Jul 12, 2017

FCC chief cracks down on internet subsidy program

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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Axios

Updated 2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 2 p.m. ET: 10,945,600 — Total deaths: 523,035 — Total recoveries — 5,797,206 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 2 p.m. ET: 2,767,669 — Total deaths: 128,951 — Total recoveries: 781,970 — Total tested: 33,462,181 — Map.
Public health: The states where face coverings are mandatory — Fauci says it has been a "very disturbing week" for the spread of the coronavirus in the U.S.
Economy: The economy may recover just quickly enough to kill political interest in more stimulus.
States: Florida reports more than 10,000 new coronavirus cases, and its most-infected county issues curfew.

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Rashaan Ayesh

5 hours ago - Sports

Washington Redskins to review team name amid public pressure

Photo: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

The Washington Redskins have announced they will be conducting a review of the team's name after mounting pressure from the public and corporate sponsors.

Why it matters: This review is the first formal step the Redskins are taking since the debate surrounding the name first began. It comes after weeks of discussions between the team and the NFL, the team said.

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Dan Primack

6 hours ago - Economy & Business

Scoop: Instacart raises another $100 million

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios Visuals

Grocery delivery company Instacart has raised $100 million in new funding, on top of the $225 million it announced last month, the company tells Axios. This brings its valuation to $13.8 billion.

Why it matters: This funding comes at what could be an inflection point for Instacart, as customers it acquired during coronavirus lockdowns decide whether they want to continue with the service or resume in-person grocery shopping.