May 9, 2019 - Economy & Business

National Telecommunications and Information Admin. chief resigns suddenly

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration's assistant secretary David Redl unexpectedly stepped down after 18 months in the role, The Hill reports.

Why it matters, per Axios' David McCabe: Redl has been a key player in the nation’s wireless strategy, which has been closely watched as carriers move toward launching 5G amid security concerns about Chinese equipment manufacturers.

Details: President Trump nominated Redl to the position in May 2017 and he was confirmed that November. NTIA — a body within the Department of Commerce — is responsible for advising the Trump administration's telecom policy. During his tenure, Redl was a "vocal advocate ... for repurposing federal spectrum for commercial use and fostering the private sector's lead in 5G deployment," Ajit Pai, the Republican chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, wrote in a farewell statement.

Go deeper: Trump administration asks for public input on data privacy proposal

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Axios

Updated 9 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 9:45 p.m. ET: 19,282,972 — Total deaths: 718,851 — Total recoveries — 11,671,491 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 9:45 p.m. ET: 4,937,441 — Total deaths: 161,248 — Total recoveries: 1,623,870 — Total tests: 60,415,558 — Map.
Politics: Trump says he's prepared to sign executive orders on coronavirus aid.
Education: Cuomo says all New York schools can reopen for in-person learning.
Public health: Surgeon general urges flu shots to prevent "double whammy" with coronavirus — Massachusetts pauses reopening after uptick in coronavirus cases.
World: Africa records over 1 million coronavirus cases — Gates Foundation puts $150 million behind coronavirus vaccine production.

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Alexi McCammond, Hans Nichols

10 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Warren and Clinton to speak on same night of Democratic convention

(Photos: Abdulhamid Hosbas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images, Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Hillary Clinton both are slated to speak on the Wednesday of the Democratic convention — Aug. 19 — four sources familiar with the planning told Axios.

Why it matters: That's the same night Joe Biden's running mate (to be revealed next week) will address the nation. Clinton and Warren represent two of the most influential wise-women of Democratic politics with the potential to turn out millions of establishment and progressive voters in November.

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Caitlin Owens, Jacob Knutson

10 hours ago - Health

Trump considering order on pre-existing condition protections, which already exist

Photo: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

President Trump announced on Friday he will pursue an executive order requiring insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions, something that is already law.

Why it matters: The Affordable Care Act already requires insurers to cover pre-existing conditions. The Trump administration is currently arguing in a case before the Supreme Court to strike down that very law — including its pre-existing condition protections.