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A ballot measure that would have enshrined abortion rights in Florida's constitution failed on Tuesday, NBC News projects, after a political fight that was among the most hotly contested in the state this election cycle. The amendment won majority support from Florida voters, but it needed to cross the 60% threshold to pass under state law. Its defeat is a setback for reproductive rights groups in the red-leaning state and a victory for Republican Gov. Even though the ballot measure failed, the NBC News Exit poll found that 65% of Florida voters said abortion should be legal in all or most cases. Another ballot measure DeSantis opposed, the effort to legalize the use of recreational marijuana in Florida, also failed on Tuesday, NBC News projected.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Roe, Wade, DeSantis, ”, Jessica Rosenworcel Organizations: NBC News, Republican Gov, DeSantis, U.S, Supreme, American Civil Liberties Union, “, Federal Communications, NBC Locations: Florida, Iowa

Tech billionaire Elon Musk and his business empire stand to reap massive rewards if former President Donald Trump returns to the White House. Elon Musk joins former US President Donald Trump during a campaign event in Butler, Pa., on Oct. 5, 2024. “I love Elon Musk,” Trump said at a rally in July. It’s not clear how Musk and Trump would navigate the ethical questions around a possible government role for the tech billionaire. “He would be in much less trouble in a Trump administration because Trump shares his hostility to regulation and regulators,” Richard Pierce, a law professor at George Washington University specializing in government regulation, told NBC News in an interview earlier this year.

Persons: Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Musk, Trump, Vladimir Putin, SpaceX, ” Musk, Brian Hughes, ”, ” Hughes, Justin Merriman, ” Trump, “, walling, Kamala Harris, Harris, Biden, Larry Krasner, ” Richard Pierce, John Raoux, Angela Aneiros, ” Aneiros, Tesla, There’s, SpaceX countersued, • Tesla, ” SpaceX, Starlink, Justice Department —, Tucker Carlson, Carlson, he’s, SpaceX’s, Kamala Organizations: Tech, Trump, Musk’s, SpaceX, China —, U.S, Wall Street, NBC News, Boeing, Fox News, Bloomberg, Getty Images Trump, D.C, Trump Organization, Budget, America PAC, Philadelphia, George Washington University, Tesla, Co, Kennedy Space Center, Gonzaga University, university’s Center of Law, & Commerce, Justice Department, National, Traffic Safety Administration, Securities and Exchange Commission, Street, Justice, Employment, Commission, National Labor Relations Board, SEC, Twitter, Federal Communications Commission, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Safety, Health Administration, NLRB, Reuters, Defense Department, NASA, International, White, National Space Council Locations: China, United States, Taiwan, Ukraine, Washington, Trump’s, Pennsylvania, Butler, Pa, Palm Beach , Florida, Texas, California, Cape Canaveral, Fla, Los Angeles, Austin, Mars

☆ Amazon's satellite spending has investors on edge. The payoff may be worth the wait
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-28 | by ( Paulina Likos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

For now, analysts and investors are looking to Amazon's third-quarter earnings report Thursday night for more clarity. Amazon hopes that Kuiper could bring broadband connectivity to some 400 million to 500 million households that currently lack it. Bank of America, on the other hand, estimates around $3.5 billion in Kuiper spending next year. The Kuiper spending estimates might seem steep, but the analysts aren't telling investors to dump shares. The "ultra-compact" version of the Project Kuiper Amazon

Persons: Jeff Marks, Andy Jassy, Kuiper's, Marks, Kuiper, Evercore, BofA, Morgan Stanley, Morgan Stanley's, Starlink, Elon Musk's, EBITDA, Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Jim Organizations: Amazon, Web Services, AWS, Wedbush Securities, Federal Communications Commission, FCC, Bank of America, FactSet, SpaceX, Viasat, CNBC Locations: Amazon's

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., chair of the House Oversight Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology and Government Innovation, is seeking communications between the administration and social media companies, like Facebook-owner Meta. “The Biden-Harris Administration has advertised its willingness to manipulate the content of social media sites,” Mace wrote, pointing to the administration’s 2021 admission that it worked with social media companies to flag misinformation on their platforms, including related to Covid-19. “The White House has not apologized for this activity or indicated that it would cease and desist from engaging in such behavior," Mace continued. Conservatives have accused the White House of pressuring companies like Meta and Twitter to take down content that didn’t serve the administration politically. The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Persons: WASHINGTON, Biden, Nancy Mace, Meta, Mace, “ The, Harris, ” Mace, “, Amy Coney Barrett, Mark Zuckerberg, Brendan Carr, Carr, Gerry Connolly, Elon Musk, didn't Organizations: Republican, Technology, Government, Facebook, NBC News, White, “ The Biden, Harris Administration, Meta, Twitter, House Republicans, Federal Communications Commission's, Biden, Trump Locations: Virginia

☆ Trump’s growing threats to strip broadcast licenses send chills across industry
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-22 | by ( Brian Stelter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

But Donald Trump’s threats are not ordinary, either. He has imprecisely but repeatedly invoked the government’s licensing of broadcast TV airwaves and has said on at least 15 occasions that certain licenses should be revoked. Trump’s threats against CBS have been particularly intense in recent weeks. The threat from any politician to revoke a broadcast license simply because they disagree with the station’s content undermines this basic freedom.”Many of Trump’s threats conflate national networks and local stations. As president, Trump also said that TV licenses “must be challenged and, if appropriate, revoked,” but nothing came of it.

Persons: Donald, Trump, Fox, “, Kamala Harris, ” Trump, Dan Bongino, hasn’t, Andrew Jay Schwartzman, Curtis LeGeyt, recrimination, ” LeGeyt, –, Harris, ”, Dana Walden’s, Kamala, Walden shrugged, Ajit Pai, ” Pai, Nathan Simington, Jessica Rosenworcel, ” Rosenworcel, ” Schwartzman, Ted Boutrous, Jim Acosta’s, Donald Trump, ” Boutrous, Rosenworcel Organizations: New, New York CNN — Broadcast, CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC, Paramount Global, Federal Communications Commission, National Association of Broadcasters, American TV, NAB, “, ” CNN, FCC, Trump, MSNBC, Fake News ABC, Truth, Disney Entertainment, Republican, Democrats, NPR, OUR, Fox, Democratic, White House, Voice Locations: New York

The Many Links Between Project 2025 and Trump’s WorldFormer president Donald J. Trump has repeatedly claimed that he had nothing to do with Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation’s conservative policy initiative to reshape the federal government. But Project 2025 has numerous ties to Mr. Trump and his campaign, a New York Times analysis has found. L. ZorcJump to the full list of authors, editors and contributorsSpokespeople for Project 2025 have denied that they are advocates for any particular candidate, and Project 2025 has no official ties to the Trump campaign. To limit the appearance of connection, Mr. Trump’s transition team has been excluding prominent people linked to Project 2025 from its preparations. Project 2025 additionally calls for the dismantling of the federal Education Department, which Mr. Trump has also pledged to do.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Kevin D, Roberts, Edwin J, Trump’s, Albrecht Mark Albrecht, Anderson J, Anderson Jeff Anderson, Anton Michael Anton, Antoni A, Arthur Andrew Arthur, Atkins Paul Atkins, Axelrod Julie Axelrod, Bacon James Bacon, Baehr James Baehr, Baker E, Erik Baptist, Bennett J, Berlau, Berman Russell Berman, Bhagat S, Billy Stephen Billy, Bishop Brad Bishop, Bixby J, Blackman J, Jim, Bovard, Bowman Matt Bowman, Bradbury Steven G, Bradbury, Brashers J, Bronitsky Jonathan Bronitsky, Brosnan Kyle Brosnan, Brown R, Burkett Robert Burkett, Burley Michael Burley, J, Butcher, Mark Buzby, Byfield, Byrd David Byrd, Campau Anthony Campau, Carroll O, Cass B, Cavanaugh Brian J, Cavanaugh, Chretien Spencer Chretien, Christensen V, Coates Victoria Coates, Ellie Cohanim, Cohen Ezra Cohen, Colby Elbridge Colby, Comstock Earl Comstock, Correnti Lisa Correnti, Crowley Monica Crowley, Cunliffe Laura Cunliffe, Sergio de la, Ruyter, Del, Dennis Irv Dennis, DeVore J, Dickerson, Ding Michael Ding, Dodson, Dave Dorey, Eden T, Edgar Troy Edgar, Edlow Joseph Edlow, Ehlinger Jen Ehlinger, Ehrett, Eichamer Kristen Eichamer, Eitel Robert S, Estrada, Farkish Thompson, Feere Jon Feere, Fisher Travis Fisher, Fishman George Fishman, Ford Leslie Ford, Friedman Aharon Friedman, Frohnen J, Frushone Joel Frushone, Fulton Finch Fulton, Gabel Caleigh Gabel, Gaiser Alexandra Gaiser, Garza P, Geller, Gillen J, Gilmore James S, Gilmore, Ginn Vance Ginn, Alma Golden, Gore, D, Greenberg Dan Greenberg, Greenway, Greszler, DJ Gribbin, Grisedale Garrison Grisedale, Grogan Joseph Grogan, Guernsey J, Gunter Jeffrey Gunter, Guy Joe Guy, Guzman Joseph Guzman, Hanania, Harlow David Harlow, Harvey Derek Harvey, Hayes, Edie Heipel, Hemenway Troup, Hoekstra Pete Hoekstra, Hoffman T, Homan Tom Homan, Horner Chris Horner, Howell Mike Howell, Huber Valerie Huber, Hughes Andrew Hughes, Humire, Iacovella, Israel K, Ivory R, Jankowski Roman Jankowski, Jay Carafano James Jay Carafano, Jones, Kao J, Kelson Jared M, Kelson, Kilmartin Ali Kilmartin, Kirchner Julie Kirchner, Kish, Klukowski Kenneth A, Adam Korzeniewski, Bethany Kozma, Kozma Matthew Kozma, Krein, Kurtz, LaCerte David LaCerte, Larkin P, Lawrence Paul Lawrence, Lawrence III James R, Lawrence III, Legates David Legates, Lewis B, Lieberman J, Ligon John Ligon, Lim Evelyn Lim, Lorraine Viña Morgan Lorraine Viña, Loyola Mario Loyola, G, Malcolm J, Masterman, Matthews Earl Matthews, Mauler, McCall, McCotter Trent McCotter, Meadowcroft Micah Meadowcroft, Meese, Melugin, Mermoud, Miller, Mitchell K, Kevin E, C, Morell Clare Morell, Morgan Mark Morgan, Morgen Hunter Morgen, Morrison J, Moy, Murray R, Nabil M, Nasi L, Niemeyer Lucian Niemeyer, Nazak, Milan Nikolich, Nuebel, Kathy Nuebel Kovarik, Orr, Owcharenko Schaefer Nina Owcharenko Schaefer, O’Brien, Michael, Pedersen Leah Pedersen, Pillsbury Michael Pillsbury, Pizzella Patrick Pizzella, Porter K, Kevin Preskenis, Pryor Pam Pryor, Pyle J, Ratcliffe John Ratcliffe, Ray Paul Ray, Reddan J, Richards J, Richardson Jordan Richardson, Richwine Jason Richwine, Ries Lora Ries, Rios, Mark Robeck, Rockas James Rockas, Royce R, Rubinstein Reed Rubinstein, Ruger, Ruse, Sadler J, Sanders, Carla Sands, Sauve, Schaefer, Schuck Matt Schuck, Schwab Justin Schwab, Schweppe, Scribner, Selnick Darin Selnick, Sewell K, Sgamma, Sharp J, Shelton Judy Shelton, Simington Nathan Simington, Smith Loren Smith, Smith J, Spencer A, Spero Adrienne Spero, Spoehr, Onge C, Stanley Chris Stanley, Stannard Paula M, Stannard, Steiger William Steiger, Stein, Stephany Saunders, Stewart Corey Stewart, Stull Mari Stull, Sullivan Katharine T, Sullivan, Swearingen, Sweeney R, Swope Robert Swope, Szabo Aaron Szabo, Katy Talento, Tata Tony Tata, Thurman Todd Thurman, Tolman K, Tonnessen Kayla M, Trotter, Troy C, Tufts Clayton Tufts, Valdez, Mark Vandroff, Vaughan J, Venable, Vollmer, Wallace DeWitt C, Wallace DeWitt, Walsh E, Walsh Erin Walsh, Ward, Waters, William Salter M, Williams Michael Williams, Wolff J, Wolfson Jonathan Wolfson, Alexei Woltornist, Wuco Frank Wuco, Ybarra J, Zadrozny John Zadrozny, ”, John McEntee, James Bacon, Reagan, Howard Lutnick, Joseph R, Biden Jr, Dennis Dean Kirk, Kirk, Mr, “, JD Vance, Roberts’s, Kevin Roberts, Rick Dearborn, Russell T, Evan Vucci, Paul Dans, Dans, Ken Cuccinelli, Christopher Miller, Chip Somodevilla, Samuel Corum, The New York Times Christopher Miller, Biden, Miller’s, Skinner, Gene Hamilton, Hamilton, ” President Biden, Ben Carson, Todd Heisler, Jonathan Berry, Carson, Stephen Moore, Peter Navarro, Navarro, Karen Kerrigan, Ken Cedeno, Edwin Feulner, Robert Bowes Organizations: Heritage, New York Times, Mr, Leadership, Trump, Ivory, Loyola, Poole, Royce, Tufts, Heritage Foundation, The New, The New York Times, Washington Post, Associated Press, White, White House, Republican, Management, Defense , Homeland Security, State, Homeland Security Department, Defense Department, Twitter, State Department, Justice Department, ”, federal Education Department, Urban Development Department, Republican National Convention, Center for American Progress, Small Business Administration, Small Business, Entrepreneurship Council, Federal Communications Commission, Federal Trade Commission Locations: Guernsey, The New York, Palm Beach, Fla, Southern

☆ ‘60 Minutes’ rejects Trump’s claims it edited clip for Harris as former president calls for investigation
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-20 | by ( Veronica Stracqualursi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —CBS’ “60 Minutes” on Sunday rejected former President Donald Trump’s claims that the show edited its interview with Vice President Kamala Harris at her campaign’s direction. “Former President Donald Trump is accusing 60 Minutes of deceitful editing of our Oct. 7 interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. That is false,” the show said in a statement that noted that Trump backed out of his own “60 Minutes” interview earlier this month. “60 Minutes gave an excerpt of our interview to Face the Nation that used a longer section of her answer than that on 60 Minutes,” the statement reads. If he would like to discuss the issues facing the nation and the Harris interview, we would be happy to have him on 60 Minutes,” the show said in its statement.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Kamala Harris, “, Donald Trump, Trump, Fox’s, Harris, Bill Whitaker, Howard Kurtz, Karoline Leavitt, CBS “, ”, ” Leavitt, Jessica Rosenworcel, Lesley Stahl, ” CNN’s Liam Reilly, Kate Sullivan, Jack Forrest Organizations: CNN, CBS, Sunday, Fox News, GOP, “, Federal Communications, Comcast, NBC News, MSNBC

☆ Elon Musk offers $1 million a day to entice swing state voters to sign petition
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-20 | by ( Lora Kolodny | In Lorakolodny | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Speaking at an America PAC event in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Musk said, "I have a surprise for you," adding that the prize money is available "every day from now until the election." "How Pennsylvania goes I think is how the election goes," Musk said. The deadline to sign the petition is Monday night, which is the day Pennsylvania's voter registration closes. "We get crazy things," Musk said, "like SpaceX got fined $140,000 for dumping potable drinking water on the ground at Starbase." Musk only mentioned Trump sparingly throughout the evening, and didn't discuss his policies or record as president in any detail.

Persons: Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Rachel Wisniewski, Reuters Elon Musk, Musk, John Dreher, Rick Hasen, Hasen, NBC's, Josh Shapiro, Biden, Kamala Harris, Kamala, I'm, Trump, he's, Chandan Khanna, Tesla, It's, didn't Organizations: PAC Town Hall, Reuters, Trump, America PAC, SpaceX, Republican, NBC, CNBC, Pennsylvania Democratic Gov, Federal Communications Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Aviation Administration, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration Fisheries, SpaceX Falcon, Clipper, Kennedy Space Center, Afp, Getty, NOAA Fisheries, White Locations: Folsom , Pennsylvania, U.S, Harrisburg , Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, Arizona , Georgia, Michigan, Nevada , North Carolina , Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Harrisburg, Starbase, Boca Chica , Texas, Florida

A federal judge on Thursday issued a temporary restraining order against Florida’s surgeon general, the latest development in a legal battle over a television ad supporting the state’s abortion rights ballot measure. Earlier this month, the Florida Department of Health sent cease-and-desist letters to multiple broadcast stations that had aired the ad, threatening criminal charges against stations that didn’t stop playing it. The restraining order against Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo lasts through Oct. 29. Even before the decision, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel had denounced the cease-and-desist letters as a violation of the First Amendment. The Florida Department of Health continued to oppose the ads in a statement on Friday.

Persons: “, Mark Walker, Joseph Ladapo, ” Walker, Jessica Rosenworcel, ” Rosenworcel, ”, John Wilson, Wilson, Jae Williams, ” Caroline, Lauren Brenzel, ” “, ” Brenzel, Bacardi Jackson, ” Jackson Organizations: Florida Department of Health, U.S, District, Florida, State of, Federal Communications, Tampa Bay Times, Miami Herald, The Florida Department of Health Locations: Florida, Caroline, coercing, State of Florida, Hurricane Milton

☆ FCC chair denounces Trump’s calls for CBS to ‘lose its license’ over Harris’ ‘60 Minutes’ interview
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-10 | by ( Liam Reilly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Federal Communications Commission chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel denounced former President Donald Trump’s “threats against free speech” Thursday after he attacked CBS and called for the network to “lose its license” over a recent “60 Minutes” interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. In recent days, the former president has lambasted the Harris interview, accusing CBS News of editing the sit-down with correspondent Bill Whitaker. “As I’ve said before, the First Amendment is a cornerstone of our democracy.”Trump’s attacks on CBS comes after he backed out of his own “60 Minutes” interview last week and has repeatedly fended off invitations from television networks, including CNN and Fox News, for additional debates, instead opting for sit-downs with right-wing media outlets. Following ABC’s Trump-Harris debate in September, Trump dialed into “Fox & Friends,” where he called for the Disney-owned network to have its license “take[n] away.”Rosenworcel’s statement is the second time this week she has spoken out in support of broadcasters. On Tuesday, the FCC chairwoman issued a statement calling threats from Florida’s Health Department to prosecute local TV stations over an abortion rights ad “dangerous,” and emphasizing that pressure from the state government “undermines the fundamental principle of free speech.”

Persons: Jessica Rosenworcel, Donald Trump’s, Kamala Harris, Harris, Bill Whitaker, Trump, “, Harris ’, ” Trump, Rosenworcel, ” Rosenworcel, I’ve, ”, ABC’s Trump Organizations: New, New York CNN — Federal Communications, CBS, News Organization of CBS, “ CBS, CNN, Fox News, “ Fox & Friends, Disney, FCC, Florida’s Health Department Locations: New York

☆ For white-collar prisoners who just can't disconnect, $3,000 contraband cellphones can literally fall from the sky
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-08 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

White-collar criminals who can't disconnect are spending thousands of dollars on prison cellphones. Contraband phones go for $1,000 or as little as a few hundred dollars, depending on supply, at minimum-security camps, the so-called Club Feds. The stakes are particularly high for Wilson; his office continues to prosecute a violent, 90-defendant drug ring run by imprisoned people using contraband cellphones. The bureau urges Congress to pass the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act, which would upgrade the charge of smuggling contraband cellphones into a Federal prison from a misdemeanor offense to a felony, Murphy said. White-collar criminals tend to put their contraband phones to more benign uses.

Persons: —, Craig Roth, Joseph Degregorio, Degregorio, it's, Justin Paperny, Paperny, Martha Stewart, Scotty Carper, Carper, Ron Kuby, Norm Pattis, Alex Jones, Pattis, Alan Wilson, Wilson, Donald Murphy, Osvaldo Albarati, Murphy, Christopher Carr, hadn't, Rothfeld, I've Organizations: Service, Devens, National Institute of Justice, Fed, FCC Devens, Feds, Federal Communications, of Prisons, FCC, South Carolina, AGs, Prisons, Georgia's AG Locations: New Jersey, Devens , Massachusetts, Lewisberg, Pennsylvania, Alderson , West Virginia, Leavenworth , Kansas, Sacramento , California, Leavenworth, Manhattan, Georgia

☆ Florida threatens TV stations over abortion rights ad. FCC calls it ‘dangerous’
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-08 | by ( Brian Stelter | Liam Reilly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The Florida Department of Health, however, cited local statutes in the cease-and-desist letters sent last week to WCJB in Gainesville and WFLA in Tampa. The threat from the health department underscores the intensity of the political battle over Amendment 4, a ballot measure that would enshrine abortion rights in Florida’s constitution. The cease-and-desist letters from John Wilson, general counsel for the state health department, appear to be part of that campaign. The health department did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment about the FCC rebuke. The local stations did not respond to requests for comment, but both stations continued to air the ads on Tuesday.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Jessica Rosenworcel, ” Rosenworcel, DeSantis, John Wilson, Jason Garcia, Wilson, Caroline, ” Organizations: CNN, Florida’s Department of Health, Gov, Republican, Democratic, Federal Communications Commission, FCC, Florida Department of Health, Orlando Locations: Gainesville, WFLA, Tampa, Florida’s, Florida

☆ This iPhone feature is 'saving lives' during Hurricane Helene aftermath
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-01 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Hurricane Helene victims used iPhones for satellite messaging amid power and cell outages. AdvertisementIn the wake of Hurricane Helene, those left without power or cell service are transforming their iPhones into satellite phones. An X thread by Asheville resident Matt Van Swol demonstrated just how helpful the satellite messaging iPhone feature has been for those without WiFi or cellular service. Van Swol said he's "never been more thankful to be an iPhone user," and more chimed in with their praise of the iOS 18 feature. Related storiesHe wasn't the only one who said the satellite messaging feature was a lifesaver.

Persons: Helene, Apple, —, Hurricane Helene, Matt Van Swol, Van Swol, he's, Mike Monti, Van Swol didn't, weren't, Jeneane Nicodemus Organizations: Asheville, Service, BI, Federal Communications Commission Locations: Hurricane, Asheville NC, Wyze, Asheville, North Carolina

☆ The enormous devastation of Hurricane Helene becomes a political flashpoint
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-01 | by ( Betsy Klein | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Washington CNN —The enormous scope and scale of Hurricane Helene’s devastation in two key battleground states that could determine the election’s outcome, Georgia and North Carolina, have made the storm an instant campaign issue. It amounted to a remarkable political flashpoint in the Oval Office Monday as Biden sharply rebutted Trump’s earlier assertion, underscoring both men’s recognition of the high stakes. We are.”Trump also told reporters that he spoke with Elon Musk to get Starlink communications access in North Carolina. About 3,600 federal personnel are currently deployed, and Biden has approved major disaster declarations for Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. State and local officials from both parties have so far praised the Biden administration’s response.

Persons: Harris, Donald Trump, Brian Kemp couldn’t, Joe Biden, Biden, underscoring, He’s, ” Trump, Kemp, Biden “, ” Biden, “, we’re, Elon Musk, Musk, Biden’s, “ I’ve, ”, Trump, – Harris, MAGA, Hurricane Helene, Doug Heye Organizations: Washington CNN, Biden, Gov, GOP, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Trump, Washington, FEMA, Federal Communications Commission, National Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense, “ Locations: Georgia, North Carolina, Valdosta , Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, State, California, Las Vegas, Nevada, Raleigh, Michigan, Wisconsin, West Coast, Delaware, Valdosta, Hurricane, North Carolina , Georgia , Tennessee , Alabama

Some of the victims of Hurricane Helene are cut off from the outside world. Two local television stations and two FM radio stations are also out of service in North Carolina, the FCC said. Internet providers often have disaster contingency plans, such as keeping backup generators and fuel on hand to keep service going during power outages. Companies that track internet connectivity say much of western North Carolina’s broadband internet speeds are slow and, in some areas, nonexistent. NetBlocks, a U.K. company built to track global internet censorship, said some cities and towns in the area expect severe to full broadband outages.

Persons: Hurricane Helene, Edward Hinson, we’re, ”, Helene ., Mitchell, Hinson, “, Isik Mater, Doug Madory, Dee Davis, Davis Organizations: NBC News, Federal Communications Commission, FCC, Companies, Asheville, Rural Locations: Hurricane, North Carolina, Avery, Yancey, North, U.K, Waynesville, Hendersonvile, Asheville, Kentucky, Tennessee, America

☆ EchoStar to sell Dish to DirecTV, combining major pay-TV providers
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-30 | by ( Kristian Burt | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

EchoStar is selling its Dish TV provider and digital business Sling to rival DirecTV in a deal announced Monday that brings together two of the largest pay-TV providers. Combined, DirecTV and Dish will serve close to 20 million customers, according to Reuters. The content distribution industry as a whole has been on a major decline, Akhavan said, and distribution companies such as Dish and DirecTV have fallen behind other platforms with newer technologies and wider reach. Also on Monday, AT&T announced it would sell its entire 70% stake in DirecTV to private equity firm TPG for $7.9 billion. The possibility of a merger between Dish and DirecTV has been rumored for decades.

Persons: Hamid Akhavan, CNBC's, Akhavan, EchoStar, — CNBC's Lillian Rizzo, Alex Sherman Organizations: DirecTV, Dish, Reuters, T, TPG, General Motors, Hughes Electronics, Federal Communications Commission, Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation

☆ Many 988 callers will now get help based on where they are, not their phone’s area code
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-25 | by ( Deidre Mcphillips | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Before this change, 988 callers were routed to a call center based on their area code rather than physical location. Next month, the Federal Communications Commission will vote on a rule that would require all wireless carriers in the US to implement georouting for 988 calls. “In times of crisis, every minute matters – especially when seeking help for yourself or a loved one in need of mental health support. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and comprises over 200 local crisis centers across the country. “No more 988 calls and messages will be needlessly sent to crisis centers hundreds of miles away,” Rosenworcel said.

Persons: “, ” Miriam E, Jessica Rosenworcel, SAMHSA, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, Rosenworcel, ” Rosenworcel, “ I’m, ” CNN’s Jacqueline Howard, Mira Cheng Organizations: CNN, US Department of Health, Human Services, Federal, Mental Health Services Administration, Verizon, Mobile, Federal Communications Commission, Lifeline, Prevention, CNN Health, National Alliance, Mental, FCC, HHS Locations: Los Angeles, New York

☆ TikTok has 15 minutes to fight for its life
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The law Biden signed seeks to ban TikTok on Americans’ personal devices unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, quickly sells TikTok to someone else — which may effectively end the app as we currently know it. TikTok will not get the luxury of a full trial to argue for its continued existence in its current form. But it won’t be alone: A group of TikTok creators also suing the Biden administration will go next, with 10 minutes to speak. Court filings show that TikTok and US national security officials had hammered out a draft proposal to address the security concerns. The question is whether all that amounts to enough influence over ByteDance and TikTok to gain access to US TikTok users’ data, in spite of the guardrails promised by Project Texas.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, TikTok, Sri Srinivasan, Judge Neomi Rao, Donald Trump, Douglas Ginsburg, Reagan, ’ TikTok, “, ”, Chris Inglis Organizations: CNN, Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit, Oracle, Justice Department, Independent, Project Texas, Federal Communications Commission Locations: China, United States, ByteDance, U.S, Beijing

DirecTV and Disney have reached a deal that brings Disney’s ESPN and other channels back to the pay-tv provider’s customers after a roughly two week blackout. On Saturday, DirecTV and Disney said they reached a deal that called for “market based terms” on pricing. DirecTV will be able to offer Disney’s streaming services in its packages and a la carte, the company said in a release Saturday. The amount of customers DirecTV lost during the dispute was not “immaterial,” said DirecTV Chief Marketing Officer Vince Torres at Goldman Sachs’ Communacopia & Technology Conference on Thursday. DirecTV offered its customers a $30 credit, financed by stopping payments to Disney as soon as the blackout began, Torres said.

Persons: Disney, DirecTV’s, Jimmy Pitaro, “, It’s, ESPN’s Pitaro, ”, Vince Torres, Goldman Sachs, Torres, Venu, DirectTV, ESPN — Organizations: DirecTV, Disney, ESPN, ABC, SEC Network, ACC Network, CNBC, U.S ., Hulu, Charter Communications, Technology Conference, Antitrust, Warner Bros, Discovery, Fox Corp, Federal Communications Commission, FCC

Disney's networks went dark on Sept. 1 after the two sides could not agree to terms on fees and bundle structures. DirecTV called Disney anti-consumer, and ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro called the responses DirecTV made to Disney's package offers "basically hypotheticals." The amount of customers DirecTV lost during the dispute was not "immaterial," said DirecTV Chief Marketing Officer Vince Torres at Goldman Sachs' Communacopia & Technology Conference on Thursday. DirecTV offered its customers a $30 credit, financed by stopping payments to Disney as soon as the blackout began, Torres said. This was the second dispute in a year that left pay TV customers without Disney's networks.

Persons: Disney, DirecTV's, Jimmy Pitaro, It's, ESPN's Pitaro, Vince Torres, Goldman Sachs, Torres, Venu, DirectTV, ESPN — Organizations: Clemson Tigers, season's, Clemson, NCAA Division, DirecTV, Disney, ESPN, U.S ., Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, CNBC, & Technology Conference, ABC, Antitrust, Warner Bros, Discovery, Fox Corp, Federal Communications Commission, FCC, Charter Communications

☆ Disney and DirecTV strike deal to restore ABC, ESPN and other networks
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-14 | by ( Robert Ilich | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A short but tense distribution dispute between Disney and DirecTV came to an end Saturday after the two sides agreed to a new deal that will restore Disney-owned channels, including ABC, ESPN and FX, to the satellite TV provider. DirecTV stopped airing Disney-owned channels on September 1, denying sports fans the ability to watch NFL games on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” and US Open tennis on ABC. The companies said the distribution deal will include new options for customers, including new packages that include the Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ streaming services. DirecTV will also be able to distribute the forthcoming ESPN standalone streaming service at no extra cost to DirecTV customers. Last week, DirecTV filed a complaint Saturday with the Federal Communications Commission alleging Disney did not negotiate in good faith.

Persons: “ Organizations: CNN, Disney, DirecTV, ABC, ESPN, FX, NFL, ESPN’s, Hulu, Federal Communications Commission, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, Sling, Dish Network

☆ Elon Musk spent hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to unseat a Texas prosecutor, report says. It didn't work.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-13 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Elon Musk spent heavily in a failed attempt to unseat a Texas prosecutor, per a report. The Wall Street Journal said the Tesla CEO funneled money to a PAC to oppose José Garza in Texas. Musk channeled hundreds of thousands to the PAC, it said. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementElon Musk channeled hundreds of thousands of dollars to a Texas PAC he primarily funds to try to unseat a Texas prosecutor earlier this year, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with his involvement, as well as Federal Communications Commission filings and corporate documents.

Persons: Elon Musk, José Garza, It's, he's, —, Elon Organizations: Street Journal, Service, Texas PAC, Federal Communications, Democratic, Business Locations: Texas, Travis County

But broadband companies have been focused on transitioning their customers to other affordable options to help them make up the expired discount, according to the companies’ earnings calls. In the wake of the ACP’s expiration, broadband companies have reported losing some customers. While broadband providers were generally supportive of the ACP, many in the industry believed the subsidy benefitted too wide a swath of U.S. households. During the second quarter, Charter reported a loss of 149,000 internet customers, while Comcast reported a decline of 120,000 broadband customers. Charter has tried to retain its low-income consumer base by rolling out new savings deals like offering ACP customers a free unlimited mobile line for one year.

Persons: ’, ”, Craig Moffett, “, Blair Levin, Mike Carey, Nikki Budzinski, GOP Sen, JD Vance, Ohio, Donald Trump’s, Vance quieted, ” Gigi Sohn, Joe Biden, Sohn, Wall, they’re, ” Sohn, ” Carey, ” Budzinski, Chris Winfrey, “ We’ve, ” Moffett, MoffettNathanson, Gigi Sohn’s Organizations: Charter, Verizon, Comcast, Program, Federal Communications Commission, Democratic, Republican, Street Research, CNBC, NBC News, Capitol, Republicans, Emergency, GOP, Republican House, ACP, FCC, ”, Universal Service Fund, USF, Charter Communications Locations: MoffettNathanson, Ohio, U.S, New York

In the wake of the ACP's expiration, broadband companies reported losing some customers. "But that doesn't take away from the families for whom this was important, and could now lose access to broadband." Pete Marovich | ReutersStill, Sohn believes bipartisan support for the ACP should make reauthorizing it a political slam dunk for Democrats. While broadband providers were generally supportive of the ACP, many in the industry believed the subsidy benefitted too wide a swath of U.S. households. Charter Communications CEO Chris Winfrey said in July that the ACP's expiration impacted both losses and low income broadband connections after the company had "put a lot of effort into the ACP program."

Persons: Craig Moffett, Blair Levin, Mike Carey, Nikki Budzinski, GOP Sen, JD Vance, Ohio, Donald Trump's, Vance quieted, Gigi Sohn, Biden, Pete Marovich, Sohn, Wall, they're, Carey, Budzinski, Chris Winfrey Organizations: Istock, Getty, Charter, Verizon, Comcast, Program, Federal Communications Commission, Democratic, Republican, Street Research, CNBC, Capitol, Republicans, Emergency, GOP, Republican House, ACP, Commerce, Science, Washington , D.C, Reuters, Universal Service Fund, USF, Charter Communications Locations: MoffettNathanson, Ohio, Washington ,, U.S, New York

Disney and DirecTV are not likely to reach a deal in time for "Monday Night Football" according to people familiar with the matter. As a result of the fight, DirecTV customers were unable to see the U.S. Open and the first full weekend of the college football season. DirecTV alerted customers on Friday to competitor alternatives for watching ESPN and also said it would provide a $30 credit to customers. However, Charter and Disney reached a deal hours ahead of "Monday Night Football" that allowed customers to tune in that night. The dispute between DirecTV and Disney has led to mudslinging between the two companies reminiscent of most carriage fights.

Persons: Rob Thun, Venu —, Venu, Disney, It's, Jimmy Pitaro, Nielsen, Pitaro, Adam Schefter, DirecTV's Thun Organizations: ESPN, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals, EverBank, DirecTV, Disney, FX, ABC, U.S ., CNBC, Walt Disney Co, Fox Corp, Warner Bros, NFL, Federal Communications Commission, Charter Communications, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers Locations: Jacksonville , Florida, American, U.S

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