progressive Reform, the debate over Project 2025's full impact is only just beginning. As milestones approach—the next round of agency reorganizations, legal challenges to mass layoffs, and pivotal congressional showdowns—the nation will be watching to see whether this vision for American government will ultimately endure or be checked by traditional safeguards.Thank you for tuning in. Come back next week for more.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.ai

Project 2025 is more than a government reform blueprint; it's a sweeping bid to reshape the core of American governance. Developed by conservative think tanks, including the Heritage Foundation, Project 2025 lays out hundreds of pages detailing how a future administration—under President Trump, as recent events have confirmed—could consolidate executive power, overhaul federal agencies, and redefine the federal-state relationship.According to project documents, a foundational goal is to place the entire executive branch under direct presidential control. The plan would strip independence from agencies like the Department of Justice, the FBI, and regulatory bodies such as the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission. Kevin Roberts of the Heritage Foundation stated that all federal employees should answer to the president, echoing the controversial unitary executive theory. This vision, bolstered by recent Supreme Court decisions, would make the White House the undisputed command center of federal authority.Concrete examples of this approach are already being seen. Project 2025 proposes that all senior State Department employees should be dismissed before January 2025, replaced with ideologically vetted appointees who could bypass Senate confirmation. Kiron Skinner, a former Trump administration official involved in the project, argues that most current State Department staff are too left-leaning for this new vision, though she couldn't cite a specific case of obstruction. This move signals a dramatic preference for loyalty over traditional expertise.Agency reforms and cutbacks are a central theme. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the U.S. Agency for International Development have been eliminated in the early months of Trump's second term, according to reporting from GovExec. Similarly, plans are underway to lay off over a quarter million federal workers and contractors across 27 agencies—part of a claimed $1 trillion in savings.Disaster response policy would see radical change as well. Project 2025 calls for a wholesale overhaul of FEMA's funding structure. The federal government would step back, covering only 25% of costs for smaller disasters and up to 75% for the most catastrophic events, compared to the current baseline of 75% minimum coverage. The project's authors argue FEMA is “overtasked” and advocate for ending all preparedness grants to states and localities. “DHS should not be in the business of handing out federal tax dollars: These grants should be terminated,” state the project's recommendations.Other cultural and political flashpoints are also targeted. Brendan Carr, the FCC's head, announced investigations into NPR and PBS, questioning the content aired on their more than 1,500 member stations. According to The New York Times, this reflects Project 2025's skepticism toward publicly funded media.Criminal justice is slated for a dramatic pivot, too. The Brennan Center for Justice notes that Project 2025 proposes allowing the Department of Justice to charge or even remove local prosecutors who decline to pursue certain offenses, such as low-level marijuana possession or shoplifting. The authors argue this would address so-called “rule of law deficiencies,” but critics warn it could stifle local discretion and turn every district attorney into a policy subordinate of the federal government. For example, progressive prosecutors who favor treatment over incarceration for minor offenders would be at risk of losing their jobs under this policy approach.These proposed shifts, both sweeping and granular, have sparked fierce debate. Supporters argue Project 2025 will bring efficiency, accountability, and ideological consistency to Washington. Detractors warn of executive overreach, lost expertise, and risks to the fabric of American federalism. As one Heritage Foundation executive called it, the project is about using the machinery of government “to drive conservative change at every level.”The next key milestones are imminent. With the administration rapidly implementing pieces of the Project 2025 playbook, forthcoming legal challenges and agency restructurings will test both the feasibility and the resiliency of the current checks and balances. Observers across the political spectrum are watching closely: the fate of Project 2025's ambitions will shape not just policy, but the very structure of American democracy.Thank you for tuning in, and be sure to come back next week for more.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.ai

Project 2025, championed by the Heritage Foundation and a coalition of conservative organizations, has become one of the most ambitious and controversial policy blueprints in contemporary American politics. Its authors envision a sweeping reconstruction of federal power, “placing the federal government's entire executive branch under direct presidential control,” as Heritage president Kevin Roberts has openly declared. The plan's backbone is a robust endorsement of the unitary executive theory, which grants unprecedented authority to the president, superseding the traditional independence of agencies like the Department of Justice, FBI, and the Federal Communications Commission. Roberts insists, “All federal employees should answer to the president,” reflecting a philosophy that would uproot decades of precedent regarding agency autonomy.The heart of Project 2025 lies in its plan to replace thousands of federal officials with ideologically vetted loyalists. It recommends dismissing nearly all senior State Department employees prior to Inauguration Day and filling those roles with temporary leaders who, notably, do not require Senate confirmation. Kiron Skinner, who contributed to the project's State Department chapter, has been candid in critiquing existing personnel as “too left-wing,” advocating for a transformation in which “those more loyal to a conservative president” would fill the ranks.This push for centralized authority is not just theoretical. Since January 20, under the Trump administration and the Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency, Project 2025's playbook has begun to reshape the bureaucracy. Entire agencies, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and USAID, have been eliminated or gutted through unprecedented executive actions. Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. reports that approximately 280,253 federal workers and contractors have either been laid off or face imminent dismissal. This seismic reduction affects at least 27 agencies and is touted as part of an effort to save $1 trillion.Specific policy objectives underscore the project's breadth. In criminal justice, the blueprint advises that the Department of Justice intervene aggressively in local prosecutions deemed insufficiently tough, even seeking to remove elected district attorneys who decline to prosecute certain crimes. The document urges that “the DOJ should remove local DAs who ‘deny American citizens the ‘equal protection of the laws' by refusing to prosecute criminal offenses in their jurisdictions.'” This would deter local prosecutors from pursuing alternative justice models, such as drug treatment instead of incarceration, under threat of federal override. Additionally, Project 2025 advocates expanding federal law enforcement's reach into local affairs, particularly in areas where local policy diverges from its agenda.Environmental and labor policies are equally targeted. The Center for Progressive Reform notes that Project 2025 is tracking executive action proposals across 20 federal agencies, warning that the rapid rollout of these initiatives is already producing “devastating consequences for workers, the environment, public health, and the rights of millions of Americans.” The real-time rollback of environmental and public safety regulations has become a flashpoint in states nationwide, as advocates sound alarms over declining protections and oversight.The implications of Project 2025 ripple far beyond administrative reshuffling. Critics argue that the project's zeal for efficiency and loyalty risks hollowing out institutional expertise, weakening checks and balances, and unsettling the rule of law. Proponents, however, see it as a necessary correction—streamlining government, empowering the president, and ensuring a coherent, values-driven administration.As these reforms surge forward, the coming months and years will test both the legal and cultural boundaries of executive power. With tens of thousands of jobs on the line, agency missions in flux, and contentious legal battles unfolding, one thing is certain: Project 2025 has set the stage for a fundamental clash over the future of American governance.Thank you for tuning in. Please come back next week for more.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.ai

On today's episode of Full Spectrum, Special Counsel Mike Dover provides our “First Take” on the Federal Communications Commission's June 26, 2025 Open Meeting and other recent developments. Mike begins with an update on notable changes at the Commission, following the resignations of Commissioners Starks and Simington and the swift Senate confirmation of Republican Commissioner Trusty, who joined the FCC for the June meeting. He then discusses three major items adopted at the June Open Meeting: • A Report and Order streamlining cable television rate regulations and compliance requirements, eliminating outdated forms, methodologies, and certain equipment rules in line with the FCC's "Delete, Delete, Delete" initiative. • A Fifth Report and Order removing the professional engineering certification requirement for biannual Broadband Data Collection filings, instead permitting certification by qualified engineers with specific credentials or experience. • A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing to eliminate FCC rule references that require telecommunications relay service providers to support the rarely used ASCII text telephony format, seeking comments on the proposal. Mike also notes the Supreme Court's June 27 decision upholding the constitutionality of the Federal Universal Service Fund (USF) contribution mechanism, ensuring its continued operation under existing law. For those interested in the details of these actions and their implications for the communications industry, tune in for this concise overview of the FCC's June proceedings.

This Day in Legal History: George Carlin's Seven Dirty WordsOn July 3, 1978, the United States Supreme Court issued a landmark First Amendment decision in FCC v. Pacifica Foundation, ruling 5-4 that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) could reprimand a radio station for airing George Carlin's infamous “Seven Dirty Words” comedy routine. The case arose after WBAI, a New York radio station, broadcast Carlin's monologue during afternoon hours, prompting a listener complaint to the FCC. The FCC responded with a formal reprimand, sparking a legal battle over the boundaries of free speech and government regulation.The Court held that the FCC had the authority to regulate indecent content on public airwaves, particularly during hours when children were likely to be listening. Justice John Paul Stevens, writing for the majority, emphasized the unique pervasiveness of broadcast media and its accessibility to minors as justification for the ruling. The decision marked one of the first times the Supreme Court allowed government regulation of speech based on content, outside of traditional obscenity laws.Dissenting justices, including William Brennan and Thurgood Marshall, warned that the decision posed a threat to free expression and could chill controversial or creative speech. The ruling did not criminalize Carlin's routine or ban such speech outright, but it set a precedent that the government could impose content-based restrictions on broadcasters without violating the First Amendment.This case would come to define the limits of “indecent” speech in broadcast media for decades, reinforcing the idea that First Amendment protections are not absolute in all contexts. The decision became a cornerstone in the ongoing tension between free speech rights and government regulation of media.Chief Justice John Roberts appeared to regain influence over the Supreme Court this term, joining the majority in 96% of argued cases—dissenting in only two of 58 decisions. Legal scholars, however, caution that this high rate doesn't definitively prove Roberts is steering outcomes. Some suggest that his tendency to vote with the majority might reflect a strategic desire to maintain influence or unity, rather than genuine agreement.Roberts, along with Justices Kavanaugh and Barrett, now forms a pivotal center bloc on the ideologically divided court, often determining case outcomes between the court's conservative and liberal wings. These three justices were all in the majority for the ten most contentious 6-3 rulings this term, shaping major decisions on issues like LGBTQ curriculum, gender-affirming care, and administrative power.Observers note that Roberts' leadership this term was marked by a careful assignment of majority opinions, often to maintain consensus among conservatives. For example, he gave the opinion in Trump v. CASA to Barrett, whose more moderate reasoning helped avoid a fractured ruling. Notably, Roberts wrote no separate concurrences or dissents, reinforcing the view that he is trying to project cohesion.However, consensus was not the norm this term. The court split significantly in one-third of its cases, and unanimous rulings fell to 43%. Many of the most ideologically charged outcomes favored conservatives, suggesting that even with Roberts at the center, the court remains deeply right-leaning. Additionally, significant decisions from the court's emergency docket further indicate the direction of future jurisprudence.Votes Suggest Chief Justice Regains Control of ‘Roberts Court'A federal judge has blocked parts of a major restructuring of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initiated by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but the ruling does not require the reinstatement of fired workers. The decision in New York v. Kennedy found that 19 states and Washington, D.C. are likely to succeed in their claims that Kennedy's reduction-in-force and reorganization—part of his “Make America Healthy Again” plan—were unlawful. The injunction halts further implementation but stops short of restoring the affected employees, leaving unresolved the harms states allege, including disrupted services and surveillance functions.Legal experts point out the ambiguity in the ruling, noting it restricts further actions by HHS but does not mandate concrete remedies such as bringing employees back. Some warn that continuing to keep workers off the job could itself violate the injunction. The injunction is limited to four HHS divisions, not the full federal workforce affected.The ruling requires HHS to file a compliance update by July 11 and address how the recent Supreme Court decision in Trump v. CASA—which limits the scope of national injunctions—may influence the outcome. HHS has multiple potential responses: appealing the ruling, waiting for developments in a related Supreme Court case, or restarting the process through proper legislative and budgetary channels.RFK Jr.'s Overhaul of HHS Blocked But Workers Won't Return NowA federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump's sweeping asylum ban at the U.S.-Mexico border, ruling that Trump exceeded his legal authority. U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss found that Trump's January 2025 proclamation, which barred migrants deemed part of an “invasion” from seeking asylum, violated both federal immigration law and the Constitution. The 128-page opinion emphasized that neither Congress nor the Constitution gave the president power to bypass existing asylum laws, even in the face of immigration challenges.The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed the lawsuit on behalf of advocacy groups and asylum seekers, arguing the ban contradicted U.S. and international legal standards. Moss's ruling temporarily blocks enforcement of the policy and allows 14 days for the Trump administration to appeal. The decision applies broadly to a certified class of affected migrants, sidestepping recent Supreme Court limitations on national injunctions.Trump's policy built on but exceeded a similar effort by President Biden in 2024, which also faced judicial setbacks. The ruling marks another legal rebuke to Trump's aggressive immigration stance since returning to office. The administration maintains the judge overstepped and vows to appeal. Meanwhile, civil liberties groups hail the decision as a necessary check on executive overreach and a reaffirmation of asylum protections.US judge blocks Trump asylum ban at US-Mexico border, says he exceeded authority | ReutersPresident Donald Trump has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in his effort to remove three Democratic members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), challenging a lower court's ruling that blocked their dismissal. The commissioners—Mary Boyle, Alexander Hoehn-Saric, and Richard Trumka Jr.—were appointed by President Biden and make up the majority of the five-member board. They were fired in May, prompting a lawsuit that argued the president lacks authority to remove commissioners of independent agencies without cause.A federal judge, Matthew Maddox, sided with the commissioners, stating Trump had overstepped his authority and finding no misconduct to justify their termination. The Justice Department claims Trump acted within his constitutional powers, asserting that the commissioners were obstructing his policy agenda. The administration is seeking to pause the reinstatement order while the case proceeds.The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals declined to halt the lower court ruling, emphasizing that Congress lawfully limited presidential removal powers in this context. Trump's team now wants the Supreme Court to override that decision, citing a recent high court ruling that allowed Trump to temporarily remove members of a federal labor board in a similar dispute.This case adds to a growing list of legal battles testing the limits of executive power since Trump returned to office. It also raises broader constitutional questions about the balance of power between the president and independent regulatory agencies.Trump asks Supreme Court to allow removal of consumer product safety commissioners | Reuters This is a public episode. 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The Supreme Court's last day of the term was an exercise of raw power. The six conservative justices gave lower courts the back of their hand, making clear that they — and only they! — will decide the law. Nationwide injunctions are out, and so is stare decisis. Andrew and Liz will break down the power grab, along with Mahmoud v. Taylor, in which the howler monkey wing allowed religious parents to opt their kids out of the “religious coercion” of reading books about gay people.   Links: Kennedy v. Braidwood Management. https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24-316_869d.pdf   Federal Communications Commission v. Consumers' Research https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24-354_0861.pdf   Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/23-1122_3e04.pdf   Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/22-451_7m58.pdf   Mahmoud v Taylor  https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24-297_4f14.pdf   Trump v. CASA https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24a884_8n59.pdf   Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod  

The Federal Communications Commission will meet today with a new Republican majority after the confirmation of former Capitol Hill staffer Olivia Trusty. That's likely to boost Chair Brendan Carr's Trump-approved agenda as he ramps up scrutiny of TV broadcasters and social media platforms over perceived conservative bias. On POLITICO Tech, reporter John Hendel joins host Steven Overly to explain the political makeup of the nation's chief communications regulator and what to expect in the months ahead.  Steven Overly is the host of POLITICO Tech and covers the intersection of politics and technology. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy and producer of POLITICO Tech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meet my friends, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton! If you love Verdict, the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show might also be in your audio wheelhouse. Politics, news analysis, and some pop culture and comedy thrown in too. Here’s a sample episode recapping four Tuesday takeaways. Give the guys a listen and then follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Trump's Big Decision President Donald Trump faces a pivotal decision regarding Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Broadcasting solo from Washington, D.C., Clay Travis unpacks breaking developments in the Middle East, emphasizing the United States’ strategic position and military superiority. The hour centers on whether the U.S. should provide Israel with advanced “bunker-busting bombs” to eliminate Iran’s deeply buried nuclear facilities—specifically the fortified Fordo site—and whether the U.S. should support or tacitly approve Israel’s potential move to remove Iran’s Supreme Leader, the Ayatollah. Clay highlights President Trump’s recent statement asserting “complete and total control of the skies over Iran,” signaling deep U.S.-Israeli coordination. The show features analysis of satellite imagery and intelligence reports, underscoring the technical challenges of neutralizing Iran’s nuclear infrastructure without U.S. assistance. Clay argues that Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons is a rational strategy for regime survival, likening the situation to North Korea’s nuclear deterrent. He uses a compelling “antibiotic” analogy to stress the urgency of acting decisively now to prevent a more dangerous future. The hour also includes a robust discussion of the geopolitical implications of regime change in Iran, with Clay advocating for the removal of the Ayatollahs, citing their authoritarian rule and destabilizing influence across the Middle East. He draws a sharp contrast between past U.S. interventions, like the Iraq War, and the current situation, emphasizing that this is not about nation-building but about eliminating a clear and present nuclear threat. TX Senator Ted Cruz Texas Senator Ted Cruz joins the program to offer his perspective, strongly supporting Israel’s right to defend itself and warning of the catastrophic risks if Iran acquires nuclear weapons. Cruz confirms that while he opposes U.S. boots on the ground, he supports providing Israel with the necessary military tools to succeed, including bunker-busting munitions. He also discusses the broader implications for U.S. national security and the safety of American troops in the region. Listeners call in to share their views, with opinions split on the best course of action. Some caution against escalation, while others echo Clay’s call for decisive military support to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power. KY Senator Rand Paul KY Senator Rand Paul urges President Donald Trump to avoid direct military involvement and emphasizing constitutional limits on war powers. Paul critiques the potential consequences of U.S. intervention, including the risk of accelerating Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the dangers of regime change. The conversation shifts to the “Big Beautiful Bill,” where Senator Paul voices strong concerns about the national debt, criticizing the bill’s weak spending cuts and the proposed $5 trillion debt ceiling increase. He calls for fiscal responsibility and outlines his conditional support for the bill, contingent on separating the debt ceiling from tax reform. Paul also reflects on his complex relationship with President Trump, highlighting mutual respect despite policy disagreements. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr Brendan Carr, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, joins the show to discuss media fairness, spectrum policy, and digital censorship. Carr addresses the imbalance in political coverage by legacy media outlets like ABC, CBS, and NBC, and outlines the FCC’s efforts to empower local broadcasters and investigate potential violations by NPR, PBS, and CBS’s “60 Minutes.” He also discusses the importance of restoring spectrum leadership to support emerging technologies like autonomous vehicles and AI, and defends free speech in the digital age, warning against government-corporate collusion in online censorship. Additional listener calls and commentary touch on Iran’s historical context, the role of Elon Musk’s Starlink in bypassing state media, and the cultural shift in how younger generations consume news via platforms like YouTube and TikTok. The hour concludes with breaking news from the U.S. State Department advising against travel to Iran and Israel due to escalating conflict. Make sure you never miss a second of the show by subscribing to the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton show podcast wherever you get your podcasts! ihr.fm/3InlkL8 For the latest updates from Clay and Buck: https://www.clayandbuck.com/ Connect with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton on Social Media: X - https://x.com/clayandbuck FB - https://www.facebook.com/ClayandBuck/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/clayandbuck/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuck Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/ClayandBuck TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@clayandbuck YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. David Bray, Former Chief Information Officer of the Federal Communications Commission and CEO at Lead Do Adapt Ventures, and the Honorable Ellen McCarthy, former Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Intelligence and Research join the show for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about the evolving landscape of data, digital trust, and national security. We unpack how the explosion of connected devices, AI-generated content, and synthetic data is reshaping decision-making, security, and public trust at every level of government and society and explore challenges from authenticating digital content to decentralizing emergency response, and the urgent need to empower individuals and local communities in the face of complex, rapidly changing information ecosystems.

Space-based satellite networks are transforming global connectivity, extending access to even the most remote corners of the planet. The rules that govern these networks have never been more critical. How does satellite spectrum actually function? Why is there an increasing need to revise the regulations that oversee it? And what are the key components of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) proposed reforms?In this episode, Shane Tews is joined by Jay Schwarz, chief of the Federal Communications Commission's space bureau. Together, they unpack the FCC's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and solicit comments regarding updates to satellite spectrum–sharing rules. The FCC will assess how these changes could affect competition between geostationary and nongeostationary satellite providers and examine the technical and policy challenges of implementing potential new regulations.

PAX 8 has announced the development of the first Managed Intelligence Toolkit, set to launch in 2026, aimed at empowering managed service providers (MSPs) to deliver AI solutions at scale to small and medium-sized businesses. This toolkit will integrate various Microsoft technologies, enabling MSPs to orchestrate automation for their clients. Scott Chason, CEO of PAX 8, emphasized the evolution of MSPs from managing infrastructure to managing intelligence, positioning them as architects of digital transformation. However, the term "Managed Intelligence Provider" has been criticized for being reductive, as IT service providers must maintain flexibility to address a wide range of digital needs beyond just intelligence.Apple has also made significant strides in the AI landscape, announcing plans to open its foundational AI technology to third-party developers. This shift comes as Apple faces scrutiny regarding its competitiveness in the evolving AI market. Additionally, Apple has introduced a new naming convention for its operating systems, moving from version numbers to a year-based system, which aims to simplify its previous approach. The company has also launched iPadOS 26, enhancing multitasking capabilities and user interface, while a recent research paper from Apple has raised doubts about the effectiveness of AI reasoning models, suggesting they struggle with complex problems.In a notable shift in U.S. cybersecurity policy, President Trump has rolled back key provisions established by the Biden administration, particularly concerning federal software acquisition rules and cybersecurity measures related to quantum computing and AI. This new executive order emphasizes limiting cyber sanctions to foreign actors and alters previous cybersecurity directives, which could impact the landscape of U.S. cybersecurity. The appointment of Brett Leatherman as the assistant director of the FBI's Cyber Division aims to strengthen efforts against cybercrime, although the Federal Communications Commission is currently facing challenges due to a lack of quorum, hindering its ability to address critical issues.Lastly, the MSP Owners Group has been launched by Juan Fernandez to support small to mid-sized MSPs, focusing on community-driven growth rather than traditional private equity models. This initiative aims to help struggling providers grow while maintaining their core values, emphasizing that trust and relationships are the real assets in an MSP. The rise of alternative models rooted in peer support and sustainable growth represents a significant evolution in MSP financing, offering owner-operators more nuanced paths for collaboration and exit strategies in a maturing M&A landscape.  Four things to know today  00:00 New Pax8 AI Toolkit Says ‘Manage Intelligence,' But Smart MSPs Will Manage Outcomes02:57 Apple Opens AI Tools to Developers While Quietly Questioning the Tech's Limits06:33 Trump Rolls Back Cyber Rules as FBI Appoints New Cyber Chief Amid FCC Paralysis09:58 MSP Owners Group Emerges as Third Path for Providers Seeking Growth Without Selling Out  This is the Business of Tech.     Supported by: Syncro All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.tech

On Tuesday, NPR and three Colorado public radio stations sued the Trump administration for violating the First Amendment. On this week's On the Media, the soon-to-be lone Democratic commissioner at the FCC speaks out against what she calls the weaponization of her agency. Plus, the final episode of The Divided Dial introduces the unlikely group trying to take over shortwave radio.[01:37] Host Micah Loewinger speaks with Anna Gomez, soon to be the lone Democratic commissioner at the Federal Communications Commission, about her makeshift media tour–where Gomez is speaking out about what she sees as the weaponization of her agency. [12:47] Episode 4 of The Divided Dial, Season 2: Wall St. Wants Your Airwaves. In recent years, creative, often music-focused pirate broadcasting has been thriving on shortwave. Reporter Katie Thornton reveals how these surreptitious broadcasters are up against a surprising enemy: not the FCC, but a deep-pocketed group of finance bros that is trying to wrestle the airwaves away from the public, and use them for a money-making scheme completely antithetical to broadcasting. What do we lose when we give up our public airwaves?Further reading:Remarks of FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez at the 2025 Media Institute Communications Forum, May 15, 2025 On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today (https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm). Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing onthemedia@wnyc.org.

Letti de Little is the Chief Compliance Officer for Grain Management, a private equity firm that invests in telecom, infrastructure, and wireless spectrum assets.   Today's LP is focused on finding uncorrelated assets more than ever.  But doing so often requires an understanding of the operational nuances which are different from buying traditional, tradable securities.  I spent some time with Letti to unpack some of the common legal and operational elements for investing in this asset class.    We cover how wireless spectrum auctions work and how Grain manages the dual regulatory oversight of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Communications Commission.  We also talk about what ODD practitioners should know about with this lesser-known strategy.    Learn More Follow Capital Allocators at ⁠⁠⁠@tseides⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠mailing list⁠⁠⁠ Access transcript with ⁠⁠⁠Premium Membership⁠⁠⁠ 

Anthropic has launched its latest AI models, Claude Opus 4 and Claude Sonnet 4, which are designed to enhance coding capabilities and problem-solving skills. Claude Opus 4 is touted as the most powerful model to date, capable of autonomously handling long tasks for several hours and outperforming competitors like Google's Gemini and OpenAI's models in coding tasks. The new models also feature improved accuracy, with a 65% reduction in the likelihood of taking shortcuts compared to their predecessor, and include thinking summaries to clarify reasoning processes.OpenAI has made headlines with its acquisition of IO, a hardware company founded by former Apple design chief Johnny Ive, in a deal valued at $6.5 billion. This acquisition aims to bolster OpenAI's hardware capabilities by bringing in approximately 55 engineers and developers. The first products from this collaboration are expected to launch in 2026, representing a new type of technology rather than a replacement for existing devices. Additionally, OpenAI has introduced significant updates to its Responses API, enhancing its functionality for developers and businesses.Atera has unveiled its IT Autopilot, which claims to automate up to 40% of IT workloads, particularly in resolving Tier 1 IT tickets without human oversight. This innovation aims to alleviate technician burnout and improve work-life balance, with average resolution times of just 15 minutes. Meanwhile, Kaseya has partnered with Pulseway to enhance their offerings for IT professionals, integrating their solutions to provide advanced tools for managing IT environments.The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved Verizon's $20 billion merger with Frontier Communications, a significant move in the telecommunications industry. This merger comes with a controversial requirement for Verizon to discontinue all diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, reflecting a shift in regulatory practices. The episode concludes with discussions on the implications of AI in personalization and privacy, emphasizing the need for responsible data management and the potential risks associated with AI-driven decision-making. Four things to know today 00:00 One Giant Week in AI: Claude Gets Smarter, OpenAI Goes Hardware, and Signal Says “Not So Fast” to Recall06:32 Automation and Ecosystems: Atera Targets Tier 1 Ticket Fatigue, Kaseya Expands via Pulseway Integration08:51 Consolidation With Consequences: Proofpoint Grows Quietly, Verizon Merger Tied to DEI Rollback11:22 From Gemini to Aurora, Generative AI Enters a New Era of Context, Capability, and Controversy  This is the Business of Tech.     Supported by: https://www.huntress.com/mspradio/https://cometbackup.com/?utm_source=mspradio&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=sponsorship All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.tech

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is looking to significantly expand satellite spectrum assets across multiple bands for current and next-generation space-based broadband connectivity. The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has authorized Starship to return to flight. Impulse Space and SES have signed a multi-launch agreement, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest NASASpaceflight.com brings us the Space Traffic Report. Selected Reading FCC Looks to Unleash 20,000 Megahertz for Satellite Spectrum Abundance FAA General Statements- Federal Aviation Administration SES Signs Multi-Launch Agreement for Helios Transport Services with Impulse Space ICEYE and IHI start cooperation to develop SAR satellite constellation in Japan $20.7 million approved by Texas Space Commission for SEARF grant awards Chinese astronauts add debris shields to Tiangong space station during 8-hour spacewalk (video) NASA Signs Agreement with Argentina's Space Agency for Artemis II CubeSat Astrobotic Lunar Wireless Charger System Qualified for Flight Best model rocket sets 2025: NASA, Blue Origin, Estes, National Geographic and more Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charter Communications has announced its acquisition of Cox Communications for $34.5 billion, a significant move that will merge two of the largest internet service providers in the United States. This merger is expected to require approval from the Federal Communications Commission due to Cox's critical operational licenses. The combined entity plans to adopt the Cox Communications name, with Spectrum serving as the consumer-facing brand in areas previously served by Cox. This merger could potentially impact service quality for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that rely on Cox as their provider, especially during the integration phase.In another major development, Proofpoint has revealed its plans to acquire Hornet Security for $1 billion, aiming to enhance its cybersecurity offerings and expand its presence in the cloud security market. Hornet Security specializes in Microsoft 365 solutions and has shown impressive growth, reporting over $160 million in annual recurring revenue. This acquisition may alienate Hornet Security's managed service provider (MSP) partners if there are changes in pricing, support models, or access to services, creating an opportunity for competitors to attract disaffected partners.Arm is rebranding its system-on-a-chip product designs to focus on power savings for artificial intelligence workloads, targeting sectors like automotive and cloud computing. The company reported a significant revenue increase, driven by licensing and royalty revenue. Meanwhile, Box is enhancing its collaboration with Microsoft by introducing an AI agent that integrates with Microsoft 365 Copilot, allowing users to analyze documents and automate tasks more efficiently. These moves reflect the industry's shift towards AI integration and the importance of aligning with existing platforms to deliver value.Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has introduced updates to its Morpheus software and VM Essentials offerings, promising substantial cost savings for businesses in the virtualization market. HPE's new pricing model, based on server sockets rather than cores, aims to provide significant financial advantages, especially as VMware faces scrutiny over its pricing strategies. Additionally, the podcast discusses the challenges posed by shadow AI and the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, emphasizing the need for governance and transparency as organizations increasingly adopt AI tools without formal approval. The episode concludes with a reflection on the implications of AI in education, highlighting the growing use of AI tools by professors and the concerns raised by students regarding the authenticity of their learning experience.  Four things to know today  00:00 Charter-Cox Merger and Proofpoint's $1B Hornet Deal Signal New Era of Scale and Specialization in Tech Services 03:38 From Chips to Content: Arm and Box Shift Strategies to Embed AI Across Cloud, Automotive, and Microsoft 365  05:39 HPE Launches Morpheus and VM Essentials Updates With Up to 90% Savings Over VMware Licensing  07:45 Shadow AI, Specialized Models, and Student Backlash: The Growing Pains of Enterprise AI Adoption   Supported by:  https://mspradio.com/engage/ All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.tech

Issue(s): (1) Whether Congress violated the nondelegation doctrine by authorizing the Federal Communications Commission to determine, within the limits set forth in 47 U.S.C. § 254, the amount that providers must contribute to the Universal Service Fund; (2) whether the FCC violated the nondelegation doctrine by using the financial projections of the private company appointed as the fund's administrator in computing universal service contribution rates; (3) whether the combination of Congress's conferral of authority on the FCC and the FCC's delegation of administrative responsibilities to the administrator violates the nondelegation doctrine; and (4) whether this case is moot in light of the challengers' failure to seek preliminary relief before the 5th Circuit.  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Public media funding makes up less than 0.0001% of the federal budget, and calls to defund it have existed essentially since the creation of the CBP in 1967. However, the history of public media is much longer, and more complicated, than the creation of Sesame Street or NPR. We revisit our episode from last year about how the government funds public media, through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and how that money is spent. We also talk about free press, and the firewall that prevents politicians and the government from controlling the flow of public information and educational programming. Since the episode first came out in July, 2024, President Trump has re-entered office, and has taken a number of steps to discredit and disassemble the free press, including public media. Trump has called for the FCC, the Federal Communications Commission, to investigate NPR and other public media organizations for their use of corporate support. He also recently announced that he had fired three members of the CPB's five-member board, something the CPB has said he does not have the authority to do, in a lawsuit they filed against his administration. And finally, alongside calling for Congress to defund the CPB, he issued an executive order telling the CPB to halt all funding to public media, which, as you'll learn more about in the episode, is the kind of political directive that the CPB was created to prevent in the first place.    CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE SHOW AND CHECK OUT OUR NEW TOTE BAG!CLICK HERE: Visit our website to see all of our episodes, donate to the podcast, sign up for our newsletter, get free educational materials, and more!To see Civics 101 in book form, check out A User's Guide to Democracy: How America Works by Hannah McCarthy and Nick Capodice, featuring illustrations by Tom Toro.Check out our other weekly NHPR podcast, Outside/In - we think you'll love it!

The Federal Communications Commission is gearing up for a crucial vote on May 22 that could reshape how electronics enter the U.S. market. At the center of the decision is a proposal to ban specific Chinese testing labs from certifying devices like smartphones, game consoles, and cameras—products that must meet safety and technical standards before … Continue reading FCC Targets Chinese Testing Labs Over Security Concerns in US Electronics #1818 → The post FCC Targets Chinese Testing Labs Over Security Concerns in US Electronics #1818 appeared first on Geek News Central.

The Federal Communications Commission is currently investigating CBS for “intentional news distortion” for its editing of an interview with Kamala Harris. On this week's On the Media, what the new chairman of the FCC has been up to, and what led a top CBS producer to quit. Plus, what a growing effort to rewrite the history of Watergate tells us about the American right.[01:00] The Federal Communications Commission is currently investigating CBS for “intentional news distortion” for its editing of an interview with Kamala Harris. Host Brooke Gladstone talks with Max Tani, Semafor's Media Editor and co-host of the podcast Mixed Signals, about Brendan Carr's busy first three months as Chairman of the FCC and the impacts that these kinds of investigations could have on press freedoms.[15:37] Host Micah Loewinger speaks with Michael Koncewicz, political historian at New York University, about the fight over who gets to tell the story of Watergate and the years-long conservative movement to rehabilitate Richard Nixon's image.[29:26] Brooke sits down with Bryan Stevenson, public interest lawyer and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, a human rights organization based in Montgomery, Alabama, to talk about the Trump Administration's war on museums, especially those that deal with our nation's history of racism.  Further reading:How Nexstar dodged a Trump lawsuit, by Max TaniShari Redstone kept tabs on ‘60 Minutes' segments on Trump, by Max TaniThe Alarming Effort To Rewrite the History of Watergate, by Michael KoncewiczThe Worst Thing We've Ever Done, On the Media (2018) On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today (https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm). Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing onthemedia@wnyc.org.

A case in which the Court will decide whether Congress violated the Constitution in the way it gave power to the FCC to collect Universal Service Fund money, and whether the FCC then violated the Constitution by letting a private, industry-controlled company make those collection decisions.

Donald Trump has not been shy about his disdain for the press. In his second term, the president is turning those fiery feelings into action.Since assuming office, Trump has stepped up his litigious rampage against the media, suing ABC News, The Des Moines Register, CBS News, and pollster J. Ann Selzer. And at the Federal Communications Commission, Trump-appointed chair Brendan Carr has promised to roll back regulations. In January, the FCC announced it would be investigating NPR and PBS over their underwriting practices.We discuss what these actions mean for press freedom, you, and the health of U.S. democracy.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Reed Hundt helped shape the modern Internet as Chair of the Federal Communications Commission in the 1990s. He served as a board member at Intel for many years and founded the Coalition for Green Capital. Host David Sandalow talks with Reed Hundt about lessons from the dawn of the Internet era, the future of the US semiconductor industry, changes needed to decarbonize the global economy, and more. AI, Energy and Climate is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy. AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap -- https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump is corruptly using his Federal Communications Commission not only to suppress Freedom of the Press and the First Amendment by opening dozens of investigations into corporate media like National Public Radio and PBS, but is using our taxpayer dollars and federal officers who swore an oath to the American People, to benefit Trump's personal lawsuits against these same entities for billions of dollars. Michael Popok ties it all together as we have entered a Free Speech Emergency. Laundry Sauce: Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code: LEGALAF20 at https://laundrysauce.com/LEGALAF20 #laundrysaucepod Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast The Influence Continuum: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 Political Beatdown: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Coalition of the Sane: https://meidasnews.com/tag/coalition-of-the-sane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Peter Hyun, then-Acting Chief of the Enforcement Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission, discusses with Lawfare Contributing Editor Justin Sherman the FCC's data security and cybersecurity enforcement authorities and how those authorities fit into addressing national security threats to the communications supply chain. He covers some recent enforcement actions and issues in this area, ranging from the FCC's data breach notification rule to submarine cables to rip-and-replace efforts targeting Chinese telecom components, and he offers predictions for how technology supply chains, national security risks, and entanglement with China may evolve in the years to come.Note: Peter Hyun was in his position at the FCC at the time of recording and is now no longer with the Commission following the change in administration.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.