Federal Communications Commission to Vote on designating Boston and Raleigh as Newest FCC Innovation Zones

Federal Communications Commission to Vote on designating Boston and Raleigh as Newest FCC Innovation Zones | site |



Boston and Raleigh Would Join New York City and Salt Lake City as Innovation and Research Test Beds for Advanced Wireless Technologies Like 5G and Open RAN


(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission (FCC) press release dated: July 14, 2021) Washington, July 14, 2021—FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel today proposed establishing Raleigh, North Carolina and Boston, Massachusetts as innovation zones to allow for advanced wireless communications and network innovation and research. These designations would, among other positive impacts, help spur the development and integration of 5G network technologies and open radio access networks, or Open RAN. Innovation zones are FCC-designated, city-scale test beds managed by the National Science Foundation’s Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research. If a...

Federal Election Commission says District Court issues opinion in Ted Cruz for Senate, et al. v. FEC | site |



(Information contained in Federal Election Commission [FEC] press release dated: June 3, 2021)

Washington - - A three-judge panel of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on Thursday issued a Memorandum Opinion and Order in Ted Cruz for Senate, et al. v. FEC (Case No. 19-908), denying the Commission’s motion for summary judgment and granting the Plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment.

On April 1, 2019, Ted Cruz for Senate and Senator Cruz filed suit against the Commission alleging that the limit on repayment of candidate loans at 52 U.S.C. § 30116(j) violates the First Amendment to the Constitution. The three-judge panel concurred....

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Charges Amec Foster Wheeler Limited With FCPA Violations Related To Brazilian Bribery Scheme | site |


(Information contained in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission [SEC] press release dated: June 25, 2021) Washington D.C., June 25, 2021 - - The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced charges against Amec Foster Wheeler Limited (Foster Wheeler) for violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) arising out of a bribery scheme that took place in Brazil. As part of coordinated resolutions with the SEC, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Brazil Controladoria-General da Uniᾶo (CGU)/Advocacia-Geral da Uniᾶo (AGU) and the Ministério Publico Federal (MPF), and the United Kingdom Serious Fraud Office (SFO), the company has agreed to pay more than $43 million related to this scheme, including more than $10.1 million to settle the SEC's charges. The SEC's order finds that Foster...

Lina Khan Sworn in as Chair of the Federal Trade Commission | site |



(Information contained in Federal Trade Commission [FTC] press release dated: June 15, 2021)

Lina Khan was sworn in today as Chair of the Federal Trade Commission. President Biden named Khan, a Democrat, to a term on the Commission that expires September 25, 2024, and designated her as Chair. Khan was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 15, 2021. “It is a tremendous honor to have been selected by President Biden to lead the Federal Trade Commission,” said Chair Khan. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to protect the public from corporate abuse. I’m very grateful to Acting Chairwoman Slaughter for her outstanding stewardship of the Commission." Prior to becoming Chair of the FTC, Khan was an Associate Professor of Law at Columbia Law School. She also previously served as counsel to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommit...

Federal Communications Commission offers Guidance on Connected Care Pilot Program; Announces 36 newly approved Projects | site |




$100 Million Program Will Support Connected Care Service Across Country, Focus on Low-Income and Veteran Patients


(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] press release dated: June 17, 2021) Washington, June 17, 2021 - - Today the Federal Communications Commission approved a Report and Order offering further guidance on the administration of its $100 million Connected Care Pilot Program, including guidance on eligible services, competitive bidding, invoicing, and data reporting for selected participants, which will enable applicants selected for the Pilot Program to begin their projects. Additionally, the FCC this week voted to approve 36 additional pilot projects for a total of over $31 million in funding. The newly selected Pilot projects join an initial set of 23 p...

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Report Shows Child Drownings Remain High; Most Fatalities to Children Under Five | site |




Fewer Kids Took Swim Lessons During COVID-19 Pandemic Putting Them at Risk


(Information contained in U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission press release dated: June 8, 2021)

Washington - - The annual drowning and submersion report released today by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reminds families to make water safety a priority, particularly as they return to community pools and resume warm-weather activities near water. Child drownings remain the leading cause of unintentional death among children ages one to four years old.

CPSC’s latest data show:

• an increase in pool-or spa-related fatal drowning incidents among children younger than 15 years old;
• on average, there were 397 reported pool-or-spa-related fatal drownings per

...

The Federal Communications Commission further strengthens Emergency Alerting | site |



(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] press release dated: June 17, 2021) Washington, June 17, 2021 - - The Federal Communications Commission today adopted rules to improve the way the public receives emergency alerts on their mobile phones, televisions, and radios. The nation’s Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts help keep the public safe and informed and are of ever-increasing importance given the emergencies and disasters Americans have faced in recent years. In 2018, however, a false emergency alert in Hawaii mistakenly warned of an incoming ballistic missile and highlighted the need to improve these systems. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 subsequently directed the Commission, in consultation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to adopt rules to strengthen emergency...

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Charges Issuer With Cybersecurity Disclosure Controls Failures | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission [SEC] press release dated: June 15, 2021) Washington D.C., June 15, 2021 — - - The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced settled charges against real estate settlement services company First American Financial Corporation for disclosure controls and procedures violations related to a cybersecurity vulnerability that exposed sensitive customer information. According to the SEC’s order, on the morning of May 24, 2019, a cybersecurity journalist notified First American of a vulnerability with its application for sharing document images that exposed over 800 million images dating back to 2003, including images containing sensitive personal data such as social security numbers and financial information. In response, according to the order, First Ame...

Consumer Product Safety Commission Announces $2 Million in Pool Safely Grants Available for State and Local Governments to Help Prevent Drownings and Drain Entrapments; Apply Now | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission press release dated: May 28, 2021) Washington, D.C. - - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is seeking applications for a Pool Safely Grant Program (PSGP or grant program) offered to state and local governments. CPSC will award up to a total of $2 million in two-year grants to assist jurisdictions in reducing deaths and injuries from drowning and drain entrapment incidents in pools and spas. The PSGP is a part of CPSC's national campaign to make drowning and drain entrapment prevention a critical public safety priority. The grant program is made possible through the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGB Act), legislation authored and advanced by Rep. Debbie Wasserma...

Federal Communications Commission announces 3.45 GHz Band Auction Procedures | site |



5G Auction of Mid-Band Spectrum Set for October 2021


(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] press release dated: June 9, 2021)

Washington, June 9, 2021—FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel today announced the latest step in making mid-band spectrum available for next generation wireless services, including 5G. In a Public Notice, the FCC’s Office of Economics and Analytics and the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau established the application and bidding procedures for Auction 110, the auction of spectrum in the 3.45 GHz band. Bidding is scheduled to start on October 5, 2021. “This is a critical step toward delivering on the promise of 5G,” said Rosenworcel. “This auction will bring us closer to 5G service that is fast, secure, resilient, and most importantly, available across the country. I want to t...

Federal Communications Commission secures Life-saving Commitments from Wireless Carriers to deliver 911 Vertical Location Information Nationwide within seven Days | site |




FCC Reached Enforceable Settlements with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon


(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] press release dated: June 3, 2021) Washington, June 3, 2021 - - FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel today announced breakthrough agreements with America’s three largest mobile phone providers to start delivering vertical location information in connection with 911 calls nationwide in the coming days. This information will help first responders quickly locate 911 callers in multi-story buildings, which will reduce response times and ultimately save lives. The FCC adopted rules to improve location information for 911 wireless calls back in 2015. Those rules required nationwide wireless providers to deploy dispatchable location o...

Federal Trade Commission Sends More Than $172 Million in Refunds to Consumers allegedly Misled by Rent-To-Own Provider Progressive Leasing | site |



FTC says more than two million consumers will receive refunds from FTC case alleging false promises of “same as cash” payment plans


(Information contained in Federal Trade Commission [FTC] press release dated: June 7, 2021) The Federal Trade Commission is returning more than $172 million to consumers who overpaid for merchandise they purchased using rent-to-own plans provided by Progressive Leasing. More than two million consumers will receive refund checks. The FTC’s complaint against the company, filed in April 2020, alleged that Progressive misled consumers about the true price of items purchased through its plans. Consumers who visited retailers to buy items such as furniture, jewelry, or cellphones frequently were told that Progressive’s payment plans were “same as cash” or “no int...

Federal Communications Commission says Emergency Broadband Benefit Program enrolls 2.3 Million Households in first 3 Weeks of Program | site |



Releases EBB public data tracking dashboard


(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] press release dated: June 7, 2021) Washington, June 7, 2021 - - Today FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program enrolled over 2.3 million households into the subsidy program initiated by Congress. Since mid-May, households in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and American Samoa were approved to receive a discount on their monthly internet bills and have selected a participating EBB provider to receive internet service at home. “I am thrilled to see that the great need for affordable broadband support is being met with over 2 million households enrolled in three short weeks. I’ve also said we nee...

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Awards More Than $23 Million to Whistleblowers | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission [SEC] press release dated: June 2, 2021) Washington D.C., June 2, 2021 - - The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced awards of approximately $13 million and $10 million to two whistleblowers whose information and assistance led to successful SEC and related actions. The whistleblowers’ substantial assistance, provided to the SEC and another federal agency, included submitting information and documents, participating in interviews, and identifying key individuals who engaged in the misconduct at issue. “The whistleblowers’ information and assistance led to multiple successful enforcement actions related to a complex and fraudulent scheme involving multiple individuals and tens of millions of dollars in ill-gotten gains,” said Emily Pasquinelli, Acting Chief of ...

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says new CDC Report Finds More Adults Are Dying from Bicycle-Related Accidents | site |


CPSC says it highlights the importance of helmets


(Information contained in U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission [CPSC] press release dated: May 18, 2021) Washington, D.C. - - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is reminding consumers of the importance of wearing helmets for sports and recreation to reduce the risk of head injury, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Helmets absorb much of the impact energy from a fall or collision, and can protect the skull and brain from more severe injury. Bike helmets are required to meet CPSC’s federal safety standard. They must have a label stating that they meet the standard. Consumers can usually find this label on the liner inside of the helmet, on the exterior surface, or attached to the chin strap. Information on bike helmets, and helmets fo...