Jul 12, 2017

FCC chief cracks down on internet subsidy program

David McCabe

Robin Groulx / Axios

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai is placing more "safeguards" on a subsidy program for the poor, per a letter sent Tuesday. The Lifeline program was recently expanded from only covering phone service to to include broadband.

What Pai wants: He wants the non-profit that administers Lifeline to implement changes like auditing the companies that provide the subsidized service to check for "ineligible" subscribers and increasing oversight of the individual salespeople who work for the carriers.

Why it matters: Pai is acting on his longtime criticism of the program, which he says is fraught with waste and fraud. It also sets up a fight over a program that many low-income Americans rely on.

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Sara Fischer, Kim Hart

Coronavirus pushes traditional businesses into the digital age

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

A slew of old-line industries that once hesitated to embrace digital technologies are now being forced to do so for the sake of survival.

Why it matters: Once consumers get used to accessing services digitally — from older restaurants finally embracing online ordering, or newspapers finally going all-digital — these industries may find it hard to go back to traditional operations.

Go deeperArrow15 mins ago - Economy & Business
Caitlin Owens

America's grimmest month

Trump gives his Sunday press briefing in the Rose Garden. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

President Trump asked Americans to continue social distancing until April 30, officials warned that tens or even hundreds of thousands of Americans could die — and that's the least depressing scenario.

Why it matters: April is going to be very hard. But public health officials are in agreement that hunkering down — in our own homes — and weathering one of the darkest months in American history is the only way to prevent millions of American deaths.

Go deeperArrow1 hour ago - Health
Amy Harder

Exclusive: Civil rights leaders oppose swift move off natural gas

Photo Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

Top American civil-rights activists are opposing an abrupt move away from natural gas, putting them at odds with environmentalists and progressive Democrats who want to ban fracking.

Driving the news: In recent interviews, Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson and National Urban League President Marc Morial said energy costs are hitting people of color unfairly hard. These concerns, expressed before the coronavirus pandemic, are poised to expand as paychecks shrink across America.

Go deeperArrow1 hour ago - Energy & Environment